“Gotcha. Anything else?”
“I miss my cat.”
They trudged on in silence for a few moments before Marcus spoke. “I don’t know what to say about your cat but here’s my spare change about your dude. Man, you gotta get him alone and give him what’s what. Let him know he can’t mess with a piece as fine as you.” He took a swig from his water bottle and then looked over at her. “You get what I’m saying?”
Honestly, she hadn’t considered cornering and threatening Liam, but the idea wasn’t half bad. “What if he doesn’t see things my way?”
“Make him see things your way. You’re a woman. Women are always twistin’ men this way and that to get what they want. Don’t tell me you haven’t done that before.”
Tessa nodded. “Maybe I have.” She just couldn’t tell Marcus that the twisting she’d done had left men in some pretty uncomfortable situations. She thought of the construction worker she’d left to dangle from a crane. Yeah. She probably shouldn’t have done that.
“Hey, Tessa, stay with me,” Marcus said, his deep voice rounding up her stray thoughts. “What’s this guy got?”
“Got?” Tessa asked.
“What’s the turn on?” Marcus clarified.
Tessa didn’t answer. How to explain Liam’s charm? And charming he was; he’d gotten under her skin. She couldn’t deny it. But she could fight it.
“Is there another chick involved in all of this?” Marcus asked.
A vision of Fiona’s gold wing tattoo flittered through Tessa’s mind. “Unfortunately, yes. And I don’t know what to make of her interference.”
“You jealous?”
“As if,” Tessa shot back.
“Yeah, thought as much. Whatcha gonna do about your job problem?” he asked.
“I don’t know, Marcus, but I think if I can get my man trouble sorted out the job will fall into place.” She punched the number five on her treadmill and started to jog. “Now leave me alone because I can’t run and talk at the same time.”
***
After a hellacious free weight workout Tessa made her way to the locker room. Her quivering legs wanted to head in the direction of the sauna but she overruled them and headed to the changing area. A quick shower was all she had time for before she went in search of a telephone. It seemed everyone but her carried a tiny telephone in their pocket.
Her conversation with Marcus had given her an idea. She wasn’t sure what to do to help herself, but an idea of how to help her new friend had popped into her head during a triceps extension.
Wet hair hanging down her back, Tessa explored the corridor between the men’s and women’s locker room. She found a small, unoccupied office. At first touch the door seemed locked but Tessa refused to be deterred. She rubbed her hands together and then tapped her index finger against her palm. She was rewarded with a spark of energy and the doorknob turned when she tried a second time. A slow smile spread across her face. Witch 1. Fairies 0.
The thrill of victory soon soured into frustration as she struggled to figure out how the computer worked. The big fat button looked like it should be pushed. So she did. The little screen button she pushed next. Shouldn’t that do the trick? The idea of using magic briefly entered her mind but she dismissed it. Whatever abilities she’d gained back she didn’t want to waste on something a mere mortal could do for her. She needed someone to assist her. She thought for a moment. Bethany. Yes, easy going, compliant Bethany was just the human to help.
Tessa glanced up at the clock. Unless she was mistaken, Bethany and Claudia’s group had just finished their lap swimming which meant showers were next. Bethany should be easy to track down.
And she was. Tessa snagged Bethany just as she came out of the dressing room.
“I need your help Bethany.” For good measure she threw in the six letter word that humans seemed to find magical. “Please.”
“I’d be happy to,” Bethany said. “Lead the way.” But her expression was much less confident when Tessa ushered her into the empty office. “Are you sure we should be here? What if someone comes in and catches us?”
“Then just hide behind me,” Tessa told her.
“There isn’t enough of you left to cover me,” Bethany said. “You’re shrinking like crazy.”
“You’re looking pretty slim yourself,” Tessa answered. “You’re going to make it, Bethany. You’ve got everything inside of you that it takes to turn things around and get healthy.”
To Tessa’s surprise, Bethany beamed. Who knew a compliment held such power? And then, like a light bulb illuminating a dark room, Tessa suddenly remembered all the times her Aunt Trudy had told her that kind words were their own form of magic.
“Let’s get down to business,” Tessa said. “I need some information and I was hoping you’d be able to help me find it.”
Bethany sat in front of the computer and typed a few words. “Okay, I have internet access. What do you want me to look for?”
Tessa pulled up a chair and sat where she could look over Bethany’s shoulder. “I need information on Marcus’s former team, the idiot coach who let him go, and especially the team owner’s name.”
“That’s it?” Bethany started to type.
“No, there’s more but let’s start with this.” Tessa had plans for Marcus. Big plans. “I’ll make a list of the other things we need while you look. You know how to send an email?”
Bethany laughed but didn’t answer, which Tessa took for a yes. Satisfied that she’d chosen just the right partner in crime, she set to work on her list.
“What are you doing?” Bethany glanced over at Tessa’s hands.
Mid-spell, Tessa froze. She should’ve remembered to wait until she was alone to see if she could add a little magic to her plan. “Just a nervous habit.”
Bethany narrowed her eyes. “What are you nervous about?”
