The Professor Woos The Witch (Nocturne Falls Book 4)

by Kristen Painter

  Cole tossed the boxes into the dumpster, and as they landed with a satisfying thud, he realized what had just gone through his head.

  Love.

  He wasn’t in love with Pandora yet. It was way too early for that. But he was most definitely infatuated with her. And that could turn into love. That was how it worked. He shook his head as he headed back inside, a crazy sense of happiness rocking him. His life had done a one-eighty from everything he was used to and yet, he wouldn’t want it any other way. Life was good.

  He was only one box into the next stack when someone knocked on the door. He wiped his hands on his jeans and went to answer it.

  Lila.

  He kept the anger from his face. The more civil this could be, the better. “She’s already gone to school. I told you to call me.”

  She smiled sweetly. “I know. And I would have, but I was afraid you’d say no.”

  His hackles went up. “To what?”

  “To talking. Just you and me.” She did a flirty thing with her eyes. “You look good.”

  He ignored her not-so-subtle come-on. “Talk about what?”

  She canted her head. “Can I come in?”

  He braced himself against the door frame and crossed his arms. “I’m working.”

  “It won’t take long.” She did a very familiar pout. “C’mon, Cole. For old times’ sake.”

  “Our old times aren’t worth consideration.”

  She let out a long breath through her nose, slightly deflated. “Please. I won’t take long.”

  He relented and moved out of the way. “Ten minutes.”

  She walked in. “Thank you.”

  “Kitchen’s this way.” He didn’t check to see if she was following, just moved. Once in the kitchen, he poured himself another cup of coffee. It would have been polite to offer her some, but it would have been polite of her not to have shown up uninvited. It also would have been polite of her not to sleep with men who weren’t her husband. He turned and rested against the counter. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “Kaley.”

  His jaw twitched in anger. He’d known that was what she was here for. At least she’d finally come out and said it. “What about her?”

  Lila leaned on the counter opposite him. “I’m not here to take her away from you.”

  “You couldn’t if you tried.”

  “I know that. But I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. Sort of taking assessment of my life.” She stared at the floor. “I know I wasn’t a good wife. I’m sorry. I really am. I can’t do anything to change that. I also know I wasn’t a good mother, but that I can work on. If you’ll let me.”

  “In what way?”

  “I want to spend more time with Kaley. Try to get to know her. Try to be there for her in whatever way she wants me to be.”

  “That’s a big ask for someone who abandoned that child.”

  Lila looked toward the backyard. “I know. I don’t deserve it.” She shifted her gaze back to him. “But I’m hoping that you’ll give me a chance to earn your trust. Kaley needs me right now—”

  “You mean because she’s becoming a witch? Coming into her powers and all that?”

  Lila stared at him with intense curiosity. “You say that like you believe it. Kaley told me you did, and considering you let her go to a coven meeting, I’m guessing it’s true, but it’s hard for me to imagine after all the years of you doubting me.”

  He drank his coffee. “Let’s just say I’ve learned a lot in the last few days.”

  “I’d say.” She put her hands on the counter behind her and tipped her head toward her shoulder. “So will you let me spend more time with Kaley? I’m only in town for a couple days, but once you get back to North Carolina, maybe we could set up some kind of once-a-month date.”

  That sounded a hell of a lot like visitation to him. “Let’s say we do that and you get tired of being a mother again. Then what? You disappear and I pick up the pieces? I’m not interested in Kaley getting hurt again.”

  “You’re right. That’s fair. We could start slow. One visit at a time, right? No future plans until the current one is met.”

  She was saying the right things, but she’d always been good at manipulating situations to suit her needs. He stared at her. “I’ll have to talk to Kaley.”

  She nodded. “Okay. I’m good with that.”

  Like she had a choice. “I have your number. I’ll call you tonight.”

  She smiled and pushed off the counter to walk toward him. “Could I get a cup of that coffee?”

  He nodded and moved down the counter a little. “Cups in the cabinet above.”

