Page 28 of Curses and Cauldrons

I’ve been looking everywhere in the room, taking in the shelves of books, and the small bar in the corner of the room. Is this cottage one the resort rents out, or is this…does Roman live here? I look up and find Roman searching my face like he’s looking for answers.

“Okay,” I murmur, staring straight back at the first man I can touch without pain in years.

“What is your curse, Josephine?”

14

ROMAN

I’m fucking this up real good. I meant to ask that question more delicately, but I’m a little out of my depth here. None of this is typical for me. I’m not totally sure how to ask Josephine what I want without scaring the fuck out of her.

“That’s kind of a personal question.” Josephine’s eyes flash. I keep seeing hints of fire in her, but it’s so smothered it only flares on occasion. I wonder what kind of life she’s had that has left her so timid.

With a nod, I leave my spot at the fireplace and sit down on the couch. I want to pluck Josephine off her seat and drag her onto my lap. I want to see if I still feel her or if our interactions so far have been a fluke. She’s sitting so stiffly that she’d probably run screaming from here if I did.

I lean forward, resting my forearms on my thighs, lightly clasping my hands together. In business deals, sometimes you have to give a little to get. I’ve brought Josephine here; I’m going to have to show some of my cards if I want her to do the same.

“I can’t feel.”

Josephine’s brows dip. She’s pale again today. The shadows are back under her eyes. Does the woman not sleep? Doesn’t she take care of herself at all?

“As in…you don’t have emotions?” She lifts her hand and bites her thumbnail. I’m close enough that I only have to reach out, and my fingers catch her wrist. Josephine sucks in a breath. Her mouth parts, and her eyes fill with a stunned kind of pain that I can’t identify.

I hold in my own gasp and fight to keep my eyes open. Her skin under my fingers is warm, delicate, and soft. It wasn't an anomaly. It’s her.

“I can’t feel touch,” I choke out. “There’s no sensation. If I burn my skin or cut myself, it’s nothing. Just numbness. Except with you. You, I feel.”

Josephine looks like she’s going to cry. Why? My hand is still wrapped around her wrist, and she hasn’t pulled away from me. That’s a good sign, right?

“I feel pain whenever someone touches me.” The words stumble out in one breath. She blinks rapidly, a slight flush coloring her cheeks.

“Fuck.” I drop my hold on her and rear back like I’ve been scalded. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Here I am, thinking she might be my salvation, a fucking gift from the universe for once in my goddamn life, and I’m her nightmare. I might be able to feel her, but my touch causes her pain. Isn’t that one hell of a cosmic joke?

I stand up and pace back over to the fireplace, dragging a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was hurting you.” I can’t look at her. What was I thinking? Calling her work and setting up some fucking clandestine appointment? “You should go.”

A hand drops to my forearm, and I spin around. Josephine is standing in front of me, still holding on to my arm. Isn’t that hurting her?

“I feel pain whenever someone touches me... Except for you.” She shakes her head. Her eyes search my face like I have the answer to this puzzle.

“Why?” I murmur. It’s not really a question for her. I’m sure she knows about as much as I do.

“Why?” She nods. I slowly lift my hands and cup her face, gently rubbing my thumbs over her cheeks. Her eyelids lower, and her lips part. I’m so tempted to kiss her. I can’t think when I touch her, though. Reluctantly, I take a step back and put enough distance between us that I won’t grab her. Probably.

I’m suddenly nervous. Me. Fucking nervous. “You’re part of the Lumen coven,” I state idiotically as if she isn’t aware. “But all I can think about is fucking you.” I drag a hand down my face. What the fuck is wrong with me? I didn’t mean to say that.

Josephine sucks in a breath and starts to cough. “Um…” She coughs again. “Can I have some water?”

She stumbles back to the chair while I get her water from the kitchen. I hand it to her, our fingers brushing when she takes the glass. Her green eyes are wide as she stares up at me. I swallow thickly and curse my dick for taking over control of my brain. I go back to my spot on the couch.

Josephine takes a long drink and then holds the glass in both hands. “Are you asking me to be your fuck buddy?”

There really isn’t a good word for what I’m asking for. A booty call? Friends with benefits? Except I barely know her, so we can’t really be considered friends. “In light of our family situations, we can’t exactly be seen out with each other.” It’s not like I can date her. I’m not even sure I want to. She’s way more passive than the women I’m typically attracted to. Not to mention, she’s a light witch. Even if we could date withoutgetting both the covens and our families bent out of shape, we probably wouldn’t be a good fit. Not that I’m going to tell her all that.

Josephine stares at me for a long moment and then finishes the rest of her water. “This is a lot to take in.” She sets the water down and stands up.

I follow her to the door but don’t crowd her. Her fingers are splayed at her side like she’s about to throw off magic. I believe her specialty is healing, but she might have other magic I’m not aware of. Not that I think she’s about to blast me against the wall, but she’s definitely skittish.

She spins around, catching me off guard. Her chest heaves with her breaths. “I can’t stop thinking about how it would feel to have you on top of me.”

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