Page 38 of Curses and Cauldrons

Roman frowns, reaching out to grab his coffee and take another drink. “How so?”

“Well, we hold hands, kind of like you and your brother.” I smile at him, but he doesn’t reciprocate. “And our magic sort of flows to one another.”

“I was joking about that bit.” He’s still frowning. “I’ve not heard of this power sharing between family members. That must be specific to the Lumen coven.” There’s a slight tone to his voice that has me frowning. I don’t love a lot about my coven, but that doesn’t mean someone else gets to make comments about it.

I trace the lettering on my coffee cup. Ava got it for me as a joke. It has a cactus on it and says, “Can’t touch this.” It came with a set. The one that says, “I don’t give a succulent,” is currently in my sink from Ava’s coffee.

My family and I have shared power for as long as I can remember. Now that Roman’s talking about it, I can’t help but think about the rest of our coven. I’m usually in so much pain during the ceremony that I don’t pay attention to what anyone else is doing, but he’s right. It isn’t typical. None of my friends and their families power share. Granted, Ava doesn’t talk to her parents, and Piper tries to avoid hers whenever possible.

“You’re right. I don’t think it is normal.” A pit forms in my stomach.

“But last night was different? Normally, you get a boost of energy?”

It should feel like Roman is prying. Asking too many invasive questions for someone I don’t know all that well. I guess I’m a fool because it feels protective, like he’s concerned for me.

“I don’t, actually. I’m always a little drained after the new moon ceremony, but nothing like last night.”

Roman hums, sucking in his bottom lip and looking lost in his thoughts. I’m struck dumb for a moment. He’s so incredibly handsome. His dark hair is messy, and his shirt rumpled. Hissleeves are pushed back, showing off a fair amount of bronzed, muscled forearm. I turn away, using the excuse of refilling my coffee to give myself a moment to cool down.

When I turn back around, Roman’s eyes dip to my chest before traveling down to my hips and thighs. I don’t know what he sees because there’s nothing special about my body. Add to that, sleeping in my clothes all night after collapsing in the woods, and I’m sure I look like a banshee. I touch my ponytail.

“I need a shower. Badly. I’m just going to…” I point down the hall toward the bathroom. “Um, help yourself to whatever. Or if you need to go, I get it.” I clamp my mouth shut to stop blubbering, spin on my heel, and escape to the bathroom.

I press my back against the closed door and drag in a deep breath. My body is tingling, and I can’t tell if I’m nervous, excited, or turned on right now. All I know is that Roman Blackthorn is looking like sex incarnate and is sitting in my kitchen. How is this happening?

I shower in a daze. Everything that happened over the last twenty-four hours runs through my head. Questions about the power-sharing my family does, the extreme fatigue that hit me this time, and the fact that Roman showed up when Ava called him. Then let me sleep on him like a body pillow all night long. Not to mention, the thoughts I had about the Mother and the Crone, like we were missing something by not including them in our ceremony.

Roman barely knows me. He’s a dark witch. Common sense says that he would have told Ava to get fucked and hung up on her. Instead, he’s sitting in my kitchen, drinking coffee out of a cactus themed mug and giving me looks that make me burn.

“Crap.” I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body. I didn’t bring any clothes in here. That’s fine. I’ll just sneak across the hall to my bedroom.

Steam billows out when I open the door. I swear to the Maiden, it parts and reveals Roman like a dark God. I clutch the top of my towel. Whether it’s to hold it in place or rip it off so I can offer myself up like a sacrifice is anyone’s guess.

Roman takes one step, closing the distance between us. I tip my head back, my eyes locking onto his stormy gray gaze.

“I have to go, but I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” He shakes his head and steps away. I should let him leave and run over to my bedroom to get some clothes on. Instead, my feet follow of their own accord until we’re standing in my living room. His coat is gripped tightly in his hand. His gaze dips down my body and his throat bobs as he swallows.

“Okay, goodbye. And thank you. You didn’t have to help, but I appreciate it. I’d probably still be out in the woods this morning, if not for you.”

Roman drops his coat back on the chair and cups my cheek in one hand, his other curling around my waist and pulling me in closer. I clutch my towel in one hand, but my other floats to his chest. I nearly close my eyes in pleasure. Will I ever get used to this casual touching? The sensation of his warm hand, the tight grip just above my hip that doesn’t hurt but feels incredible. The way his chest rises and falls under my hand.

“I did need to come.” Roman’s voice is low, teetering on the edge of feral.

“Okay.” I exhale the word in agreement.

Roman watches me as he lowers his head and brushes the barest of kisses over my mouth. He doesn’t deepen it. His entire body is tense, every muscle flexed like he’s fighting to stay still. My magic hums, pulsing in waves and pressing against my skin.

I ache. For him.

I grab the back of Roman’s neck and pull him down, deepening the kiss with a desperate sound. He groans into my mouth and I drink it down, instantly wet. He slides his handsdown my back and under the towel to grab my ass and drag me against his body. Fuck my towel. I let go so I can use both hands to feel his skin, pushing them under his shirt. The way his muscles bunch and flex under my touch makes me shiver. The towel drops to the ground and Roman makes an inhuman sound.

“Fuck, what are you doing to me?” he murmurs against my lips before diving back in and kissing me until I’m dizzy.

What am I doing to him? He’s the one making me lose my mind with one kiss.

Roman’s head lifts and the hint of a smile curls up the edges of his lips. “What is this?”

I turn my head to see what he’s talking about. My eyes go wide at the sight of the giant mirror in my living room.

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