The Professor Woos The Witch (Nocturne Falls Book 4)

by Kristen Painter

  “I don’t know how fancy it is, but we’re going to the Poisoned Apple. Is that okay?”

  “That’s great. It’s like a pub-bistro sort of place. Not sure the tie is totally necessary, though.”

  He shrugged and put his hands on her hips. Keeping his hands off her wasn’t part of the equation anymore. “I didn’t put the tie on for the place, I put it on for you. Because you’re worth the effort.”

  Her smile turned shy. “That’s really sweet.” She stretched her arms up and wrapped them around his neck. “I think that deserves a kiss.”

  “I can start wearing a tie every day.”

  She snickered. “That won’t be necessary.”

  “I like you at this height.” He wrapped her closer. “Lip level.”

  She kissed him with a kind of languid pressure that made it clear she was going to take her time and do it right. Her irresistible warmth felt like the sun on his skin. It traveled through him all the way down to his toes.

  She backed him against the door and pressed herself harder into him, her kiss becoming more insistent, more demanding. Little noises vibrated out of her throat as her hands threaded through his hair.

  He lifted one hand to cup the back of her neck, braced himself against the door and shifted his stance so that she was planted between his legs.

  She somehow got closer. There wasn’t a hair’s breadth of space between them. She scrapped her teeth down his neck, sending a shiver of pleasure into his bones. A teasing breath of air spiraled around them and rush of wind spilled over his skin.

  “We’re, uh…never going to make it to…” He was coiled like a spring and on the verge of shifting, although the pull wasn’t quite as strong as it had been before. But her roaming hands were making it impossible to think.

  She leaned away to see him, their bodies remaining in contact from the hips down. Her lids were heavy with need. “Dinner?”

  He nodded. “That.”

  She took a step back and tugged her dress into place. “You’re the one who put on a suit and tie.”

  “That was all because of a tie?”

  She wiped the edge of her mouth with a fingertip. “More the suit, really. Not that you don’t look hot in your jeans and T-shirts, but there’s just something about a man in a suit.”

  “Apparently.” He took a breath and shook himself. “I forgot why we even came into the house.”

  “Shoes.”

  “Be right back.” He jogged upstairs, happy for the excuse to burn off some of the energy coursing through him. He glanced at his bed and thought about what they could do instead of dinner, but that wasn’t the evening he had planned. It also wasn’t on either of their agendas until they knew they could risk being bonded.

  He put his shoes on and went back downstairs.

  “Ready to go?”

  “Not quite. Hang on.” He went into the kitchen and grabbed the flowers he’d bought her. He’d stuck them in a vase with some water to keep them fresh. He carried them behind his back, brandishing them with a flourish when he entered the foyer. “For you.”

  Her eyes widened in happy surprise. “More flowers? You’re spoiling me.”

  “Good.”

  “Those are beautiful.” She took the bouquet, bending her face to inhale the fragrance. “I love them. They’re so me.”

  “They should be. Your sister fixed them up.”

  “Yes, but you went to get them.”

  “That I did. You want me to put them back in the water until we get home from dinner?”

  “Absolutely.” She handed them over. “I want them to look this good when I take them home.”

  “Your cat won’t bother them, will she?” he asked as he went to the kitchen to return them to the vase.

  Pandora laughed and called after him, “It’s cute you think she could actually jump onto a counter.”

  Cole came back and opened the front door. “How’s the diet coming, by the way?”

  “Daily protests ensue.”

  “Maybe you should just let her be fat.”

  “Trust me, it would be easier.”

  He shut the door after they were both on the porch, then locked it. “You look way too nice to ride in my pickup.”

  “So do you, but who cares? It’s clean inside.”

  He stuck out his elbow. “In that case, your chariot awaits.”

  They were only a few minutes late for their reservation, but being late because Pandora had wanted to make out was just fine with Cole.

  The hostess led them to a booth in the back corner. The high sides gave them a lot of privacy, which was what he’d asked for when he’d made the reservation. Dark wood paneling, deep green paint and burgundy leather made the Poisoned Apple feel like a private club despite the relatively full dining room.

  Light from the small oil lamp in the center of the table gave Pandora a soft glow and put sparks in her eyes.

  “So far so good?” he asked.

  “Perfect. I love this place.”

  “You come here a lot?”

  “I bring clients here for lunch maybe once a week, but we usually sit over on the bar side. I haven’t been here for dinner in a long time.” She looked around. “I forgot how cozy it is.”

  “Wine?”

  “How many ways can I say yes?”

  When the server came over, he ordered a bottle of pinot noir. He kept up the small talk until they’d ordered their meals and were halfway through their first glass of wine.

  “Pandora, I need to talk to you about something.”

  “That sounds serious.”

  “It is. It’s about Kaley.”

  She leaned in. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, nothing like that. I’m just concerned that if things don’t go well between us, she’s the one who will end up getting hurt the most. After everything with her mother…” He shook his head. “She really likes you. And if I have to be the one to tell her that you’re not going to be around anymore, she’s going to hate me for a long time.”

  “So you want me to tell her? If that happens?”

