Page 77 of Wedded Witch
As we finish up, Kel clears his throat, suddenly looking a little more serious. “You don’t have to go back to your room tonight,” he says, his voice soft but full of meaning. “You could stay with us, in the flat. It’s safer.”
I hesitate, feeling the pull of wanting to be around them, around him, but also feeling a little uncertain. After everything tonight, I don’t know if I’m ready to face Sol and Ri again, not after the night Kel and I just had. I don’t want things to feel awkward.
“I don’t know…” I begin, my voice trailing off.
Kel watches me for a moment before nodding slowly. “Okay. Then I’ll stay with you, if that’s what you want. No funny business, just company to keep you safe.”
Relief floods through me, and I nod. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
He smiles, his eyes softening. “Then it’s settled. Let’s go.”
“What if I want funny business?” I ask, my voice coming out husky and low.
Kel turns to me, his eyes dark and serious now. “I’m not going to push you into anything, Swyn. But if you ever want more, you know where to find me.”
My breath catches, the weight of his words hanging in the air between us.
I nod, unable to form a coherent sentence, but I know he understands. Because when I look into his eyes, I see it—the same thing I’m feeling, mirrored back at me.
KEL
Back at Swyn’s room,the nervous energy is coming off her in waves. Her hands are fidgeting, fingers tracing over the strap of her bag as we stand just inside the door.
The silence between us feels charged—different from before. Maybe it’s because of what happened at the bar, or maybe it’s the shift in our relationship tonight. Either way, I know she’s feeling it too.
“Why don’t you go grab a shower?” I suggest, keeping my tone easy, casual. I don’t want her to feel any pressure right now. “Get ready for bed, and I’ll pick out something for us to watch.”
She glances up at me, those wide violet eyes searching mine for a moment. I can tell she’s torn—part of her wants to relax, to just go with the flow, but there’s that other part still holding back.
I don’t blame her. Hell, this situation is a lot for anyone to handle.
“Yeah, okay,” she finally says, giving me a small smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll be quick.”
“No rush,” I tell her easily. My goal here is to keep her safe and make sure she’s relaxed and comfortable. That’s all. I’m good at making people laugh, but I don’t have that reassuring presence like Sol. He always puts people at ease without even trying.
She heads to the bathroom and the door clicks shut behind her.
I move over to the TV, flipping through the options on her remote. I want to find something light—something that’ll distract her, help her unwind. No heavy drama or complicated storylines. She’s had enough of that for one night.
As I scroll through, I can hear the shower running, and I picture her in there, letting the water wash away the tension. My thoughts drift back to the bar, the way she laughed, the way she relaxed into me, the way she almost kissed me.
Almost. But then she’d seen something, or thought she had, and that fear had snapped her right out of the moment.
Her husband. I hate him, hate the way he makes her tense up, like she’s waiting for him to jump out of the shadows at any second. I’d do anything to keep him away from her now.
My eyes flick to the bathroom door as the water shuts off. I want her to feel safe, not just because of me, but because she deserves it. She’s been through enough with her overbearing family. She needs to know that being here, with me—with all of us—is different. We’d never let anything hurt her.
I settle on a rom-com. Something funny with a happy ending. The kind of movie you don’t have to think too hard about. Just sit back, relax, and let it make you feel good.
She comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later, hair damp and skin flushed from the hot water. She’s wearing an oversized T-shirt and a pair of shorts, and she looks more relaxed than before.
But there’s still a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
“Feel better?” I ask, tossing her a smile as I sit on the edge of the bed.
“Yeah,” she replies softly, towelling off her hair as she glances at the TV. “What’d you pick?”
“Something light. Figured we could both use a laugh,” I say, patting the space next to me. “Come on, get comfortable.”