Page 18 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

He knew what I was getting at. He was a perfectionist with deep-seated OCD tendencies. Hale liked cleanliness because, in his mind, it assured he was in control. But Elara was reliant on more than just Hale, and sometimes her high standards for perfect order took a toll on those who took care of her—namely me. I wasn’t a slob, but compared to Hale I was far from tidy.

“No, I get it. I’ll try to be a little more lax around her regarding subtle messes.”

I chuckled. As he made that promise, he imperceptibly angled his glass so that it was the exact distance from his plate that it was when he started eating.

“Thank you.”

“How about you? Do you need anything other than some soap to wash that slobber and pen off your hand?”

I smiled, thinking him the sweetest man tight-ass in the whole wide world. “I could use a cuddle buddy.”

He glanced back at the television. “Do we have to watchSteel Magnolias?”

“Yes.”

He sighed. “Okay. Let me shower and change, then I’ll be your cuddle buddy.”

I stood in my burrito blanket and kissed his head. “You’re the best.”

“Wash your hands,” he called as I headed back to the sofa.

I Am A Mother-Fucking Goddess!

Imet Phina in the city on Tuesday morning and we started the day with brunch. I hadn’t drank in a while, so it was nice to have a mimosa or six. The champagne was hitting just right when Martel Sharoski, my personal New York driver and ex-mercenary, drove us to the spa.

I frowned when we pulled up to a discreet doorway with a leaf illuminated above the awning. “This isn’t the spa we usually visit.”

“I changed the plan,” Phina said with a feathery wink of false lashes.

“Huh?” Knowing Hale’s sister, this could be anything. I wasn’t in the mood for injections or IVs or any sort of chemical peel. “What is this place, Seraphina?”

“It’s a Reiki healing lab. Come on.”

Marty opened the door, and I sent him a desperate look to save me as Phina pulled me inside. The scent of incense assaulted my senses, but my nerves quickly calmed at the soft, tranquil plunking of chimes. Okay, this place seemed pretty chill.

A woman appeared with her hands folded in front of her waist and an easy smile on her natural face. “Welcome to Serenity. Can I help you?”

My gaze traveled down her silk genie pants to her bare feet. Her hair was long and wavy, hanging down to her bare belly where a piercing looped through a thin belted chain.

“We have an appointment for the Reiki healing.”

I looked curiously at the various displays of crystals and pretty glass things. My hands stayed balled at my side because I feared accidentally breaking something fragile.

“Wonderful. You must be Seraphina and Rayne. I’m Skye. Follow me, and I’ll get you settled in the Intentions Cave.”

We were going to a cave? I sent Phina a panicked look, but she appeared unconcerned.

We followed Skye downvarious flights of stairs that seemed to date back to the last century or older. The musty air smelled of earth and dampness the deeper underground we traveled, and I thought I heard faint trickling along the walls, which were stone and lined with melted candles. The far above sounds of the city muffled, and I grew more concerned the lower we traveled.

The temperature dropped as Skye led us into a small stone room that seemed carved out of some mystical cave. “Make yourselves comfortable.” She lit a candle and held a small bundle of dried herbs in the flame. It smelled a little like reefer.

“What is that?”

“Just some sage to cleanse the space.” She waved the singed bundle to the corners and wafted the aromatic smoke across the walls with a fan made of feathers. I discreetly coughed.

When she finished, she set the bundle in an opalescent shell where it continued to smoke. She lifted a small copper singing bowl and tapped the side with a wooden mallet. As she dragged the mallet around the rim of the bowl, it rang like a bell.

“This space is clean. Set your intentions and take a moment to meditate. Manifestyour goals. Iris and Willow will be with you shortly.”

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