Deception (38 page)

Weylin bounded over with speed unnatural for a man his size, and the next thing Layla knew, he was at her side. “Hell yeah, he's up for it. Quin never passes up a game.” He looked down, flashing Layla a fetching smile. “What do you think, gorgeous? Want to watch some hockey?”

He was, without a doubt, the biggest wizard she'd met, and she had to tilt her head all the way back to see his face. He stared down at her with mischievous, sea-green eyes that twinkled over a pitch-black beard, which was shiny and clean cut, but extremely full as it stretched over his jaw and blended into his dark, wavy hair. Layla had no idea what to say to the giant, so she sighed her relief when Quin cut in.

“Not today,” he declined.

Kegan nodded his acceptance of Quin’s refusal, but Weylin seemed shocked by it and wasn't giving up so easily. “Come on, Quin. We've been sitting here for over thirty minutes trying to come up with somebody. Then you walk up.” He grinned, showing perfect teeth through his thick facial hair. “It's fate, man.”

“Let the ladies in,” Quin suggested. “Caitlyn was giving Nevyn a work out the last time I watched her play.”

“Weylin's looking for a challenge,” Caitlyn countered. “Putting me in would ruin it for him.”

It was Layla’s turn to be curious, and she intently watched Caitlyn speak, listening to her seraphic voice while taking in the pretty haze around her. She was fair-skinned with shiny-copper eyes and straight blond hair; and she had a subtle silver glow about her, both body and aura. Apparently Quin didn’t have a type, because physically, Layla and Caitlyn were polar opposites. And apparently Quin and Caitlyn’s break-up had gone smoothly, because their short exchange was casual and unemotional.

“Don't make us give up our game, Quin,” Weylin urged.

“I'm not making you do anything,” Quin returned. “You'll just have to find someone else.”

“Not possible, and even if we did find someone else, we’d still be short a captain.”

“Keg can be captain.”

Kegan waved a hand in refusal as he returned to the bench and resumed his watch over the café door. “Wey’s lucky I’m even playing. Brynton can have the job.”

Weylin rolled his eyes then gave Quin a pointed stare.

Layla glanced between them and could imagine what Weylin was thinking – Quin never passed up a game until she came along. She dropped her gaze to a nearby flowerpot and mind-searched Quin.
'I don't mind watching if you want to play.'

He tightened his arm around her shoulders and led her across the deck. “We're here for coffee, Weylin, not a game. Keep brainstorming. I'm sure you'll work something out.”

Layla glanced back, offering everyone a guilty wave. Then Quin urged her into the café.

“You don't have to do that,” she insisted. “I really don’t mind watching you play.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a cheerful shout. “Layla!”

Layla looked over, beaming at the sight of Brietta's smiling face. “Bri!”

Holding up a forefinger, Brietta poked her head into the kitchen and yelled. “Grandma, get out here. Layla's here, and she looks perfect.”

Layla blushed as Brietta rushed out from behind the counter, quickly followed by Cinnia. Then both women smothered her in hugs and kisses.

“You look fantastic,” Brietta praised, holding Layla's hands out so she could examine her from head to toe. “You have no idea what a relief that is.”

“Indeed,” Cinnia added. “It's wonderful to see you so healthy. And so
lovely
.” She leaned close and lowered her voice. “You don't need an aura to shine. You're glowing without it.”

“Thanks,” Layla replied. “Sorry I missed our trip to Mount Hood, Bri. I was really looking forward to it.”

“Nonsense,” Brietta dismissed. “We'll go some other time. I'm just glad you're okay.”

“Hear, hear,” Cinnia agreed. Then she pulled Layla into another hug. “I'm waiting for a phone call, so I can’t stick around, but I'm thrilled I got a glimpse of you. You have fun now,” she added, pinching Quin’s cheek. Then she returned to the kitchen.

Brietta took Layla’s hand, giving it a squeeze as she spoke to Quin. “Did the mob outside try to get you in their game?”

“What do you think?” he asked. “A little warning would have been nice.”

