Mathilda, SuperWitch (Mathilda's Book of Shadows #1)(54)
Calm and centered. (Ha!)
“Where were you?” I asked.
“Can’t say. Sorry, Matty.”
“Hmm. Somewhere where your mobile doesn’t work.”
“Yes.”
Oh.
Wasn’t expecting that answer.
Or any answer.
“Okay then…”
I closed my eyes again and pretended to ignore him.
He sighed. “I see you’re cross with me.”
It was my turn to mumble, “Mm.”
Silence.
Then.
More silence.
Okay, so I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. Patience is a virtue I just do not have. All right?
I opened my eyes and scrambled to my feet.
“The last time I saw you,” I said, jabbing my finger in his direction, “I was passing out due to being struck by lightning! Three times! Crack! Bang! Sizzle! Since then, no word, no call, no get well card, no checking up on me, no nothing!”
“Matty, I knew you were fine. Dr. Bennett told me and I do happen to be your watcher.”
“Well, do you have to watch so friggin’ quietly and from so far away?” I snapped.
He grinned.
Fucking grins.
“Sorry, darling. Unfortunately, most of the time, particularly when you or your Spellbounds aren’t in mortal danger, they do prefer me to watch quietly and from far away.”
It was the “darling” that got me.
Being called darling is very hot.
Man, oh man.
I’m a slut.
I was lusting after someone else when the father of my children was probably wrapping my present right now (he’d better be or I was never going to speak to him again).
“Listen, Aidan –” I started.
“I’ve got a birthday surprise for you. But you have to come to my place to get it.”
What? Was he nuts?
“Well, as much as I’d like to pop to Cambridge to get my birthday present, there’s a party for me tonight –”
“Your present isn’t at my place in Cambridge. It’s at my place on Wellington Terrace.”
What?
“What?” I semi-shrieked.
“I have a place in town.” Another grin. “Where do you think I go after a difficult night of following you around?”
He was flirting again.
And he lived in the town.
And he was following me around at night.
Ack!
(I cast my mind back to what I did last night – then remembered it was Karaoke Night at the pub and my choice was “Greased Lightnin’”. Ack!)
Great Goddess, I’ll shoot him (if I’m ever able to do magic again).
* * * * *
Though, you must admit, I kinda had to go because a) wanted to scope out where he lived and b) he had a present for me (yay!).
* * * * *
He had “a place on Wellington Terrace” all right.
Georgian detached right on the cliff, lots of happy clematis clinging to the house and the arbor in front, lots of room, somewhat modern and minimalistic decor that was dark and masculine and looked like a page out of a John Lewis catalogue, unrestricted view of the channel – which meant unrestricted view of The Gables on the outcrop, big, probably seriously powerful telescope on patio with which to spy on me at The Gables.
“Nice,” was all I would allow myself to say (still kinda peeved).
Really was more than nice, was f**king fabulous.
Man oh man.
This was hard, knowing I’d spend my life married to Ash but still, somehow, so attracted to Aidan.
Life sucked.
Aidan ordered, “Wait there.”
Then he left the room.
I stared at The Gables and I think I saw a small ball of flame shoot out of one of the windows.
“Nerissa,” I whispered.
“What?” It was Aidan, he was back and (I couldn’t believe it!) carrying a little, fluffy, sweet black kitty with green eyes and a pink satin bow around its neck.
“Kitty!” I shouted and ran across the room.
Somehow, the kitty didn’t totally freak at me rushing it and it jumped into my arms, mewing and cuter than buttons.
“Kitty, kitty, kitty!” I cried, cuddling its soft, kitty fur to my face. “You’re so cute. I want to eat you up!”
Yay!
I gave it a big nuzzle and kissed its nose.
And then I burst into tears.
(I’m psycho!)
My wet eyes turned to a watery (but still hot), Aidan.
“Oh Aidan, thank you.” And I had to stop because my throat closed and I made that horrible crying gulp you make when you talk and cry at the same time.
“Hey now,” he said softly, putting his arms around me and the kitty. “Hey,” he whispered. “Every witch needs a familiar. It’s just a cat, darling, nothing to get all worked up about.”
He called me darling again. (Sob)
I wish he’d quit calling me darling! (Sob, sob)
“You don’t…” I hiccupped, “understand.”
His arms gave me a warm squeeze and his voice was also warm when he said quietly, “Calm down, get to know your new familiar. I’ll go get us a drink.”
Then he let me go and left the room to go get us a drink.
I petted kitty, immediately named her Daphne (always wanted a fluffy, black cat with green eyes named Daphne and there she was!) and wondered how I was going to let Aidan down gently.