Page 236 of Castings & Curses

“It is?”

“Oh yeah, Jade. It is,” he whispered, mere centimeters from my lips.

Was this really happening?

Was handsome healer Arlo Glenn really confessing he liked me?

Like, really liked me.

No way.

Things like that did not happen to me. I was plain Jade. The little earth witch everyone kinda overlooked. It was okay. I was used to it.

“I want to kiss you, Jade. Will you let me?” he asked, but all I could do was stare.

As if he could feel me wavering, Arlo cupped his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me in closer. I was frozen in his emerald stare, half afraid he would kiss me, half afraid he wouldn’t. He moved closer, giving me ample time to push off him, but I didn’t. I wanted him too much, was far too curious to deny this, deny him.

This is it.

It’s finally happening.

I felt near hysterics. Everything I’d ever wanted since I met the guy was finally happening. But it could also spell disaster.

What if he was dating Mabe?

Was this when the witch would walk back in and tear my throat out with her fangs?

Would she want revenge for my moving in on her man?

Heck, I did not think Arlo was the type of guy to two-time a girl, but what did I know besides how good he felt pressed up against me?

The seconds ticked, and he remained a hair’s breadth from my mouth, waiting for a signal from me to continue.

I considered moving, but only briefly. After all, Mabe did not come tearing out of the bathroom with murderous intent. Arlo did not pull back and tell me he was only kidding.

Nope, none of that happened.

Instead, I found myself nodding. A smile graced Arlo’s perfectly symmetrical mouth for a single, beautiful instant before his lips touched mine. Then, every single nonsensical thought I’d had filling my head fled my brain like a team of wild horses was running behind them.

Mint and lemon washed over my tongue as he deepened the kiss. They were Arlo’s flavors, bright and clear, and totally epic.

He’s really kissing me.

Arlo Glenn. Is. Kissing. Me.

And it was better than I’d ever imagined.

I don’t know how long we stayed glued to each other’s faces, but it must have been a hot minute or two. Now, I wouldn’t say the earth quaked, but it definitely moved. The slow rumble shook us and as I moaned and allowed him deeper access, tangling his tongue with mine, I swear I felt my magic bubble and sing inside me.

“Ahem. AHEM. Guys, really?” Mabe’s annoyed voice filtered through the thunder inside my brain, and I opened my eyes slowly.

Uh oh.

We’d been caught red-handed, but Arlo didn’t push me off in an effort to save face with his maybe girlfriend. In fact, he cuddled me closer, and that answered at least one pressing question. Clearly, he was not dating Mabe.

The other question I had was a bit dirtier and for another time when we were alone. Of course, given the hard proof of his attraction toward me throbbed beneath my butt, I suppose I had my answer for that inquiry too.

Arlo wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

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