Free Facing Off with Alexi (Witch Field Prowlers Book 2) by Selena Illyria Page A

grill.” She grinned.
    “I am not a grill hog. The coach’s birthday is Friday, by the way. ”
    “I wasn’t trying to say that. I just wanted to make something for us to eat. Okay.” Words failed her.
    “And our special Popsicle drinks.” He gave her another wink.
    She laughed. “Wanna get me drunk? I will be very aware of what happens, especially since that is when I will win my bet.”
    “Oh, you’ve been playing me all this time, honey? We’ll see about that.” Mischief danced in his eyes.
    Her tummy flipped at his stare. She swallowed. A sense of disquiet filled her. “Don’t you dare try anything funny,” she warned.
    “Would I do that?” His features transformed into a mask of innocence, but the devil remained in his eyes.
    “Yes”—she pointed at him—“yes, you would. I won’t fall for it.”
    He grunted. “So movie night, I’m going to suggest classic noir.”
    She thought it over. “Okay, s’mores are all ready.”
    He nodded. “Deal.”
    For a second, her gaze took in the room, and she sighed. The gauzy light, the shadows that played in the corners, the soft night music beyond the screens and door, and the cool breeze that drifted into the room causing the candle flames to flicker—all of it wasted, it seemed. She didn’t know how to do romance with him. It always turned to something comfortable with them. Nothing special.
    Alexi shook his head. “Don’t. I love this. We’re comfortable with each other, and this is special. It’ll just be my turn next time. Now you clear the table, and I’ll get dessert, okay, beautiful?”
    She nodded. A warm glow began in her belly and spread through her body in a gentle wave. “I’ve always been crap with trying to do something romantic,” she confessed.
    “Don’t worry about it. You’ll just have to wait until I try and wow you.” He winked at her again before he pushed back his chair and got up. “I’ll get dessert.”
    She glanced down at her plate. The orange glaze gleamed up at her. “Wow, I didn’t realize that I’d finished.” She chuckled.
    “That’s because the meal was so good, honey.” He took her plate and utensils. “I’ll be back with the s’mores. You get settled on the couch.” He nodded toward the house.
    “I get too used to this, I may not go back to my apartment in the city and move in with you.” A ping hit her heart, and she regretted the words as soon as they came out of her mouth. A teasing reminder of the one hurdle she didn’t in her heart of hearts think they could overcome. It all seemed like too much work to her for something that would make them that much more resentful of the distance. Rather than wait for his response, she followed him into the cabin and got started on their nightly ritual.
    Maybe if I lose myself in the movie and being snuggled up to him, I’ll forget . She hoped that was the case. The sound of dishes being rinsed off reminded her of just how sweet Alexi could be. Tears blurred her vision for a second, and that damned heart-of-hearts place opened up, revealing what she wanted: to move back home and give it a go for real, but her biggest fear of all was losing him when the distance became too much. Being friends was one thing. Becoming more was another. They would have to work triple overtime for it. She wasn’t sure she had the commitment, what with her job taking up so much room in her life right now.
    She wiped away a few stray pearls of water and put on her best front, hoping that Alexi wouldn’t notice. Take the rest of this week and treasure it, she told herself. Next time I may lose him when it all gets too much.
    “Hey? Here you go.” He handed her a bowl with the s’mores sitting on the top.
    “Thanks!” Her voice was too bright, and she knew it.
    Alexi narrowed his eyes but, thank God, didn’t say anything. Instead, he settled in next to her, kissed her temple, and wrapped her up in a one-armed hug before starting the movie.
    “Whatever it is, Ti,