‘Something is different about you, Jake.’ Elena propped herself on her elbow and used a forefinger to trace his stubble along his chin. Her touch sent thrills through him.
‘I meant to talk to you last night, but I was a bit distracted.’
Elena smiled, her green eyes alight with merriment. ‘You distracted me. Not the other way around.’
‘You think so?’ He chuckled, unable to repress his happiness. ‘So, your father came to see me.’
Elena frowned. ‘So he was who you left with on Monday? He mentioned taking you north, something about a coven.’
He lay back on the pillow and gazed at the ceiling. ‘He wanted me to meet my grandfather. He happens to be a warlock.’
Elena nodded. ‘Dad told me that Gregor Royston, your grandfather, had married a human and had left Sydney. He must be an interesting man to leave the coven for love.’
‘You’re surprised?’ he said, as he turned on his side and brushed the hair off her forehead.
‘That a man would give up something important for the woman he loved? A little, but you know I don’t know that many warlocks, or men, for that matter.’
‘I forgive you for your doubt. I wouldn’t have believed it either. My father didn’t have good relationships with his wives. It taught me love was all a waste of time. I was wrong.’ He grinned at her. ‘I like it that you don’t know many warlocks or men. You won’t be comparing me. I want you to learn all about me, like I want to learn all about you.’
Elena’s smile lit up her eyes. ‘You are dangerous and arrogant.’
He grinned at her. ‘You know me too well already.’
‘Anyway, so you went up north, met your grandfather and…’
‘Yes, Gregor married a human. She’s passed on now, though he still seems young. Handy talent, to live a lot longer than the rest of us. They had two children, my father and another son called Riley.
‘I didn’t meet my uncle as there was too much on. We will catch up soon. Apparently my father was all human, and didn’t get on with the crowd up there. Distrusted them. Hated them, even. So Gregor set him up with money and let him go his own way. Sadly, that was the last that the old man saw of him. He kept track of him, apparently, but never made contact. It hurt the old man that my father couldn’t accept him for who he was.’
‘That’s sad, really. From what you’ve said it seemed Gregor was happy to accept him as he was. What an interesting man he seems to be.’
Jake nodded and stroked the hair from her face. Their eyes met. ‘And what else did you find out?’ she asked, searching his face.
Pride surged up inside of him. ‘I have talent, apparently. Talent I’ve been using all my life. Gregor assessed me and taught me stuff, too.’
‘You’re a warlock? I mean I knew there was something, but I…’
‘Enough of a warlock for you, young lady.’ He kissed her lips gently.
Laughter bubbled out of her, and Jake’s heart burst to see the joy erupt from her. ‘More than enough for me.’
‘My prime talent is persuasion,’ Jake said.
Elena laughed. ‘Figures.’
‘I have to learn more about it so I don’t use it inadvertently in my work.’ Jake loved how her eyes widened.
The phone rang. ‘Ignore it,’ Jake suggested.
‘I can’t. It’s Grace. If I don’t answer we’ll have half the family here to investigate.’ Jake watched her as she talked, loving the dimple on the side of her mouth.
‘Right,’ she said as she hung up. ‘How fast can we shower and get dressed? They’re coming!’
As they tied it in the race to the shower, they decided to double up. The water had gone cold by the time they got out. He loved how she melted when he touched her intimately. He loved the sensation of being inside her. A man could get addicted to this.
‘How long do we have?’ he asked as they dressed.
‘Not long. I’ve lowered the ward.’
Jake tossed his spare condoms on the counter. ‘Now I understand why you didn’t get upset when the condom broke the other night. Gregor told me witches were immune to most human diseases and could fix themselves so they don’t get pregnant.’
Elena gasped, and turned so her hair hid her face.
Jake’s heart thumped. It wasn’t good. ‘What is it?’
Elena still wouldn’t look at him, and her hands shook as she finger combed her hair from her face. Her eyes were dark, and there was a frown mark between her eyebrows.
‘I forgot about the accident.’
‘Really?’ He remembered his panic with the broken condom. ‘Then you could be pregnant?’
His voice came out choked. He kept telling himself he was committed to Elena, but a child? That was something that was nowhere within his radar. His own childhood had been awful. He had never wanted to inflict something similar on another human being. Elena sat on the bed, head in hands.
‘Elena?’
Lifting her head, her eyes tracked his features and tears started. Seeing her upset made him feel like such a jerk. He needed to pull himself together quickly or Elena was going to slip through his fingers. He kept his face impassive.
