Page 31 of Love Spell (Witches of London #3)

Was this what Rhys had meant when he’d said Timo was never satisfied, impossible to please, endlessly seeking more?

Since there was nothing wrong with wanting more and better out of life, Timo had always known that Rhys being irritated with him was a simple character flaw, frustrating but forgivable.

Yet Rhys and Noah did not have similar characters, so why would they have similar flaws? No matter how much more Timo tried to give him and how much better Timo tried to make his life, Noah was still running away.

At least Rhys hadn’t been a runner; he’d stay and fight, which resolved things and kept things moving.

Fights had action, momentum, winners and losers — nothing wrong with a fight.

But this? Here he was, not satisfied because Noah would soon have to leave the country, seeking more in the form of a long-term relationship, and no, that wasn’t acceptable.

Somehow, he’d done something wrong and Noah wouldn’t even tell him what.

Beyond the obvious, it was an extra shame since everything had been going so well all week.

Ever since last Friday, Timo had felt revitalised.

It wasn’t just constantly being with Noah and their weekend away.

He’d physically felt better — more awake, more decisive, nightmares vanished and sleep finding him easily when he was ready for it.

He’d stepped into a new life a week ago and somehow, without stopping to plan or actively think through the matter, he’d embraced it as such. September and before had been Timo alone. October and after would be Timo and Noah.

Then Noah had walked out. Because Timo wanted more and better for him?

He knew he mustn’t chase, but he found himself unable to sit still.

Noah couldn’t have gone anywhere in particular since he’d left without his phone or wallet.

He didn’t even have a jacket and he couldn’t have got a bus to Hyde Park, which was his favourite place to walk and watch people.

Why would he walk around the building with sunset closing in and no escape?

After half an hour, frustrated with Noah but also confused, wondering what Noah thought Timo had done wrong and how Timo was supposed to fix it as long as he didn’t know, he finally also pulled on shoes and went out.

His first hunch proved correct. Noah was walking at a regular pace on a treadmill in the empty gym, simply staring into space.

Timo offered a smile from the door as he let it close behind him and pocketed his key fob. Noah glanced at him and looked away, but he didn’t tell Timo to fuck off.

Timo joined him on the neighbouring machine, matching Noah’s pace.

Noah stared down at the control panel on his treadmill.

Timo considered options before recalling his former lover’s pet complaint about Timo: that he never apologised. The reason for that had been simple. Timo didn’t need to since he didn’t often make mistakes. Rhys saw matters differently and perhaps Noah did too.

“I’m sorry I upset you,” Timo offered after they’d walked for a minute in silence.

Noah shook his head, speaking under his breath. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Hah. Timo had known it. So what the hell was the problem?

“Then what can I do?” Timo tried. If he could fix this, mend a break he hadn’t caused, he’d still come out ahead.

“Everything with you is so … fast. It’s like your frequencies are tuned to emergency pitch all the time.”

“You’re about to have to leave the country. Do you want me to step back and wave goodbye?”

“It’s not that. Of course there’s a time crunch right now. I just mean in general. Asking me to marry you … It’s …”

“What is it?” Incredible, amazing, awesome — or whatever else Americans said?

Again, Noah shook his head. “I don’t want to be your charity case.”

Timo stared at him while Noah kept looking ahead. “Do you really think I’m the kind of man who takes on charity cases?”

For the first time, Noah glanced at him. There was even a hint of a smile. “I guess not.”

“I love you.”

Noah sighed. “I don’t know what I feel. I probably love you, but everything’s so … and it’s just … argh. ”

“Come home. We’ll warm up your dinner.”

“I don’t have a home.”

“You have a home with me. What? Do you need more space? We can move. Two-bedroom? Your own home office?”

“No!” Noah flinched at his own volume and hugged himself, still walking. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “That’s the problem.”

Timo pounced. “What’s the problem?”

“Stop giving me stuff. Stop trying to do everything — to buy me the world and gift wrap it.”

“Okay.” No gifts? That was all? Should be easy. What counted as a gift, though? Obviously the mountain bike was out. What about restaurant dinners and a shared mattress? Some of these things were tricky to call.

When Noah said nothing, Timo tried again. “Come upstairs. Eat, have ginger tea, try on your backpack. It’s the only birthday gift you’re getting.”

Noah choked on a laugh. “Promise?”

Timo pressed a hand to his heart. “I promise.”

By the time they were back to the penthouse, Noah was still rather pathetic, not saying anything.

Timo warmed his dinner and plied him with a glass of wine.

He sliced a mango, dusted it in seasoning salt and red pepper flakes, and joined Noah to share this delicacy. Noah tried a wedge but pulled a face.

The food and drink broke the ice until Timo felt he could try again.

