Thud.
Unable to hold in my laughter, I spun around as Austin hopped up. Mr. Tom picked himself up off the ground and dusted the pine needles out of his hair. His wings fluttered behind him.
“Well. Simple as that,” he said, sniffed, and stiffly walked farther into the trees.
“Should I go make sure he’s all right?” Austin asked. “I don’t technically have to because he’s not in my jurisdiction, but…”
“Nah. He’ll be fine. You wouldn’t want to hurt his pride.”
Austin lowered back down and poured me the next taste, just a small amount in the bottom of the glass. Clearly he wanted me to taste all twelve before the alcohol started to affect me.
“Apparently that is a yes,” I told him, leaning against his shoulder. “About us being partners.”
“Don’t let him push you into it. Only do it—”
“I want to.” I smiled, something warm throbbing in my middle. “I mean, I’ve never run a business, and I haven’t the first clue about—”
“I can teach you the business side. You’ll pick it up, no problem. You can teach me about…nice atmospheres.”
“Nice atmospheres?”
His grin was sheepish. “Niamh, in no uncertain terms, told me that wine tasting is a civilized pastime, and people do not want to stick to the furniture. In other words, if I want to make the right impression, I need to try a little harder than I have with the bar. Which…let’s be honest, probably also needs some improvements.”
“Wow. You’re going whole hog, huh?”
“I’m the alpha now. I have to rise to the title.”
I nodded, still leaning against him, looking out over the flowers waving in the mild breeze.
“Can I have a half glass, please?” I held up my glass.
“Of course.” He stretched so as not to disrupt the press of my shoulder, and did as I asked.
“I just want to sit and enjoy the moment.” I swirled the next offering, delighted to discover it was the best yet. The tangerine sun lowered toward the horizon, sunset still a few hours off but the waning daylight adding a layer of color to the spray of flowers. “Thank you for doing this, Austin. This is easily the best date I’ve ever had. Good food, great wine, a beautiful view, excellent company, an adventure to get here, and a naked butler hiding in a tree. Can it get better?”
“Well, when you add all those elements together…yeah, probably. Maybe just one less ingredient in the pot, and you might have something.”
“The food, right? That’s the one thing you’d leave off?”
He laughed, leaning against me a little harder. Silence hung between us for a moment.
“I’ve been alone most of my life,” he murmured, and I knew his low tone was to keep this conversation between us.
I lifted my hand and moved it around us, growing a spiral of magic in the shape of a cone.
“Now we’re soundproofed. Mr. Tom can’t hear,” I whispered. While I wasn’t worried about my volume—I knew for a fact the spell worked—this moment suddenly felt incredibly intimate.
He nodded. “Since Destiny, the ex who brought out my more dangerous side, I’ve sworn off letting anyone get too close. Even my brother. I’ve kept him and his family at a distance, never quite trusting myself with them. But since you walked into my life, forcing your friendship on me…”
“I don’t regret it. I needed someone sane to talk to.”
He inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly, as though he were savoring the air of a crisp new morning. “I don’t feel so solo anymore. I don’t feel so disconnected, so isolated. Deciding to become an alpha has…given me a feeling of…worth. The outpouring of support has surprised and energized me. I’m still nervous, like I could misstep and let all my demons out, but with your friendship at my back, I feel more grounded than I ever have. Seeing you struggle with your awesome power—watching you charge at it with utter fearlessness—you’ve bolstered my courage. You’ve turned my life around, Jacinta.” His use of my whole name spread goosebumps across my skin. “I want to thank you for that. You’ve made me a better man.”
Without thinking, I slipped my hand down his forearm and entwined our fingers. I leaned my head against his shoulder.
“Yeah. I’m pretty great,” I said.
He huffed out a laugh, pulling our joined hands across his lap and putting his other on top of them.
“You already know what you mean to me,” I said seriously. “I wouldn’t be where I am without you. I need you. The house needs you.” I hesitated, trying to hold back what I knew I shouldn’t say. What I knew I shouldn’t even think. But the desire to get it out was too strong. “I want you.”
He tensed, his shoulder bulging against my cheek, his hands putting pressure on mine. I lifted my face a little, remembering the sensation of leaning into him in that cart, our lips almost connecting as I twisted toward him.