Page 64 of Of Magic and Murder

I swallow roughly. “Riordan? What.. what are you doing here?”

His shifter’s eyes flash, shining brighter than the fluorescent lights we turned on in the kitchen. “Nothing can keep me from you, my sweet witch, and I’m done pretending otherwise.”

Honey and Roxy exchange a look.

Gus squirms until Honey lowers him to the floor. He dashes over to Riordan. Rising up on his back legs, he lifts his right paw, shaking it at the wolf shifter while chittering in a way that can only be described as chiding.

Shifting the box to one hand, Riordan rubs the back of his neck, making sure to look down at Gus. “Yeah. I know. I messed up.” A quick glance over to me. “Again. But this time, I’m not walking away with my tail between my legs. I’m here to talk to my mate, if she’ll let me.”

The opossum sniffs.

Really. He sniffs, not like he’s trying to catch a scent, but because he’s slightly mollified by how Riordan is careful not to use his dominance against either of us.

As for me... how can I say no? After everything Honey and Roxy told me about shifters and what they referred to as their ‘mating dance’, it would be cruel to send him away.

Especially since he came bearing food.

Food… ah, Hecate, how could I have been so oblivious? From the moment I offered him a donut on the way to visit the coven house our first day investigating together, he’s done everything he can to feed me in return. From accepting Honey’s treats so that he gave them to me to all of the breakfasts and the lunches and the dinners together… in shifter culture, especially when it comes to the predators, feeding is a sign of love and affection and a promise that they can be a provider.

All along, he’s been telling me he loves me and I… I had no idea.

Until now.

And that really does change everything.

I move toward him, gesturing at the box. “Is that for me?”

His lips twitch, his expression almost hopeful. “I know how much you like donuts. They’re not as good as Honey’s”—Honey makes a sound of agreement before yipping as though realizing that she shouldn’t interfere at such a pivotal moment—“but they were the only shop open. It took me three tries to find a donut shop before I found one. But I got them for you.”

“Because nothing says ‘I love you’ like donuts,” I say softly.

Riordan’s eyes flash. “Pen…”

“Okay,” announces Honey. “Girls’ night is officially over. Roxy? Bring my bowl and my spoon back when you’re done. Gus? We’re heading home. Riordan? Just… don’t destroy the kitchen, okay? I’ve gotta open up early tomorrow so, yeah. Use the apartment.”

Use the apartment? For what?

Roxy snickers into her bicep. Gus is back on Honey’s shoulder, using his tail wrapped around her neck for support as he rises up, waving with one paw. Almost mimicking her sidekick, she lifts her hand, saying, “Good luck,” in a very obvious stage whisper before the opossum shifter, the raccoon shifter, the wild opossum, the bowl of cookie dough, and the salt disappear out through the back door.

It locks behind them like it always does, leaving Riordan and me completely alone.

I dare a peek into his eyes. I see the hunger there, the desire, and the need, and, yeah… I’m pretty sure I know exactly what Honey meant by that now.

Maybe I already knew what was going to happen was inevitable. It doesn’t matter. Before Riordan says anything, I take his hand. He looks at me in surprise, but when I drag him toward the stairs, heading to the apartment, he doesn’t try to stop me at all.

I don’t lead him to the living room. Not the kitchen, either. We go straight to the bedroom. Once there, I take the box of donuts from his suddenly lax grip, set them on my dresser, and move so that I’m standing right in front of him.

“So…”

Before I can say another word, he cuts me off with another hasty, “I’m sorry.”

I frown. I figured the donuts were the apology, and the rest could wait. But… “This again?”

“Yeah. But it’s important.” He shakes his head, frustrated with himself. “I apologized before, but I kept explaining why I did it like that made it better. It doesn’t.”

That gets my attention.

“I should’ve told you the moment I knew what you were to me⁠—”