“Why?”
He’s about to tell me, but there are no more questions, and Ash adjourns the meeting.
“That was short,” Meg says with a contented sigh.
Ryder playfully raises his eyebrows at me. “Probably because Ash has other things on his mind.”
“Well, he’s going to have to wait to get Kit back because I have more people to introduce her to.”
Once we’re standing, Meg takes me by the arm and pulls me down the aisle. Thanks to her exuberance, I trip over her brother’s foot.
Ryder catches me from behind, setting his hands on my sides to keep me upright. “Careful there.”
“Sorry,” River apologizes needlessly, standing to give me more room to pass.
I could tell he was handsome while he was sitting, but the man is startling on his feet. Though his shoulders are slightly broader than most high fae, he’s lean and tall even for his people, built like a professional baseball player. He wears a waistcoat similar to Ash's, in a deep shade of midnight blue that matches his eyes.
He’s also the only high fae I’ve seen who wears his hair short.
The man has a mature air about him, making me think he’s probably a few years older than Ash. Our magic tries to connect again, a little embarrassing.
Yet even though he’s absolutely, ridiculously gorgeous, I’m still not sparkling.
“Would you get out of the way?” Meg whines to him.
River pulls his eyes from mine and gives his younger sister a wry smile. “Are you in a hurry?”
“I want to introduce Kit to Rosalie, and she never stays long.”
Meg’s brother turns his attention back to me. “It was nice to meet you, Kit. I’ll come by for tea when you open your shop.”
I nod dumbly, and then I remember I have something to ask him. “Do you carry fae books at the bookshop?”
“Some, yes,” he says. “Are you looking for anything in particular?”
“I found a book about gnomes in the library. I’d like to buy my father a copy.”
“Stop by soon, and I’ll see if I can find it. If not, I’m sure I can order it in.”
Swallowing because the man is disconcerting, even if I’m not fluttering for him, I nod.
“I think Rosalie already left,” Meg says with a sigh when we leave the aisle. “Oh well. I’m sure you’ll meet her soon.”
“Blame your brother,” Ryder says casually, leading us to the refreshment table. “It’s his fault for making eyes at Kit and not letting her leave.”
“Sorry about that,” Meg says, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“I think it’s my magic,” I say quietly. “People have always been…”
“Drawn to you?” Ryder says with a grin.
“Notmespecifically. But yes.” I take a step closer to Meg. “How exactly do you manage living around all these fae men? They’re all so?—”
“Delicious?” She grins, raising her brows.
Ryder snorts as he helps himself to several dry-looking cookies.
“I mean…” I clear my throat. “Well, yeah.”