She shook her head, trying to appear calm, but he could see the telltale signs of stress, the swallowing, the clenching of her hands, the pale hue of her skin. ‘Goddess,’ she said. ‘I’ve been so preoccupied I haven’t been paying attention to my own body. I’ll get Grace to check me over. Perhaps she can fix it.’
Penderton had told him about how desperate the coven was for children to be born to those with talent. How could he even hint or suggest that Elena should abort any potential child when there was that pressure on her? He thought maybe, when they were more established, they could try for a child. He ran his fingers through his hair. He had no idea what to think. He was stonkered.
Yet, he had to act and act right. ‘No. If there’s a baby I don’t want you to fix it.’ Jake’s eyes widened. Had those words come out of his mouth? Yes, and they felt right, too. His heart may be beating rather irregularly, but deep down he knew this was right. He wanted Elena, and everything that went with her.
Elena looked up and wiped a tear away. Her chin rose. ‘It’s okay, Jake. I understand. If I’m pregnant and it’s too late to stop it then I’ll look after the child by myself. I’m quite capable.’ Her gaze locked on the wall, and her hands screwed up the bed sheet. Compassion welled up in him. He would be silly to let his inner wimp lose him this wonderful woman. They would have a child, most likely a child with talent. Together they would explore this strange new world of parenthood and witchery.
He knelt on the floor beside her and took her hand. ‘Elena. It will be fine. I’m here for you. Whatever that means in the future.’ He shrugged. ‘Be it your extended family, or a family of our own.’
She threw her head back and her gaze travelled over his face, her lips pursed. He smiled at her. ‘I am sorry about it.’
He reached out and ran his palm over the back of her head. ‘Accidents happen. We have to deal with the consequences.’ No matter how scary, he thought. He breathed in, deep. Elena was oblivious to his inner turmoil; or at least, he hoped she was.
Elena kissed him lightly. ‘We better get dressed,’ she said, as she reached for a floral sundress and slipped it over her head. Jake reached for his jeans.
As she straightened her hair and applied some lip gloss, Elena said, ‘Last night we didn’t use protection either. So you have the immunity of the folk?’
He grinned at her. ‘Yes, and the longevity. We can have a long life together.’
‘Elena?’ It was Aunt Elvira popping in, luckily calling her from the living room. A talented witch, yet her timing sucked. No one was perfect, Elena supposed.
Chapter 21
Elena raced into the living room and straight into her aunt’s embrace. ‘Oh, Aunt.’
‘You can call me mother from now on, dearest.’
‘Mother?’
‘Yes, Rory and I have deci
ded to commit to a life together.’
The door opened, and in walked her father. He did not have Elvira’s talent to lope in through walls unannounced. Elena glanced between them and took in Rory’s very wide grin. He nodded, confirming Elvira’s news.
‘But what about…?’ Elena would hate to offend her best friend, cousin, and adopted sister by presuming to call her mother her own.
‘Grace is fine with it. She’ll be here in a minute. She’s bringing Declan. He’s finally arrived back after riding that infernal motorbike up to the Blue Mountains.’
There was a sound of movement behind her. Jake was heading her way. Rory stepped forward. ‘I see that Jake turned up.’
Her father introduced Jake to Elvira. The old witch looked him up and down, her lips pursed, and then she grinned, a gleam in her eye. Jake’s eyebrows rose and his cheeks turned pink. He’d have to get used to Aunt Elvira. She was a powerful witch, and that was unsettling for all of them at times.
Elena had the grace to blush as Jake’s intense blue eyes fired up her arousal. She had to control herself. Elvira’s gaze rested on her. Elena couldn’t stop the colour that stole up her face and neck. Elvira nodded knowingly, and then clasped Rory’s hand.
It was odd having a man in her life, and as much as she loved her family, it was difficult having them knowing what she was doing and also knowing what she was thinking and feeling. After a wink at her, Rory went to shake Jake’s hand. ‘So, are congratulations in order?’
Jake slapped him on the back. ‘You bet, old man.’
Elena shuddered. Surely they didn’t mean that she might be pregnant. She relaxed, realising they meant that she and Jake had sorted things out between them.
‘Hey none of that. I’ll be Dad to you. We’re a real family here.’
They shared a look. Jake looked down at their joined hands. ‘Sure. Dad sounds great.’
Elena glanced between them. ‘You knew,’ she accused her father, ‘and you didn’t tell me?’
