Charm Me

by Tena Stetler

Wine still lingered on his tongue as it stroked hers, a wave of desire crashed through her as his excitement pressed against her. A sigh escaped his lips as he kissed lower to the pulsing hollow at the base of her throat.

  “I want you.” He murmured against her ear, paused, and drew away, his smoldering gaze held hers. Sudden movement inside her vehicle caught his attention as two large brown eyes appeared with a nose and white paws pressed against the window. Devlin blew out a breath. “We’ll finish this later. You’re going to be late for class.”

  She ran the tip of her tongue around her lips, still tasting him, hesitant to let go of the moment. Her heart thundered in her chest as he held the door open and she slipped inside. “Friday night at the club. What time?”

  “Seven. I’ll meet you and Piper out front. We can walk around to my apartment.” He leaned over and brushed his lips lightly over hers, eased away and touched a finger to her T-shirt, tracing the “Charm Me” heart. “You already do.”

  Summer cocked her head sideways at him. “I don’t understand.” She looked down where his finger rested.

  “Like one of the tiny hearts on your shirt, you charm me.” Smiling he traced the little heart with his finger. “See you Friday night.” He stepped away from the SUV.

  Quick twist of a key in the ignition and the vehicle roared to life. “See you.” She backed out of the parking space and drove to the end of the lot. When she flicked a glance in the rear view mirror, Devlin stood where she’d left him, hands in his pockets, watching her leave. Summer switched her attention to Piper. “Think we can trust him with our secrets?”

  Chapter Six

  Things Are Not Always What They Seem

  Devlin took a couple of days off to spend with Koda and Wyatt, insisting they stay with him in Divide. On Friday morning as he left, he said, “I will be staying in Colorado Springs for the night. I’ll see you Saturday morning. We’ll do some cross country skiing.”

  “Got a date with Summer?” Koda asked impishly.

  “That would be none of your business. I thought you two might enjoy a little time alone before heading back to kids, jobs, and dad. Valentine’s day is Sunday.”

  “One of the reasons we are here,” Wyatt said. “No alone time at home.”

  “The wine cellar is stocked, feel free to enjoy.” With a smug smile, Devlin waved and climbed into the truck. When the engine rumbled to life, he accelerated toward Highway 24 sending gravel spewing in all directions, then turned down the pass headed for Moon Ridge Gun Club.

  ****

  At closing time, Devlin took the stairs two at a time to the show room. “Got everything under control, Jayden?” Devlin asked on his way to the door.

  “Yep, be out of here in a few. What’s with you, got a hot date?” Jayden asked.

  “Maybe.” Devlin continued through the door and around the building to the apartment entrance.

  Earlier that morning, he’d made meat lasagna and garlic bread spread, put them in the fridge beside a tossed green salad with extra shredded carrots, for Summer. Now he took out the ingredients for tiramisu and layered them in a ceramic dish. Once finished, he slipped the dessert on a shelf in the fridge, popped the lasagna in the oven, and buttered the bread with the garlic spread. An alarm on his phone chimed, she’d be here in an hour.

  From a kitchen drawer, he pulled red candles and put them in wine decanters to drip over different colors of wax melted before, giving it an authentic old world Italian look. A red and white checkered tablecloth covered his hexagonal log kitchen table, adorned with two place settings of his mother’s china and silverware.

  Next he sprinkled several candy hearts on the coffee table arranged in front of the upholstered couch and turned on the little gas fireplace. He arranged two orange hearts that said “Charm Me” in the middle. Pleased with the ambiance, Devlin rushed to the bedroom to change.

  Dressed in black jeans, black shirt with tiny red stripes, open at the neck and black boots, he strode to the front of the club at 6:50 p.m. When Summer pulled into the parking lot, his heart skipped a beat. This was unchartered territory for him, in a short time, he’d fallen hard for her. Did she feel the same?

  Summer stepped out of the SUV, dressed in copper colored jeans, dark brown sweater with orange threads woven through it and rust boots. Piper jumped out behind her and waited at her heel. As Devlin approached, Piper took a protective stance. “Piper stand down. He’s a friend.” Immediately, the dog relaxed her stance and wagged her tail uncertainly. “You can approach her now.”

