Page 9 of Spellbound by You (Mage Match Book 2)

My heart poundedwith a mix of curiosity and apprehension as Shane”s hand enveloped mine without warning.

”What”s going on?” I managed to blurt out, my mind racing with questions.

Lately, things between Shane and me had been...tense, to say the least.

Our communication had been reduced to written notes, and I had almost resigned myself to that reality. So what was this all about?

”You”ll see,” Shane said, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

That smile. I had forgotten how captivating it could be. Swallowing my uncertainty, I decided to trust him and see where this was leading.

Shane led me out to the porch, and I couldn”t help but pause as I took in the scene before me, my heart fluttering with anticipation.

There, amidst the once-empty space, stood two comfortable armchairs.

But what caught my eye even more were the two sturdy shelves behind them, now filled with my beloved books.

I stood there, stunned and elated, as the realization washed over me. Shane had done this for me.

Despite being just a temporary guest in his home, he had gone out of his way to create a space for me to read.

Could it be that he actually cared?

”Shane, why did you do all this...” I started, struggling to find the right words.

No one in my family had ever gone to such lengths for me before.

”Try out the space,” Shane suggested, settling into the nearest chair.

I followed suit, sinking into the soft cushions with a contented sigh.

I could already imagine spending countless afternoons here, lost in a book, with the comforting presence of Shane nearby.

But I quickly quashed those thoughts. I couldn”t afford to get ahead of myself again.

The last time I let my mind wander to thoughts of a future with Shane, I ended up sorely disappointed.

He had made it clear that I was nothing more than an obligation to him, and I had to respect that.

”To answer your question,” Shane said, his expression turning serious as he leaned forward.

I met his gaze, noticing the subtle hints of gold in his irises that signaled his inner fox was peeking out.

Another mage would’ve been scared by the sight, but not me. I might not know Shane that well yet, but I knew he’d never do anything to hurt me intentionally.

”I didn”t like how things were between us,” he continued. ”Especially after the other night, when my friend Levi made that thoughtless comment.”

”You mean when he implied I was just some spoiled mage you had to babysit?” I couldn”t help but interject, my tone laced with bitterness.

Shane let out a low growl, which sent a shiver down my spine. No, Liam, I scolded myself inwardly. Focus.

”Levi was out of line,” Shane admitted, his tone softening. ”And I was...stubborn for letting things deteriorate to the point where we were communicating through written notes.”

”It was a good system,” I offered weakly, feeling a blush creeping up my neck. ”At least that way, I could avoid looking into your eyes and feeling...whatever it is I feel around you.”

Shane arched an eyebrow, but luckily, he didn’t ask me to elaborate by what I meant by those words.

”Okay, it was a terrible way to communicate,” I admitted with a sheepish grin. ”But I suppose I was just as stubborn as you, unwilling to be the one to break the ice.”

Leaning forward, I ran my fingers along the sturdy shelves, impressed by their craftsmanship.

”Where did you get these from?” I asked, suddenly curious about acquiring some for myself, perhaps to furnish a room in my family”s house... if they ever let me move back in.

”Made them,” Shane replied proudly, his chest puffing out slightly with pride.

I shot him a surprised glance. ”You did?” I asked.

”Yep,” he confirmed, his grin widening. ”Apart from my awesome cooking skills, which you haven”t even had the pleasure of experiencing yet, I also dabble in woodworking. I”m a total catch.”

I couldn”t help but laugh at his boastful declaration, feeling the tension that had lingered between us dissipate with the sound.

Though we still had a lot to work on, Shane”s thoughtful gesture had shifted something between us.

That evening, I finally got to taste Shane”s cooking for the first time, and I had to admit, he wasn”t exaggerating about his skills. He was a pretty decent cook.

It was also the first time we sat down together and had a meal in his house.

It felt nice, having someone to talk to, instead of eating takeout alone in my room and letting my thoughts stray.

For instance, I knew Tom Pierce had written a false article about Shane and I, but I didn”t have the patience to read it. I knew it would only make me angry.

”Seconds?” Shane asked, noticing my empty plate.

”Yes, please, and more mashed potatoes,” I replied, holding out my plate.

Shane chuckled as he took it and loaded me up with more potatoes, adding a generous slice of pot roast as well. I scowled when he also added a serving of asparagus.

”I didn”t ask for more greens,” I grumbled.

”What”s with mages and veggies? Ollie hates them too,” he remarked.

”He does,” I murmured, reminded of my cousin.

Ollie was the only member of my family who contacted me frequently these days. At first, it annoyed me a little how he kept checking up on me, asking how I was doing.

But then I realised he was just worried about me, just like Shane was. And now, Shane had gone and built me a special reading nook.

My heart swelled with a number of emotions—gratefulness and tenderness for Shane.

So this was what it felt like, having people who genuinely cared for you. It was…nice.

”Liam? Something on your mind?” Shane”s voice broke through my thoughts.

