Chapter Eight

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Bianca was on top of the world. The exhilaration of being with Warrick made her feel whole for the first time in her life. She was anxious to see his medieval weapons collection, but more than that she wanted to see where he lived. It would help her discover who he was, what he enjoyed, and maybe offer another chance to see if their tastes meshed on yet another level.

Conquering her fear of both dragon shifters and vampires in the same night had been daring of her, but after seeing inside Viktor’s head, she noted that he loved his brother and thought he was a good person. The fact Warrick hadn’t shifted into a fire-breathing dragon or even asked if she wanted to see him do it had gone a long way toward lessening her fears. Maybe someday, after they’d been married for ten years or so, she’d say, “Hey, sure. I’d love to see you shift into the second scariest monster from my childhood.”

Bianca had no doubt that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Warrick and the idea was daunting. It was so unlike her, she stopped to ponder the revelation. She was a practical person. She wasn’t in the least flighty or impetuous. It was entirely out of character for her to fall so hard and fast for someone without first considering all the boring practicalities. She had never plunged into anything in her life, let alone a relationship.

She’d never been so focused on another person, especially a man, to the exclusion of all else. But every single time she looked Warrick’s way or even thought about him, her heart trembled in delight and the butterflies in her belly did a dance of joy.

Was this love? Real love? Love-at-first-sight love?

Bianca didn’t believe in love at first sight. Did she? Well, she must now. Because she loved Warrick. She loved everything he did. Every move he made. Every word that came out of his mouth. She loved all of him. Just breathing in his scent made her wobbly and happy.

Something else she knew, without a doubt. If she went home with him, she would likely spend the night there. Was she ready for that? Yes, she wanted to. Maybe she shouldn’t. No, she would not go home with him on their first date when she hadn’t even known he existed at this time yesterday.

They walked very fast toward his big black SUV until Bianca stopped in the middle of the street. Warrick also stopped. A concerned expression shaped his gorgeous face. “What’s up?”

“I’m afraid.”

“Afraid?” He looked around as if a horde of bandits with cutthroat intentions was about to descend and murder them where they stood. Of course, they were alone and unthreatened. “Why are you afraid?”

Bianca swallowed hard. “If I go home with you, I’m afraid I’ll spend the night.”

Warrick slipped his arm around her waist and led her back to the sidewalk, keeping her from getting mowed down by an approaching car she hadn’t noticed.

He took both of her hands in his. “I promise you, that is not my intention.”

Bianca smiled as a tear slid down one cheek. She didn’t mean to cry, and it wasn’t precisely a sad tear. “This whole day has been something out of a dream. And I mean that in a good way. I’ve never met anyone like you. I have never been so happy to be in the company of a man. But I know that if I go home with you, regardless of how innocent our intentions are at the start, I am seriously afraid I won’t be able to control my longing for you.”

He whispered, “You long for me?”

“Every second,” she whispered back.

“I feel the exact same way.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “I’ll tell you what. Forget about the weapons collection for tonight. Why don’t I drive you to your place and we will make a date for tomorrow and see how we feel then. Okay?”

Another tear slid down her cheek. He was so perfect. So understanding. She felt a burning desire to toss caution into the air, go see his weapons collection and to heck with any consequences.

Bianca inhaled deeply to squelch the fire within that urged her to do things she shouldn’t. “That would be great. Thank you so much for understanding.”

Warrick started them moving toward his vehicle again. When he opened her door for her, Bianca wrapped her arms around him and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. He reciprocated and began to press her against his SUV, but abruptly stopped. “Time to get you back home,” he said in a low, urgent tone.

“Yes. I guess so.” Bianca wavered. What’s the worst thing that will happen if I go home with him to look at his medieval weapons collection? said the imp on her shoulder.

Go home right now, ordered the angel on her other shoulder.

Warrick backed up a step, helped her inside his vehicle and slammed the door. He got in and drove her directly home. They didn’t say a word that didn’t need to be said as she mostly guided him to her apartment by pointing either left or right.

Once he parked, he got out to escort her to her ground-floor apartment in the small building, which housed only five other apartments.

“Are you mad at me?” she asked.

“No. Not at all. I’m mad for you and we are doing the right thing.” He put a finger under her chin, lifting until they gazed at each other. “If I kiss you, will you promise not to knock me in the head and drag me into your apartment?”

That startled a laugh from her. “No promises. Kiss me at your own peril.”

“I’ll take my chances.” He kissed her with the utmost tenderness. She kissed him back the same way, not wanting to tempt fate by going too far. He broke the kiss before she wanted him to stop.

“Until tomorrow.” He backed up a step, but wouldn’t let go of her hand.

“Yes. Where shall we meet?”

“How about high noon at Mummy’s Diner? You know the food is to die for there.”

Bianca grinned. “So I’ve learned. It’s a date. And thank you for tonight. I did have a good time.”

“So did I. Can’t wait for tomorrow.” He released her hand, reluctance in the slow slide of his fingers.

She unlocked her door, opened it and hurried inside, just as hurriedly closing it behind her so as not to fulfill the prophecy he’d cited earlier. She’d never know if she was strong enough to knock him in the head and drag him inside her apartment, but she’d have to live with the wondering—and so would the imp on her shoulder still shouting for her to give it a go.

She shook off her insidious longing and checked her phone messages. The only message was from Bubba, asking her to meet him at work whenever she could the next day even though she wasn’t scheduled to be there. Perhaps he needed extra psychics on stand-by in case of a rush. Pretty much every day since they’d opened the shop was rushed, but she’d go.

As long as she was able to leave on time for her lunch date with Warrick. Or she’d go to work after her date with Warrick. Better idea.