Page 11 of Allie
"I’m good with that. I don’t start working at the boutique for a few days," I replied, feeling a surge of adrenaline at the thought of actively hunting down leads. My heart raced not just from the danger, but also from the prospect of working so closely with Roan. While at the same time, I wanted to spend time with Draven and Asa as well.
With the start of a plan to do research, our conversation became lighter, replacing the serious undertones as Nat began recounting our childhood shenanigans. "Allie here," she chuckled, "once convinced me she'd turned our cat into a lion. Had me terrified for hours until Mr. Whiskers walked in, completely un-lion-like."
"Hey, I was honing my craft," I retorted with mock indignation, earning a round of laughter.
As stories flowed and wine was poured, the tension eased from my shoulders. Each chuckle, each shared memory, wove a thread of camaraderie between us. It was strange to think that amid the chaos of Doyle's mysterious death and cryptic symbols, we could find such pockets of joy.
"Remember the time you tried to fly on that broomstick?" Nat asked, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Which time?" I shot back, rolling my eyes but joining in the mirth. "The one where I nearly broke my neck or the one where I actually got off the ground for a whole two seconds?"
"Both are classics," Nat said, falling back in laughter.
About an hour later, Draven and Asa stood. “I have a house to show first thing in the morning.” Asa said.
I followed them to the door, feeling a pang in my heart at the thought of the night winding down.
"Thanks for the dinner, Allie. Natalie." Draven said, his deep voice carrying a sincerity that reached straight into my chest. His hand enveloped mine in a firm shake before he pulled me unexpectedly into a tight hug. The faint scent of earth and something distinctly spicy, like cinnamon, teased my senses.
"Anytime," I said, my words slightly muffled against his shoulder. When he released me, there was a warmth in his eyes that hadn't been there before, and it made my heart flutter in response.
Asa was next, his smile wide and unapologetically charming as he stepped forward. "I'll have to sketch you sometime."
"That would be fun," I said, trying to ignore the heat flooding my cheeks as he wrapped his arms around me. His hug lingered a touch longer than Daven’s, and I could feel the gentle power of his psychic abilities brushing against my skin.
"Watch it, Casanova," Roan's voice rumbled behind me, a note of mock-threat in the tease that made me laugh.
"Jealous?" Asa shot back with his own tease, winking at Roan as I finally broke free from his embrace.
"Please," Roan growled playfully, the sound vibrating through the room in a way that made my insides twist pleasantly.
Draven chuckled, a low, infectious sound, and clapped Roan on the back. "Come on, let's leave the ladies to their evening." He gave me a final nod, his dark eyes lingering on mine for a heavy beat before turning towards the door.
"Goodnight," Asa called out, sending me a grin. Then, with a casual wave, he followed Draven out of the apartment.
"Night, guys!" I called after them. I watched their retreating forms, noting the easy camaraderie between them as they headed to the stairs.
The moment the door clicked shut, I turned to find Roan still standing there, his presence filling up the doorway like he was the only thing tethering me to the earth. His eyes held mine, and something electric passed between us.
"Roan," I started, my voice barely above a whisper. But words were unnecessary; he closed the distance between us with a few purposeful strides.
"See you tomorrow," he whispered. Then, his lips were on mine, soft at first, almost questioning. But as I responded, they grew more insistent, igniting a fire that spread through my veins, erasing any lingering doubts.
I reached up, tangling my fingers in his thick hair, pulling him closer. Roan's arms wrapped around me, strong and sure, and I melted into him. The kiss deepened, and I was lost in it. The taste of him, the feel of him, the undeniable connection that seemed to grow stronger with every passing second.
But just as things got hot and heavy, Aspirin had chosen that exact moment to remind me of her existence by pawing at my leg, demanding attention or perhaps her evening treat. My face burned as I disentangled myself from Roan's embrace and scooped up the furry little cockblocker.
"Timing, Aspirin," I said under my breath, trying to control my breathing and ignore the way Roan chuckled softly in front of me.
I gave Roan an apologetic smile, feeling the flush on my cheeks deepen. "I guess that's my cue," he said, a lopsided grin tugging at his mouth as he stepped back, giving me space.
"Goodnight, Allie." His voice was low, sending a fresh shiver down my spine.
"Night, Roan," I managed, still dazed. I watched him walk away, every cell in my body screaming for him to come back.
With a soft click, I closed the door and pressed my back against it, my heart pounding like it wanted to escape my chest. My lips tingled from his kiss, and my whole body felt alive, every nerve ending humming with an energy I'd never experienced. I'd been kissed before, plenty of times, but nothing—absolutely nothing—compared to this.
"Really, Aspirin?" I whispered to the cat, now purring contentedly in my arms. "You couldn't have waited five more minutes?"