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“There’s a couple here that needs to find happiness. And I’ll find them as soon as I get some energy back.” Clutching the towel at her chest, she nodded decisively. “Ihaveto.”

* * *

The water had cooledwhen the doorbell jingled the first few beats of a Christmas tune. Niera sighed and climbed out of the rejuvenating water, her arms and legs covered in goose bumps. Patting herself dry before tucking the towel around her chest, she opened the drain and padded into the living room.

The doorbell jingled its jolly tone again.

“Coming. Coming.”

She hastened her steps, catching herself when she slipped on the tiles and almost lost her towel. She reached the door and fumbled to fix her towel enough to appear decent.

She pulled open the door.

And almost slammed it shut.

Alistair’s eyes dipped to her cleavage, then immediately jerked up to her face. A heated blush coasted over his handsome cheeks. After a few awkward moments, he looked away while raising a white paper bag and drink carrier with two cups.

“I-I didn’t realize…I’m, uh…I brought breakfast.”

Niera shuffled behind the door, hiding her poorly clad body, and jutted her chin toward the kitchen. “I’m not a big breakfast person.”

His blush darkened, causing her heart to pitter-patter and her stomach to do all sorts of whirly moves. He actually looked…cute, all timid and embarrassed.

“Annie warned me, but when she said you weren’t feeling well, I couldn’t blow it off. Especially since part of your condition is my doing, I’m sure.”

“No. But I appreciate the gesture.” She glanced down at the loosening towel and clutched it more tightly. “Come on in. Just give me a few minutes to get dressed.”

“`Course.”

She closed the door behind Alistair, who kept his eyes averted as she sidled past him and hurried to the guest room. Tossing the towel aside, she pulled on the first thing she could find—shorts and a tank top—gathered her hair into a messy knot on top of her head, and returned to find her visitor at the kitchen counter, two egg sandwiches on plates. Alistair had placed the half-gallon of milk and a sugar bowl on the counter. He looked up at her and smiled.

“So, Annie said you don’t care much for meat. I hope eggs and cheese are okay. And coffee?” He smiled uncertainly as he mentioned the beverage, that flush returning to his face. Niera waved his concern away and climbed into one of the two counter stools. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

“I think this is perfect. And, honestly, I’m famished. Coffee will certainly help.”

“Oh, good.” He rounded the counter and took the stool beside her. “I realized halfway here that you might prefer tea.”

She pulled apart the two halves of one sandwich, grinning to herself. “Why? Because I’m fae?”

“That. Mostly.” He peeled off the top of his cup and fixed his coffee with milk and sugar. “And Annie said you don’t care for coffee.”

“I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I don’t drink it. I had a cup yesterday at the café.” She took a small bite of her sandwich, hot deliciousness filling her mouth and squeezing out a moan of delight. Her belly rumbled. “Wow.” Mouth full, she gestured to the sandwich in her hand. “That’s good.”

Alistair chuckled. “Point for me.”

She shrugged, casting him a coy glance only to catch him watching her, a particular glow in his stunning eyes. She took another bite of the sandwich, at a loss for words.

“It’s nice to see you with nothing on,” he said quietly.

Niera almost choked on her food, coughing behind clenched teeth. Alistair held out his coffee, worry filling his expression as he patted her back.

“What?” Niera wheezed.

“That didn’t come out the way I meant it to. Here.” He pushed his cup into her open hand and urged her to drink, which she gladly did. Her face boiled hot with embarrassment. She couldn’t bear to look at him. He’d practically seen her naked! “Niera, I meant the glamour. You’re not wearing magic.”

“Oh.” She forced another gulp of coffee to get the remainder of her bite down her throat. “Good.”

Only when she had stopped coughing and was out of the woods from dying over breakfast did Alistair lower himself back on his stool. His hand remained on her back, rubbing slow circles between her shoulder blades. Niera wiped the tears from her eyes before sucking in a few deep breaths.