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“I’d like you to stop trying to change the subject and answer my question.” I collect the remaining three bags. “And then I’m fine with going second. I don’t get intimidated; I get even.”
He arches a wry brow. “That makes…very little sense.”
“You make very little sense.”
“We’re supposed to be flirting, not fighting,” he says in a softer voice.
“There’s a thin line between the two.” Cradling my bean bags in one arm, I rest a hand on his arm and lean in, leading with my cleavage as I add in a huskier voice, “But I can get back to batting my eyelashes as soon as you explain why you think my sweet, harmless, adorable, sincere, generous, wonderful sister would be any danger to your cranky shit turd of a brother.”
“You forgot beautiful,” he says, an emotion flickering in his eyes that I haven’t seen before. “And I’m afraid he’ll fall for her, of course. And that she won’t fall for him in return. And then my brother, whose heart is already shredded into so much hamburger meat from losing the last woman he loved, will have his soul shattered all over again. I don’t know if he’d survive it.”
Pain flashing through my chest, I give his arm a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that. If it’s any comfort, if that did happen Annie would let him down so easy, he wouldn’t even realize he’d been let down. She’s the kindest person I’ve ever met. Truly. She wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone the man she used to be engaged to marry.”
“We haven’t broken them up yet.” He brushes my hair from my forehead and tucks it behind my ear, the feel of his fingertips on my skin enough to make me shiver. “Are you cold?”
“No,” I answer honestly.
“Then why are you shivering, little goblin?” he asks as his fingers capture my earlobe, giving it a light squeeze that I feel…everywhere.
Before I realize what I’m up to, I do something completely out of character.
I reach up, wrap my fingers around the back of his neck, and drag his lips down to mine.
As he kisses me back with the same fierce sweetness and barely contained hunger as last night, I have a sudden flash of knowing. I suddenly know that his fears are going to come true, only it won’t be Colin falling for Annie, it’ll be me falling for this impossible man.
A man who wants to fuck me but also thinks I’m a crass little goblin.
A man who has offered to help my family but only because he’s a decent person who doesn’t want the town infested with killer cephalopods.
A man who brings my body to life but who has zero interest in my heart.
Too bad and too late a giddy voice whispers in my head as he reaches down to squeeze my ass in full view of half the town. I’m pretty sure it’s my heart and that she just did a full-blown canon dive into the deep end of the crush pool.
I’m trying to muster the strength to pull away from his kiss and make a run for the bathroom where I can give my heart a very stern talking to when a hysterical female voice screeches, “You never touched my butt like that! You asshole!”
What feels like a small paddling pool full of water is suddenly dumped over my head, and I’m too busy sputtering and swiping at my eyes to see what happens next. All I know is that by the time I can see again, Darcy’s gone.
Well, his human form is gone.
All that remains is a big bat chasing a smaller bat across the lawn, past the apple bobbing booth that’s now missing one large barrel full of water. The only good news is that the apple bobbers are staring at me with a mixture of shocked and delightfully scandalized expressions, making it clear they saw the whole thing.
Even better, Annie and Colin are there at the back of the crowd, looking stunned but also a little…hopeful?
Yes, that’s definitely hope in my sister’s eyes.
Now if only Darcy would get back here and help me make sure it stays there!
As if summoned by my thoughts, Darcy poofs back into his human form beside me, making me jump. “Shit, you scared me,” I say, before sweetening my tone as I take his hand and add, “Are you okay? What happened?”
“I’m fine. And Janet’s been formally banned from all Blackmore lands and forbidden to feed from any living donor, whether willing or unwilling. You won’t have to worry about her again,” he says, his eyes raking up and down my body in a way that makes my already tight nipples bead into aching points against my soaked sweater. “But you’re drenched. You’re going to catch your death out here in those wet things. Come inside. We’ll find you something else to wear and order you a mulled cider to warm you up.”
“Ok-kay, th-thanks,” I say, my teeth chattering. “That sounds good.”
He pulls me in for another hug that’s even sweeter and safer than the one earlier this evening. And then he kisses the top of my head and whispers, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let my guard down. Not even here.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper back as I melt into his strength, his heat.
But it’s not okay.
