Deception (37 page)

“Maybe,” Layla murmured, but it was a lie.

“Hewe go,” Alana called, running over with a pair of sandals. “Twy these on.”

Layla smiled and leaned over, finding Alana’s purple eyes. “Okay. And did I mention how lovely that dress looks on you?”

Alana beamed, dropping the shoes so she could hold her skirt and curtsy. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Layla laughed.

Alana knelt and tapped the top of Layla's foot, urging her to lift it. Then she slipped a thin sole underneath the foot and pushed it back down. After pulling two thin strips of white satin up between Layla’s first and second toe, she slipped the laces through loops attached to the sides of the shoe then wrapped them around Layla’s ankle. Following a questioning glance at her mom, Alana returned her attention to the sandal and pointed, magically tying the satin laces into a perfect bow.

The tiny professional stood and scooted back. Then she and Quin held their chins while observing their choice. After a short moment, they turned to each other and shook hands.

Layla laughed, unconcerned about the style of the sandal. The two who'd chosen it were so special, they could have brought her hiking boots and she would have worn them.

Alana did a little victory dance then anxiously looked up. “What do you think, Waywa?”

Layla lifted her foot and gave it a wiggle. “I think they're perfect,” she answered, genuinely impressed. “You and Quin make an excellent team.”

“That's what I said,” Alana exclaimed. Then she flashed her partner a grin. “Good job, Quinwin.”

“I couldn't have done it without you,” he returned.

“I know,” she boasted, “but you wiww get bettew.”

He laughed. Then flip-flops appeared on his feet as he knelt to help Layla with her other shoe. “Did they talk you into anything else?”

“Nope,” she answered, flashing him a smile. “Just the shoes.”

Selena's lips twitched into a sly grin, but Layla ignored it, hoping Quin wouldn't notice. If Selena even mentioned the jewelry to him, he'd have it for her the same day.

“I guess we're ready then,” he said, trailing a hand up her leg.

She shivered and blushed, knowing her aura exposed her arousal, but her embarrassment ebbed when Alana soared into her arms.

“Thanks for coming to see me, Waywa.”

“Anytime, angel. Thank you for picking out my beautiful shoes.”

“Anytime. I wuv you.”

“I love you, too, sweetie. Be good, and I'll see you soon.”

“Otay.”

Alana kissed Layla’s cheek then jumped to Quin, and Layla’s heart sighed as she gave Selena and Edana hugs. “Tell Drystan and Devlin I said hi.”

“We will,” they chimed.

Quin kissed Alana's forehead before lowering her feet to the floor. Then he offered Selena and Edana a wave. “Bye, ladies.”

They waved back, and Quin filled Layla with magical heat while leading her outside.

“That was a nice surprise,” she approved, wrapping his arm in a hug. “Thanks for springing it on me.”

“You're welcome. So you like the tourmaline set, huh?”

She should have known. “Yes, they were nice, and no, I don't want you to buy them for me.”

“I already told you, love. You're going to have to get over that.”

“You also agreed you wouldn't go overboard.”

“It's not like it's a boat or a house. It's a necklace and a bracelet.”

“They were lovely, Quin, but I don't need them. I've gone my entire life without wearing fancy jewelry, and I've already managed to procure a priceless ring since I've been here.” She paused and kissed his bicep. “I have everything I need.”

He pulled his arm from her grip and wrapped it around her shoulders. “I know, but we're not talking about needs, and if I want to buy you something, I will.”

“If you buy me those, I'm buying you a boat.”

“I don't need a boat,” he countered. “I fly over the water.”

“Then I'll buy you a house.”

“You don't want me staying in your bedroom anymore?”

Her mouth fell open. “I'm
not
buying you a house.”

“Good, because I love staying in your bedroom with you.”

“I got it,” she exclaimed, holding up a finger, “I'll buy you a horse.”

“I have a horse,” he laughed. “But you don't.”