  She opened it and took one out. The movement sent a whiff of her perfume toward him. It was the same sweet fragrance she’d always worn. Sometimes he caught it on other women, and it brought her to mind. Not in a happy way, either.

  She finished pouring her coffee, then took a big sip. “Mmm, that’s the stuff.”

  It was okay coffee at best, but she was clearly trying to get on his good side.

  She rested her cup on the counter, but kept her fingers on the handle. “I really appreciate this, Cole. I know you don’t have to do any of this.”

  He grunted. “I’m doing it for Kaley.” Which was why, if she screwed this up even once, he’d do his best to end all contact between the two of them.

  “Understood.” She looked up at him, her big blue eyes round and liquid. “I’ve screwed up a lot in my life,” she rasped, her voice choked with emotion. “But Kaley is the one good thing I’ve done. I don’t want to lose her completely.”

  A single tear slipped down her cheek.

  “I understand.” Cole closed his eyes and took a breath. He could handle crying females. Some of his students occasionally attempted tears in an effort to get a better grade, but this was Lila, and while he didn’t love her anymore, he also didn’t wish her ill will. Not while Kaley still wanted her around.

  Lila’s arms wrapped around him, and her lips pressed against his. “Oh, Cole,” she whispered. “We could be a family again.”

  He jerked back, eyes open. “What the hell are you doing?” He pushed her away, still struggling to grasp that she’d kissed him.

  “I thought—you invited me in and—”

  “To talk about Kaley.” He shook his head, fuming. “I should have known you were up to something.”

  “I’m not, I swear. I honestly thought…” She gulped back a sob. “I’m sorry.” Then she swore softly. “I misread things. That is all.”

  “Get out now. Before I change my mind about letting you see Kaley.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Now.”

  She nodded and left. Cole stood in the kitchen until he heard the front door open and close. Then he dug his phone out of his back pocket and sent Pandora a text.

  Last night was great. Can’t stop thinking about you. If you’re not too busy tonight, join us for pizza?

  Less than a minute went by before she responded.

  Loved last night. Can’t stop thinking about you either. Can make it for pizza at 7. Good?

  Good, he texted back. Then he tucked the phone away as he walked to the front of the house. He looked beyond the fence. Lila’s car was gone.

  He’d give Pandora the run down on what happened this evening. Telling your current flame that your ex had kissed you on the mouth was the kind of thing that deserved the courtesy of a face to face. He’d better be able to judge Pandora’s reaction then too.

  This would be the first test of their new relationship. He hoped she trusted him enough to believe him when he told her nothing else happened. And maybe she’d be a little jealous. He could handle that. Might even be a turn-on. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had been jealous on his behalf.

  Pandora still had a smile on her face from Cole’s invite, which was probably the only reason she hadn’t hung up on the house appraiser yet. “You promised me that appraisal this morning. A chance of weather is not
a reason not to do the appraisal. Ninety percent of the thing is inside!”

  “I’ll get it done tomorrow. I promise,” the woman wheezed. She was a lifelong smoker and had the rasp to prove it.

  Pandora pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please. I can’t close this house until it’s done. If you prevent that from happening and these buyers lose this mortgage rate, I will not be using your services again.”

  “Understood.”

  “I hope so. Appraisal. On my desk. First thing tomorrow.” Pandora hung up. She loved her job, but there were days when she wanted to strangle people. Maybe now that her magic was working, she could do it without touching them. Like using The Force. She laughed. It was a fun fantasy, but Darth Vader she was not.

  She went back to her computer and the listings she was updating. The bell above her door jangled. She turned to greet her new potential clients.

  And saw Cole’s ex-wife walking through her door, looking hideously perfect in black skinny jeans, ankle boots and an indigo leather jacket. Her make-up was simple, but when you were that beautiful, anything more than a crimson lip was probably overkill.