He held up his hands and backed away. ‘Now, love, he made me promise. I told you it was his story to tell.’
Grace knocked on the door, bringing with her the handsome Declan. He was slightly taller than Jake, and seriously challenged his hunk status. Declan surged over to Elena, picked her up and swung her around. ‘I’m so happy for you.’ He put her down and kissed her forehead. ‘I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you needed me. Grace tells me you went through the wringer.’
Elena ran her fingers through her hair, feeling a bit embarrassed. ‘A little. Come and meet Jake.’
Jake and Declan looked each other up and down. Jake put his hand out with a grin.
‘Nice to meet Grace’s man, finally. She’s a lovely woman. Took good care of me when I was…well…vulnerable.’
Grace sidled up next to her mate and put her arms around his waist, her smile wide. ‘It was a pleasure. You make great coffee, and provided a great deal of good conversation. You’re wonderful for Elena, too. I’ve never seen her look so happy, so contented.’
Jake’s cheeks turned pink. Elena hid a smile behind her hand. He’d have to deal with her loving but intrusive family, too. It would be hard for a single child who’d been brought up isolated in a boarding school. If he could manage it, she certainly could too.
He seemed to cope well, given the little discussion they had about the accident. Elena was afraid — she feared losing him, and potentially being a mother.
‘I have news for you,’ Jake said to Grace. ‘My client liked your proposal and it’s a deal. The papers will go through soon, as well as the settlement. That eco park idea of yours was exactly what the development needed. Well done.’
Grace shared a look with Elena. ‘Maybe I could consult for you sometime.’
‘Sure. I’m all for good ideas. Won’t you be rather busy?’ He indicated her swollen belly.
‘I have a very healthy man to help me look after our child. I believe I also have babysitters.’ She looked meaningfully at Elena and Jake.
Jake put his arm around Elena’s shoulder. ‘Sure, anytime.’ Elena smiled, loving that Jake was getting into the family groove, although he and Grace had always clicked.
Later as they sat around the living room, Grace handed out some red wine. ‘Don’t give any to Elena,’ Elvira said.
Grace stood up with the tray in hand. ‘Why?’
Elvira sniffed. ‘She’s expecting.’
Elena gasped, and her hand went to her abdomen. Surely one mistake couldn’t result in a baby. She didn’t know if she could look at Jake. Yet the sound of him choking on red wine brought her around to face him, heart thudding, paralysed with fear.
Rory pounded him on the back. When Jake recovered, he asked, ‘How can you tell? It’s too soon.’ His voice was barely audible.
Elvira looked down her nose at him. ‘I’m a witch. These things are easy to detect. She’s expecting. Early days yet, but no wine for Elena.’
Elena was sure she was going to faint. Elvira grasped her hand and squeezed. ‘It will be fine, my dear. You have all of us here for you both. What a lovely thing for the coven, for Rory and me. Grandparents together.’
Without speaking, her father stood up and headed to the bathroom. ‘What are you doing, Rory?’ Elvira asked, turning in her seat to face him, and letting go of Elena’s hand.
He paused and faced them all and shrugged. ‘Just getting a cold compress.’
‘What on earth for? You’re perfectly well.’
Rory nodded. ‘I am, but Jake looks like he’s going to faint.’
Concerned, Elena went over to him, her eyes narrowing. ‘Are you okay?”
They shared a look and he gave a single nod. Trembling, Elena squeezed in next to him. He hugged her, and then kissed her forehead. ‘We will be fine,’ he said, though his voice was still croaky. There had been a moment when he’d panicked, when they discussed the accident in the bedroom. That was when their relationship hung in the balance, but Jake had come through. At that moment, he just looked surprised, and as uncertain as she was.
Elena noticed the quiet first, and looked around at her family. They were all staring at Jake, and then she noticed his pale face. Her family burst out laughing. Rory chucked the wet towel at him, which Jake used to wipe his face and neck with exaggerated movements. When he was done, he gave them a lopsided smile and a shrug of his shoulders. ‘I’ve never been expecting before.’
Elena smiled at his words. When he looked into her face, Jake’s expression was intense and full of love. Happiness filled Elena to the brim.
Jake lifted her onto his lap, gave her a peck on the lips and then nuzzled her neck.
‘Me neither,’ Elena said and hugged him.
THE END
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ISBN: 9780857991218
Title: Bespelled
Copyright © 2014 by Dani Kristoff
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises (Australia) Limited, Level 4/132 Arthur Street, North Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2060.
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