  Devlin put his arms around Summer’s waist and pulled her to him, his lips brushed gently over hers. “I’ve missed you.” Fingers of one hand entwined in hers, he redirected his attention to Piper. Out of his pocket, he drew a chewy and peered at Summer for approval. At her nod, he handed the treat to Piper, who glanced at Summer before taking the treat.

  “Dinner is almost ready, let’s walk to the apartment, where Piper can settle down with her treat.”

  When Devlin pushed the door open, the aroma of lasagna and garlic bread wafted through the air.

  “Oh, something smells delicious. Italian? My favorite food group.” She laughed her eyes twinkling as she met his gaze.

  Piper raised her nose in the air and sniffed, stretching her body as far as she could without putting a paw in front of Summer.

  “Looks like Piper approves of your dinner menu too.”

  “I’m glad she’s pleased.” He guided Summer through the living room into the kitchen. “Small but homey. Don’t you think?” Piper followed at their heels.

  “Very nice. You’ve outdone yourself with the Italian ambiance. Quite romantic.”

  He pulled out a chair. “Please have a seat, dinner is ready.” Donning oven mitts, he reached in the oven and brought out the pan of steaming lasagna, slid it onto a trivet in the center of the table.

  Next, he dumped the warm garlic bread into a basket and handed it to Summer. The bottle of white chardonnay occupied the space next to him, with crystal wine glasses at each place setting. “May I serve you?”

  Summer nodded and held up her plate.

  When he scooped a serving of Lasagna, cheese stretched from the pan to her plate, forcing him to cut it with the spatula. He groaned, “Always happens.”

  She breathed deeply. “Mmmmm.” He eased into the chair beside her and poured the wine.

  Summer forked up a bite of lasagna and slipped it in her mouth. She closed her eyes savoring the flavor. “This is fantastic. Did you make this from scratch?”

  “I did, old family recipe. Mom had a bit of Italian blood in her. She was an excellent cook and insisted that all us kids learn to cook. Survival skills, she called it.” He looked down at the meal and was silent for a beat. When he brought his gaze to meet hers a touch of sadness remained. “I still miss her.” His voiced picked up a cheerful note as he took a bite of garlic bread. “My dad is a great cook too.”

  “My mom was an ok cook, but dad couldn’t even boil water.” Summer sipped her wine and set the glass back on the table.

  “Your parents are still alive?” Devlin popped a bite of lasagna in his mouth and chewed slowly.

  Summer shifted in her seat and pulled her bottom lip through her teeth. “Yes, but as I said before, we’re not close. Is your sister and brother-in-law still here?”

  By her answer, he surmised family was a touchy subject, one he’d skirt for now. “Yes, Koda and Wyatt are here for a few more days. Would you’d like to go cross country skiing with us tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know how, but thanks for the invite.”

  “Oh, you don’t get off that easy. I can get equipment and teach you to ski, it’s really easy. With your yoga training, it’ll be a snap. The trails around the cabin are so peaceful, you’ll love it.”

  She shook her head. “Wouldn’t be much fun for you.”

  Devlin reached across the table and cupped her chin. “Spending the weekend with you? It’d be tough, but I’m up for a challenge.” He f
lashed an irresistible grin and added. “Piper will have a blast roaming over the trails following us. Lots of great snow up there.”

  “She’d love that—you’d be her new best friend.” Summer sighed, glanced at Piper, the chewy between her paws, then shifted her gaze to him. “I have the weekend off—Ok, we’ll come.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning bright and early, unless you want to spend the night with me, tonight?” Brow raised his lips curved in a devilish grin.

  “Oh, I don’t think so. I’m not dressed for skiing.” She laughed off the invitation.

  “You can’t blame a guy for trying,” Devlin pushed his chair back from the table and got to his feet. He blew out the candles, gathered up the dishes, and put them in the sink, added hot water, and soap.

  Summer scooted up behind him. “Where do you keep the dish towel?”

  “I’m just going to let these soak. Clean them up later.” He moved across the kitchen to put a lid on the lasagna dish and dumped the bread into a plastic bag, sealed the top. “Let’s relax in front of the fire with our wine.”