“Stop right there, Quin. Don't say anything about buying me a horse.”

“You were going to buy me one.”

“It's not fair. I have nothing to offer you.”

He stopped walking and turned her toward him. “That’s not true, Layla. I may not need a house or a boat or a horse, but I do need you and everything you give me. You have a lot to offer, and you offer it constantly. The gifts I want to give you are just one way for me to express how lucky I feel to be on the receiving end of your devotion.”

She silently watched his eyes, letting his proclamation sink in. Then she smiled. “I’m a lucky woman to have found such a generous man. Maybe we should go to Vegas. Think our luck would clean them out?”

They started walking again, but kept their eyes on each other. “Maybe,” he replied. “If I take you to Vegas and we win big, will you let me buy the jewelry?”

“Why are you even asking? You're going to do whatever you want no matter what I say.”

His chiseled cheeks dimpled as he looked forward. “You catch on quick, my love.”

“I still might buy you a boat,” she added.

“Then I'll take you out on it,” he offered, sweeping his hand out in front of him. “We'll see if we can sail to the moon.”

“I would go anywhere with you,” she whispered, nuzzling his side, and he smiled as he pulled her into another shop.

Chapter 25

Layla and Quin strolled through three more stores, paying little attention to the merchandise. Then they decided to go to Cinnia's cafe.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, holding the door as they exited an antique shop. “Or are we just feeding your coffee addiction?”

“Just coffee,” she answered, taking him by the waist. “Unless you're ready to eat.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but then he closed it when someone said his name. They both looked across the street, to the café’s large wooden deck, which was occupied by several magicians and their bright auras. None of them were looking their way, and the wizard who'd said Quin's name had said it to someone else.

Quin tensed and turned Layla toward him. “We can go back if you'd like.”

Layla swallowed a lump as she glanced between him and the colorful crowd. The past nine days had proven the only magicians she could trust were the ones in her coven, so her heart rate spiked and her stomach clenched the moment she saw the strangers. “Who are they? Are they friends of yours?”

“Yes. Kegan and Weylin are there, and… well, I should probably warn you that one of the witches is Caitlyn.”

“Oh,” Layla mumbled, trying not to react. “Well, you can't just walk away. That would be rude, especially since you haven't seen them in a while.”

“I don't care. The last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable. You’ve been through enough lately.”

Part of her wanted to take advantage of his offer and run far away from the magical gathering. But that was the weak way out, and she was tired of feeling weak. Plus, she didn’t want to be the type of woman who makes her man give up the things he enjoys.

She found his stare while trying to hide her nervousness, but it was useless. Her aura undoubtedly gave her away.
Damn
. “I don't want you to have to avoid your friends. That would make me feel awful, but… I'd like to hide my aura from them. Is that okay?”

“It’s your aura,” he approved, “and you don't owe them anything.”

“Okay,” she breathed, “let's go.”

She made to turn, but he didn't move. “Layla.”

“Yeah?”

“I don't need to go over there.”

“I do,” she countered, concealing her aura. “They're standing between me and the best coffee in the world. I'll fight my way through them if I have to.”

He laughed and leaned in for a kiss. “Let me know when you're ready to leave.”

“Okay,” she agreed, looking toward the deck.

Quin watched her profile for a few seconds. Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and crossed the street.

Apparently Quin was still the topic of his friends' conversation, because a large man sitting on the upper half of a picnic table repeated the name. “We need Quin. Where's he been, Keg?”

The question was directed at a wizard sitting with his back to the sidewalk, his gaze glued to the entrance of the café. “I told you I don't know.”

“Have you asked Bri?”

“Yes, but if she knows what he's up to, she's not telling me. He's probably working. Spring business is picking up.”

The big wizard cursed and tossed a hockey puck high into the air. “Damn him and his impeccable work ethic.” He reached out to catch the puck and finally spotted Quin. “Speak of the ornery devil.” Then his posture straightened as his eyes widened on Layla. “And he's walking with a heavenly angel.”

