by Gina LaManna
I moved toward him, slowly at first, then more quickly as he fell into motion, too. He dropped down from the ladder, landing softly in the grass, and closed the gap between us.
I took my time surveying his eyes, his face, his lips—the lips that had spoken my name. Reaching out a hand, I let my fingers graze the five o’clock shadow on his chin.
His hand rose, clasping mine in a warm embrace against his cheek. “I didn’t need seven days to think. I made my decision the second I met you. I filed my paperwork with MAGIC the day you left.”
“But this is a lifelong decision. It’s not something to take lightly.”
“I’m not taking anything lightly. I don’t know what it is about you that draws me to you, but I can’t seem to stay away.”
“Trouble?” I gave a soft laugh.
“No,” he said, his gaze firm, eyes warm pools of honey. “I know it sounds ridiculous to say I knew you were different as soon as I met you, but it’s true. I’m not asking for your hand in marriage, and I’m not asking you to tell me you love me. We’ve only had one official date. All I’m asking for is a chance.”
I blinked hard. “A chance? You’d give up your human existence for a chance at making things work with me?”
“Ainsley, there’s one thing you need to understand about me. When I see something—someone—I want, I go after it.”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Then don’t say anything at all.”
With that, he tipped my face until it met his, and our lips joined in a soft, tender kiss filled with pent-up longing from a week spent apart. Just then, the sunlight broke through, the darkness burning away, as if the heat of our embrace had set fire to the world. His fingers ran through my hair and trailed down my sides, holding me to him until both of us needed a second to breathe.
Then, finally, we pulled apart, his hands locked in mine.
“I’m staying here with you, Ainsley,” he said as the night slipped away, and his last chances of forgetting magic ever existed vanished with the darkness. “I don’t care what crazy, fantastical world it is that you live in—if you’re there, I’ll be there too.”
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My mother was ecstatic. After I found Beck waiting for me upon my return, it had only been a matter of time before my mother, eavesdropping as always, forced us to come inside and have coffee…which turned into lunch, which turned into dinner, and coffee, and sweets, and when we finally left her house for my apartment, we were exhausted.
But instead of sleep, we stayed up all night, talking, smooching, curled up in blankets as we shared a bottle of wine. Changing worlds gave us a lot to discuss—exciting, nerve-wracking, thrilling things in our future. It wasn’t until around five in the morning that we fell asleep reluctantly, my head on his shoulder, his hand on my leg—comfortable, warm, and most importantly, together.
Until our slumber was interrupted by the harsh ring of my cellphone. I fumbled in the couch for my phone, pulled it out, and gargled my name into the receiver.
“Ainsley.” Declan’s voice was sharp. “I just received word from Hettie. They need you on The Isle now.”
“Is Lily okay?” I shoved myself into my clothes and stumbled toward my broomstick, staring longingly at Beck’s sleeping face.
“Something has happened,” he said. “Hurry. We’ve set up transportation from MAGIC headquarters for you. Leave that horrendous boat behind.”
“Yes, sir. I’m on my way,” I said, hanging up the phone, still in a fugue state from my lingering exhaustion.
Before I reached the door, however, I turned back, sinking onto the couch where Beck remained asleep.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to him. “I have to go.”
His eyes fluttered open, the amber in them sucking me in, holding me close, urging me not to leave. “I understand,” he murmured in a husky, sleep-filled voice. “Please, at least let me know once you’ve arrived, wherever your destination might be—I assume it’s pointless to ask.”
“Of course.” I pressed my lips to his forehead, ignoring his unvoiced question. “Thank you, Beck, for choosing me, this world…us.”
He pulled me in closer, held me tighter. “It was never a choice, Ainsley. Now go, save the world, do what you must. Just promise you’ll come back to me when it’s over.”
I blinked back the sting of tears, promised him all I could, and gave him one last, lingering kiss.
Then I grabbed my brand new broomstick and took off through my Ghosted Glass doors. Soaring through the clouds, I pointed my trajectory toward MAGIC headquarters, wishing with fervor that I didn’t have to leave, not now, not while everything with Beck was so new, fresh, raw.
But Hettie had asked for my help. I couldn’t say no—not when Lily was in danger. The forces of evil were knocking at the doors of her carefully crafted new world, and if it crumbled, that would hurt all of us—MAGIC, my family, and now Beck.
The Isle had called for help.
It was time for me to return.
The End
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading, Islanders! I hope you enjoyed a peek into Ainsley’s life! She’s a lot of fun, and it was a joy to write her. Now, if you haven’t yet dived into the world of The Isle, you may find the Magic & Mixology series currently available on Amazon!
The next release in this series is coming soon to Kindles near you. To be notified when it releases, please sign up for my newsletter at ginalamanna.com.
Thank you for reading!
Love,
Gina
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Now for a thank you…
To all my readers, especially those of you who have stuck with me from the beginning.
By now, I’m sure you all know how important reviews are for Indie authors, so if you have a moment and enjoyed the story, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. I know you are all very busy people and writing a review takes time out of your day—but just know that I appreciate every single one I receive. Reviews help make promotions possible, help with visibility on large retailers and most importantly, help other potential readers decide if they would like to try the book.
I wouldn’t be here without all of you, so once again—thank you.
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Thanks again for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story!
See other books by Gina here:
List of Gina's Books!
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Gina LaManna is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Magic & Mixology series, the Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries, The Little Things romantic suspense series, and the Misty Newman books.
List of Gina LaManna’s other books:
Magic & Mixology Mysteries:
Hex on the Beach
Witchy Sour
Jinx & Tonic
MAGIC, Inc. Mysteries:
The Undercover Witch
Reading Order for Lacey Luzzi:
Lacey Luzzi: Scooped
Lacey Luzzi: Sprinkled
Lacey Luzzi: Sparkled
Lacey Luzzi: Salted
Lacey Luzzi: Sauced
Lacey Luzzi: S'mored
Lacey Luzzi: Spooked
Lacey Luzzi: Seasoned
Lacey Luzzi: Spiced
Lacey Luzzi: Suckered
The Little Things Mystery Series:
One Little Wish
Two Little Lies
Misty Newman:
Teased to Death
Short Story in Killer Beach Reads
Chick Lit:
Girl Tripping
Gina also writes books for kids under the Pen Name Libby LaManna:
Mini Pie the Spy!
Mini Pie the Christmas Spy!
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