Page 19 of A Match Made in Coven
Sarah Michelle set her jaw, refusing to be charmed. “Fine. Bring enough for three. My roommate will be there.”
“Your wish is my command.”
“And leave the charm home. It’s wasted on me.”
With that, she stalked to her car, not looking back. The drive home was a blur, her thoughts a vortex of frustration, second-guessing, and reluctant anticipation. She paid so little attention to the road, it took her a full minute to register she had pulled into her driveway.
She stormed inside, slamming the door behind her. “Andy! We’ve got company coming.”
Her roommate glanced up from the couch where she sat surrounded by crystals and burned-out incense sticks. Dressed in yoga pants and an oversized sweater, hair piled messily atop her head, Andromeda arched a brow. “Oh? Do tell.”
The fight drained out of her. “Lorcan Black. He’s… consulting on the case.”
Andromeda’s eyes went wide. “Tall, Blond, and Magical? I thought you were steering clear of that one.”
“Yeah, well, he didn’t give me much choice.” Sarah Michelle shrugged out of her coat, tossing it over a chair. “Claims to have information, but he’ll only share if I let him tag along.”
“Hmm.” Andromeda tapped her chin. “And you’re completely aggravated at the idea of spending more time with him.”
Sarah Michelle glared. “I’m not some starry-eyed schoolgirl, Andy. I can handle Lorcan Black.”
Even if his mere presence sent her magic haywire and turned her insides to jelly.
“Yeah, who cares if he’s six-foot-four, with piercing blue eyes, and a smile that could melt a witch’s robes?” Andromeda shrugged, a smirk playing about her lips.
“Oh, shut up.” Sarah Michelle grabbed a throw pillow and chucked it at her giggling roommate. “I’m going to shower. Try not to burn the place down before he gets here.”
Andromeda saluted. “Aye-aye, captain.”
Rolling her eyes, Sarah Michelle headed for the bathroom, slamming the door on Andromeda’s amused chuckles. She twisted the taps, sending a gush of steaming water into the tub. After shucking her uniform, she stepped under the scalding spray, letting it beat against her skin as if it could scour away the day’s frustrations.
And the unwelcome tingle of excitement at the prospect of seeing Lorcan again.
“Hex it all,” she muttered, reaching for the shampoo. It wasn’t like her to get rattled by a wizard, no matter how magnetic his charm or piercing his gaze. She was a professional—putrid zombies eat her brains. She’d worked with informants before, even attractive ones. This was no different.
Except it was.
Because Lorcan Black wasn’t just any wizard. He was an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, cloaked in a fine set of muscles. One minute, he was all flirtatious banter and sly grins, the next, he showed an intense focus that sent shivers down her spine. She couldn’t get a read on him.
And Sarah Michelle hated that.
She scrubbed at her skin until it glowed pink, as if she could wash away the confusing jumble churning in her gut. The steam curled around her, thick and heavy, but was no match for the tension coiled in her muscles. If anything, the heat only sharpened her awareness, every nerve ending buzzing with restless energy.
“Get it together,” she scolded her foggy reflection in the shower screen. This was just another case, another witness to wrangle. She could handle Lorcan Black and his infuriating smirk. She had to.
Her sanity depended on it.
With a resolute nod, Sarah Michelle shut off the water and stepped out, wrapping herself in a fluffy towel. She’d faced down dark wizards and rogue magical beasts. She could survive one night with Tall, Blond, and Insufferable.
Even if his proximity turned the sensible side of her brain upside down and the keen look in his eyes promised delicious, delirious trouble.
Gargoyles help her.
Chapter Eleven
Curry and Conspiracies
LORCAN
