Page 4 of Hunting for Acceptance

COOPER

I let out a deep sigh,one that I feel all the way down into my very fuckingsoul. That fucking man. Why does he have to keep pushing me away? I don’t think I’ll ever understand and until he gets his shit together and works through whatever it is that makes him think he’s unlovable, I can’t do a damn thing. No matter what I say, he’ll twist it into me hating him.

Which honestly couldn’t be further from the truth.

My hand tightens around my beer, my stomach flaring with unease. This evening hasn’t gone to plan even a little bit. We were supposed to stake out the place but be essentially unseen. It was quite the surprise to step inside and find Martin actually talking to someone at the bar.

That was more than talking. The man kepttouchingMartin. I get it, I’ve dreamed about getting my hands on those biceps too, but I’m mostly surprised Martin seemed to justlet him.

I run my fingers through my hair. Gods, I have to get myself together. I can’t bepininglike this over a guy who clearly wants nothing to do with me. If we weren’t connected through the supernatural, I don’t think Martin would even want to be my friend. I’m not sure if luckily or unluckily, but people who experience the supernatural together tend to stick together so whether he likes it or not, he’s stuck with me.

I suddenly realize just how much I miss my mom. She would know exactly what to say to defuse the situation. I don’t think we’re too far from where my parents are currently living. Maybe I could swing by for a visit if I can just get this fucking case under wraps.

We’ve been chasing the same person for a while now with no luck and it’s really starting to grate on my nerves. It shouldn’t be this hard to find whoever is behind these weird abductions. And yet, they’ve been more slippery than we could ever expect.

If only I could use magic.

I shake my head at myself, disappointed that I’m still playing that same sentence over and over and over in my head. There are some things that are just not meant to be. Sure, both my mom and my dad are sparks, someone capable of wielding the magic inside of them, but that doesn’t mean it was guaranteed I would be a spark as well.

I’m close to magic, and can almost taste it in the air if it’s strong enough, but no matter how much I learn or how much I study or how hard I try, I can’t seem to wield it myself.

So instead of having a pity party about how unfair life is, I finish my drink and stand up from the bar. I give the bartender a friendly smile as I toss a five onto the bar top as a tip.

As I make my way outside, I dig deep, wondering if I was jealous that Martin was getting hit on because I want to be the one to flirt with Martin, or is it because someone so gorgeous was flirting with Martin and not me.

Does it really matter? Either way I feltleft outin a way that doesn’t truly make sense. Maybe this case is just starting to get to me.

A hand reaches out and tugs me into the dark and before I can yelp, a big hand is clasped over my mouth. I’m about to bite the hand that dares silence me but then a familiar voice is in my ear.

“Quiet.”

Martin lets go of me and the tension leaves my body all at once, but at the same time, a fire burns deep within my gut. His hands were on me. He touched my lips. Fuck, why am I getting turned on right now?

Yep, it would appear I’m simply a mess.

“What’s going on?” I ask, keeping my voice as soft and quiet as I possibly can.

“My friend from earlier,” Martin tells me, nodding his head towards the parking lot. I just barely keep myself from bristling at the idea of this guy being Martin’sfriend. I look in the direction Martin pointed out, finding Mister pretty blue hair standing next to a woman. They’re just chatting together and the woman looksreallyinto him.

I don’t blame her. He’s incredibly beautiful and has this feel to him. Despite already deciding I’m not a fan, I can’t seem to keep my eyes off of him. It’s so strange and I can’t help but wonder if there’s some sort of magic at play here.

I almost feel like a voyeur as I sit in the dark next to Martin, watching this man put the moves on this woman. He reaches out and touches her hair and she smiles up at him. She leans into his touch and he moves lightning fast, grabbing her hips and flipping them around so he’s leaning against the car with her body pressed up against his, the illusion that she’s in control.

“Should we stop them?”

Martin shakes his head. “This could be normal. Maybe he’s just really horny.”

“Maybe,” I murmur, watching closely. The beautiful blue haired man touches the woman’s cheek and from over her shoulder, I can see his eyes flash with bright blue. “Fuck,” I hiss out, watching as her body goes slack in front of him. She’s hooked. He isn’t horny, he isn’t looking for a hookup. He’s hunting.

I grab Martin’s arm. “Did you see that?”

“See what?”

“His eyes,” I hiss out as quietly as I can, “they flashed.”

“Some sort of magic?”

I look over at Martin, startling at how close we are. My eyes dart down to his lips before jumping back up to his eyes. “I’m not sure, but I’m almost positive he has some sort of influence over people.”

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