Page 39 of Bewitched & Bewildered
The rest of the interaction is short and generic, but he may beat us in customer service. Ozan is charming to everyone except me.
“Can I help you?”
He finally speaks to me, and I nearly drop the book I’m holding.
“Um…um…”
I don’t see the book's title until it falls to the floor.
Sex Magic: Use Your Pleasure To…
Oh, my god.
His expression is perfectly calm and polite. He doesn’t meet my gaze with judgment, shock, or that smirk he sometimes wears. Because he thinks I’m someone else—thank the goddess.
He bends over to pick up the book and holds it out.
“No,” I say, carefully pitching my voice higher. I take the book. “I’m just browsing.” With shaking hands, I slip it back on the shelf.
“Are you sure? That’s a fun read. Very informative.”
“Oh?” I blink. “Do you use… that?”
My mind drifts. I’ve never explored sex magic, and it sounds like Ozan has. A picture enters my mind without permission. His hand on his?—
I shake my head, pushing it away.
“Occasionally.” He shrugs. “It’s not my preferred way to charge a spell, but sometimes it works best.”
I can’t believe I’m having this talk with him…
And I can’t believe howgoodhe is at his job. He’s sold me on this book within minutes.
There’s a reason I specialize in potions. They don’t require me to summon energy. The ingredients do the work for me. It’s analytical, precise, and careful. I follow my rules, read my books, and?—
It’s the opposite of sex magic, which is purely energetic. It’s intention.
I shake my head, letting out a flustered laugh. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
OZAN
I know it’s Juniper the moment she enters the shop. She carries herself differently than other people. Her posture is straight, and her hips sway. While her hair is a different color, I know the exact spot it hits in the middle of her back.
Her coming in disguise is weird enough, but it’s in character. Juniper is a strange woman. Holding a book about sex magic in broad daylight has to be the most surprising thing she’s done yet.
“Do you need help with anything else?” I ask.
I don’t want to move on from the book, but she wants to. It’s for the best that we do. My mind could wander if I let it—to touching her, to sparks flying between us.
“Not—not with that!”
I lift a brow and fight off a smile. “With what?”
She shakes her head.
I can’t believe Juniper Hawthorne is flustered by me—or anyone. I’ve never seen her so bashfulin all my years of knowing her. Her cheeks are as red as a rose, and her fingers twitch at her sides.
“Not with a book.” She exhales slowly. “Can you tell me about your potions?”
