Pandora stepped closer to him and looked up at Kaley. She wrinkled her nose. “I hope you don’t find the rest of the bird. Toss that old thing down here and I’ll throw it away.”

“No way,” Kaley said. “It’s really pretty. I’m keeping it.”

Cole snapped out of it. “Fine, but wash your hands. You never know where it’s been.”

Kaley shot him a look of disbelief. “Uh, Dad, it’s been on a bird.”

“My point exactly. Wash your hands.”

“Fine.” She went off to her room, twirling the feather between her fingers.

“You’re going to have to tell her sooner or later,” Pandora said.

“I know, but I need to understand the shifting part better before I do.”

“Speaking of, did you talk to Gertrude?”

He took a few steps toward Pandora but glanced in the direction of the attic. “I did.”

“And?”

He slipped his hands around Pandora’s waist. “She said we should practice kissing more.”

“She said that.”

“Uh-huh.”

Pandora resisted his pull. “I know how to kiss just fine, thanks.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He tugged her closer, hooking his thumbs in the belt loops of her jeans.

“You’re not very clear. Do your students have trouble understanding you too?”

He narrowed his eyes. “She said we needed to practice touching and me being able to control the urge to shift without you using your magic.”

“I’m not using any magic at the moment.” She leaned against him. He was too yummy to resist. “And right now it’s not your urge to shift I’m worried about.”

His smile turned wicked, and he nipped at her jaw, sending a cascade of hot sparks through her. “Is that so?”

“Mm-hmm. What else did Gertrude say?”

His mouth went lower, and his hair tickled her nose. “I can’t really remember…”

Parts of her were getting really warm. She broke free, trying to catch her breath and succeeding only in inhaling another delicious lungful of Cole’s masculine scent. “You seem to be doing pretty well at not shifting.”

He grinned proudly. “I’ve been practicing.”

“I figured that’s where the feather came from.”

He nodded. “Gertrude gave me some pointers and told me to practice. So I did. I figured with Kaley gone, there was no better time. I’m not saying I’m an expert or anything, but with some concentration, I can shift. I, uh…flew around the house. I might have run into a wall once. Well, clipped it.”

Pandora laughed and clapped her hands. The more Cole got in touch with his familiar side, the better chance she had of convincing him to stay. “That’s so cool! Show me.”

“You’ve already seen it.”

“Yes, but not on purpose.”

He glanced up. “What if Kaley comes down and sees me? I don’t want her to freak out.”

“I think she can handle it. Besides, when I told her that you and your dad being familiars is absolutely to remain a family secret, I also explained that sometimes some really weird stuff might happen, but it’s nothing to be afraid of if it involves you or me. Just so she’d be somewhat prepared.”

“Good. Thank you.”

“Sure. Hey, I’m here to help right?” She wiggled her fingers at him. “So come on, shift.”

His mouth flattened to a thin line. “Not here.”

“Then where?”

“My bedroom.”

She snorted. “Well played, Mr. Van Zant. Is that how you get women up there?”

He grabbed her hand. “Yes, and it works beautifully.” He tugged her along while he walked backward through the stacks of boxes.

“Really? How many women have you had up there?”

“Scads. More than I can count.”

“That’s saying something for a math teacher.”

At the bottom of the stairs, he stopped and embraced her. “I went on a few dates after the divorce went through, but only because I was set up. They were awful.”

“Setups usually are. Any particular reason you’re telling me this?”

“I want tomorrow night to be nice, but I’m sorely out of practice.”

She leaned in and brushed her mouth across his. “You’re doing fine with the kissing. And you already sent flowers. I’m sure you can’t miss the good-date mark by that much.”

He kissed her back. Slowly and deliberately. His mouth was soft and firm and the focus of her entire being in that moment. More sparks went through her, accompanied by a warm current of air that spiraled around them and gave her the curious sensation of being weightless.

His hands gripped her hips, possessive and strong. His kiss turned demanding.

She met his hunger with some of her own. She wanted Cole. There was no denying it. As much as she didn’t want to be hurt again, she was willing to risk it for him. She was sure she could make him see that this was the right place for him and Kaley. Positive that she could convince him to stay.

And that they were meant to be.

When he broke the kiss, they were both panting. His eyes were as black as the midnight sky. “I don’t know if going up to my bedroom is such a good idea after all.”

She held his gaze. “Maybe not. But we’re both consenting adults.” She held a finger up. “And we both know it’s not going any further than kissing. Not until you decide to stay in Nocturne Falls.”