Hell's Bell (Lizzie Grace 2)

“It was twenty, and you have no idea how little I care about that damn bet right now.”

I let my gaze drift down his length and then said, somewhat cheekily, “Oh, I think I do.”

He laughed, a warm, rich sound that stirred me almost as much as his kiss. Almost. “Then how about we still keep Sunday’s date, but do something a whole lot earlier?”

“Earlier as in, straight after your meeting with Ciara you’ll pick me up and we’ll head to Argyle?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you have to get up early and run the café tomorrow?”

“I do, but I’ll take eye bags and tiredness over unquenched desire any day.”

“A sentiment I can certainly agree with.” He caught my hand, tugged me closer again, and dropped a quick kiss on my lips. “But it could be close to midnight.”

“And?”

“And I’ll see you then.”

With that, he left. I crossed my arms again, this time trying to contain the warmth of his body more than anything else, and watched until he’d disappeared around the corner. Then went back inside, a silly grin on my lips and anticipation singing through my veins.

I ran upstairs to get some essentials packed, and heard Belle come in about ten minutes later. Even without connecting to her thoughts, I could feel her buzz of contented happiness. Hopefully, it was a happiness I’d share in another couple of hours.

I zipped up the bag, shoved my coat over the top of it, and then walked over to the stairs and leaned over the railing as she started up. “My, don’t you just look like the cat who got the cream.”

“And good cream it was,” she replied, with a happy sigh.

“So much for having no energy to do anything other than eat.”

“It’s truly amazing just how invigorating a good steak and a good man can be.” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “It would seem I’m not the only one in this outfit who’s buzzing with happiness. Did Aiden pop by while I was out?”

“Sort of. Do you want a tea or coffee?”

“No, and don’t change the subject.”

I grinned and pushed away from the railing. “We were going to go out for coffee, but he got a last-minute call from his sister. He had to go see her about the autopsy results.”

“This calamity does not explain the happiness.” She paused. “I take it he’s coming back?”

“Yes.” I filled the kettle and flicked it on. “We’re going to go back to his place in Argyle. Apparently, he decided he couldn’t wait for our first official date—which was Sunday night, by the way.”

“The man must have masochistic tendencies if he was intending to wait that long.”

“I think he took my comment about a little pursuit never going astray a little too much to heart.”

She snorted softly. “Given he was more than ready to take you out last night, I doubt that. He probably just got better odds for the Sunday.”

I grinned as the kettle began to whistle softly. “That is also possibly true.”

She shook her head, a smile on her lips. “Tuesdays are usually pretty slow here, so if you want to stay a bit longer with him, feel free.”

I squeezed her arm in appreciation. “Thanks, but I’m not going to shirk my duty here just because hot sex is in the offering.”

“I certainly would if my sex life had been as sparse as yours over the last few months.”

She wouldn’t, and we both knew it. I made myself a strong coffee in the vague effort to stave off the tiredness that would undoubtedly hit the longer I had to wait for Aiden, and then said, “I’m just hoping that sparseness is remedied rather than being sidetracked yet again.”

She frowned. “Meaning your witch radar is sending you vibes?”

“No, not really. It might be just pessimism.”