Charlotte looked over the carpet picnic set up in Niall’s bedroom. Since the family focused their magick on repairing the home, they had yet to materialize furniture and there was no dining room table downstairs. The idea that someone could simply will a dining set into existence was incredible to think about.

Instead of asking her what she might like, Niall brought a variety of food. There was a bowl of pasta, deli meats and cheeses to make sandwiches, chips and dip, and a bottle of whiskey. Euann had insisted on ordering pizzas, so a tray of different slices was also provided. Despite the circumstances, it was actually quite romantic. All that was missing was candlelight and a date who didn’t pace in front of the window looking for trouble.

“So, I have a question.” Charlotte eyed Niall’s back.

“Only one? I would assume ya have many,” Niall answered, still looking out over the evening landscape.

“Fine, I have many questions,” Charlotte acknowledged with a small laugh. “When you said you got me a new king-size bed, did you buy me a bed? Or did you will it into existence with a two-second spell?”

Niall chuckled. “Actually, I had it delivered. Malina has the gift for materializing. My talents lay in other areas.”

“Why don’t you come away from that window?” Charlotte patted the floor next to her, indicating that he should join her. “Your family seems to think I’ll be safe in here. Besides, there’s enough food for the both of us and an army.”

Niall studied her for a long moment before finally joining her. His kilt covered his thighs, but left enough of his legs exposed to make her view interesting. He made sure to keep his distance and sat across from her, keeping the food between them.

Charlotte wondered at that but didn’t ask him to move closer. “That’s probably a good call, sitting over there. I do have a tendency to bite.”

“It’s not your bite I’m worried about, love.” He leaned over and pinched a tortilla chip between his thumb and forefinger. As he lifted it to his lips, the gesture was more seductive than it should have been. She found herself staring at his mouth and licking her own lips.

The way he looked at her gave the impression he knew exactly the effect he had on her. How could he not? Whenever he was near, her breathing deepened and she had to tell herself not to stare too long. Knowing they had been intimate, knowing she wanted to do it again, left her trembling and excited. She knew he wanted her. Charlotte liked to think a woman instinctively understood those kinds of things when it came to a man’s attention and affection. It may have taken her a while to realize it, but then again, she had been mentally unwell, so it’s no wonder she missed the chemistry flowing between them.

“What is your next question?” His voice sounded gruff but she had come to realize that was just his way. Niall was not one for small talk. He kept his emotions hidden and thoughts to himself.

Charlotte eyed the chips, wondering if his lips would taste salty if she leaned over to kiss him. The first time he’d brought her food, he’d picked up all her favorites. “What is your favorite food?”

“No one has ever asked me that.” He hummed thoughtfully. “Funnel cake with powdered sugar.”

At that, she arched a brow and laughed. She picked up a piece of cheese and nibbled on it. “That’s not real food.”

“Says who?” he defended.

“Every mother ever,” Charlotte argued. “What is your second favorite food?”

“Giant corndogs in sweet ketchup.” He ate another chip, not even pausing to think as he answered.

“Third?”

“Funnel cake with strawberries.”

“Fourth?” This was just getting sad.

“Beer-battered cheese curds.”

“Fifth?”

“Giant turkey legs.”

“Sixth?” At this point, she kept asking just to hear his answers.

“Vanilla ice cream shake.”

“Do you like anything that doesn’t come from the county fair?”

He shrugged. “I like fairs.”

Niall clearly wasn’t one for elaborating without a little prodding.

“I never would have guessed you for a fair guy.” She looked over his rugged demeanor. “I would have guessed biker bar, or a motorcycle club, but not a—”

“Ya think I’m just some thug.” He took a napkin and wiped the chip dust from his fingers.

“No.”

“Just a slumlord then.”

“I shouldn’t have said that. I was angry. I hadn’t been sleeping, and the water kept leaking on me, and I thought you didn’t care. I was wrong. Please accept my apology for that.”

He nodded. “Accepted.”

“So why do you like fairs?” She reached for a slice of beef and mushroom pizza.

“What’s not to like? The unusual vegetable competition, the pie-eating contests, butter sculptures,” Niall paused, as he lifted the whiskey bottle, “kids having a good time without a care in the world, men trying to impress their girlfriends by winning stuffed bears, and the funnel cakes.”

“You are a lot more than you seem, Niall MacGregor.” Charlotte set down her half-eaten slice of pizza and held her hand out to take the whiskey bottle. She opened it and took a small drink. The liquor burned and she gave a light cough before handing it back.

