Page 7 of Wickedly Yours

“Hi,” I said, adjusting my lavender colored dress. The skirt was sewn to look like a spiderweb, with each seam coming to a point.

Why come to a themed night at The Enchanted Cauldron and not dress on theme? Ghoul’s Night was the quintessential spooky night at the bar, but I’d never been a witch who loved the color black or jewel tones. Pastels were more my speed.

The dark-haired man raised his eyebrow as he looked at me like he was appraising me. Just one look and a shiver ran through me. Up close, he was absolutely delicious. I’d never met a stranger I’d been so instantly attracted to, but I couldn’t deny how my body vibrated as I stood next to him.

“Hello.” His voice was deep—a baritone I didn’t hear often from the men in this town. It was hot. Sexy, even. I bit my lip as I slid onto the stool next to him, setting my drink down on the counter.

“Come here often?” I asked, taking a sip of my poisoned apple martini.

He chuckled, the deep sound reverberating through me. “No. This is a first.”

“Ah.” I wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that I was staring at him. “Are you just passing through?” Pleasant Grove was well-warded, after all. Since normal humans had no clue thatmagicor witches even existed, most patrons here were magical themselves.

“You could say that.”

“What else could you say?” I raised an eyebrow.

“That I’m looking for something.”

“And did you find it?”

He looked directly at me, those dark eyes—almost black—practically peering into my soul. “I think I did.”

“Oh.” I took another drink, bobbing my head. “That’s good.”

The handsome stranger set his glass—now empty—down on the bar. “Yes. Yes, it is.” He flashed me a dazzling smile, offering his handto me. “Hi. I’m Zain.”

“Luna,” I answered, putting my hand in his to shake it. Just one touch and it was like an electric shock to my system. Or maybe that was my fingertips tingling from the contact.

Just one touch…The future was hazy but warm. And maybe that was enough. The not knowing was the exciting part.

“It’s nice to meet you, Luna,” Zain murmured, kissing my knuckles.

The alcohol must have been affecting my system more than I thought because Igiggled. I actually giggled.Was I drunk?I peered at my glass. I had a good buzz going but didn’t think I’d consumed that much.

Looking back up at the Zain—my handsome stranger—I got lost in his eyes. His hand reached out, cupping my cheek as he peered at me with unabashed curiosity.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, the thumb of his finger tracing my cheekbone.

Maybe the copious amounts of blush I always wore would hide the flush that ran to my face, even as a part of me preened at his words.

“Thank you.” I dipped my head before finishing my drink. I’d never been so bold before, but there was something about him… Something that intrigued me. Something that I wanted to get to know more about.

“Do you… want to get out of here?” I murmured, placing the glass back down on the bar.

“Yes,” he agreed.

And when he slipped his hand in mine, everything just felt… right.

I’d always thought Pleasant Grove at night was magical,and the waning crescent moon in the sky was like a calming balmto my racing thoughts. That warm fuzziness in my chest hadn’t faded, and whatever it was from—himor the alcohol—I decided I didn’t care.

Shoving my hands in my pockets before I did something dumb—like let my powers free or grab his hand again—I enjoyed our leisurely pace. We passed some of my favorite businesses in downtown, places I’d spent my whole life frequenting. Most of the shops in town had the most ridiculous puns as names, but I loved it.

Where else could you find magical artifacts next door to the most recent witch fashions?

“Is this your first time here?” I asked, looking over at the man walking by my side. The streets were quiet, given the hour of the night, but our walk felt comforting and unhurried. “In Pleasant Grove, I mean.” He’d said he hadn’t been to our bar before, so I was guessing it was his first time here, too.

He nodded his head.

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