  He looked up at her. How could a woman be so beautiful and kind and funny? It was unfair. “I want us to tell her together. No matter what happens between us, I have to protect her.”

  Pandora smiled a little sadly. “That’s really sweet. You’re full of sweet tonight.”

  He matched her smile. “Kaley’s my life, you know? I have to put her first.”

  “I get it. And yes, we’ll tell her together.” She reached across the table and laced her fingers with his. “But maybe what we tell her won’t be bad news.”

  He smiled. “Maybe not.”

  And in that moment, he could imagine himself in this life, with this woman. What he’d do for work didn’t matter as much as what his heart needed. Love. Companionship. Intimacy. It had been a long time since he’d paid attention to his own wants and desires. Being a father made those sorts of things seem…selfish. But Pandora was good for Kaley too. She was damn good for both of them.

  Still, he couldn’t help but wonder… “What if I wasn’t a familiar?”

  She tipped her head. “Then I don’t think you’d have ended up in this town.”

  “But if I wasn’t. Do you think you’d still feel the same…attraction to me?”

  “Yes. You’re so very much my kind of guy.” She closed her eyes and shivered. “As much as someone who doesn’t date has a kind of guy.” She took a sip of wine before continuing. “Look, since we’re laying things out, I like you a lot. And yes, I really like what you do for my magic, but I’ve lived my entire life with broken gifts. I was prepared to live the rest of it that way too. For me, my magic working is just a bonus of being around you. It’s not the reason.”

  She swallowed and lifted her chin a little higher. “I’m falling for you, Cole. I know I am. It’s not something I can stop. Nor do I want to. I know the risks. All of them. But I’m still willing to give it a shot. I just wish…”

  She looke
d away.

  “What?”

  She sighed. “That you weren’t so unsure about sticking around in Nocturne Falls. Couldn’t you give it a year? What would be so bad about making a life here? This place is perfect for Kaley.”

  He thought about going back to North Carolina and his teaching job. About the stability it offered. About how far away it was from Pandora. About how dull life would be without her. He squeezed her hand. “I don’t make rash decisions. I measure everything out, weigh both sides and see what makes the most sense.”

  Her face fell.

  “Choosing to stay here doesn’t make the most sense.”

  “I understand,” she whispered.

  “Do you? Because I don’t. But you’re right.”

  She looked at him, brow furrowed. “I am? About what?”

  “About this place being the best for Kaley. It’s not going to be easy to find work, I know that, but—”

  She sucked in a breath. “Are you saying you’re going to stay?”

  “I’m saying I’m falling for you too. And I don’t want to go back to a life that doesn’t have you in it. If things don’t work out between us, then it is what it is, but right now, yes, I’m saying we’re going to stay.”

  Pandora let out a little shriek, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, Cole. That’s wonderful. And, you know, that means that my magic should keep working, which means I really could be Kaley’s mentor.”

  “I can’t think of anything she’d like more.”

  “I want to tell her when we pick her up. But you have to be serious about staying.”

  “I am. I swear it.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Well, after your sister threatened me in the flower shop today—”

  “She did what?”

  Cole filled Pandora in. Their meals arrived, and they spent the rest of the evening telling each other stories about their jobs and talking about the future and dreaming out loud. It wasn’t the sort of thing Cole had ever done, but with Pandora, he was all-in.

  As the server cleared their plates, Cole laid his napkin on the table. “What do you say we get three desserts to go, then pick up Kaley from her friend’s house and eat them back at my place?”

  “I’d love to. In fact, I’ll wait to tell her about the mentorship until we’re sitting at the table. Then the desserts can be part of our celebration.”

  “She’ll love that.” He ordered, paid the check, and twenty minutes later, they had Kaley in the car and were pulling up to the house.

  A strange car sat at the curb outside the fence, but Cole didn’t pay it much attention. The neighbors were always having people over.

  He parked in the driveway. “I forgot to leave the outside porch lights on. Gimme a sec to get them on so you two don’t break an ankle.”

  “We’ll be fine,” Kaley said.

  “You haven’t seen Miss Williams’ shoes.” He turned the engine off. “But really, I just don’t want my chocolate cake to end up on the ground.”

  Pandora shook her head. “It’s like you forget who you’re with.” She snapped her fingers, and the porch lights blazed to life.

  “Dude,” Kaley crooned. “That is so cool.”

  Cole froze. “Stay in the car. There’s someone on the bench.”

  “Where?” Kaley leaned forward from the back of the crew cab.

  The figure stood and stepped into the light.

  Cole let out a curse just as Kaley yelled, “Mom!”

  Pandora’s belly twisted into three kinds of knots. “Is that…Lila?”

  “Yes,” Cole hissed.

  Kaley was out of the truck like a shot and running toward the porch.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know what she’s doing here, but I’ll deal with it.” He reached out and grabbed Pandora’s hand. “Please don’t leave. You have more right to be here than she does.”

  Pandora nodded lamely, but that didn’t ring true to her. Lila was Kaley’s mother, custody or not. And Kaley was clearly happy to see her.

