Page 53 of Magic in His Arms

Neighbours.You don’t hear me; I don’t hear you.

Never smiled and bit her lip.What time should I be there?

Four.You have two hours.

Right.I just have to get something to eat, and I will be on my way.

Answer the door.

There was a brusque knock on the door.

Never walked to the door and opened it.Tam-or was standing there with a bag of groceries in the crook of his arm.He grinned and pushed past her.

Why did you send him?

Because Abel-ur is confident in his housekeeper skills, and he is on loan to you as long as you are willing to have supplicants in the back yard.There’s an English-style walled garden if you would like to watch what he does there.

Why are you being so unsubtle about this?

It’s time for it.

You are a dope.Wait, is that your house backing onto the forest?

Yes.That’s my house.

Cora...He’s making waffles.

A stream of laughing emoticons ran through the text.

Tam-or asked, “Do you want blueberries in your waffles?”

“Do you have chocolate chips?”

He snorted but answered.“Yes.”

She bounced on her heels.

Her phone pinged.Are you dressed for home?

Yup.Hair is just down, not fancy.

I am amazed he’s moving.

Never looked at Tam-or.“Can I do something?”

He looked at her and said, “Stand where I can see you.I confess, I could not have imagined exactly how girly you were in your time off.”

She wrinkled her nose.“Cora thinks it’s funny.”

“What?”

She waved a hand over herself.“I am comfy.How long do waffles take?”

He smiled.“About ten minutes, start to finish.”

She nodded.“Do you mind if I go and look at my back yard?Cora said she was going to let you use it, but I am not sure why.”

He smiled.“I need a formal space for taking requests.The garden is private and fenced, so it is suitable for the purpose.”