His head throbbed when he thought of the way he’d left. Two for two in the dickhead department. But it had just been too much for him to handle. First, her mother, then a magical power, then Jane. And where did that leave them?

Slade didn’t know. And for the first time in his life, he didn’t know what to do about it.

fourteen

LET ME GET this straight. You sleep with him. Break it off in the morning. Decide to go your separate ways and set him up with another date. Then he shows up at your doorstep right after said date, and you sleep together for the second time. Then break up in the morning. Again. Do I have it right?”

Kate lowered her forehead to the cool granite and groaned. Sunday morning and twenty-four hours since the episode. She hadn’t slept or changed out of her ratty pjs. And a shower was definitely on the agenda. “Yep, that about covers it.”

Gen shoved the last of the crumb cake in her mouth and chewed. “It’s official. You’ve lost your mind along with your virginity.”

“I know. He freaked out when he found out about the touch/curse. Didn’t believe me, which I can’t blame him for, but still. Now he thinks I screwed up Jane’s life and I’m a criminal. I’ve been afraid to call her because he was so upset.”

Gen tapped her finger against her mug of coffee. “Let him calm down—seems he’s the overprotective sort. Give it a few days to settle, then call Jane if she hasn’t reached out.”

“I don’t understand, she was doing so well. He acted like she was going off the deep end. I knew they should’ve slowed down. Why didn’t I make them listen?”

“Can only lead the couples to the water, girlfriend. Can’t make ’em drink.”

“I guess. I’m sorry, I’m always babbling about my problems and you’re newly engaged. I frickin’ adore the ring! Are you excited?”

The three-carat, princess-cut diamond sparkled in the morning light, but Gen’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. Maybe they were too tired. “Sure. I’ve been working nonstop and fielding questions about the wedding. It’s a bit overwhelming.”

“I can imagine.” Gen avoided her gaze, concentrating on her cake, and once again Kate felt that twinge of foreboding slither down her spine. “He’s good to you, right? I mean, you do want to marry him, right? Because if he’s rushing you or it’s too soon, you need to stand your ground.”

“No, this is the right thing. He’s perfect for me, and so sweet. Loves to spoil me rotten yet pushes me to be better. I’ll never find another guy like him.”

All the right words, yet . . . Kate still felt she was missing something. There were shadows lurking in her best friend’s eyes she’d never glimpsed before. Gen grabbed the napkin, slugged a last sip of coffee, and slid off the chair. “Sorry, I gotta run back to the hospital. Listen, Kate, I know this whole thing is confusing, but I’m going to tell you one thing: I’ve never seen you look so happy before.”

“This is happy?”

Her friend laughed. “You glow when you speak his name. You gave him your virginity and actually experienced the touch for the first time. He’s special. I know there seem to be obstacles, and he says he doesn’t believe in love, but have you given him a real chance? A fighting chance?”

Kate frowned. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Gen’s beeper went off like a fire alarm and she stiffened. “That’s David. I’m being paged. We’ll talk later, hang in. Thanks for the coffee.”

She shot out the door. Robert barely moved his head, used to the quick comings and goings of her friend. Kate thought about her words and cleaned up the kitchen. Odd. Slade already knew she had deep feelings for him, though she kept trying to fight them back and bury them deep. No sense in sharing when there would be no reciprocation or interest in moving forward. Maybe she’d curl up on the recliner and spend the afternoon doing nothing but watching movies and reading books. Paperwork could wait. Gym could be delayed. Nothing seemed that important.

The door slammed open. Kate looked up, startled, and frowned when her mother shot through. “Are you okay?” she asked, moving forward. “You’ve never come to see me twice in one weekend.”

Madeline crossed the room and clasped Kate’s upper arms. Her blue eyes were wide and full of fear. “I had a dream.”

Kate fought a smile. “Did you watch the planet get swallowed up by plastic bags and diapers again? People are recycling more, Mom, don’t worry.”

“No, silly girl, about you. I dreamt you denied the touch with Slade and your entire life was ruined. One bad choice and you never recovered. What happened after I left?”

Unease shot through her. Great, she’d be the cat lady and she’d always been more of a dog person. Kate sighed. “I don’t want you to worry. Slade isn’t meant for me. Simply put, he doesn’t believe in love, marriage, or forever. He believes in oxytocin.”

