Page 6 of Leaping Into Love

Hopefully he’s this easy to please when I’m working on his property. Which I should start doing, even though I could easily just spend time hanging out with him. But that’s not what he’s paying me for.

“So, breakfast?” he asks, rising from the wrought-iron chair. “Allow me to make whatever you like.”

“That’s such a kind offer, and I appreciate you feeding me this morning because all I currently have in the cupboards are energy bars, but I don’t want to make extra work for you. I’m happy to have whatever you’re having.”

One of those croak-like sounds rumbles in his throat, and for a split second, I swear the skin bulges outward. But then it’s normal again. I blink a couple times, just to be sure, but there’s no sign of bulging skin on his throat. It’s like when I looked at the butcher yesterday and thought I saw a wolfman. Only I can’t blame this one on indigestion from greasy drive-through food. I am super hungry though, so maybe it’s that.

“I’m not picky, so whatever you had planned is great,” I say, silently hoping he’s not making anything too greasy. I really don’t want to have another freaky blip because my stomach does another flop. The last thing I want is to develop some ridiculous monster paranoia about perfectly normal people.

“I’ve already eaten, but it’s truly my pleasure to fix you a meal, Tiana.”

Since I was a child, I’ve never liked my name. No version of it. But the way Henry says it is pretty. He makes it sound like a soft flower coming into bloom.

“Okay, then…whatever’s easiest for you. I’m happy with simple things like fruit or vegetables. You don’t need to go to the trouble of cooking, especially since you’ve already eaten.”

“Then I’ll be back in a few minutes with your plate. Would you like tea or coffee?” He raises a hand as I open my mouth to answer. “Before you try to make things less inconvenient for me, let me assure that whatever you desire, it is no trouble at all. Though the manor house is quite old, it has all the modern conveniences, all of which you’re welcome to use at any time. Consider this an open invitation.”

“You really live here alone?” I ask, my gaze sweeping over the large home.

“Not anymore.” His answer pulls my attention back to him. To his face, with its careful but genuine smile. “You’re here now.”

Why does it feel like he’s not talking about me in an employee sense? Because I think he’s cute and sweet and charming, that’s why. Just like the bulge in his throat and the wolfy butcher downtown, I’m seeing things that aren’t there. Only in this case, it’s something I wish were there. But it’s just a little crush. It’ll pass once I’m settled and get to work. Then I’ll be too busy for my mind to wander to impossible scenarios.

“Coffee would be amazing, please. Black is great.”

Nodding, he turns and heads to the house.

The door’s not far from where I’m sitting, but I still have a few seconds to check out the way his trousers show off his butt and long legs. He looks athletic. Not heavily muscled. More like someone who swims a lot or plays basketball. He looks like he could jump and dunk as easily as breathing.

In the distance, a frog starts singing the same song as last night. And as it did on my little porch facing the swamp, my body responds, sending a tingle of desire through me, straight to my clit.

“This is not a good time for a good time, Mr. Frog,” I say under my breath while squeezing my thighs together beneath the little café table.

Just like that, the frog stops singing. Coincidentally, because that’s the only rational reason. The disappointment rolling through me is the opposite of rational.

I haven’t even been here a full day and I’m infatuated with the man who holds my future in his hands and sexually aroused by a random frog going about its business in the pond. Things could not get weirder or more awkward. I hope.

chapter five

henry

It took some effort to convince Tiana that her work duties could wait until tomorrow. Eventually, she’ll know the truth—she has no work duties here. Fate brought her to Ulphia Manor to be my mate, not my employee.

For the time being, though, I must play along and pretend to be the man who hired her as a groundskeeper. But not today. Today, I’m the man showing her around town. Pretending I’m a human is a deceit I’d rather not engage in with my mate. As much as I long to leap into love, I trust fate to know when it’s time to pull back the curtain and reveal the wonders currently hidden by magic’s glamour.

After visiting several of the shops on St. Anthony Street—and avoiding the butcher shop at Tiana’s request—we conclude our tour of downtown with the grocery market. As in the other businesses, every head turns and all conversation grinds to a halt when Tiana enters. I explained the unusual reaction at our first stop, telling her she’s the first new resident in several years, making her arrival a noteworthy event.

She took the explanation in stride, but by the third shop, it was evident she found the degree of attention unsettling. A few times, she stopped abruptly and shook her head. Just a small shake, and quick, but I noticed. As her mate, I notice everything about her, mentally cataloging every detail, every nuance. Now that she’s here, providing for her every need and desire is my life’s mission. One I intend to fulfill to the utmost.

The tension leaves her shoulders when she pushes a shopping cart around the end of the first row and finds it free of other customers. “Finally, a reprieve from the microscope. I’m not used to being the center of attention. Nobody stands out in a big city. There are so many people, nobody matters.”

“You matter here.” To me is what I long to say. Until she’s ready to hear the truth in my heart, I stick with safer words. “Everyone is excited to have a new neighbor.”

“I’m very happy to be here,” she says, smiling at me as we make our way up the row of baked goods and breakfast items, where she adds a few things to her shopping cart as we pass. “And I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend every day taking care of your beautiful grounds. I know you want me to settle in before I start working, but I’ve already unpacked, and putting some groceries away won’t take long. I’d like to familiarize myself with the property today, if that’s okay.”

“Of course. I can take you on a tour, or you’re welcome to find your own way around if you prefer.”

“How about a bit of both? I’ll do some exploring on my own, then ask you any questions I have afterward? Whenever it’s convenient for you. I don’t expect you to put your life on hold for me.”