  From the kitchen to the living area, was only a few steps. Summer settled on the buckskin colored couch. Devlin eased down beside her and stretched his arm across back of the couch. The warmth of the fireplace enveloped them as her gaze settled on the polished oak coffee table.

  She pointed to the scattered hearts on the table before picking up her wine glass. “Are those for me? How’d you know?”

  The left side of his lips twitched in an effort to cover up a sly grin. “Know what?”

  “I love candy hearts.” She picked up the one that had “Charm Me”’ imprinted on it. “This one always seemed magical. Cute dessert idea.” Summer slipped the heart in her mouth.

  “Tiramisu is for dessert…later. Thought we’d let the dinner settle and enjoy the wine.”

  “Excellent idea.” Summer cuddled into him, her head on his shoulder. “It’s been a long time since I’ve let someone get close.” She sighed. “Feels nice.”

  Somewhere along the line, someone had hurt or betrayed her or both, but she wouldn’t let him in, not yet. So he’d just wait her out. But the other issue, maybe…“So why take a gun class?”

  “Protection.”

  “Magic isn’t enough?”

  “What?” She straightened and whipped around to face him, eyes scalpel sharp glaring at him.

  Devlin let his arm slide to her waist, in an attempt to keep her beside him. “Oh, come on, the other day at the restaurant the magic aura was palpable. We both know it. Witch?”

  Piper trotted over to the couch, wined and looked toward the door. Summer wiggled out of his grasp and shoved up from the couch. “I think it’s time Piper and I leave. Thank you for dinner, it was wonderful.” She paused. “But I’m afraid we’ll take a rain check on the ski trip.” Summer picked up the dog’s leash and walked stiffly toward the door, Piper close at her heel.

  Devlin got up from the couch in a whisper of movement; he stepped in front of her and caught her hand. “Don’t do this. I don’t know what happened to you, but I’m sure I can help. Just give me a chance.”

  Eyes wide she tried to twist out of his hold. “How—what are you?” A low growl rumbled from Piper, her protective stance was back. “Stand down,” Summer commanded not taking her eyes off Devlin.

  He could let her go, or trust her with his secret. His gut told him to trust her. “I’m human—but also half werewolf. Shifting is not in my DNA, due to my mother, but the rest of the preternatural abilities…” He raised one arm up and let it fall. “I embrace. Came in handy as a SEAL.” He tried one of his brightest smiles.

  She stood motionless in the middle of the room, as if she was trying to decide what to do next. Piper was pacing in front of the door. If a dog could cross her legs while waiting for someone to let her out, Piper looked as if she would.

  “How about this.” He slipped into his coat and held her parka for her. “We’ll take Piper outside, walk around a bit and sort things out. After that, we’ll come in and have a piece of Tiramisu. I worked hard on the dessert and hate for it to go to waste.”

  “I’m sure it won’t.” She put one arm in her coat as he wrapped the parka around her.

  “But eating it alone wasn’t—well…”

  Piper whined again. Summer clipped the leash on and he opened the door. Relieved she didn’t head toward her SUV, but glanced at him. He led them to the field behind the gun club. The wind whipped around Summer and the snow increased in her vicinity. Devlin stepped back let her walk ahead a couple yards. It seemed to him, she had her own weather system going within a three-foot radius. She paused, closed her eyes and the wind calmed and the snow tapered off to a light flurry like the rest of the area. Once he caught up to her, they walked in silence for a several minutes while Piper sniffed and took care of business.

  Devlin watched Summer’s forehead crease and eyes take on a faraway look. It was intriguing. What was going on behind those beautiful emerald eyes? Finally, her forehead relaxed and her eyes focused. Had she reached a decision? Before she could bolt, he took the reins.

  “I’ll admit, never been good at relationships. But this—you—I like being with you, I want us to get to know each other. Is that so difficult? We can see where it leads. No pressure.”

  She straightened, raised her chin and when her gaze met his, she said proudly, “Yes, I’m a witch. A damn fine one. But circumstances beyond my control forced me to keep the magic under wraps.”