“I didn't know when you were coming by. Are you going to play?”

“No.”

“Why not? Layla would like watching you play.”

“You should play,” Layla insisted. “I really don't mind.”

“Of course she doesn't mind,” Brietta pressed.

“No,” Quin refused, giving Brietta a stern look. “I'm not going to leave her sitting with Caitlyn and Maeveen while I play a game. It's out of the question.”

Layla hadn't thought about that, and she was glad he had, because it did
not
sound appealing.

Brietta, however, wasn't so easily deterred. “Bann’s taking over my shift in twenty minutes. If everyone will wait for him to get here, I'll go, and Layla can sit with me. What do you think, Layla? Want to make fun of the macho men with me?”

“Sure,” Layla agreed, “if Quin wants to play.” She looked at him, but he was busy shooting daggers at Brietta, who rolled her eyes.

“You'll be out of there by six, Quin. You guys haven’t played in weeks, and Layla needs to see how we play hockey. You can have her back after the game.”

Quin turned away from Brietta and pulled Layla close. “Be honest with me,” he whispered. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to spend my day with you,” Layla answered. “If that includes watching you play a game of hockey, I’m all in. It sounds fun. As long as Bri comes.”

“See?” Brietta cut in, but Quin held up a palm, signaling her to stop, which she did.

“You’re sure?” he asked, searching Layla’s eyes.

“Yes,” she answered. “I would enjoy seeing what you did before I started stealing all your time.”

“It's not stealing if I'm shoving it in your hands,” he corrected. Then he gave her forehead a kiss. “We'll go for a while. Then it’s back to our undisturbed time. Promise.”

“I'll hold you to it.”

“So it's settled?” Brietta interrupted.

“Yeah,” Quin answered, leading Layla to a table. “But we're having coffee before we go.”

Brietta bounced to the front door and poked her head outside. “Quin's going to play, but you guys have to wait while we pump him full of caffeine.”

A deep rumble of approval hummed across the deck. Then the group began filing into the café.

Brietta moved behind the counter, but quickly reemerged with two cups of coffee. After delivering them to Quin and Layla, she returned to the bar where Kegan was already serving the others.

Layla glanced at the non-magical customers. There were seven of them, and the crowd of magicians hadn’t escaped their attention. To their credit, the hexless tried not to stare, but their eyes kept wandering to the oddly beautiful spellcasters, all of them dressed inappropriately for the weather. Layla wondered what the hexless were thinking. Probably the same thing she’d thought the night she stumbled into Quin’s life – Cannon Beach had a secret commune of models.

Quin pulled Layla's hand to his lips, bringing her attention around, and a glance at his aura told her he was extremely concerned. She scooted closer and laid her cheek on his shoulder. “I wish you’d stop doing that.”

“Doing what?” he asked, turning his lips into her hair.

“Worrying,” she answered. “I'm fine.”

He set his cup on the table then did the same with hers. “Hey.”

She raised her head, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close before speaking in a whisper only she could hear. “I can't stop worrying about you, so you'll just have to deal with my aura. Yours is missing right now, and that's fine if it makes you more comfortable, but I stay nervous when I can't see it. You're around people you don't know, going to a game you know nothing about, and you're about to step into a situation unlike anything you've seen before. On top of all that, I promised you undisturbed time and I'm not delivering. You're an angel for going along with this, and I can tell you're not bothered by it, but I can't help but be concerned, so try to ignore my aura.”

“I don't want to rain on your parade, Quin.”

He smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. Then he whispered into it. “As long as you’re nearby, happy and healthy, I’ll enjoy myself.”

His breath tickled her neck as his magical heat filled her body, and she giggled while tilting her head. He laughed and kissed her temple. Then he returned her coffee and leaned back. “We have company,” he warned, squeezing her shoulders.

Layla looked over just in time to see Weylin pull up a stool and sit beside her. He grinned at her, and she smiled back before glancing at his massive arms, which covered half the tabletop.

“So,” he said, scanning the empty air around her, “I have to ask – has Quin staked a claim on you?”

