Page 33 of Sight of Fate

I stare at it. “It looks expensive, Teague. I can’t accept it.”

He lifts a shoulder. “Then don’t. Use it while you’re here, then leave it in the apartment for the next person.” When I continue to hesitate, he motions to the stuff on the floor that I didn’t even see. “I think I got everything, but you better check. Syrups, grinder, sugar, honey, tumblers with lids. You name it.”

He went to so much trouble. With a sigh, I give in and hold the door wide open. “Fine. To be clear, I’m not accepting it. I’m only using it temporarily. Got it?”

He chuckles. “Wait until you make your Campfire Mocha in your pajamas.”

I shake my head as he blatantly tempts me with one of my favorite drinks.

He sets it on the counter and takes it out of the box. It’s…fancy with its shiny stainless steel and digital screen. And is that a…frother?

“It might take me a few days to figure it out,” I murmur, biting my lip. Or a month.

He shrugs and returns to the hall to grab the rest of the stuff. “Why don’t I come over Saturday morning, and we’ll figure out how to use it together? All I ask is that you make me one of your coffees. I’m sort of getting addicted to them.”

I laugh at the wry smile he flashes.

He puts the rest of the items on the other counter, then bends down and murmurs in a low, sexy voice. “It makes hot chocolate.”

Heat curls low in my stomach. I throw my hands up. “Fine. I give up.” My lips twitch. “To be honest, you had me at ‘drinking coffee in my pajamas’.”

He hums. “Maybe I should come over in my pajamas and join you.”

I doubt he wears pajamas, but it makes me wonder what he does wear to bed. Glancing into the bag, I grab a bottle of syrup and stare down at it, trying to get the image of his naked body out of my head.

“Oooh…peppermint. I love a good white chocolate peppermint mocha.”

While he finishes taking all the parts out of the box, I unpack the rest of the stuff and set the small bottles of syrup and other items along the counter.

He opens the cabinets. “Here, let me.” He frowns when he sees it’s empty. “Why don’t I run out and get you some groceries? Won’t take but a minute.”

Panic washes over me, but I motion to the crate behind him. “I have plenty of food. Just haven’t gotten around to unpacking.” I give a self-conscious laugh. “Actually, I have more groceries than I need since Macklin brought me a bag earlier.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Really?”

“He didn’t mean anything by it. I think he likes to take care of everyone.”

He tilts his head. “Macklin takes care of this entire town. Ask around. They’ll tell you a thousand stories.”

Disappointment fills me, but I shrug it off. I’m glad I didn’t make more of his gesture. Maybe that is Macklin’s love language. Taking care of people.

“I can see that in him,” I say softly.

Teague leans against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “He’s making lasagna for our lunch tomorrow. And just so you know…Macklin never cooks for the town, and in all the years I’ve known him, he’s never made lunch for me to take to work.”

I can’t help but feel a little giddy when I hear Teague’s reassurance. “Thank you.”

He motions to the front door. “I see he also got the new security system installed.”

I nod, relieved to have something besides a deadbolt that can be picked in less than a minute. “He did. I feel a lot better having something besides a regular lock.”

Teague picks up my hand and plays with my fingers for a minute, his forehead creased with concern. Sterling blue-grey eyes stare steadily into mine. “We want you to feel safe here. So, if we need to install a hundred systems or hire bodyguards with lethal magic to keep you safe, that’s what we’ll do. I hope one day you’ll feel comfortable enough to tell us who you’re running from and let us find a permanent solution. You deserve to walk this life and find love and a home without constantly looking over your shoulder. Think about it, okay?”

Hank’s name hovers on the tip of my tongue, but I’m not ready to share everything in my past that goes along with his name.

He must see my reluctance, because he drops a kiss on my forehead. “See you in the morning.”

Hard to believe I’ve only been here nine days. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to living in my car. For the rest of the week, Teague showed up with coffee from my favorite coffee shop every morning, and Macklin made us lunch every day. At first, I didn’t know how I should respond, but neither of them acts like it’s a big deal. Hopefully, we can get this fancy coffee machine up and running on Saturday, and I can pay him back by making us coffee next week.