Zoe clenches her teeth. “We should have told your mom when Dr. Hughes first asked you about buying the house.”

“Fucking right, you should have,” Agnes says. “Gwyn, I wanted to tell you all along, but sweetheart here thought we should wait until Tyler was sure he was comfortable buying a house.”

Tyler walks forward and hugs me. “Be happy for me. I’m finally settling down with Zoe. You’ll still have the spare bedroom. We wouldn’t kick you out.”

My jaw drops. I can’t muster one word of response.

“Gwynedd, Agnes and I have lived apart for far too long,” Leslie says, wrapping an arm around her partner. “When she suggested I sell the house and move onto the farm, I knew it would be terribly unfair to sell to a stranger, knowing you would have nowhere to go. When I approached Tyler and Zoe about buying my home, he had to ruminate over the offer. He decided just a few minutes ago.”

Apparently, I was wrong. I have at least one word to comment. “Fuck.” I turn around and head toward the mudroom.

“Where are you going, Mom?” Tyler’s voice echoes down the hall. “Don’t be mad.”

“Of course she’s fucking angry.” Agnes shouts after me. “Gwyn, you can always move in with us at the farmhouse.”

I throw on my puffer jacket, grab my purse, and head over to Duncan Street, slamming the door as I leave. When I enter Archie’s house, the aroma of fresh bread and something scrumptious fills my nostrils. Whatever he’s cooking prompts my stomach to growl. I kick off my shoes and dart into the kitchen. I slide my fingers across his torso from behind.

“Gwyn, I wasn’t expecting you for another twenty minutes.”

He turns around, and I plant my lips on his delicious mouth, offering my tongue. He reciprocates without hesitation, then pulls away for a breather.

“Well, good afternoon to you, too, Ms. Crowther.”

I reach around him and turn off the burners and the oven.

“What are you doing? Dinner has at least thirty minutes left.”

I grab Archie’s hand and drag him up the stairs into the bedroom without a word. Once in inside, I shove him on the bed and pull off his shirt. I slide my fingertips across his firm pecs and rub his nipples with my thumbs. He sits up and pulls me to him, kissing me as he unhooks my bra underneath my blouse. I whisk both of them off and toss the tops to the floor. The bulge in his pants begs for freedom. I rub him through his jeans, and he moans.

“Whatever in all the Otherworld has gotten into you, witch?”

I unzip his fly and tug at his jeans and socks. “Does it matter?”

He raises a corner of his mouth. “Not one fawking bit.”

After I yank off his pants and boxer briefs, I stand back to admire his physique. I could gaze at him like this all day—every day—for the rest of our lives together. Wake up next to him each morning wrapped in his arms. I strip off the last of my clothes and climb onto the bed. He shifts back, giving me the clearance I need to straddle him, and I moan as he enters me. He clasps my shoulders and pulls me down to kiss him.

I recall our first night together. I shook nervously as he touched me—so new and exciting. How could this gorgeous man want me? A naïve older woman who could barely get out of the bed in the morning. Now, our lovemaking is comfortable. He fits well against my body, and his caresses titillate my skin as much as the first night he made love to me.

Archie rolls me over onto my back and moves slowly, as if he’s savoring every moment. He runs his fingers down my side while grazing my neck with his lips. I grasp his hand and call on my magic. An amber glow radiates and spreads throughout our bodies, prompting him to move faster. I cup the sides of his face and gaze into his clear-blue eyes.

“I love you, Archie.”

“And I will never love another, Gwyn.”

He kisses me passionately, gasping for air as he increases his speed. I slide my hands across his butt, encouraging him further. When I cry out with my release, he follows, grunting with a final thrust. He lays his head on the pillow next to me while I stroke his back.

“What brought this on, Gwyn? You’ve not said a word.”

A hearty laugh erupts as I catch my breath. “I was super pissed and had to let off some steam. Are you complaining?”

“Fawk no. But I assume it’s not me you were all hot and bothered about.”

“Oh, I think I was, don’t you?” I pinch his butt.

He laughs and rolls off of me onto his side. “Decidedly so.”

“No. I’m not mad at you. I just found out Leslie is selling her house and moving in with Agnes. And get this. Tyler and Zoe are buying her place.”

“What the fawk?” he asks, wrinkles folding between his eyes.

“Yeah. Exactly what I said before I darted out of the house. I was so mad they kept it a secret, I couldn’t respond. And to top it off, Tyler offered to let me stay in the spare room, like I’m some sort of geriatric charity case.”

He chuckles as he strokes my cheek. “And your first reaction was to come here and have sex with me?”

“Yes,” I say, fondling his chest.

“I feel so used.” He snickers and kisses me. “What are you going to do?”

“Tyler and Zoe want me to stay, but it was incredibly awkward when I lived with him before.”

I shift to my side, panting, as my heartbeat slows. While my hand rests on his firm chest, his heart beats under my touch, always steady and dependable. I press my lips softly against his.

“How would you like a roommate?” I ask, batting my eyelashes.

A wide grin stretches his goatee. “In the words of Spencer Huxley, ‘Absofuckinglutely.’”

Chapter thirtyAn Uncertain Future

“Archie!” I shout into the stairwell. “What are you doing? We’re supposed to meet up with the others at the Pumpkin House by five to set up.”

His Scottish accent echoes in the upstairs hallway. “I’m coming! Finishing up now.”

He runs down the stairs in his socks and slips, falling on his butt. I dash to him.

“Are you OK?” I ask, touching his back.

He grabs the railing and pulls himself up, rubbing his bottom. “On the cheek where I had the tattoo removed. A brilliant bruise to match the remnants of the ink, I bet.”

“You should know better than to rush down steps in your stocking feet.”

“Well, which is it?” he asks, grimacing. “Are you overly concerned about my well-being or scolding me for my clumsy habits?”

I scowl at him. “Fuck you.”

He laughs and slides a hand around my waist, pulling me toward him. “I plan to, my love. Every night if you’ll have me.”

I kiss him. “You’re way too happy about me moving in. What were you doing up in the bedroom?”