“I just want this to work out for Marcus. He’s a nice guy and he deserves a break.”
A little over an hour later Bethany switched off the computer and turned to Tessa. “You’re a genius.”
Tessa smiled. “Let’s hope it all works out. We should know by tomorrow.”
“I need to confess something,” Bethany said, a sheepish expression on her face. “When I first met you I thought you were a real witch.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ve heard that more times than you can imagine.” Tessa grinned. “There might even be a bit of truth in it.” She put her arm around Bethany’s shoulders as they made their way down the hall. “I do have another question that maybe you can help me with.”
“Ask away,” Bethany said.
“You remember that fairy tale about Cinderella and her fairy godmother?”
“Of course I do.”
“What happened to the fairy godmother at the end of the story?” Tessa asked.
Bethany shrugged. “I don’t know. My guess is that she just drifted away. I don’t think she mattered at that point.”
Not the answer Tessa was looking for. “What did Cinderella get out of the whole deal?”
“The prince.”
Tessa didn’t like this answer any better. Prince schmince.
Chapter Twelve
To Tessa’s delight, Jinx was sleeping at the end of her bed when she woke up the next morning. She rarely saw him anymore as he preferred spending time with Liam. She nudged her sleeping pet with her toe. “Wake up fuzz ball.”
She watched as Jinx stood and slowly stretched out his front legs and then the back ones. She shook her head. She’d thought her physical transformation had been rough but Jinx had been through worse. Much worse. She rolled on to her side and patted the space next to her. When Jinx came to sit beside her she tentatively scratched him behind the ears. He was clean and well groomed but his fur felt rough and coarse to the touch. She missed her silky soft black cat.
And then she remembered the other odd thing about dogs. They needed to be let out in the morning. She groaned. “Let’s get you
outside, you beast.”
Apparently that was just the right thing to say because Jinx ran to the door, his tail wagging so hard his backside shook.
Ten minutes later Tessa strolled through the front lawn and down the drive. She could smell the salty sea air so the water couldn’t be far. Trotting alongside her on his trusty red leash, Jinx looked as happy as a cat high on nip. Tessa decided they might as well make a long walk out of it. She’d done little to explore her surroundings since she arrived, too wrapped up in thoughts of herself to notice, let alone enjoy, where she was.
Was this how she’d lived her whole life? So anxious to think about what she wanted to achieve, get, or do that she’d missed out on everything else? It was and the answer saddened her. Her focus on her own magic had left her blind to the magic in the human world.
Once they reached the water’s edge she bent down and unhooked Jinx’s leash. “It’s okay, Jinx. I know you want to be a dog.” She looked down at him, wondering how often she’d looked at Jinx without really seeing him. “Are you sure you want to stay in canine form? Permanently?”
Jinx stood panting, his little pink tongue hanging out. And then he barked, a short high pitched sound that she took as a confirmation.
“You’re sure? One thousand percent certain?”
Jinx wagged his tail furiously, his warm brown eyes intent on hers.
“So be it.” Tessa closed her eyes and placed her fingers into her other palm. Hesitating for only a moment, she traced a pattern that would permanently release Jinx from his feline form. Once done, she opened her eyes in time to watch as Jinx morphed into the form of a black cat and then back into his newly permanent white terrier form. Transformation complete, his metal id tag made a tinkling sound as he shook.
“Go on, go be a dog.” Tessa waved her new dog away but he stood watching her, an expectant look in his eyes.
“What?” She was missing something. She glanced around for a clue. “This is what you want?” She picked up a small piece of driftwood and threw it as far down the beach as she could.
With a grateful bark, Jinx raced off toward his new toy. Despite the lump in her throat, she had to laugh as he plowed through a flock of seagulls.
“He seems happy. You did the right thing.”
Tessa whirled around to find Liam standing several feet behind her. Wearing a collarless white shirt and tan linen slacks, he stood, hands in his pockets, watching her. The expression on his face, a combination of tenderness and frank appreciation, made Tessa’s heart race.
She looked over his shoulder. “Where’s your fairy friend?”
He raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Fiona. I know she’s a fairy.”
“What gave it away?” he asked.
“I saw her wings,” Tessa said. “Are there others or is it just the two of you working my case together? Two against one seems a bit unbalanced.”
Liam took a step forward but Tessa moved back. She needed the distance if she was going to think straight.
“What are you talking about?” Liam asked. “What does Fiona have to do with us?”
Tessa shook her head. “There is no us. Why is she here?”
Liam didn’t immediately answer.
Tessa turned away from him, fearing her face would give away her emotions. Her mixed-up, jumbled emotions.
“Fiona is my assistant.” Liam had come to stand behind her but still she didn’t turn. He put a hand on her shoulder. “She and I work well together but it’s strictly a professional relationship. Always has been, always will be.”
Tessa recognized the truth in his voice. Liam’s sincerity was as real as his charm, something she’d grown to value in him. He was light to her dark. She found herself craving the light. But still she had questions. “Why is she here then? Is she checking up on me?”
