Page 43 of Last Call at the Doghouse

It was true, she supposed. Nelson Lovell had stirred up her suspicions and she’d been quick, eager even, to believe anything and everything. “I don’t trust easily anymore. Maybe I never will. It’s like always waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for the betrayal you know is coming but can’t quite see.”

“I’m not your ex.”

“I know that.”

“And this is too damn important for us to let anyone or anything get in our way.”

“Yeah, yeah. Fighting evil, saving the world, all that jazz.” She turned, glad not to be looking at Duncan for a moment, and reached for two coffee cups.

“I have things to tell you that I don’t want to tell,” he said.

“How much worse can it get?”

“I’m not sure how to explain it. Helen can help. She and her friends are presently exploring options.”

“Options. That’s cryptic.”

“Sorry.” He accepted the cup of coffee she offered, took a sip, then looked her in the eye. “Where’s the book?”

“It’s safe.”

“They want it back asap.”

“They?”

“Your aunt and her friends, who are, let’s face it, the only help we’ve been able to drum up.”

“The fate of the world is in the hands of a handful of magically enhanced octogenarians.”

“And us.” He drained his coffee cup. “I told them I’d do my best to get you and the book back to Mystic Springs tonight.”

“Are you going to toss me over your shoulder and drag me back there if I refuse?”

“No,” he said simply. “I’ll try to convince you, I’ll hound you if you don’t want to go, but… what the hell is that smile about?”

“You’ll hound me.”

He smiled a little. It was a charming smile; a little wicked.

A few minutes ago, he’d seemed quite willing to run away with her and leave all obligations behind. Now he was insisting on returning her to Mystic Springs. Sounded like he was as confused as she was. They were allowed, she supposed.

“Is it wrong that I want you bad right now?” he said.

The feeling was mutual. She really should be stronger, she should resist temptation, but a little escape, a little pleasure, sounded good. Really good. “A few hours ago I was furious with you.”

“I understand a vibrator was suggested as an alternative.”

“It was. By me.” But damn, there was no substitute for a deep kiss, skin-to-skin contact, and the joining of two warm bodies in a way so powerful the rest of the world melted away. “The coming days are going to be hectic, I imagine.”

He took her coffee cup and set it aside, then wrapped his arms around her. “I’d say so, yes.”

“Don’t you think we deserve a night? One night just for us?”

“I do. Your aunt and her pals can wait until morning.”

“They’re not going anywhere.” She kissed him then, giving in to what she wanted, tossing aside the pride that insisted she make him wait. Making him wait would mean making herself wait, and that didn’t seem at all wise at this point. The world as she knew it might be ending. There were dangers around every corner. But now, in this moment, they were safe and together and wanted each other. That was enough.

The sounds from downstairs were muted. There was no music tonight; just conversation and sporadic laughter from a small crowd.