Page 166 of Flirty Fall Fling

Iwake up before the sun in a haunted house with a chonky orange cat on my chest. Charlie grunts and protests with a paw to my face when I try to sneak out of bed. I place my finger over my lips, not wanting him to give me away. He jumps onto the floor and follows me downstairs to the dark kitchen. I feed him, knowing he’ll probably act like he’s starving around Winter and Josie. Sir Charles is a player.

The cupcake box sits in the pantry behind the flour, exactly where Josie swore it would be this morning. Four purple cupcakes, wearing witch hats and sprinkles, wait for me. Her price for baking them in secret was unlimited espresso through the entire month of December. I turn on the espresso machine and brew a double shot, just the way she likes it. When I moved in, we had to make some upgrades to the appliances.

Blaire’s asleep with one arm thrown over my side of the bed, like she’s saving my place. I stand there for a second longer, admiring her in the early morning light. Seeing her every morning will never get old. It’s my Roman Empire. I set the tray down on the bedside table and kiss her cheek, jaw, and the corner of her mouth until she smiles.

“Good morning,” I say, rubbing my nose against hers.

“Morning,” she mutters, her voice still full of sleep.

“Happy National Witches’ Day, sweetheart,” I say.

She sits up a little higher in bed, her hair a messy, sexy disaster. Her brown eyes are half open, and she looks at me like I’m everything.

“Cupcakes and coffee?” she asks, grinning wide.

“It’s a holiday.”

Blaire laughs, pulling me into the bed with her. “Thank you.”

“Gotta treat my favorite witch.”

She takes the mug with both hands and inhales. “You spoil me.”

“I try.” I kiss her sweetly.

We eat cupcakes in bed for breakfast, and before she gets dressed for work, I open the closet and pull a small box from the back. I hand it to her, and she unwraps it, pulling out a gold chain. On the end hangs a perfectly cut soft pink rose quartz.

“This is beautiful.” Her thumb rubs across it. “This is a love crystal.”

“I had it made just for you,” I tell her.

I take the chain from her hands and move her hair to the side, helping to put it on her neck. The stone settles in the middle of her chest.

“Thank you,” she says.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. A love crystal for when I’m not around to tell you myself.”

She looks down at it and smiles sweetly. Then she pulls me closer, tasting like frosting and espresso. Charlie uses the distraction to steal a cupcake wrapper in his mouth and runs away with it.

“Hey!” Blaire hollers at him but then focuses back on me. “I’m so happy you’re still here.”

“Damn, me too.”

I didn’t know if I’d be here or not, but it was a risk I was willing to take.

Thanksgiving is a week and a half away, and Blaire is hosting Friendsgiving here at the manor. It will be our first holiday together, and I honestly can’t fucking wait. I have a lot to look forward to.

Josie and Winter leave for the day, and Blaire waltzes into the kitchen, jingling with every step. She’s moved from autumn to Christmas.

“You’re adorable,” I tell her, sliding my hand in my pocket.

“Yeah, so are you,” she says. “Are we having dinner tonight?”

“From now until eternity,” I tell her. “Meeting me at the cabin?”

“With bells on,” she says, wiggling her foot, stealing a kiss as she fills her to-go coffee mug. “Everything okay?”

“Perfect. Have a great day.” I smile.