Her mother shook her slightly with impatience. “I don’t care what he says he believes. I want to know about you and your actions. Have you told him you love him? That you want to fight for him? That you believe enough for the both of you?”

Panic flared. She broke the grip and stepped back, needing the distance. “Don’t be ridiculous, of course not. Women don’t do those things today. Besides, I’m sure it’s for the best.”

Her heart shattered and screamed her a liar. Her body ached and punished her. And her mother let out a shriek of frustration Kate had never heard before. Madeline was a river, she flowed and melted, becoming one with every challenge in life and rarely fought against the tide. The woman before her quaked, her aura vibrating so wildly Kate would’ve shoved a joint in her hands if she had one. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“What’s happened to you?” Madeline whispered. “When did you stop believing in yourself? In your gift? In what you deserve?”

Emotion choked her. She couldn’t handle this; it was too close to home. “I tried. He knows I care about him, and he’s been honest about what he can and can’t handle. He thinks I’ve screwed up his sister and that I’m a liar. And as for my gift? I didn’t want to tell you, but it’s gone. And I don’t think it’s coming back. I need you to drop this.”

“No. You’re going to listen to me, darling, and don’t interrupt. Now, sit.” Her mother pointed to the chair. Kate trudged over, sat down, and waited. She’d learned long ago not to argue when her mother wanted to have an open discussion. “It’s time to stop running, Kate. You say you lost your gift. When did this happen?”

“After I discovered Slade and I connected. That was the last time I felt anything. I’ve been numb, even around couples who are married and have a connection, I get nothing.”

“But you still feel the touch with Slade?”

She nodded. “I thought I was blocking myself by denying our attraction. So I slept with him. I figured I’d get it back, but that didn’t help either. My gift is gone.”

Madeline pursed her lips. “Your gift is being denied, my darling girl. You are the first one in generations to feel this with other people. Most of the women who own the touch can only sense it with her true mate. You have been blessed to spread your knowledge to the world. But when confronted by your own truth, you chose to run and hide. Wrapping it up in sex, having rational conversations about how things can’t work between you. You’ve lost your way.”

Kate rubbed her temples. God, when her mother waxed poetic it got hairy. Like a bad acid trip, she supposed. “I don’t get it. I didn’t hide. I told Slade I believed in love and wanted forever. He said he can’t give that to me. We went our separate ways. Over and out.”

“Did you tell him you’re in love with him?”

Kate froze. “N-n-no. There’s no point.”

Her mother squinted with intensity. “No point in confessing the truth to the man you love? Have I raised a coward?”

Kate flinched. “Why? So he could say thanks very much, but it’s not going to work out? So he can take the last shred of my pride and leave me broken and bleeding? No thanks.”

“There is no halfway, no safe place to hide when it comes to love. You are luckier than most to be guided to the man meant for you. By denying the truth, or making light of the connection, you deny the gift, yourself, and are no longer worthy of it.”

The words hit her hard, like brutal jabs in the ring, and Kate felt something inside begin to break. Hadn’t she been clear enough about how she felt? Hadn’t she fought enough? Or was her mother right? She’d rationalized and pushed him away and only allowed him into her bed, not her heart. She’d never stood her ground and challenged his ridiculous beliefs.

“I don’t know what to do, Mom,” she choked out. “He can break my heart and I’m scared.”

“How does he make you feel?”

She dragged in a breath. “Like my better self. He lights up my body, and satisfies my soul. He makes me laugh. He loves Robert and wants to take care of him. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted and I’ve never been so terrified.”

Madeline moved over, took her hand, and squeezed it tight. “You must be fierce and admit to love, my dear girl. It is the only way to win. And if you do lose, well, at least you lose fairly, with your head high and with no regrets. How could you possibly feel shame for leading with your heart? It is simply the bravest thing anyone can do in this world. It is what you based your business on, and your livelihood.”

The truth took root, shook her to the core, and grew. In that moment, she realized every step in her journey had been halfhearted. But no longer. She was worthy of more.

Kate reached up and hugged her mother tight. “I love you, Mom. Thank you.”