Layla glanced at Quin, who gave her an
I told you so
look while lifting his mug to his mouth. After flashing him a wry grin, she turned back to Weylin. “I wouldn't say it like that, but sure, call it what you'd like.”

His sea-green eyes drilled into her for several silent seconds, and she stubbornly stared back until he tore his gaze away. He slowly examined Quin's aura and face. Then his beard twitched as Quin’s lips did the same.

“You have no intention of letting someone else impress her,” Weylin realized.

Quin shook his head no. “You can try. She'll let you know when you start making a fool of yourself.”

“I bet she will,” Weylin mumbled, returning his gaze to Layla.

Nevyn, the thinnest of the wizards, approached the table and sat on the other side of Weylin. “Good thing you're playing, Quin. I about had myself talked into going back to work.” He looked at Layla with a lopsided smile. “Hey, green-eyes. Where did you fly in from?”

Layla noticed they weren't calling her by name and could only assume it would get stuck on their tongues if they tried. “A long way away,” she sidestepped.

Weylin laughed and slapped the table. “I knew it. You did fly in from heaven.” He pointed at Quin. “You caught an angel and have been hiding her from the rest of us.”

Layla laughed, and Quin smiled at her as he answered. “I did catch an angel, but I have no reason to hide her from you guys.”

Brynton, a wily-looking wizard with a prankish grin, squeezed in between Nevyn and Quin. “Who's been hiding whom?” he asked. Then his eyes fell on Layla. “Ahh… Quin's been hiding this lovely. What's the deal, Quin? Not in a competitive mood lately?”

“I haven't been hiding her from you guys,” Quin insisted. Then his eyes narrowed on his friend. “And there is no competition.”

Brynton's grin widened. “Sounds like a challenge.”

Layla couldn’t help but laugh at his unwarranted cockiness. No way would she be able to take these guys seriously. They were like a comedy troupe. She stifled her laughter, but continued smiling as she took a drink.

When she looked back up, everyone was staring at her, and Brynton was flashing what could only be described as come-hither eyes. “That was a sweet laugh, sugar. Care to tell us what you were thinking?”

“Um…” she mumbled, cheeks growing warm. “Sure. I'm not a trophy waiting at a finish line. And before you get fired up for a competition, I should warn you – you don't stand a chance at winning this one.”

Weylin loudly laughed, Nevyn quietly snickered, and Brynton's smile widened as he raised a hand to his chest. “I do have a heart, and it's broken.”

“You'll mend,” she assured.

“I don't think I've ever seen a woman shut you down that fast,” Nevyn taunted, shoving Brynton’s shoulder.

Brynton shook his head and clucked his tongue. “Let this be a lesson, Nevyn, my boy. You can't win 'em all.”

“Says who?” Weylin countered, winking at Layla. “Quin seems to have the game beat.”

“I'm out of the game,” Quin noted, checking Layla's cup. “Do you want more coffee, love?”

She looked away from his friends, who were frozen as they watched him, but he seemed oblivious to their shocked stares. “No, thanks,” she answered.

He looked forward and finally noticed his friends’ stunned reactions. “Close your mouths, guys. You look like idiots.”

Brynton obeyed as he glanced at Nevyn. “Did I just hear Quin say he's bowing out?”

“That's what I heard,” Nevyn answered.

Brynton flipped his gaze back to Quin’s aura. Then he flashed Layla a seductive smile, like he was dying to know what exactly would make Quin say such a crazy thing. “What have you done to our perpetual bachelor?”

Layla found it odd they’d hold this conversation in front of her, so she shrugged and looked away.

“You're serious,” Weylin concluded, still staring at Quin.

“Yep,” Quin confirmed, pulling Layla closer. “Like you said, I found an angel, and for some inexplicable reason she wants to hang her halo next to my hat. Would you keep playing?”

His friends looked at her, trying to determine if she was worth giving up
the game
for, but she didn't care what conclusions they drew. The only man she wanted
did
think she was worth it.