Page 41 of Castings & Curses

“You did this on purpose,” Natalie hissed.

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” Pippa said. “But look! Jared’s here and so is Corwin. How fortuitous. Now you can find out whether he was serious or not.” Hooking her arm around Natalie’s, she dragged her toward the wolves’ booth, Natalie protesting all the while.

“Pippa!” Jared said jovially even as Corwin exclaimed, “Natalie!”

Both wolves leapt to their feet, the only difference between them was that Jared dragged Pippa into his arms for a heated kiss while Corwin looked at Natalie like he might do the same with even the smallest hint of encouragement.

“Don’t even think about it,” Natalie said, mentally fanning herself as a wave of heat swept over her, just from picturing that sort of greeting from Corwin.

“Fancy meeting you two here,” Jared said when he finally let Pippa come up for air.

“Oh, please.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “You’re not fooling anyone with your antics.” She glanced around, hoping to join the rest of the coven wherever they were sitting, but they were clear across the room at a different table.

Worse, they’d chosen one that was entirely too small, so there was no room for even one more person to join them—it was a conspiracy, she could tell. Traitors!

Before she could come up with an alternate plan, Corwin caught her hand in his and ushered her into the booth, sliding in after her.

She moved as close to the wall as she could, trying to get some distance from the wolf, but he just followed until their thighs were pressed up against each other, so that every movement had her arm rubbing against his.

Pippa slid into the booth across from them and Jared followed her in, sliding his arm along the booth behind her.

The moment Natalie saw the move, she recognized it.

She glanced over her shoulder and sure enough, Corwin’s arm was stretched out behind her.

She sent him a scowl, but he just winked back at her.

Starlight, the diner’s main waitress, slid glasses of water onto their table, then took their orders before heading for the kitchen.

She’d just been waylaid by one of the vampires when Pippa yanked Natalie’s attention back to their table.

“So, Corwin,” Pippa began, “Natalie was wondering—ow!” Pippa let out a yelp and glared at Natalie, who simply glowered back.

“What were you wondering?” Corwin murmured at her side.

“Nothing,” she muttered.

“You want to know whatIwonder, sweet Natalie?” He leaned into her.

She gulped.

What the hell was happening?

Was it hot in here?

It was.

She glared at Pippa, who just grinned back at her. “Stop it, Pippa,” she hissed.

Pippa looked surprised. “Stop what?”

Corwin chuckled. “The little firestarter isn’t the reason it’s so hot in here. At least not today, Natalie love.”

Natalie shuddered as his raspy voice sent shivers up her spine.

“Anyway, back to what I wonder.” He buried his nose in her neck and inhaled deeply.

Natalie tightened her grip on her staff and gave serious thought to slamming it over the top of the wolf’s head.

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