Page 46 of Sigils & Spells

“Yes, ma’am, you certainly did.”

I sighed. Busted.

“Well?” He held my gaze with his dark blue eyes.

I tried to toss the remains of my beer down, there was barely enough to get my mouth wet.

“You’re kind of predictable, that’s all.”

“Not true. Are you trying to slut-shame me?”

I laughed. “Not at all, Darren. I am type shaming you.”

“Oh yeah?” He puffed up as if I was a threat. “I am an equal opportunity womanizer. I’ll have you know that I picked up some hottie who was pushing fifty.” His tone was defiant. “And the girl I hooked up with the night before last was African American.”

“And they were all beautiful and thin and long-limbed, and…” I gave up. I sighed back into my chair.

“What’s your point?” He grumbled.

I cast my gaze from the women at the bar we discussed, to behind me, where I could see Merle and Ramsey in discussion of something intent with a rather grungy looking fellow. What was my point, and did it matter?

“It doesn’t matter.” I pushed my chair back and stood up. I pulled my coat on. “Have fun, whatever.”

“Aren’t you gonna stay?”

“What’s the point?”

He laughed. His eyes crinkled a bit, and he took a drink. I swear I could hear panties melting and longing sighs coming from the bar. He was attractive, and he knew it.

My thumbs flew over my phone as I searched for a car service. I didn’t feel like walking tonight.

His eyes flashed to mine. “The point is, maybe you’ll meet someone.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “I’m not gonna find a hook-up here.”

“You aren’t the hook-up type.” The little corner of his mouth quirked up in a sexy little grin.

“No, Darren. I’m not your hook-up type.” I leveled my gaze at him, and shook my head. “Apparently no one else’s either.”

I approached the bartender, and got my credit card back and paid for my beers. Checking my phone, I saw that my ride was outside. I ignored the bar behind me and started to get in the back seat.

I’m not sure why I looked up, but I did in time to see Darren coming out the door. He paused as he shrugged into his denim jacket. Our eyes locked, and held for a few moments. I gave him the briefest of nods, and he continued to put his jacket on before climbing into the back of the car with me.

Neither of us said anything the entire ride home.

CHAPTER2

Pandora

I unlocked the door and tossed my things onto the little table by the front door.

Darren closed and locked the door behind us.

Still not talking, I took his hand and led him to my bedroom. We both knew exactly why he was here. It would have been foolish to think this was anything other than a challenge. I called him on something he didn’t like, and he was here to prove me wrong.

He helped me off with my coat and then began kissing me. His hands held my face as his lips slid over and pressed against mine. His lips were soft and masterful. He knew what he was doing. Soon his arms were around me, pulling me in closer, so his tongue could dance with mine.

Eventually I pushed away from him. “I’ll be right back.”

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