What's a Witch to Do Part 26

"And last night?"

"I don't know what it meant to you, but ... " He shrugs. "It was better than I ever imagined. And I imagined it a lot," he chuckles. The laughs subside a second later. This is no laughing matter, not to me. "Sorry."

"Stop apologizing to me!" I all but shout. Eighteen years of experiences and looks and ... h.e.l.l's bells. "So it's me or the pack?"

"Yes."

"Wh-what about dating? We can't even date?"

"Mona, you're my mate. Werewolves mate for life. I can't just date you then walk away. I'm not a m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.t."

"I can't ... this, this is too much to process. I-I don't know what to say or do or ... "

"You don't have to say or do anything. I just, I had to tell you. Just ... just once. You don't have to say anything back. I just thought ... h.e.l.l, I don't know what I thought. Never mind." Without looking at me, he walks up the stairs and I step to the side to let him pa.s.s. His shoulder brushes against mine, and I freeze up. "Excuse me," he says.

I can't let him leave like this. "Adam?" I ask. He turns around, face slack in misery. My heart all but snaps in two for him. "What happens Sat.u.r.day?"

"That's the day I have to decide. Either I stay here, or I go back and never see you again."

"Oh," I more groan than say. "And will-will you stay until then?"

His eyes burrow into mine, down to my soul. "Do you want me to?"

I hesitate, my heart pounding so fast, then whisper, "Yes. Yes, I do."

The briefest of smiles pa.s.ses over his face. "Okay, then. I guess I'll see you in the morning. Sweet dreams, Mona." And he turns around and walks to his bedroom without another syllable.

My legs finally give out when I hear his door shut. I slump onto the stairs, just staring into s.p.a.ce, my mind reeling. No complex thought is able to form in my brain except those three words: He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. "h.e.l.l's bells," I whisper.

A laugh escapes, then another, then they won't stop. I don't have a clue why I'm cackling like a witch on meth, but I can't stop. I guess the sheer insanity of it all. All of it. The demon, Guy, Cheyenne, eighteen years of unrequited love, h.e.l.l, throw in five hundred dollars for tires. I mean, five hundred dollars? That's highway robbery! I laugh harder.

I don't know how long I'm on those stairs laughing, but I don't stop until Cora, wrapped in a towel, touches my shoulder. "Aunt Mona, why are you laughing?"

I pull her into a hug, holding her as if she were a life raft. "Oh, sweetie, because life is so freaking ridiculous."

FRIDAY TO DO:.

Continue working at festival Work Attend pageant Start agendas for co-op meetings tomorrow Finish store renovation Keep investigating, if possible Send reminder e-mail about meetings EXHAUSTION SAVED ME AROUND midnight from a.n.a.lyzing eighteen years of memories and inventorying my feelings. I came up with nothing but a headache. The alarm buzzes at seven and my eyes fly open. I pull my body out of bed and into the bathroom. After taking great pains to put on makeup and tame my hair, I guess for the werewolf who loves me, I go to wake up the girls but they're not in their room and neither is Adam. His bedroom door is open. There are clothes strewn everywhere, and the covers on the bed are in a tangle. He had a fitful night. The smell of eggs draws me into the kitchen, where the girls sit at the table chewing on toast while Adam stands with his back to me at the stove. He loves me ...

"Morning," he says, still cooking. "Omelet'll be done in a minute. Can you get the ketchup?"

"Uh, sure," I practically whisper. Not taking my eyes off him, I pour myself coffee and get the ketchup, but he doesn't look back. "You girls, uh, sleep well?" I ask as I sit.

"I guess," Sophie says.

"Eggs!" Adam says as he turns, skillet in hand. "There's cheese and peppers in here. Hope that's okay." He dishes it out, the whole time smiling pleasantly at us. When it's my turn, I feel a blush reddening my cheeks. His smile never wavers even as he sits across from me. I quickly smile and look down at my plate. "What do you think?"

"It's yummy," Cora says.

It is. "Thank you for making breakfast again," I say.

"My pleasure," he says before turning his attention to Sophie. "Are you excited for tonight? The pageant?"

"I guess," she says with her usual enthusiasm.

"I want to ride the Ferris wheel," Cora says to Adam. "Will you take me?"

Adam chuckles. "We'll see. I don't really like heights."

"You don't? I didn't know that," I say.

"Well, there's a lot about me you don't know," he says with a grin.

I gaze down at my plate and clear my throat. "No rides for either of you. Consider it part of your punishment."

"Really?" Cora whines. "Can I at least get cotton candy? Play games?"

I feel someone cross the psychic barrier out front, so I stand. "We'll see. Excuse me." I reach the front door the moment there's a knock. "Who is it?"

"George Black."