“No.”
“What then?” She couldn’t let this drop. Maybe she should but she couldn’t. Not without an explanation. “Why did she need to talk to you? And why is she hanging around?”
“Fiona wanted to talk to me about my next assignment.”
“You’re done with me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Liam moved in front of her and pulled her into his arms. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “I’ve barely gotten started.”
His response lifted a weight from Tessa’s heart. She rested her head on his shoulder, not wanting the moment to end.
“Fiona’s here to check up on me,” he said.
“Why? What have you done?”
“I crossed a professional line.” He tightened his hold on her.
Those five words told her so much, told her what she wanted to know. It wasn’t just her heart that was on the line.
“May I join you on your walk?” he asked.
“Are you asking as my coach?” She hardly recognized her voice for the vulnerability she heard in it.
He shook his head. “I want to be with you.”
Tessa nodded. “Join me then. I need to keep an eye on my dog.”
They walked on in companionable silence, the gentle lapping of the waves providing a melodic background sound. Tessa enjoyed the feel of her fingers intertwined with Liam’s. His presence warmed her heart. Her feelings made no sense to her, but they hadn’t since she’d first laid eyes on him.
“I hear you’ve been playing fairy godmother yourself.” His voice was low, teasing.
“What are you talking about?”
“Marcus.” He stopped walking and turned her to face him, not releasing his hold on her hand. “I know what you’ve done.”
“Worried about the competition?” A slow smile spread across Tessa’s face. “Let’s just hope it works.”
“It has.”
“What happened?” Tessa demanded. “You know something?”
He nodded. “I do. But the information is going to cost you.” Liam’s voice was low, his eyes fixed on her lips. He pulled her closer until she was pressed up against his chest.
His smile was irresistible. All the magic in the world couldn’t save her from his charm. Not that she wanted to be saved, she realized. Far from it.
“Name your price. I’m willing to pay.” Tessa lifted her face to his. She reached up to trace a finger along his jaw, stopping just short of his mouth.
Liam leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. A tidal wave of desire threatened his sanity. He kissed her again, taking his time to savor the taste of her lips before moving to her neck. It was impossible to hold her any closer but he tightened his hold anyway and was rewarded when she whispered his name, her voice a throaty moan.
How long he held her in his arms, Liam didn’t know. But Jinx’s frantic barking broke the spell. He drew back but didn’t release her, instead he held her at arm’s length and searched her face. “What’s the funny look for?”
It took her a full moment to answer. “I think I may have met my match in you.”
He laughed, happiness coursing through him. “I was just thinking the same thing.” He draped an arm over her shoulders and they began to walk. He loved the feel of her body next to his, as if she’d been custom made for him. Or he to fit her, either way they fit together perfectly.
“What do you know about my plans for Marcus?” Tessa asked him.
“I know that it appears to be working. Several suits in a limo arrived and they all headed to the conference room to meet with him.” Liam squeezed her shoulders. “I’m proud of you, Tessa.”
“Let’s save the celebrating until we know it’s a done deal,” she answered. “Unless you know how it’s going to turn out.” She shot him a hopeful glance. “Do you?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t know for sure. I’m not his fairy godfather. I’m yours.”
Tessa stopped walking and turned to face him, her expression suddenly anxious. “We need to talk about that. What happens next?”
“Happens?” he echoed, stalling for time. He didn’t want to have this conversati
on now. Or later for that matter.
“To me,” Tessa clarified. “I’ve got my magic back and I’ve learned my lesson, and I can honestly say I’m glad all of it happened. I see that there is so much more to magic than merely casting spells. It’s opened my mind to all sorts of things I never realized I could do for other people.”
“Perfect. You’ve got it.”
“Thank you, Liam. For everything.”
He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, brushing a soft kiss across her warm skin. “It’s been my pleasure, Tessa.”
“We’ve passed midnight, no more ball gown, no more pumpkin or glass slippers. The ball is over, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Liam agreed. “Do you feel ready to go back?”
She nodded. “I would like to say good-bye to Bethany and Claudia first. And I need to wish Marcus well. He’s going to be all right, isn’t he?”
Liam nodded. “He will be more than all right, thanks to you. It’s you I’m more concerned about.”
“Don’t, I’m not going to sweat these last fifteen pounds. I actually think they’re a good reminder that I have a soft side to me.” She smiled. “I’m going to be more than fine but there’s something I want to know.”
He watched while she tucked a wisp of windblown hair behind her ear. Her smile took his breath away. God, he wanted her. For now and for always. But he needed to be sure it was what she wanted. “Ask me.”
“Can you stop time?”
“As in make this moment last longer?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not exactly. I want us to go away together.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What exactly do you have in mind?” The wicked gleam in her eye meant only one thing. Pleasure. And plenty of it.
She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”
“No complaints here,” he said, struggling to keep his voice even. Did she have any idea that she was driving him half mad with desire? “Why do we need to stop time? We can just take the time we need to get to know each other.”
Witch Weigh (A Paranormal Romantic Comedy) Page 7
