Page 29 of The Banshee and the Warlock

"You can't ask your mum for baked treats based on what I prefer," she responds.

"Can't I?" It doesn't matter much to me which Mum sends, and I know she'll like it if I tell her what I want rather than my normal response of getting her to make whatever she feels like making. I'm not trying to be awkward towards her about it. I just really don't mind. Anything she makes is always delicious.

"Okay, I prefer the cake version."

"I'll let her know," I respond, happy that I can do something to make her happy, especially when it will also make Mum happy.

"And how are you going to do that?" She leans forward on the desk.

I raise an eyebrow, trying not to be too satisfied that she seems to be angling after that. "Are you asking if I've told my mum about you?"

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess so? I know we've been on one date, but..." she trails off and sighs. "Nope, you don't want to hear it."

"Don't I get to decide that?" I stir the cauldron and sprinkle a pinch of dried lavender over the top of the potion.

She takes a deep breath, and for a moment, I don't think she's going to tell me what's on her mind. "It's just that sometimes when we're together, I get a weird feeling. Like this is something big. Does that make sense?"

Shock travels through me, and I freeze in place as I try to process exactly what she's saying.

Mate. The word races around my head, partly in disbelief that she seems to be feeling some of the bond herself.

"See, I'm sorry, you didn't want to hear it," she mutters, turning away.

I reach out and catch her wrist in mine to stop her, regretting that there's a desk in the way. She turns back and meets my gaze, hope shining in there.

I glance at the potion, satisfied that all it needs to do is boil for five minutes. I head around to the other side of the desk and draw her to me, pushing loose hair out of her face so I can look into her eyes.

"I know what you mean," I say softly. "You're more than just a girlfriend to me."

She raises an eyebrow. "I'm your girlfriend now? And here I was thinking you were the one getting freaked out about commitment."

"Well, I'd like you to be my girlfriend," I respond, trailing my hand up her arm. "I don't want to see anyone else." I know that I could reject the mate bond myself, but I don't want to.

"I'd like that too." She goes up on her toes and wraps her arms around my neck.

My gaze slips down to her lips, and all thoughts disappear. The only thing on my mind is how beautiful she is, and how close she is to me. The scent of her shampoo and the twinkle in her eye as she waits for me to close the gap between us.

I lean in and brush my lips against hers, giving in to the desire growing inside.

She presses herself against me and lets out a small moan as I deepen the kiss, making it more difficult than before for me to hold back.

My hand slips down and finds the smooth patch of skin where her shirt has risen up, I trail my fingers over it, wanting to go further. Wanting her more than I've ever wanted anything.

The timer I set goes off, cutting through the haze, and we both pull back.

"We have got to start making out when things can't interrupt us," she mutters.

"I'm sure that can be arranged," I respond.

"Maybe after you shut that thing off."

I laugh and pull away from her despite that being the last thing I want to do. I make my way back around to the cauldron and place the strands of hair at the top. "All right, another ten minutes and we're done."

She nods. "What should I expect?"

"I don't know, I think it's going to depend on what your dream has to say to you."

"Ominous," she mutters.