“And ya are not half as crazy as everyone believed, Charlotte Carver,” he teased.

Charlotte laughed. “You’re nothing like I expected.”

He started to speak but then lifted the bottle, cutting off his own words.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I can’t explain how wonderful it feels to remember things again. To feel like my mind is not running away from me.”

“Ya have not had the easiest go of it.” He took another drink.

“Neither have you.” She held out her hand to take the bottle from him and set it on the floor, out of his reach.

“What makes ya say that?”

“I see it in your eyes. I feel it when I’m close to you. There is so much inside you, so much that is buried deep and kept restrained.” Charlotte stood. “I’m going to say this and hope that it makes sense to you. I have all these strange memories swimming around in my head. I know they’re real. I know they scared me. I can feel every other emotion, but I know that you took that fear from me. It’s because of you that I can face what happened. So, I guess my next question, Niall, is what happened to that fear? I see your face when I close my eyes. I hear you whispering in my dreams, but I can’t hear what you say. Or if I do hear it, I can’t remember when I wake up. You’re always there, even when you weren’t.”

He didn’t speak.

She held out her hand to him. “I like you. I like being with you. I feel safe when I’m with you.”

“Charlotte, what you’re feeling is—”

“I have never been clearer in my life. And trust me when I say that coming from me, that says a lot. I know what it’s like to not know my own mind. I know myself better than I ever have. I know what I want. And right now, I want you to stand up, walk over here, and kiss me.”

Niall examined the tips of his fingers as if contemplating her words. He nodded slowly. He lifted his hand, turning off the lights. Seconds later, the fire blazed in the fireplace.

Pushing his fist against the floor, he stood. His eyes met hers, full of determination. He moved with a predatory grace around the picnic to come before her. He was a man of few words but in this instance, he didn’t need them.

His hand lifted to cup her cheek. Niall pulled her face toward his, claiming her mouth. His tongue slipped between her lips, delving deep as he lay claim. There was no mistaking when he kissed her that he wanted to. And he wanted more.

The animal inside him glinted in his eyes. Everything about him was primitive and raw. He kissed with aggression, letting her feel how much he wanted her. His hands moved over her as if trying to devour her with his fingers. He tugged at her clothes and, when they did not come off, he pulled his mouth away. He gestured his hand and made them magically melt from her body onto the floor.

Niall pulled his shirt over his head. His eyes roamed her naked body freely. He walked her back toward the bed, not touching her as he unfastened his kilt. Scars lined his strong body, a testament to his dangerous life. He pushed his kilt down, letting it land at his feet.

Charlotte’s legs hit the mattress and she crawled onto the bed. He reached behind her knees and pulled her back toward the edge of the bed. He stood over her, letting her legs dangle next to his hips. She felt the beast within him and wanted to tame it. He took his time looking at her. He ran his hands up her stomach only to stop when he reached her breasts. His fingers teased the hard peaks. She wiggled beneath him, inching her hips to the edge of the bed.

Being with Niall was unlike anything she had ever experienced. He was forceful and gentle at the same time.

He held her by her legs and delved forward. When his body joined with hers, it created a perfect rhythm. She watched his muscles move with each thrust. The pleasure built until it was too much. They came in unison. Charlotte gasped, crying out softly. He stiffened, leaning his head back as his lips parted in a silent howl.

Afterward, he moved to lie next to her on the bed. He stroked the hair from her face. His gaze moved as if he memorized every nuance of her.

Charlotte suppressed a yawn. She skated her fingers over his chest, moving from scar to scar. “I want to help tomorrow, with Helena. For whatever reason, she reached out to me. I think I can help.”

“No.”

“Just no?” Charlotte dropped her hand and leaned back to give him her sternest expression.

“Helena is not what ya think. She’s not some woman ya can reason with. She’s from a different time.” Niall placed his hand on hers, keeping it against his chest as he rolled onto his back.

“What happened? Why is she so mad?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. We have to think about tomorrow. There is much to be done. We should sleep.” He closed his eyes and lifted a finger. The curtains pulled shut, hiding them from the outside world—not that anyone could see them on the second floor of the mansion.

Well, scratch that. No one who wasn’t a flying supernatural trying to peek inside windows.

His breathing became even. She couldn’t tell if he really slept or if he faked it. Charlotte held her eyes open for as long as she could, watching to see if he peeked at her. He did not. And as her lids became heavy, she let the gentle lull of sleep overtake her.