Page 25 of A Roar for Magic

“In my defense, you stumbled because I kissed you senseless.”

She laughed – that genuine, melodic sound that made his chest tight. “Fair point.”

The bell chimed, interrupting their banter as a group of women entered the shop. Rather than browsing, they clustered near where Rook worked, their whispered conversations easily caught by his enhanced hearing.

“Look at those arms...”

“Do you think he’s single?”

“I heard he’s the new alpha...”

“Think she’d give us his number if we bought something?”

Rook pretended not to notice, but he couldn’t help tracking Clover’s reactions. Her movements became slightly sharper, her magic crackling with an edge it hadn’t held before.

“Excuse me,” one of the bolder women approached the counter. “We were wondering if?—”

“He’s married,” Clover cut in smoothly. “Very happily. Five kids. Two dogs. A cat. Possibly a hamster.”

Rook nearly dropped the screwdriver he was holding.

“Oh.” The woman’s face fell. “That’s... unexpected.”

After the disappointed group filed out, Halle, Clover’s assistant, sidled up to the counter. “Five kids?” she whispered loudly enough for Rook to hear. “Really?”

“Shut up.”

“You know, if steam could actually come out of someone’s ears, you’d be setting off the sprinkler system right now.”

“Don’t you have inventory to count?”

“Sure thing, boss.” Halle grinned. “But just so you know – jealousy looks cute on you.”

Poe cackled from his perch. “Finally, someone else said it! I’ve been watching this dance for weeks. Though I have to say, the hamster was a nice touch.”

“Both of you can find something else to do,” Clover muttered, her cheeks blazing. “Preferably in another room.”

Rook abandoned any pretense of working, moving to lean against the counter. “Five kids, huh?”

“Don’t start.”

“I’m just impressed you’ve given our future such thought.”

She pointed a threatening finger at him. “I will hex you.”

“No, no, I want to hear more about our dogs. And the hamster. Is it a magical hamster?”

“You’re impossible.” But she was fighting a smile, and when he reached for her hand, she let him take it.

“I want to take you home for dinner,” he said, running his thumb across her knuckles. The simple contact settled his tiger, who had been growing increasingly restless with the need to touch her. “Let me cook for you.”

“You cook too?” She looked skeptical. “Is there anything you don’t do?”

“I’m terrible at staying away from beautiful witches who pretend they’re not jealous when other women flirt with me.”

“I wasn’t jealous,” she protested, but her fingers tightened around his. “I was... professionally concerned about workplace distractions.”

“Of course.” He lifted their joined hands, pressing a kiss to her palm that made her magic spark. “Is that a yes to dinner?”

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