Page 123 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

As I ate the poached eggs, bacon, and toast Jace served up for me when I entered the kitchen, I turned my attention to him. “When are we training?”

He glanced at his watch. “Probably around ten. I’m, uh, waiting on something I need before we start.”

“Something?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at Harley, who sat across from me.

She was sliding a piece of toast across her plate to soak up the last bit of sauce. “I have no idea what he’s talking about. All I know”—she popped the last bite into her mouth—“is I’d love to have this guy cater my next holiday party. Dear Lord.” She turned to gape at Jace. “Did you make the hollandaise sauce from scratch?”

“It’s fairly easy with enough practice,” he said with a shrug. “I’m gonna go get changed. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Once he was gone, Harley leaned over to whisper conspiratorially. “Kirsten, you better lock that guy down. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a guy who can cook? Shit, most dudes think that a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup is a gourmet meal.”

“Yeah, I really should base the rest of my life on whether a guy can make food,” I said, sarcasm and irritation dripping from my words.

Harley, unperturbed by my tone, picked up her coffee mug. “All I’m saying is, the guy looks like a fitness model—he’s gorgeous, smart, funny—and he can cook? It’s like he walked in out of every woman’s wet dream.” Harley sipped her coffee and eyed me over the rim, a mischievous gleam in her eye.

“What?” I said. “You’re gonna say something inappropriate, aren’t you?”

“You know me well.” She glanced back at the stairs to make sure Jace wasn’t around before lowering her voice. “So, uh, is everything as nice as what I can see? He’s got big hands, if you know what I mean?” She bobbed her eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh my god. I am not talking about this right now,” I said, pushing away from the table to start the dishes.

“What?” She gasped. “I thought we were friends. Just give me a little hint. I don’t need a lot. No need for tape measures. Just hold up a zucchini or cucumber or something for size reference?”

I slapped her with the dish towel, then started rinsing the plates.

An hour later, Jace led me out to the woods behind his house.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“There’s a big clearing about fifty yards in. I figured that would be the best place to do this. Free of prying eyes, and also far enough away that any stray spells you might cast won’t hurt anyone.”

Waylan walked out of the woods towards us.

“Are we good?” Jace asked.

Waylan nodded. “All good. She’s set.”

“Great. Check in with the guys watching the perimeter.”

“Will do.”

As Waylan walked away, I looked at Jace. “She? She who?’

“You’ll see in a second.”

As we reached the clearing, I saw who she was. Standing in the ankle-high grass in a simple gray flowing dress was Tinsley.

“What?” I gasped. “How? When…?”

Tinsley smiled and walked forward. “Your friend Jace here called me again.” She cast him a mock-irritated glare. “Very early this morning, I might add. Asked if I’d be willing to make the drive down to help you master some of your powers.”

When I looked at Jace, he grinned sheepishly. “I used your phone. Figured she’d answer for sure if she thought it was you calling. Hope it’s all right?”

I laughed as I hugged Tinsley. “Of course it is.”

When I released her, Tinsley gave me a serious look. “Are you ready? This is going to be intense.”

“Yeah.” I nodded curtly. “I am.”

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