  Well at least that was out in the open. But it wasn’t the secret that bothered her most, he was sure of it. At least they were making progress. He blew out a breath and noticed her shivering.

  “There are things about me—I can’t.” She turned away from him.

  “Sure you can. I won’t push you.” He gathered her into his arms and held her. She didn’t pull away. A good sign. “How about we return to the apartment, get you warmed up, and have Tiramisu. It’s my best yet.” With a fingertip, he brushed the hair out of her eyes, tempted to kiss her luscious lips, but winked at her instead.

  She nodded, her arm curved around his waist as they walked back to the apartment, Piper in tow.

  Chapter Seven

  Secrets Unraveled a New Adventure Dawns

  A big weight lifted, when Devlin suggested she was a witch. She was tired of keeping the secret. Blend in and you’ll remain safe. She sighed and tightened her grip on Devlin who’d shoved his way into her life—and heart. He deserved to know everything, but would he still…Not wanting to think about it, she slipped in the door he held for her reveling in the warmth inside.

  He waited for Piper to shake the snow from her fur, then closed the door. She’d a grand time rolling in the snow that covered the field behind the club. Devlin removed Summer’s coat and took the blanket warmed by the fire off the couch and wrapped it around her. “Would you like hot chocolate or tea with Tiramisu?”

  “Hot chocolate, please.” Teeth still chattering she pulled the blanket tight.

  “With or without?” Devlin asked hanging her coat along with his on pegs to the right of the door.

  Her brow furrowed as she tilted her head to glance up at him. “With or without what?”

  “Marshmallows or whip cream, of course.” A chuckle rose from his throat. “You can’t have naked hot chocolate.”

  “I certainly don’t want my cocoa naked. By all means dress it with marshmallows.” Snuggled into the blanket, she plopped on the couch. Piper stretched out at her feet, softly snoring. It hadn’t taken Devlin long to win over her dog, which made it easier for her to confide in him. Intuitive, loyal, and protective, the Chow rarely let anyone get too close.

  On a tray, Devlin carried plates with dessert, mugs of steaming drinks and eased it down on the table in front of the couch. He handed her a mug loaded with small marshmallows. The white puffs melted into the dark liquid as she stirred. Sipping the warm hot chocolate, a half-melted marshmallow stuck on her nose. D
evlin leaned toward her, dabbed at her nose with a napkin, then brushed his lips slowly over hers. When she didn’t pull away, he lingered a bit longer.

  “Just checking to make sure your lips were warmed up.” His lips twitched as he attempted to stifle a grin.

  “Fibber. I see that grin you’re trying to hide.” She ran the tip of her tongue over her moist lips, tasting the mocha left there by his lips and wanting more.

  Settled next to her on the sofa, he reached for the tiramisu, handing her a plate and taking one for himself. He forked up a bite and slid it into his mouth. Summer put her mug on the table and scooped a piece of the decadent dessert on her fork. After sliding a bite onto her tongue, she savored the flavor, swallowed, then slowly licked the spoon while watching him from under her long lashes. Teasing him is what she was doing, but what if he responded? Was she ready to commit to intimacy?

  With only crumbs left on his plate, he returned it to the table and turned his attention to her. He shifted and leaned over her cupping her chin in his rough hand, the touch of his lips to hers sending desire crashing through her. Acting on the feelings that spun through her at his touch could be disastrous. Tired of being alone, maybe it was time to take a chance.

  His uneven breath caressed her cheek, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he nibbled at her earlobe, trailed his lips to the hollow of her throat. He breathed a kiss at the base of her throat, and with the tip of his tongue traced a path to the lowest point of her V-necked sweater as his fingers feathered across her breast.

  Her heart beat a tattoo in her chest as moisture gathered between her legs. She should stop him, but when he pressed his lips to hers, she parted her lips allowing his tongue to thrust inside caressing hers in a sinuous dance. Her body arched against his growing need as he laid her back against the couch, braced himself above her as his legs gently pushed spreading her thighs.

  One hand snaked under her sweater caressed the side of her breast through her bra then his fingers slipped inside her waistband, his thumb released the button on her jeans, allowing his hand to explore lower. She stiffened.