  Maybe the Dark Side wasn’t so bad after all. Word was, they had cookies. Pandora stood, glad the day had been cool enough for her high-heeled boots. They weren’t last night’s stilettos, but they gave her a couple extra inches. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m Lila Aquinos. We met last night. At my husband’s.” She laughed. “Oops! Ex-husband’s. You know what I meant.”

  Yes, Pandora supposed, she did know what Lila meant. “I remember.”

  Lila put her hands on the back of one of the guest chairs across from Pandora’s desk. “I can see why Cole’s so taken with you. You’re very pretty.”

  “Thank you.” Okay, this had gone from weird to awkward.

  “I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m here.”

  Pandora nodded. “You’re a regular mind reader.”

  Lila laughed. “I do make my living reading tarot.” She pointed at the chair. “Can we chat for a minute? I know you’re busy, but I promise I’ll be brief.”

  “Okay.” Pandora agreed more out of curiosity than anything else. She sat down as Lila did the same.

  Lila crossed one long leg over the other. Her smile thinned. “I’m sure you’ve heard all about me from Cole.”

  “Some.”

  Lila picked at the seam on her jeans. Her nails were long, purple and filed into soft points. “Enough that you know I wasn’t a great wife or mother.”

  So cheating was not being a great wife and disappearing on your kid was not being a great mother. Pandora could think of better adjectives, but good to know. “I’ve heard, yes.”

  Lila sighed and bowed her head and seemed to be trying to get a handle on her emotions. At last, she lifted her head and looked at Pandora again. “I was crappy at both of those jobs. Being young and stupid is no excuse. I hurt Cole—” She put her hand toward the sky. “Thank the goddess he’s forgiven me. And I left Kaley with no mother. I take full responsibility for my selfish actions.”

  Points for that. Not a lot, but some. “That’s very adult of you.”

  “Granted, Cole wasn’t entirely blameless in our marriage dissolving, but I’m willing to let the past be the past.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Lila took a breath. “It was…hard. Constantly being told that I was ridiculous for thinking I was a witch? That took its toll. I’m not saying it’s what made me stray, but it sure didn’t keep me home.”

  “Why didn’t you do something—cast a spell, do a little magic—to show him that it was the truth?”

  “You know how it is when you first meet a guy? You keep your cards close to your vest until you feel them out. Make sure they’re not like Cole. But with Cole, I fell for him despite that. He was so good with Kaley. And as things progressed…” Lila’s bitter laugh filled the office. “His mother made sure I didn’t do anything to bring down the ivory tower he’d been raised in.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Cole’s mother was a witch. Non-practicing due to some stuff in her past, but she told me straight away that if I used magic around him, or did anything that might show him the truth, she’d report me to the ACW with whatever charges necessary to make sure my powers were stripped. I had to choose the man I loved and the best chance for a father my kid had had so far, or being a witch.” She shrugged. “So I didn’t practice around him. I think that was part of what drove a wedge between us. Not being able to be yourself around someone you consider family is a difficult thing.”

  “I can imagine.” Pandora was starting to wonder if Cole knew this side of things.

  “Anyway,” Lila continued. “I got to a place in my life recently where I finally grew up and took assessment of everything I’d done so far, and it wasn’t pretty. I was about as big of a screw-up as a person can be.”

  Pandora’s brows shot up. “That’s quite an admission.”

  “It’s the truth. It’s also why I’m here. I’m never going to be a better wife. Those days are over, no matter how Cole still feels about me, but with Kaley, I can still make a difference.”

  No matter how Cole still felt about her? What the French did that mean? Pandora tried to ignore that part for the moment. “I’m not sure why you’re telling me all this.”

  “Because I know you’ve become part of Kaley’s life. I appreciate that. She needs a good influence. Especially someone like you.”

  “Meaning?”

  Lila smiled. “A sister witch.”

  “Ah.” Pandora offered a tentative smile in return. For a woman who had very little contact with her daughter, Lila knew a lot about what was going on in Kaley’s life. Maybe they talked more than Kaley let on. And maybe most of Kaley’s calls to her mother didn’t go to voice mail. Especially considering Kaley had also told Pandora her mother was dead.

