Page 18 of Curses and Cauldrons

“Are you creating a potion?” The shop owner’s eyes flicker up from the list to scrutinize my face.

“You were right. It’s for my mom.”

Morty exhales on a hum, his eyes narrowing. “You don’t do much potion making, do you?”

I dip my chin back into my coat, feeling embarrassed that my magical knowledge is so limited. My mother wanted me to focus on healing, since that’s my primary magic. I haven’t spent much time learning about potions and elixirs.

“There are only so many hours in the day.” Morty shrugs. “I should have all of this. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll gather everything.”

Morty disappears into the back room again, where the more volatile ingredients are kept. I didn’t even look at the list. What is my mother concocting? The bell over the door chimes. I turn to see the newcomer, and my heart leaps into my throat.

Roman Blackthorn. What is happening right now? Is the universe throwing us together? He walks into the shop like he does everything, with confidence and the complete belief that he’s exactly where he should be.

The last time I saw him was Saturday night when he left the library with barely a backward glance. Right after I let him see my boobs and stick his head between my thighs. Maiden, help me. Panic chokes off my breath. I frantically search the shop for a place to hide, looking like I’m playing invisible dodgeball with my indecisiveness.

A dark alcove lined with potions looks promising. I dart into the corner, facing away from Roman. Maybe he won’t notice me. Or if he does, he won’t realize that it’s me. Would he care anyway? Maybe he often grabs women at parties and goes down on them in their family’s library. How would I know? I know next to nothing about this man except that he’s a dark witch and part of the Tenebris coven. That alone should tell me to steer clear.

I chew on my nail and then yank my hand away with a cringe. I’m really trying to kick this nervous habit and failing horribly. I can handle this. Morty will be out here any minute with mysupplies. Or I can come back for them later. The only question is, can I sneak out without Roman seeing me?

A squeak is startled out of me when I peek over my shoulder and find Roman barely a foot away.

“Holy crap.” Clapping my hand to my chest, my heart beats so hard I feel it under my fingers. I jerk my head back around to face forward, needing to avoid the sharp gray eyes assessing me.

“Am I interrupting your shopping?” Roman leans down until his head is almost on my shoulder. He’s not touching me, which is probably a good thing. I don’t know what happened at the founders party, but the fact that he could touch me was probably a fluke. There’s no way I’m lucky enough to find a workaround for my curse.

Roman hums. “I admit, this is not what I was expecting.”

I follow Roman’s gaze to the bottles on the shelf. Oh hell. There are hundreds of spells in front of me for enhanced sexual pleasure, prolonging sex, erection aids, and extending orgasms. Really? Out of all the sections in the store, this is the one that I end up in.

“Having troubles?” Roman’s deep voice is laced with humor. It sends shivers down my spine.

I spin around and snap, “I’m doing just fine. Thank you.”

The only problem is that now Roman’s face is a mere inch away from mine. Stormy gray eyes peer down at me. I don’t know Roman well enough to interpret the look. One dark brow is lifted, making me feel like he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. But his eyes are searching, and his mouth and jaw are relaxed.

His eyes flick to the bottles behind me and his body goes taut.

“Is this where you got the potion that you used on Saturday night?” The humor is gone and there’s a flash of anger on Roman’s face before he regains his composure.

I shuffle back a small step, afraid I’ll run into the bottles of potion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whisper, unable to tear my eyes from his.

Roman follows, his powerful body caging me into the small alcove. “I think you do. How did you do it? Which one of these allowed me to feel?”

I blink up at him in confusion. He’s so close. His intoxicating smell surrounds me until I can’t sort through my thoughts. Why does he have to smell so good? His breath washes against my cheek and I shiver. What if Saturday wasn’t an anomaly? What if I could touch him and not feel pain.

Wait, what did he just say?

“Are you accusing me of drugging you?” I’m not whispering anymore. My question comes out in a shrill octave much higher than normal. I jerk my head back and the bottles behind me clink together.

“Are you denying it?” I didn’t think it was possible for men to growl, but that’s exactly how his words come out.

“Listen, Blackthorn, I’m sure you’re used to everyone bowing to you, but I’m not some underling that you can blame whatever damage you have on.” I can’t believe those words just came out of my mouth. Who am I right now? Why does this man unleash this brazen part of me?

Roman steps forward again, but I have nowhere to go. If I move back, bottles will rain down on the floor. A gasp slips out when I realize Roman’s body is flush with mine.

And there’s no pain.

Roman’s brow furrows when his hand bumps against mine. Instinctively, I pull away, but there’s no need. It doesn’t hurt. How is this possible?

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