Oh. The F.R.E.A.K.S. have arrived. About d.a.m.n time. I open the door just as Adam and the girls walk in. Dr. George Black, Ph.D., stands on my porch with two serious-looking men in dark suits behind him, one with olive skin and the other with a scar in his eyebrow. I don't know exactly how old George is, but in the twenty odd years I've known him, he's barely changed. He's still painfully thin with gray hair cut like a helmet, tan skin, and an always perfectly pressed suit. He is a sight for sore eyes.

"Uh, hi," I say.

"Aunt Mona?" Sophie asks.

"It's okay. It's, uh, the police. Come in." Better late than never. As they walk in, I notice the girls move behind then press themselves against Adam. "Want some coffee?"

"Yes, please," the agent with the scar says.

"Girls, go get your breakfast and take it upstairs. Get ready for school."

"Go on," Adam whispers to them. Not taking her narrowed eyes off the men, Sophie clasps Cora's hand and leads her to the kitchen. Adam walks toward us. "Well, gentlemen. Took you long enough to get here."

"It turned out there was another wraith," George says. "The team just finished late last night and had to re-supply before we flew here."

I start walking to the kitchen and the men follow. The girls pa.s.s us with their heads down and plates out. "And we thank you for coming," I say. "We've hit a wall." As I fill up the coffee cups and dispense them, I update them on the too-few developments since Wednesday night. "So we know it's her, but we can't prove it."

"We'll see what we can dig up," Olive skin says. "We'll need a list of her friends, family, boyfriends, and so on."

"Then she'll know we're after her," Adam points out. "That's exactly what we've been trying to avoid."

"We'll be as discreet as possible, but at this point it's unavoidable," Scar says. "We have been in touch with your local police, and they have her under surveillance as of this morning. If she comes near you we'll know it."

George pats my hand. "Don't you worry. We've done this a thousand times."

Adam gulps the rest of his coffee. "Excuse me. I'm going to check on the girls." He leaves the cup on the counter and walks out.

"We may need you both on the takedown," Olive Skin says. "Think you can handle that?"

"It would be my great pleasure," I say honestly.

"You're sure the demon's dead?" the other agent asks.

"She's gone. Do you guys fight a lot of demons?"

"Not often," George answers. "Last one was nine years ago. If you ever want a job ... "

"I have several," I say with a smile before standing. "Alright, let me get the girls to the bus, and then I'll get you that list. Make yourselves at home." I leave the F.R.E.A.K.S. in my kitchen to fend for themselves and run upstairs. I feel a little better knowing they're here. If they can't nail her, n.o.body can. Adam closes the girls' door as I step into the hall. "They getting ready?"

"Yeah. You should probably talk to them. They're afraid those guys are here to arrest them for the love charm. I told them they weren't, but it'd be better coming from you."

I stop walking as I get a few feet away. That's close enough for now. "Okay. I will. Thanks."

"You're welcome," he says. "What now?"

I shrug. "We let them do their thing. Help when asked, I guess."

He takes a small step toward me. "And ... what about me? What do I do?"

You could kiss me. "What?"

"Well, your backup's here. You have several bodyguards. No need for me to stay."

"I ... " I don't know what to say. The thought of him leaving literally makes me sick to my stomach. "You-you promised you'd stay for the pageant. And my store is still a mess. You can't just leave it like that. You're not going anywhere." I nod and start walking past him. "Excuse me."

"Mona?"

"Yes?"

He grabs my wrist, spins me around, and pulls me toward him. I smash into his body, and before I stop moving, his lips are on mine. I'm surprised at first, but that lasts less than a blink. All of me grows gloriously warm and my knees go wobbly as we kiss. Just as soon as it began, he moves away, leaving a vacuum in his wake. Lips still parted, I look up through my lashes to his smiling face.

"Whatever you say," he says before kissing my nose. "Don't just stand there. We're going to be late." He steps toward his room, shutting the door behind himself.

I don't move for a few seconds, not until the feel of him on my lips vanishes. So much for pretending. I shuffle to my bedroom and quietly shut the door, resting my back against it with a sigh. A demon attack I can apparently handle, but a quick kiss from the man who loves me dis...o...b..bulates me to the point where I can barely think. Those lips are dangerous. They make a lady forget herself and all logic, something this lady cannot afford to do.

But boy do I want to.

Go to work The squad is hard at work making a case. As I help customers, at least twice I see one or more men in suits I recognize driving or walking down Courtland Street. I only know this because I can't stop gazing out the window; the alternative view is far more distracting. The shelves are almost up, and I finish painting the window so I can keep my back to Adam as much as possible. The few times I've caught him gazing at me, or vice versa, our eyes lingered. I'm always the first to look away, embarra.s.sed by the thoughts running through my head. We don't say a word, not a syllable since the squad left the house. The ride here was unbearable. I think he's waiting for me to make the next move. When I know what that is, I'll let him know.