  “Kaley also told me you offered to become her mentor.”

  Actually, Pandora hadn’t gotten around to that last night. With all the excitement of Lila showing up, it just hadn’t seemed like the right time. Sure, Pandora had promised to help Kaley get a mentor. But maybe Kaley had wanted her mother to think otherwise.

  Lila’s smile faltered, and tears rimmed her eyes. “That was very…kind of you.” She sniffed. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to cry. I’ve missed so much of her growing up because of my own foolishness, and now it’s cost me this very important part of her life. I’m sure you can imagine what it would be like if you had a daughter and she…and she…” She turned away, hid her face in her hand and let out a hard, shuddering sob.

  Pandora bit her lip. She felt for Lila, and that wasn’t something she’d expected, but the woman was obviously hurting. Please let her be sincere and not trying to play games. “Maybe…we could do it together. I mean, I’d have to talk to Kaley. And Cole.”

  Lila shook her head, and another small sob broke from her throat. “No, you’ve already set everything up and arranged it all. I don’t want to barge in and disrupt what you’ve put in place. I also can’t risk making Kaley mad at me.”

  “It’s not like that. We haven’t even started yet.”

  Lila sniffed. “So you’d let me be her mentor, then?” She put her hand to her throat. “I did not expect such generosity. You are amazing.” Then she reached out toward Pandora. “The bond of the sister witch is a wonderful thing.”

  Pandora hadn’t exactly offered to let Lila be the mentor. But the woman was in a desperate way. And a sister witch. Sort of. They weren’t in the same coven. But Pandora didn’t want to be the reason things between Kaley and her mother got worse. Kaley could grow to resent Pandora for that. “How about I talk to Kaley about it?”

  Lila blinked, and a tentative smile bent her mouth. “You mean it? That would be amazing. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “No promises, now. But I’ll bring it up.”

  Lila shot to her feet. “That’s all I can ask for. You’re such a good friend to do this.
We can be friends, can’t we? That would mean so much to Kaley. Especially now that Cole’s agreed to let me have time with her. Please say yes.”

  “I…sure, I guess.” Pandora had the feeling she’d been left out of something. “When did Cole agree to that?”

  “This morning over coffee. He’s such a great guy, isn’t he?”

  “Yes.” Pandora blinked. So Lila and Cole had been together before Lila had come here. Right before Cole had sent her that text.

  “Thank you.” Lila pressed her hands together in front of her. “I won’t take another moment of your time. Blessed be.”

  “Blessed be,” Pandora mumbled.

  With that, Lila was gone.

  Pandora stared after her as the jangling of bells above the door faded. She replayed the conversation in her head, trying to find the turning points and how they’d gotten to where they’d gotten. But all she could really come up with was that Lila seemed like a woman in pain and Pandora had done what any decent person would do. She’d given a mother a chance to reconnect with her child.

  That was all good. Pandora knew that. And yet, she still wasn’t entirely sure she hadn’t just been manipulated. She felt a little like she had been, but at the same time, felt bad for thinking such a thing about Lila. Either way, there was an unsettled something lurking in the pit of her stomach. She needed to talk to Cole. She picked up the phone to call Cole, then put it back down again.

  Some things were better discussed in person.

  Cole had finally unearthed the dining room table from the piles of stuff covering it and was underneath it about to haul out another box when three hard raps sounded from the front door. “Just a minute,” he called out.

  If this was Lila again, he was not letting her in. He got up, brushed his hands off and went to answer it.

  “Hey, Pandora. This is a nice surprise.”

  She brushed past him into the house. “I had a surprise today too, but I can’t say it was nice. I’m not sure what it was, really.”

  He shut the door. “You want to explain? You seem flustered.”

  “Your wife—sorry, ex-wife—has a way of doing that to me apparently.” She paced a few steps down the hall, then turned and came back toward him. “She came to see me at my office today.”