Page 46 of Curses and Cauldrons

“No. She doesn’t,” I murmur.

Roman sucks in a deep breath, like he’s getting ready to unleash a barrage of questions or maybe a lecture. Instead, he blows it out. His shoulders relax with the exhalation.

“Did you find anything in the grimoire the other day?”

I mentioned in a text that I checked out one of our coven’s grimoires. I shift in my seat, thinking about the punishment my mother inflicted after she found me there. She enlisted the help of my father and Camille to grab me after work and hold me down until I passed out.

“Not much. I didn’t have a ton of time before I had to get back to work.”

I study Roman’s face and don’t miss the way his jaw clenches when I mention work.

“If you didn’t have family obligations, if you didn’t work at the spa, what would you want to do for a living?”

We’ve moved deep into the countryside, the road winding beneath the naked oak and maple branches. It should feeldesolate, but there’s freedom in escaping our small town and the watchful eyes of our covens and families.

“I’d still want to heal people. I volunteer at the hospital whenever I can. I don’t have a lot of free time, but I like helping.” I smile a little. “Piper and I used to dream of opening our own store. She’s incredible at brewing potions; in fact, she does a lot for Morty. I would help with healing tonics.” My sigh is heavy and resigned. I don’t want to talk about dreams that will never come true. “What about you? Is the hotel industry where your heart lies?”

Roman chuckles. “Honestly, neither Bram nor I are suited for any of the front-of-the-house business, but I don’t mind the other aspects. Thankfully, we have good staff to help with the people side of things.”

It’s my turn to laugh. Brooding does appear to run in the family. I haven’t been around Bram often enough to know his true personality, but he’s a bit of an enigma. One moment, he seems quick to smile, and the next, there’s a darkness that’s almost frightening.

“What would you do if you weren’t locked into the family business?”

Roman opens his mouth and then closes it. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve never considered the option.” He makes a sound that’s part surprise, part consideration. “Everything in my life has always been set in stone, you know.”

I nod because, yeah, I do.

Roman takes his eyes off the road, briefly looking at me. “It’s only recently that I’ve even considered that maybe I shouldn’t settle for how things have always been done.”

23

JOSEPHINE

After a five-minute drive down a winding gravel road, Roman parks the car in front of a small cabin nestled among pine and fir trees.

“It’s something out of a postcard,” I murmur.

“It’s nothing fancy. Two bedrooms. Although there is a hot tub on the deck out back.” Roman raises an eyebrow. I blush as images flicker through my head in a dirty slideshow.

Roman chuckles as he gets out of the car. He’s already on my side, opening the door before I have a chance to let myself out. He waves a hand, and his magic flares to life, igniting a series of small lights along the path. His magic is dreamlike and luscious. I’ve always been told that dark magic taps into a poisonous side of powers, but that’s not what it feels like to be this close to Roman when he uses his power.

His magic calls to me. It’s a warm burst of power that enfolds me in its hold and seeps into my skin. My own magic strains to twine together with his. It wraps around me, along with Roman’s spicy scent. I sway toward him, drawn in by his very essence.Roman presses in with a breathy exhale, our bodies flush, my back pinned against the side of the car.

“What are you doing to me?” His lips move against my ear.

“That sounds like an accusation.” I’m breathless, my skin tingling everywhere.

“It’s a statement of fact. You have invaded my every waking thought. I can’t get through the day without checking my phone a thousand times, desperate to see your name on the screen.”

I can’t take any more. My body’s on fire. My brain is melting from his closeness and his words. The fact that he feels the same way and I’m not the only one who has been consumed with thoughts of him is freeing. With a desperate sound, I hook my hands around his neck and pull his head down. I meet him in a kiss that puts all the others to shame.

Roman kisses like he does everything, with confidence and control. Some foolish part of me wants him to relinquish that hold and let go completely. I suck on his bottom lip, dragging my teeth a little. I don’t know where this boldness is coming from. I’m so damn inexperienced I might as well be a virgin, but Roman makes me feel sexy, seen.

Roman rocks against me, his erection pressing into my stomach. I moan, my nails digging into his neck.

“Fuck.” Roman pulls back, his breaths coming in rapid pants. “If we don’t stop, I’m going to screw you against this car. While that has its appeal, I promised you a date.”

I drop my head to his chest, an embarrassed huff of laughter surfacing. “Yeah. Good call.”

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