Billie is running late, which means I'm running late too. Magda and her committee cronies are going to give me h.e.l.l. With the window done, I flip through Cosmo impatiently as Adam puts up the last shelf. I glance up to see him smiling with self-satisfaction. I don't think I've seen a man who smiles so often, and each one of them is so full of glee and earnestness. A c.o.c.k-eyed optimist. I guess people are attracted to their opposite. "Good job," I say. "It looks great."

He turns, and the smile grows. "Thank you. Is there anything else that needs fixing? I already took care of the floorboards and sink in the back."

"You've done more than enough," I say with a chuckle. "Thank you. I already feel like I've taken advantage of you."

"I have no problem with you taking advantage of me, Mona," he says as his smile grows mischievous. "As I remember, it was quite enjoyable."

I blush from the memories and look back at the magazine. "You know what I mean. I don't want to talk about that."

His smile wavers a little. "Not going to make this easy on me, are you?"

That's the problem. It's all too d.a.m.n easy. I stand and turn around. "I'm going to check the online orders. Excuse me." I walk into the back and take a deep breath, letting it out slowly before I reach the desk. d.a.m.n it, Billie, get here before I lose my d.a.m.n mind. I don't- I sense him before I even spin around. By the time I do his arms are already around me, pulling me into him. Those delicious lips find mine, instantly matching his intensity on instinct. Oh ... mama.

I press my body into his as his tongue parts my lips. He tastes good. Never tasted anything better. I swear he's drugged me. I'm already a d.a.m.n addict. I clutch onto his back to anchor myself, as he does me. Something real and solid to keep us from being swept away. I barely notice my legs. .h.i.t the altar as he backs me into it. As he lifts me onto it, his lips move to my ear, whispering, "See how easy this is," before trailing my neck with light kisses down to my collarbone. I go cross-eyed as he gives me a playful nibble. I wrap my legs around his waist, and his bulge bears down on my engorged nethers, sending me into frenzy. I hate clothes. We are never wearing them again. His mouth is on mine, giving me another fix, as his hand sneaks up my shirt to my breast. I groan, sc.r.a.ping my nails down his back. Heaven. We kiss and kiss, and rub and rub, and ...

"Oh s.h.i.t!"

I make the mistake of opening my eyes only to find Billie standing at the door, mouth agape. I didn't hear the bell. He has his hand under my shirt, and I've been writhing like a cat in heat. My legs drop, and I push Adam away, beyond mortified. "Um ... " I say.

"Sorry to interrupt," Billie says through her chuckles. "Don't stop on my account."

I straighten my shirt and hop off the altar as Adam smoothes his hair. "We were just-"

"I can figure it out." She puts her purse on the hook. "Carry on," she quips as she leaves.

We're alone again. Not good. "I'm late," I mutter. I step toward the door and so does he. Don't look at him. "No. Stay. Just ... stay." I grab my purse and hightail it out of there. "Alice will be here in two hours. Call if you need me," I tell Billie as I rush out.

Air. Now that I'm outside I can breathe again. Through the window I see him step out of the back room, and I sprint down the sidewalk like a coward. At least I make it to the park faster. Things are shaping up here. Rides are being tested, the food is being brought in, and stuffed animals are being hung in the booths. The world carries on.

I find the overwhelmed mayor screeching into her cell phone about missing tables. I simply wave and rush off to find a task. Overseeing the setup of the stage for Sophie's show tonight will do. All thoughts of Adam are pushed aside as I decorate the replica of our town-well, most of the time. Bits of the scene on my altar flash through my mind, sending my body into a frenzy all over again. I just stop, close my eyes, and will the feelings away. I'm a master after so many years. About thirty minutes in, my cell buzzes. "h.e.l.lo?"

"Where are you?" Tamara asks.

"The park by the stage. Why?"

"Oh, I see you." She hangs up. A second later I spot her coming my way. I walk off the stage as she reaches me. Before I say a word, she grabs my arm and pulls me away from the crowd. "The FBI just interviewed everyone at the diner about Cheyenne, and it's all over town they're here about her. What the h.e.l.l is going on now?"

"They're the preternatural police. They're here to build a case. What did they ask?"

"Strange behavior, grudge against you, stuff like that. If she hasn't heard, she d.a.m.n well will pretty soon. What if she tries to shoot you or something?"

"Then the squad will arrest her, and all will return to normal."

She puts her hand on her hip. "You should still have Adam with you just in case."

"That ... is not a good idea," I say.

"Why the h.e.l.l not? Let the man do what he came here for."