  She got out slowly as Cole made his way to the porch. Lila was very pretty. Tall and slim with jet black hair as straight as a sheet and enormous blue eyes. She and Lila couldn’t look more different. And Lila’s magic probably worked the way it was supposed to, regardless of who was, or wasn’t, around.

  Pandora hung by the car, listening.

  Cole wasn’t happy. “Lila, what are you doing here?”

  She looked up from hugging Kaley. “I came to see Kaley. After she called me and told me all about the fun she was having, I thought I should come see for myself.”

  Kaley nodded, staying close to Lila. “I called her. Last night. After the coven meeting.”

  Lila smiled but bitterness lit her gaze. “A coven meeting. Imagine that. My, my, Cole, you sure have changed.”

  “I have Pandora to thank for that.” He looked to his side like he expected her to be there. When he didn’t see her, he glanced back at the car. As soon as he made eye contact, he gave a little jerk of his head as if to say, Come up here.

  It was just enough to give her the boost of confidence she needed. Cole wanted her, not Lila. That was all that mattered. That, and she was Pandora Williams and she bought and sold this town. No slacker mother was going to intimidate her. No matter how tall or how pretty or how magically capable.

  She strode to where Cole was standing, thanking the goddess she’d worn these shoes. They gave her at least four extra inches.

  He slipped his arm around her waist, as much as reminding her that Lila was the interloper here, not her. It was like having steel injected into her spine. She didn’t need Cole’s reassurance to face this woman, but it was damn nice to have. It felt like the seal on the evening they’d just had.

  The evening that was not yet over.

  Lila smiled at Pandora, but her gaze held enough frost to kill off the last of the summer flowers. “I take it you’re Pandora?”

  “Yes. And you must be Lila.”

  Her smile broadened. “Cole talks about me?”

  “He told me about his past. You came up.”

  Kaley took her mother’s hand. “Miss Williams is the one who took me to the coven meeting.”

  “I remember.” Lila answered without taking her eyes off Pandora. “I guess that makes us sisters.”

  A thousand responses flew to the tip of Pandora’s tongue, but none of them was polite and none of them would do any good to have Kaley hear. “We’re all family under the goddess.”

  Cole shifted his weight. “Lila, it’s late and Kaley has school tomorrow. If you want to see her after that, you can call me.”

  Lila pursed her lips, but said nothing. Finally, she fabricated a smile, hugged Kaley and walked off the porch and down to her car. She glanced briefly at Pandora as she passed, shifting her gaze quickly to Cole. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then.”

  No one moved until her car was a set of taillights disappearing down the street.

  Pandora was the first to speak. “I should go home.”

  “Please don’t,” Cole said. “Don’t let this put a premature end to our evening. Come in and have dessert with us.”

  “After that? You’re sure?”

  He nodded. “She doesn’t control my life and I certainly don’t want her to affect ours.”

  Pandora smiled. “Good to hear.” She lifted the bag. “Okay. Let’s eat.”

  Cole ruffled Kaley’s hair as he walked up the porch steps. “Did you know she was coming, Kaley?”

  “No. I didn’t even think I’d actually get to talk to her when I called last night, but she picked up right away. Wanted to know how I was doing with becoming a witch.” Kaley shrugged. “So I told her. Are you mad at me?”

  He pushed the door open, then wrapped Kaley in a hug. “Sweetheart, I’m never going to be mad at you for something you have no control over. I’m not happy your mother is here, but that’s mostly because I don’t want her to upset you. But that
’s for me to deal with. You don’t need to worry about that, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Good. Now let’s go dig into this dessert.”

  While Kaley was in the shower the next morning, Cole called her school and spoke to someone in the office to let them know that Lila Aquinos was not approved to pick Kaley up or take her out of school.

  He was probably being overly cautious, but it was an error he was willing to make.

  Throughout the entire morning of making Kaley breakfast and driving her to school, he couldn’t get Lila out of his mind. What the hell was she trying to prove coming here?

  Kaley opened the truck door. “See you later, Dad.”

  “Love you, sweetheart. Have a good day.”

  “Thanks. Love you too.”

  She hopped out, and he sat for a moment, watching her find her friends and head in. Lila had no legal grounds to take Kaley away from him, but that did nothing to quell the unease that had settled into his gut the second he’d seen her on the porch.

  He drove back to the house and, hoping to shake Lila from his head, tackled the enormous job of clearing out more of his uncle’s junk. It worked in a half measure, but then he realized the key to ditching thoughts of Lila was focusing on Pandora.

  He replayed the events of the previous night. It was impossible not to smile thinking about her. And that kiss.

  Staying was such a risk, but it felt right. This thing between them was good. Sure, it was early days, but he could imagine the future would be just as bright. And becoming part of Pandora’s big family would mean so much for Kaley. Cousins and aunts and a step-grandmother. It could be life-changing for her to have that sort of support group.

  He carried out a stack of boxes to the dumpster. Now all he had to do was find a job that would support them. The money from the house would buy them a place to live and give him a cushion if the house in North Carolina didn’t sell right away.

  Maybe he could talk his dad into moving down after he retired. He couldn’t work at the plant forever. And Cole knew that being near Kaley was important to Jack. No, he wouldn’t like it, but Jack would come to see that love trumped all.