Page 19 of Unhinged Magic
Holy. Shit.
I slapped a hand over my mouth, stifling a smile at the sensor mage.
Morgan let out a laugh. “A definite ten.”
The three of us shared a knowing look, the buzz of the alcohol sending us into another fit of laughter. This is what I needed. To focus on my time with the girls. Nothim.
It felt good not giving Wesley the attention he was obviously used to getting from women. Served him right because, if he thought he could go around telling me who I could and couldn’t dance with, persisting on this mate bond thing, he could take a hike.
When we got back to Tyler’s house, we piled into his basement and a tequila shot came my way. “I hate these,” I said, grimacing as it burned my throat. I quickly sucked on a slice of lemon to rid the awful flavor in my mouth.
“Disgusting,” came Jade’s voice from beside me. She made a sour face, laughing.
It became clear this night was not over as I felt the tequila hit my bloodstream.
I tried to ignore Wesley the best I could, dancing with the girls on top of Tyler’sverysturdy coffee table. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but Scar dragged me up, saying it was like a ritual after every night out. A must do before we end the night.
Lost in the music coming from a nearby speaker, I closed my eyes, letting my hips sway to the beat. The song’s lyrics sprang from my chest, and I threw my hands in the air, feeling the beat move through me. When I suddenly lost my balance, I clung to Scar with a laugh, before righting myself once more.
Over her shoulder, I spotted Wesley leaning against the back of an armchair, his gaze drifting over me, catching my own. He took a long drink from his beer, and I turned away, still feeling the pull of his gaze. I kept dancing, my skin seeming to come alive under his quiet observation. As much as I tried, I couldn’t ignore him. I needed to have a serious pep talk with my girlbits, which had apparently awoken from a deep slumber, now threatening to burn a hole in my panties. It was infuriating.
I glanced at him again, immediately wishing I hadn’t.
A twitch in his jaw and he dragged his attention back to the room. “I call for truth or dare,” he said loudly.
“Please no,” I murmured.
I did not need this. Not here with him. Or my brother, for that matter.
Everyone in the room seemed to be keen, and my stomach bottomed out. I had to play it cool, act like I didn’t care. Then quietly remove myself from this situation when I could.
The game progressed quickly, and I dodged my turn before I found a chance to discretely leave the room. There was no way I would watch Morgan dirty dance on my brother’s lap. I had already caught sight of them dancing in the bar, and that alone had been cause enough to make me dry retch.
I snuck out of the basement as the music started, making my way back up the stairs to find the bathroom.
Gripping the washbasin, I looked up at my reflection.
Horrendous. Dark smudges lined my eyes, and my hair looked like I’d been dragged through a hedge backwards. My hazy gaze stared back at me, and I winced, rubbing a finger to my temple at the dull thump sounding in my skull.
Ugh.
I tried to wipe away the shadows from my smudged mascara, running the pads of my fingers underneath. I should have spent the extra money and brought the waterproof option.
Leaning over the basin, my elbows hit the porcelain as I held my head in my hands, the thudding in my ears growing louder with every passing second. I cursed out loud.
“You okay?”
I lifted my gaze to find Wesley leaning against the door frame, arms folded and thumb doing that stupid thing on his bottom lipagain. If it wasn’t the thumb thing, it was the cracking knuckle thing. Why did those miniscule things seem to become suddenly noticeable?
I massaged a finger over my temple, rubbing it in small circles. “Yeah, just a headache.”
My attention dropped to his thumb, lingering close to his mouth before it formed a tight fist. I turned around, leaning against the washbasin.
“I could make you one of Scar’s chamomile teas?” he offered, his irises softening. “Her brews always help when I have a headache.”
His demeanor was cautious, his stare curious.
I knew he was right. Scar sold the best herbal tea at her apothecary, but I just didn’t feel like tea. I was tired.