Everyone on the deck turned toward the stairs, scooting this way and that to get a good look, and Layla fought a blush, thankful for the weight and warmth of Quin’s arm around her shoulders.

The herculean wizard jumped off the table and approached with energetic grace, but while he slapped Quin's shoulder, he kept his gaze on Layla. “We were just talking about you.”

“I heard,” Quin replied. “Something about my damned work ethic.”

“Well you do work too much. So who's the angel and where have you been hiding her?”

“This is Layla,” Quin answered, smiling at her, and she actually felt an atmospheric shift as everyone snapped to attention.

A few mumbles floated through the crowd, but Quin ignored them, taking the time to kiss Layla's head before introducing everyone. “This is Weylin,” he said, slapping the big guy's chest. Then he led her further onto the deck and pointed from left to right. “The scrawny one is Nevyn; the ornery looking one is Brynton; next to him is Kennet; Caitlyn's on the bench; Kegan’s beside her; and I believe you’ve already met Maeveen.”

Everyone looked at Maeveen, who guiltily smiled and waved. “It's nice to see you again, Layla. Hi, Quin.”

Quin just stared at her, but Layla returned her smile. “You, too, Maeveen. It's nice to meet the rest of you as well.” Surprisingly, her voice remained clear and strong, which bolstered her confidence.

Everyone nodded in response to her polite greeting, but no one said a word as they examined her from head to toe. Once they got their fill of her figure, their eyes scanned the empty air around it. Then they shifted their attention to the bright haze around Quin.

Layla's cheeks flushed as she found his apologetic gaze. Then she offered him a shrug and a smile. Apparently his dream Layla made a bigger impression than she did, and she was okay with that.

Kegan eventually removed himself from the bench and sauntered over, shaking Quin's hand while giving his bicep an affable squeeze. He was slightly shorter than Quin, with less muscle definition, but he was still well built and attractive. He had a sharp jaw, wide set lips and strong cheeks; and his attentive eyes were midnight-blue with tiny specks of gold that matched his short and straight, mahogany hair. “How have you been, man?” he asked.

Compared to the other wizards Layla had met, particularly the vociferous Weylin, Kegan was soft-spoken.

“Busy,” Quin replied.

“I can see that,” Kegan mumbled, sweeping his gaze over Quin's aura. “It seems a lot has happened since the last time I saw you.” He looked at Layla and held out a hand. “It's nice to meet you, Layla.”

She accepted the gesture and returned his smile. “You, too, Kegan.”

When Kegan released her hand, he returned his concentration to the haze around Quin, who smirked and raised an eyebrow. “If you have a question, Keg, just ask.”

“Sorry,” Kegan returned. “Curiosity getting the best of me. We can talk later.”

“Whenever, but don't hold back on Layla's account. She'll still be around later.”

Kegan contemplated the claim then smiled at Layla. “Do you live around here, doll?”

The nickname surprised her, but he said it like he called everyone doll, so it didn’t offend her. “Yes,” she answered.

“She joined my coven last Monday,” Quin added.

More murmurs floated through the crowd, and Kegan’s eyebrows shot up, but then he purposely smoothed his expression as he looked at Layla. “That's one hell of a coven. Are you enjoying your new home?”

“Very much,” she answered, sliding her fingers into Quin's waistband. “My family's amazing.”

“Yes they are,” Kegan agreed. Then he pointed between her and Quin. “Have you two known each other long?”

“I met Layla ten days ago,” Quin answered, “but she's related to Caitrin and Morrigan, so I've known about her for years.”

“No kidding?” Kegan returned, and Layla could practically see the cogs spinning in his brain as he tried to figure out their secrets. But he didn’t push the issue and eventually dismissed his curiosity with a slap to Quin’s shoulder. “We need a sixth for a game of hockey. You up for it?”