I hastily scooped another forkful of potatoes into my mouth before responding.

”It”s embarrassing,” I muttered, feeling my cheeks flush with heat.

”Tell me anyway,” Shane urged, his eyes soft with concern.

Reluctantly, I recounted my feelings about Ollie”s frequent check-ins and how it had led me to realize the importance of having a support system, especially during tough times.

”That”s not embarrassing at all. Having a support system is important, especially during a time of need,” Shane reassured me, his tone gentle.

There was a pause, and I sensed he wanted to bring up my family, their rejection of me, but he stopped himself.

Perhaps Shane knew it would lead us back to our days of communicating through written notes.

”I”m sure your family would come around eventually,” he added, although we both knew it was unlikely.

Sensing my discomfort, Shane changed the subject, diverting my attention to the peach crumble dessert he had made, which was equally delicious.

”At this rate, I”ll gain weight,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

”I like seeing a guy who enjoys food,” Shane murmured, his gaze locking with mine.

Suddenly, the room felt warmer, and I couldn”t help but feel a flutter of excitement.

”You have crumbs here,” Shane said, reaching out to brush them away from my lower lip.

Before I could register what was happening, I found myself closing my lips over his finger, and Shane”s gaze intensified, his eyes turning gold with interest.

A second passed, then another, as I felt a rush of embarrassment flood through me. I released Shane”s finger, feeling foolish, and wondered if my cheeks and neck were flushed red.

Thankfully, Shane didn”t remark on it. Once dessert was finished, I offered to wash the dishes.

”You don”t have to do that,” Shane protested.

”I want to,” I blurted out, perhaps a little too quickly.

In the end, I took an embarrassingly long time to finish the task. Back at the mansion, we had plenty of hired help to deal with the chores.

Maybe, I thought sourly, Shane”s friend Levi was right about me being spoiled.

”Hey, need some help?” Shane”s voice interrupted my thoughts as he appeared in the doorway.

”Still something on your mind?” He glanced at the half-washed dishes still in the sink.

”No,” I muttered, my embarrassment growing. ”I guess... I”m not used to this, washing plates.”

I flushed again, unable to meet his gaze.

Shane stepped closer to me, gently tipping my chin so I had to look right at him.

”There”s a first time for everything, right?” he asked softly, cupping my cheek in his hand.

A whimper slipped out of my lips. I liked Shane touching me, his undivided attention making me feel as though I was the only thing that mattered to him.

Shane pressed a kiss to my mouth, a quick but electrifying brush of his lips against mine.

It ignited a fire deep within me, sending shivers down my spine and leaving me longing for more.

Then, just as quickly as it happened, he released me, and I couldn”t deny a twinge of disappointment.

”You free tomorrow?” Shane”s voice broke through the haze of desire that lingered in my mind. ”It”s my day off, and I was thinking we could hang out together.”

I blinked, my mind racing to catch up with his words.

”I—wait. Are you asking me out on a date?” I stammered, feeling a rush of nerves mingled with excitement.

It was as though I was back in high school again, nervous before a crush, except this time, the object of my affection was standing right in front of me.

”I guess I am,” Shane replied with a smile, his easy confidence shining through.

He always seemed to handle surprises with such grace, and I couldn”t help but envy him a little for it.

”Okay, yeah. I”m free, I mean,” I blurted out, feeling awkward and out of my element.

”Great,” Shane said with a nod. ”Now let”s finish this up.”

After we completed the dishes, we settled in to watch some TV together before heading off to bed.

Feeling full, I fell asleep in a matter of seconds. A blessing in disguise, because lately thoughts of my family pre-occupied my mind at night.

In my dream, Shane and I were sharing my tiny mattress, an impossibility in reality, but the dream didn”t seem to mind the logistics.

Shane was there, naked and smiling down at me, his eyes glowing with a possessive glint that sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through my veins.

His presence was intoxicating, and I couldn”t help but be drawn to him, to the warmth of his touch and the intensity of his gaze.

It felt so real, so vivid, that for a moment, I forgot about the boundaries that separated us in the waking world.

Shane trailed his fingers down my chest, my stomach, finally closing them around my aching shaft. I moaned and…woke up to the harsh morning light.

The warmth of Shane”s touch faded, and I found myself alone in my bed once again, the faint echoes of the dream still lingering in my mind.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes, wishing that I could hold onto that feeling just a little while longer.

Sighing, I got up, and meandered to the bathroom. I splashed some water on my face to wake up. Shane opened the door, probably thinking there was no one inside.

He smiled at the sight of me, and I remembered the erotic dream I had about him. Shane moved his gaze from my face to the visible bulge my boxers.

I then remembered shifters had a sharp sense of smell. Could Shane…smell my need?

“Someone woke up happy,” Shane remarked.

“Wait your turn,” I said, shutting the door in his face.

I could hear his cheerful laughter outside and I relaxed, smiling to myself. I was definitely looking forward to spending the whole day with him today.