Page 49 of Hot in Witch City
“No…” He ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. “What I mean is…”
When he paused, I prodded, “What?”
“I have—” He paused and stared outside again. He brought his hands together, bringing the fingertips to his mouth. “I don’t know how to say this.”
I shrugged. “Just—say the words.” That wasn’t exactly helpful encouragement, but his tension started to affect me.
“My feelings for you are… They’re more than just friendship.”
I pursed my lips as I stared down at my nearly empty plate. “You know how I feel about relationships.”
“Right.” His tone turned wary.
“Nothing has changed there.”
“Oh.”
How he could convey so much dejection in that short syllable struck me with a painful twist. I didn’t want to hurt him. I didn’t want to lose him.
But I still didn’t know what the hell I wanted.
“Since I obviously can’t stay away from you and your sexual prowess,” I teased to lighten the serious vibe, “Maybe we should be lovers.”
When I raised my gaze to meet his troubled ones, they gleamed with more hope.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“For a little while,” I added. “Until we get whatever it is between us out of our systems.”
Sebastian cocked his head. “What if that doesn’t happen?”
I exhaled and wrapped both hands around my mug. “Sebastian, you know I’m already out of sorts on meeting my mother tonight. Please don’t heap anything else onto me right now.”
“Understood.” He reached across the table and touched one of my hands, still clutching my mug. “Could you consider one thing for me, Gianna?”
“What?”
“Can we keep this exclusive? Don’t sleep with another guy. My wolf can’t take it.” He gulped. “And neither can I.”
I hadn’t wanted to. And the idea of Sebastian with anyone else stabbed me with a jealous twist. “That means you won’t sleep with anyone else, too, right?”
“Right.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “For now.”
It wastime to drive to the beach house. Tension crept around me like an irksome shadow, making it nearly impossible for me to sit still. I drove my red coupe to the address, a weathered-shingled, two-story house with snow-covered Rose of Sharon bushes on the shore. I pulled into the driveway and then climbed out, anxiety weighing my steps as I walked to the front door.
After I knocked, my mother answered, wearing a flowing, sea-green dress. "Gianna. I'm so glad you came.” She stepped aside. “Come on in and I’ll introduce you to the others.”
I followed my mother into the house, which went overboard with the beach décor. Seashells and seaside paintings were prominent. Around a dozen people milled about inside, mostly women who were flawless and beautiful. Many held red plastic cups as if this was a college party.
"Everyone, this is my daughter Gianna," my mother announced with a wide smile.
What the hell had I walked into?
Chapter 10
Gianna
