Page 31 of Witchful Thinking
He gave her a small, uncertain smile. She willed him to go along with her ruse.
His smile widened. “Yes, I did. That’d be me.” He stepped over to her and Marcus.
Alex leaned over to Lucy. He brushed a gentle kiss across her cheek. He’d done it countless times before back in high school, but back then he gave her a quick peck. No. This was different, more intimate. This kiss felt like a homecoming. A knot rose in her throat once she realized he didn’t immediately move away. He hovered near her as if he were a cold traveler trying to warm himself by a fire. She pressed a hand to where his lips touched her skin. His touch felt like a cool wave, reviving her senses into waking up.
His sea brine cologne touched her nose. A part of her soul sighed; the brine made her feel at ease. Alex swung an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close. Now her soul purred. He made sure to keep an inch or two between them, respecting her space.
“I’m sorry I’m late. There was a water break on Main.”
“I thought mermen like getting wet,” Marcus joked lightly.
A tense beat went by. Ugh. She knew—based on all the shouting matches he’d gotten into in high school—how much he disliked merperson jokes. Alex assessed Marcus with a quick gaze and then blinked.
“We usually don’t mind it, but the outfit is new,” Alex responded evenly.
A mischievous glint entered Marcus’s eyes. He leaned back in understanding. “I get it. So, he’s your long-lost soul mate.”
Alex’s hazel eyes widened in astonishment. Lucy fought the urge to break off the nearest table leg and jab it at Marcus. He gave a fake friendly smile that glowed with superiority. He was always stirring up trouble. “I read the e-newsletter and wondered who’d captured our Goosey Lucy. I’m stunned.”
She was going to pinch Ursula for sharing her camp nickname with the Walkers.
Lucy and Alex locked eyes, and Alex gave her a small nod, a motion for permission to play into this misunderstanding. She nodded back. He eased his arm from her shoulder and down to her waist, pulling her flush against his body. He held her tight, closing the inches and feeling solidness. The man was a rock. Strong. Hard. Probably fun to sit on.
“Soul mate? Is that your secret nickname for me, Lu?” Alex murmured.
“No, you know what I call you,” she said, giving him a playful grin.
“I don’t think I can say those words out loud.” He gave her a heated look that sent her thoughts screaming like die-hard fans at a boy-band concert. His eyes darkened. The air around them caught on fire. A mixture of shock and heat caused her response to wedge in her throat. What would she call him behind closed doors? She’d probably be too busy moaning while he pleasured her with his fingers, which were currently drawing lazy circles on her hip. Yikes. She didn’t break the stare, not wanting to let this moment pass.
“Well, of course you’re coming to the wedding,” Marcus said, a little brittle.
Alex kept his attention on Lucy. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Lucy’s heart jolted in anticipation. He sounded like he was sincerely excited to be her wedding date. Inconvenient truths bubbled up inside her brain. He was leaving town soon.
Lucy wrenched her attention away from Alex. “We’ll be there.”
“I’m all yours, Lucinda,” Alex said in her ear. She tingled all over at the sound of him saying her full name. Why did he have to say it like that with all the regalities? Like a knight kneeling before her, ready to serve. He said her name with the power that it was imbued with. If he said her full name like he did, she might do something stupid. Sexy, but stupid.
Like ask him to kiss her again, you know, to fool Marcus.
Lucy said goodbye to Marcus and went with Alex to the back booth, weaving between the tables. Even though she didn’t see it, the sensation of his hand directing her to their table made her trill with anticipation. Her heart pounded. She swallowed tightly as she took the seat across from him in the booth, missing his heat immediately. They had a bit of privacy back here, so she could explain to him what the hell had just happened. She also wanted to talk to him about his plans for the house and didn’t want an audience to overhear her. The Grove had been abuzz with Alex owning the Fortunato Cottage, and she’d done her best not to jump in.
“Lucinda.”
“Lucy,” she gently corrected. Her heart couldn’t stand him calling her by her full name. It was a bit too intimate. That was an intimacy she’d reserve for someone who would commit to her.
He held up a hand. “Right. My fault. How are you, Lucy?”
“I’m better. Thanks for helping me out back there.”
“If it wasn’t me, it was going to be someone else.”
“Right.” No, her soul stated, it wasn’t going to be…someone else. A moment passed between them. They hadn’t talked much since the cottage incident, but they’d waved to each other from across their porches. Over the last few weeks they’d become friendly yet distant neighbors, which was fine. He’d even returned her plate, loading it with her favorite rainbow sprinkle cookies from the local bakery. They’d gone perfectly with her honey, vanilla, and chamomile tea blend.
“How long should we fake this meeting?” Lucy gestured between the two of them.
He looked her over, then grinned. “As long as you want.”