Fate Forgotten by J. L. Sheppard Page A

himself saying, “Beautiful and wise.”
    She flushed, then immediately shook her head. “I forgive you. You don’t have to waste your time flattering me.”
    “I’m being honest.”
    She took a step away from him. “Stop that right now, Jake.” She tensed. “I mean Jacob.”
    He smiled, loving the way his name sounded on her lips. “You can call me whatever you like.”
    “Yeah? How about ‘angry demon’?” she retorted, sardonically.
    He nodded. “I suppose I deserve that, and it’s true. If you want, you can call me that, but just so you know, you’re the only one who can.”
    She frowned. “I’m sorry. That was mean.”
    “I deserve it.”
    Valerie exhaled noisily. “Get up, off your knees, and get dressed…please.” She turned away from him.
    “Not until you forgive me.”
    Turning back around, she snapped, “You’re infuriating. I already told you I forgive you.”
    “But will you hold it against me, against Annie?”
    Her eyes narrowed, flaring to life. “How horrible a person do you think I am?” Her arm shot out. “First, you insinuate I sleep around, then you ask me to hurt you as some sort of payback, and now, you think I’d hold a grudge against an innocent child for something her uncle did?” She spun away in a huff and stormed off.
    How did he keep messing this up?
    He stood, then rushed to her. “No, I swear I wasn’t trying to offend—”
    She faced him, stopping him in mid-sentence.
    He barely had time to stop before he knocked her over.
    “You are…” She looked around, then finally said, “Trouble.”
    Shit. That wasn’t good. “Trouble?”
    Turning away, she rushed into the bathroom. He stuck his hand in the doorway expecting her to slam it in his face. Still turned away from him, she flicked her wrist. The door slammed against his hand. Bones snapped.
    He groaned in pain.
    “Oh God! I’m so sorry! Why did you have to make me angry?”
    Next thing he knew, she stood close. “I deserved it.”
    She blew her hair out of her face, then snapped, “Stop being so damned condescending.”
    His beautiful witch reached for him. Well, for his hand, but still. The moment her hands touched his, a jolt of pleasure ran through him. The single touch comforted him more than anything or anyone in his entire existence, with the exception of Annie. Annie comforted him, a lot, but in a different way.
    “Does it hurt?”
    “No, not anymore,” he said, honestly.
    “God, I’m so sorry. Didn’t anyone ever tell you never to make a witch mad?”
    He chuckled. “No, can’t say anyone ever has.”
    Her gaze pierced his, and she took a step away. Despite the pain, he tightened his hand around hers preventing her from releasing him.
    “I’ve given you plenty of reasons to hate me, but don’t. I said things I didn’t mean and without considering how they’d sound to you. I don’t know you at all, but I want to. Annie likes you.” He shook his head. “Don’t be afraid of me. Don’t avoid me. You have every reason to, but please don’t.”
    Her face softened. She nodded. “Okay, Jake.”
    “I still feel horrible about it. Can I make it up to you? Maybe make you lunch or dinner or take you out to eat or perhaps a movie?” He hadn’t meant to ask her at that moment, but he was glad he did. The perfect excuse to spend time with her. He’d messed up and needed to befriend her before anything else happened between them.
    Her cheeks tinted pink. “You don’t need to do that. I forgive you.”
    “It’s the least I can do. I’ll make you lunch while you teach Annie that fishy braid…I mean the fishtail.”
    She bit the side of her lip and smiled. “Fine, but only because you’ve exasperated me with your apologies.”
    “Works for me.” Reluctantly, he released her hand and turned, took two steps before he faced her again. “I’ll see you at breakfast?”
    She nodded.

Chapter 13
    The bedroom door closed behind him. Valerie slumped against the bathroom counter. The