Page 54 of Magic in His Arms

“Oh, the naked thing.”

“Yes, when I am asked for a favour, the petitioner has to be naked.”

“Has to be?”

He grinned.“If you want anything from me, I will insist on it.”

She snorted and walked out the back door, across the deck, and down the porch.The walk through the garden was marked with thick flagstones that were warm under the sun.The back yard was enormous, surrounded by eight-foot fences.Privacy was assured.She looked at the trees, shrubs, and banks of herbs, and her mind had plans for all of it.This was setting the bar high for Cora’s present.The shapeshifting brown leathers that she had had made seemed inadequate in comparison to a house.She might have to hunt for a better present.

There was a round bench near the back of the garden, and she hopped onto it, walking around the stone and twirling slowly before walking back to her house.She walked across the deck and noticed that the table was set for two.

She walked inside and asked, “I don’t suppose you got coffee?”

He smiled.“The pot is nearly done.I thought you might need a bit of a boost.”

“I actually got enough sleep for once.”

“Can that bed really hold two thousand pounds”

“It’s screwed into the joists and reinforced.I used to have nightmares and would shift, so my beds need to be sturdy.”She walked over to the coffeemaker and leaned on the counter, watching it.

He cleared his throat.“You don’t wear shoes or sandals?”

“Not on dirt, grass, or stone.Only on concrete.So, what did Cora have to promise you to send you over here with food?”

He smiled.“She was acting as your proxy.”

Never turned toward him, and he was staring at her backside.“Really?What did you demand in return for your assistance?”

“Nothing much.Just another kiss.”

“Any specifics?”

“I would prefer you were naked.”

She grinned.“That is oddly specific.Any particular reason?”

“Well, I would be in my speaker garb at the time, so I think it would be interesting.”

“Isn’t speaker garb just leather pants?”

He grinned and got the finished waffles out of the iron.“You are very smart, Never.”

“Thank you.So, nudity and making out is the price of waffles?”

“Ideally.Yes.”

“No.I am countering that you can have the nudity but no contact?”

“What?Why?”

She crossed her arms.“Where’s the bacon?”

His eyes widened, and he said, “Can you watch this while I run to the chief’s house?”

“Nope.Every bit of work I have to do adds a piece of clothing.”

He laughed.“Fine.I will take looking at you as the price of breakfast and the other groceries.”