What would the people advise who came up with those 36 love questions? What used to earn him points with Rhys? Noah was so sensitive, overreacting when Timo didn’t even know why, Timo must tread lightly to meet Noah at his level, e.g. cautious and unhurried.

“If you don’t want the fiancé visa, we don’t have to do it.

But isn’t it worth thinking about? Take the weekend and consider it?

Go in together for another appointment next week and get all the information?

If we do want to go ahead, we can start the application process.

If not, at least we both understand our options.

” There. He sounded like a bloody mediator on the telly.

He didn’t bother to tell Noah that he’d already made the next appointment for Monday, Noah’s birthday. No, he was too good at this for mentioning such details right now.

He could have been a psychologist if only he’d had any interest in people and their problems. And if people weren’t mostly stupid and boring.

And if it had been a profession that brought in at least a few million a year.

Too bad the troubled, anxious, and insecure masses would never know what they were missing.

The troubled, anxious, and insecure individual before him did finally pause to appreciate Timo.

Noah nodded. “I know you’re right. I’m sorry I walked out on you. All you’re trying to do is help and figure out solutions while I sit on my hands.”

Timo preened, so chuffed with himself he felt an unaccustomed urge to give Noah a hug and say something like, “There, there.” Timo wasn’t a hugger, but it was a nice thought that affirmed what a delightful, selfless, doting lover he really was.

They still had ice cream to further improve Noah’s mood and, since Noah had the metabolism of a sixteen-year-old, he didn’t hold back.

Noah wondered about a movie, Timo proposed a cinema visit since that seemed the best way to get Noah further out of his head. So they went out, Timo a bit unsure if it was okay to get both tickets but Noah didn’t object. Gift: backpack. Not a gift: cinema ticket.

Timo put his arm around Noah’s shoulders after the trailers and, a bit to his surprise, Noah leaned against him.

Nice. Home and dry. There was no way Noah wasn’t going to that Monday appointment, no way the engagement wasn’t happening.

In bed that night, Timo was even more solicitous.

Lights on or off? What did Noah think of the new mattress?

What did he want? Timo tried to remember some of those love questions he’d not yet asked.

He couldn’t be sure, though. Perhaps he’d asked and forgot so asking the same one would look bad. Better come up with his own.

“Talk to me.” Inside Noah, face to face, Timo kissed him. “What’s your favourite thing about Alaska?” He soon followed up with, “What about London?” Although disappointed when Noah didn’t at once say, “You.” Timo tried not to take it personally.

Talking their way through sex, mostly on unrelated topics, was both intimate and oddly exciting, perhaps because of the juxtaposition.

Later, Noah was properly relaxed, even laughing with Timo by the time they were approaching their second orgasm, meaning this one to be synced, helped by plenty of communication.

“Ever worn a cock ring?” Timo asked.

“You can’t put that on now.”

“For future reference.”

“Do you have a favourite sex toy?”

“You.”

Noah chuckled, which was a relief since it took Timo a few seconds of hindsight to discover such a comment could be taken the wrong way.

“You will let me buy them if we get engagement rings?” Timo asked. “No gifts, I know, but think of that as part of the legal process. Of course I’ll cover anything like that.”

“Oh … uh… yeah. I guess so. If we get anything like that.”

“If, of course. Let’s get another appointment for Monday. Until then, just think about it.”

“I will.”

“Stop, Noah. I’m ready.”

“I’m not.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to stop.”

“Who knew you’d ever say that to me?”

“‘Mysterious ways’ and all that …”

Again, Noah laughed.

“What do you want to do for your birthday weekend?” Timo asked, needing to distract himself for another minute, again hoping for Noah to say, “You.” Noah still failed to read his lines, but he didn’t totally disappoint.

“You mentioned bike trails?”

“North Downs? Surrey Hills?”

“Sure. But let’s invite the team to hang out.

Especially Haoyu and Arthur — anyone who’d want to bike or get out for a hike.

We don’t all have to spend every minute together, just go together and have a good time.

” He caught his breath before adding quietly, “And not draw so much attention to the fact that you’ve socially dumped the entire Wolf Pack in favour of me. ”

That was stupid. Of course Timo was spending time with Noah over anyone else right now. He just couldn’t figure out why Noah had a problem with that or why anyone wouldn’t be flattered by his undivided attention. Noah wouldn’t, but whatever.

Timo said only, “Of course. I’ll send a message on the group chat tonight.”

“Thank you.”

Just as quickly, Timo banished those hangers-on from his mind.

Yes, Timo would have to keep saying “if” for the next 24 to 48 hours, and remember to use hypothetical rather than concrete language. Keep that in mind, though, handle with care, and he had this visa thing in the bag.