Page 32 of Magic and Muffins

“I can feel the globe’s sensual magic through the door. It’s not nearly as potent as it was, but I would rather get you home before I succumb to its power again. Stay here, all right?”

Exhausted, dehydrated, and completely drunk on multiple orgasms, I nodded and sagged against the wall.

He was reaching for the door when a series of grunts and groans sounded, followed by a cry. It wasn’t one of pleasure. It was pure frustration coming from Vena.

Cross knocked on the door and then inched it open. “I’m coming in.”

“I wish Anchor could come. In me,” Vena whined.

After an aggrieved sigh, Cross slipped inside. Vena would owe him big time after this. I would make sure of it.

I heard Cross say, “Get moving.” A bit of shuffling and another whine followed it.

“I am moving,” Vena said.

“Not against him,” Cross said.

More shuffling and another whine, but soon enough, Vena and Anchor stumbled out, looking like they barely survived a battle. Vena’s hair was sticking every which way, and Anchor looked dazed.

“Only 435 times to go,” she mumbled. “At least, I think. I might have lost count.”

After watching my friend stumble like she was drunk, I grabbed her arm, and we leaned on each other as we made our way outside.

“What time is it?” she asked. “Or should I say day?”

I glanced at my phone. “It’s nearly dinner time. We’ve missed lunch.”

It hadn’t felt like we were in there so long, but then again, being under the fae’s influence was like a drug. I’d lost track of time and even reason beyond a physical need.

“I’ll let you and Anchor sit in the backseat together if you promise not to maul each other.”

“Too tired,” Vena said, climbing. “And thirsty.”

“We need a drive-through for water,” I said as Cross helped me into the passenger seat.

“No. I need sugar, too,” Vena said. “Get me the biggest soda out there. Maybe two for Anchor. I worked him hard.”

“I’ll get both for everyone,” Cross said, getting in behind the steering wheel.

No one else talked until after we had our drinks. I looked at Cross, worried because he hadn’t ordered anything for himself. Not that soda or water was his drink of choice. I touched my neck where he’d left more than a few love marks but no additional bites and shivered lightly at the remembered feel of his lips there. Although the fae’s influence was gone, my desire for him remained. Definitely not as urgent, but still…

He reached over and set his hand on mine.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly.

“I am. Are you? Do you need to stop somewhere? Or do you…” I blushed, unable to finish the offer.

His eyes flickered black.

“Shepard might forgive once, but I don’t believe he’d forgive a second time.”

I studied Cross’ profile and wondered if Shepard would give Cross a hard time for the first bite. Turning my hand, I held Cross’ and didn’t comment. Rather than speculate how Shepard would react, I wanted to focus on the moment.

As soon as we arrived, Anchor helped Vena out of the SUV and into their car with a promise that he’d have her call me first thing in the morning.

He waved goodbye, and I followed Cross inside. No one was working on the first floor, and everything in the kitchen looked set up when I glanced through the door.

“We need to decide on a supplier,” I said tiredly.

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