He scrubbed a hand over his face, his features darkening by the second. “It’s essentially a desk job, Tessa. We won’t be partners anymore. Any cases you work on for the agency will be with another detective.”
And there it was. I wasn’t looking forward to working with anyone else either, but it was no reason to turn down such an incredible opportunity.
“It will be weird at first, but we’ll manage. That new guy Hendricks isn’t so bad. I could work with him.”
Derrick crossed his arms and jerked his head sharply. “Absolutely not. Hendricks is disorganized and untrained.”
My nose scrunched. I seemed to remember similar criticisms of me when Derrick and I first met. The parallels were striking.
“Huh, that sounds eerily familiar. Then how about Erickson?”
“He’s clumsy and slow. I caught him napping.”
“Ellis?”
“No way! He—”
“Let me guess, he’s not you.”
“Exactly,” Derrick grumbled.
I tossed up my hands. “Great. Not only are you bringing home a witch, but I’m also holding you back from the most respected job in the kingdom. Your parents will be thrilled. You might as well have the driver pull the carriage over now and let me out.”
“You’re not holding me back. I like the job I have, and I’m not sure I’m ready to give it up.”
“You can’t fool me. I know what this promotion means to you, and besides, think of all the good you can do for the kingdom. You’re just being overprotective and irrational. I can take care of myself. I don’t need—”
The carriage hurtled down a steep incline, sending me careening forward. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing to land in a tangled heap on the floor.
I shouldn’t have worried. Derrick wrapped his hands around my waist and hauled me into his lap. My stomach did a somersault as his breath skated past my ear.
“You can take care of yourself, huh? You can’t even stay in your seat.”
He caught the elbow I tried to dig into his ribs and chuckled. As he shifted me to face him, I tried to maintain my manufactured irritation, but it was difficult.
“I’ve never ridden in one of these contraptions. A sleigh ride sounded romantic when you told me about it, but I’ve changed my mind. It’s nothing but an icebox on skis, and I think the horses are charging through the snow at breakneck speed just to spite me.”
Mischief glinted in his eyes. “Well, maybe you should have tried talking to them before we left.”
“Very funny.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him my most stern witch face. “Stop trying to change the subject.”
“Who’s changing the subject? I’m only trying to enjoy our vacation. We aren’t supposed to talk about work. I believe it was one of the rules.”
I narrowed my gaze. “Your rules are suspiciously weighted in your favor.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” His hands glided up my waist, and I caught the smirk spreading across his lips before they met mine.
“You’re a master at evasive maneuvers,” I murmured, returning his kiss.
“One of my many talents.”
The carriage turned down a long, tree-lined lane. Snow-dusted branches rushed past, and the runners zipped over a stone-columned bridge with tall wrought iron lantern posts. Then, through my heavy-lidded lashes, I spotted the house peeking between the trees.
My eyes popped open. This wasn’t a house. It was a monstrosity of exposed brick, huge arched windows, and multiple chimneys stretching into the sky.
“Hey!” I said, smacking Derrick’s shoulders. “You told me your family home was small according to country standards. Your exact word was ‘cottage.’ That isn’t a cottage!”
He cringed. “I didn’t want to scare you. You’ve been tense enough as it is.”
