Pumpkin Spice and Speed Dating (Pine Ridge Universe) by S.C. Principale

Author:S.C. Principale [Principale, S.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal romance, cozy paranormal romance, shifter romance
Publisher: S.C. Principale
Published: 2023-07-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Wow.” Ardghal felt lightheaded and he knew with utter certainty that it wasn’t related to anything but the woman in front of him. “We should go in and eat.”

“Huh?” Izzy stepped back, starry eyes confused. “I liked what you were doing a lot better.”

“Me too. But... we might attract an audience soon. If you want, maybe we could go somewhere without a bunch of townies watching us while they eat their surf and turf?”

“Mm. I wouldn’t mind having a nightcap someplace more secluded.” Izzy laughed, the sound rich and throaty.

That is a seductress’ laugh and she doesn't even know it. Everything about her is so confident, so sexy. Or else she doesn’t give a damn.

It was his turn to be wary and her turn to call him on it.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Nothing. I’m just happy. I know we just met, but I hope I make it past the first two dates. Like I said, that’s usually where I blow it.”

“Well, unless you do something really shitty like—” A sudden tightness passed over Izzy’s face. “Don’t hate me.”

“Crap. We’re not even making it through the first date?” Ardy felt his stomach drop.

“No! I mean, yes! Yes, let’s get past the first date, and the second, and maybe even more!” Izzy reassured him with a quick hug, her smile more relaxed and the warmth returning to her eyes. “I have a question. It’s not the nicest question, hence the ‘hating me’ comment.”

“It’d have to be pretty horrible. Lay it on me.”

Izzy squinched her face up as if struggling to spit out something stuck in her throat. She looked comical and again, way too adorable. “HowdoIknowitistrue?” she blurted in a tangled rush of words.

“What? How do you get to Timbuktu?’

“How do I know it is true? What you said about the ring and the magic not impacting you, and all of this being real? How can you prove that? And yes, I know, I should be more trusting because by asking that question I’m basically calling you a liar, and right now you’re probably wondering if you can fake a police emergency so you can ditch my rude ass right here at this pretty little restaurant!” Izzy’s voice rose to a strangled wail. “I hate dating.”

Ardghal was sure his father would have sounded off at once, his famous Irish temper taking over. Instead, he felt a calmness sweep over him. With a laugh, he reached out and squeezed Izzy’s wrist. “No, it’s fine. You got hurt by someone you trusted. You’re not even that familiar with magic. You want some proof? Well, that’s easy to arrange. But if it’s all the same to you, we try not to call attention to these rings. If someone with evil intentions got hold of them, it’d be bad news. Why don’t we have dinner and then swing by the station? I’m pretty sure one of my colleagues will find a way to show you how it works.”

“Thank you! That’s so nice. Wow. You realize that’s a

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