Page 9 of A Touch of Brimstone

“He asked me if I believed in the occult. Supernatural stuff! Why don’t you seem surprised?”

“If he lives around here, it’s not bizarre for him to believe in the supernatural. And he did see the book you were reading,” she pointed out. “He probably thought you were into that, too.”

“Are you kidding me? You wanted to pelt people with coffee beans if they put cream in their coffee and think people who order a frappuccino should be on a government watch list, but the man who believes in supernaturals and thinks I’m a witch gets a pass?”

“Well, one group is dangerous and should not be allowed near the general public, and the other believes in the occult. That’s quirky.”

When she flashed me a smile, I wished Reginald hadn’t sworn me to secrecy. There had to be a best friend clause or something to promises. Despite thinking his professed magical ability was utter BS, I was starting to wonder if there was something to his believing in magic.

Looking up what Dominic said to me was at the top of my list of things I wanted to research. I would do more research on magic and make a concerted effort to keep an open mind. I had a feeling the latter part was going to be really hard. For years I’d read about magic and considered it just fantasy; seeing it as anything else was going to be difficult.

4

As I rushed into the bookstore the next day, it was no surprise to find Jackson waiting for me at the table near the employee lounge, flipping absently through a book. When he caught sight of me, he placed the book atop another book instead of returning it to its original spot.

“You never struck me as one who went for the tall, broody, menacing type,” he said with a pout. After my late night with Emoni and her band, the three hours I spent trying to decipher Dominic’s words, and the sleepless night caused by his accusation, my tolerance was low.

I hadn’t had nearly enough coffee or sleep to deal with him.

“Usually, I’m not,” I said. “I usually go for the boyish good looks, coltish build, average height, and tendency to accidentally fall into bed with my friend type. You know, the guy who is just arrogant enough to suggest a three-way after being caught cheating.”

He winced, but not at the part he should have. Being described as coltish and average height struck a nerve. By intentionally hitting the two things he wasn’t overly confident about, I hoped he’d just stalk away in a huff, calling me an insensitive bitch under his breath. But he let the insult roll off him. It was still a wonder how a person who thrived on unearned arrogance about everything had complex height issues about being five ten. Well, five ten and a half. He’d never let me forget that ever so important half inch only he cared about.

He rolled his eyes. “I never said a three-way. Monogamy is just so traditional and boring. It sets unattainable rules and limits on people like me. I am aware of what I have to offer and who I am. Doesn’t seem like something you should reject so flippantly.” He extended his arms to the sides, allowing me a full view of what he must have deemed impressive. “Share the wealth.”

My mouth dropped open, and I quickly snapped it shut. This was one of those times when I wished there were onlookers so I could turn to them and say, “Can you believe this asshole?”

“Why are you here?”

“Because I’m concerned about you, Luna.” His faux worry was the last thing I wanted to deal with.

“You don’t like Dominic, and this should concern me why?”

“Because he’s a complete psycho. He quietly speculated how long it would take him to choke me to death. And then openly wondered if I’d go easy into death or struggle. Who says things like that! A man like that is speaking from experience. I didn’t want to make a scene and ruin Emoni’s show, so I left. I should have kicked his fucking ass.”

Nothing about the last part was true. Emoni tolerated him during the relationship; after it ended, she had no reason to pretend to like him. Their dislike for one another was mutual. At the sight of him, I knew pelting him with coffee beans was the nicest thing she thought about doing to him. Her glare could be classified as a weapon. And if he thought for a moment that he could have kicked Dominic’s ass, he would have.

“Apparently him trying to choke you out in a bar wasn’t psycho enough, because here you are.”

“Damn, Luna, is this what I’ve reduced you to?”

On the off chance there was some sincerity to his concern, I turned to him.

“I’m not seeing Dominic. It was a chance meeting. You weren’t respecting my boundaries. Like now. I’m not interested in you or him.”

Hopefully the witch accuser was done with me. If he came around again, he’d get a similar rendition of this speech. I made a show of picking up the haphazardly discarded book and placing it in its proper place on the shelf, just a few inches away from him, while still under the pressure of his gaze.

“Good, because I’m better than that brute.”

This conversation was over.

“Better? You’re a cheating, narcissistic, arrogant, unrepentant jackass. Better? You flatter yourself.”

He inched closer to me as he ushered a look of faux concern onto his face. “I made some mistakes. You made some mistakes—”

“What was my mistake? Coming home early or not being okay with the cheating?”

He huffed out a frustrated sound. “Luna, I’m growing tired of this game. Are you really willing to toss me aside for a few indiscretions? Seriously, be practical for once. We get back together and you can move back in with me. Because you live in a crappy neighborhood and I’m sure your apartment is just as bad. That guy last night isn’t right for you, Luna. I am.”

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