Page 1 of Cocktails & Cauldrons

CHAPTER 1

“No.” Eoin gave a handsy art patron a smile filled with faux regret. Really, it was barely a twist of his lips, but he’d dealt with this particular woman for nigh on four years now, and he was irked she refused to keep her pudgy, bejeweled fingers to herself. In desperation, he blurted, “I’m gay.”

Yelled it, in truth.

All heads in the gallery whipped their way, and Eoin closed his eyes against the painful tension headache forming.

“My apologies, Ms. Sullivan.” Although his voice was only loud enough for her to hear this time, the other gallery visitors leaned forward as if they had a vested interest in the conversation. “Sure, and I hope you’ll pardon me.”

From across the room, he caught Reginald White’s laughing jade-green gaze. Reggie was Eoin’s closest friend and the inspiration for Eoin’s desperate excuse. All he had to do was channel Reggie and his fussy mannerisms for the evening, and he might get through this nightmare. Reggie would surely call Eoin on the lie later, if only to tease him.

Eoin glanced at his watch and gritted his teeth. Only forty minutes left of this torture. After tonight, he intended to tell hissoon-to-be-ex business manager, Margo, he wouldn’t be making any more appearances for the sake of his art. His reclusiveness would only add to the mystique of a temperamental artist and likely drive up the prices. He absolutely hated the idea of finding new representation, but Margo had become exceedingly demanding, both in the bedroom and office. Mixing business with pleasure had been a stupid idea, but Eoin tended to go with what felt right at the moment. And Margo’s talented mouth on his cock had felt extremely right during negotiations.

“I’m sorry.” The soft apology came from behind him and danced across his skin, sending a surge of blood to his dick and removing all thoughts of his manager. He suppressed a shiver.

Brenna Sullivan.

Her sultry voice was siren-like and could make him hard with a single word. And she just happened to be the grandniece to Odessa Sullivan, one of the top-five richest women in New York and the person he’d been forced to reject at every turn.

Had Brenna heard him declare that he was homosexual?

He shifted to face her.

Yep.

Her expression said she couldn’t apologize enough for her aunt and that she wished she could crawl into a hole.

“No apology necessary,” he said gruffly but equally as low.

The doubtful look she cast him said she didn’t believe him. “Aunt Odessa is used to getting what she wants, and I’m afraid you’re it.”

“Not this time.” His tone was hard, and he noticed her wince, slight though it was.

“No, of course not. I’m sure she didn’t know you were… um… well, gay.” Pink flooded Brenna’s cheeks, and she compressed her lips together as she shoved her tortoiseshell glasses up her pert nose.

He wanted to tell her the cat-like style did nothing for her heart-shaped face, but it wasn’t his place.

“However, you might want to introduce her to your partner, or she’ll likely try to convert you to the other side.” She grimaced as she said it.

He shuddered.

Mostly, his reaction was due to the idea of Odessa Sullivan attempting to convert him in any way.

One evening after a charity dinner, the wily, old fox had shown up in his hotel room. Eoin was still at a loss as to how she’d gotten in. He’d eventually concluded she bribed the cleaning crew. The remembered visual of her in a tight leather bustier and sheer lace skirt made his bollocks shrivel.

“I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving me last month, Brenna,” he managed stiffly, still unable to discuss it with anything less than anger.

“No. It’s the other way around. I owe you for not pressing charges or suing our hotel for trespass.”

“Right.” He’d forgotten Odessa had made the lion’s share of her wealth through a hotel chain. “Well, after tonight, I’m sure part of your headache will go away.”

“Oh?”

“I’m heading home.” To deal with his pesky new magical abilities before someone got hurt. Probably him. He’d accidentally set fire to three of his easels this week alone. Much to Reggie’s entertainment.

Last fall, he’d felt a tingle of something starting in his cells. Little did he know at the time, the family curse was in its reversal process. His brother Cian had fallen in love with Piper Thorne and had started the ball in motion. When his other brother, Carrick, reunited with Roisin Byrne, more power had flooded Eoin’s veins. And when his sister Bridget accepted the Sword of Goibhniu from Ruairí O’Connor as a show of his love andcommitment, the final barrier to their magic was removed. Both Eoin and his sister Dubheasa had felt the new infusion of power all the way across the pond.

“Oh.” Brenna initially looked crestfallen, but rebounded enough to smile. “That should be nice. Ireland in the autumn months is beautiful, or so I’m told.”

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