Page 45 of Hot in Witch City
Chapter 9
Gianna
Color me intrigued by this wolf. I couldn’t seem to get Sebastian out of my mind.
Even as I swam the next day, thoughts of him consumed me. Swimming often helped me get out of my head. It wasn’t just exercise, but also stress relief. While I tried to focus on my stroke and form, I replayed how sweet and considerate he’d been at the restaurant last night. The surprising part was that he didn’t try to sleep with me afterward.
Hmm, I wasn’t used to that. Guys were basically walking erections, weren’t they?
Maybe we could have something more than casual sex?
Like what? I wasn’t interested in a relationship. When I reached the wall, I flipped and swam backstroke down the length of the pool.
Then why did I ask him out with another couple? Ah, this was not the time to add more complications into my life, especially as my anxiety rose about meeting my mother and her pod.
Or was it?
It could be thebesttime. Spending time with Sebastian had been a satisfying distraction. Why not have a little fun and a few more orgasms? As long as we set clear expectations, no one would get hurt, right?
After I finished swimming and showered, I returned to my townhouse to unwind. I had a few hours before heading into the lively atmosphere of the club and enjoyed the quiet of my private oasis.
I made a peanut butter and banana sandwich, one of the meals I often ate during the lean times of saving money for the club. Those were some rough years. I’d worked many side gigs to put more money into the business. Once the club was profitable, I moved on to my next investment with this townhouse and was proud when I signed the papers myself. I didn’t have to live off peanut butter sandwiches anymore, but still loved them.
While I ate, I watched a rerun of “What We Do in the Shadows” on the TV. I loved any show with supernaturals. Humans rarely got it right, but when they did, it was fun to guess if it was some writer’s imagination or insider knowledge.
After I finished eating, I called Nova to talk about our plan. Funny how much I was looking forward to going out with Sebastian.
“What do you think we should do when we go out on our non-double date,” I asked her.
She laughed. “Hmm, what can you do when you have four people,” she paused and cleared her throat, “who are most definitelynoton a date?”
I glanced at some books on my bookshelf, one with adventurous things to do in the area. “We could go into Boston.”
“That sounds good. I was looking online for something new to try. Maybe one of those scavenger hunt type of outings.”
“That would be better in the spring,” I noted. Weather in New England in January could be crappy.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Nova replied. “We should probably plan for indoors. Like an arcade or escape room.”
“Ooh, I thought of something. There’s this place where you can do work as a team on solving puzzles. They’re shorter, like a few minutes each, so it’s not as intense as an hour stuck trying to escape from a room. I went with my staff last year, and we had a great time.”
“Perfect. I’ll talk to Diego, see when he has the night off.”
Before she suggested talking to Sebastian, too, I volunteered. “I’ll call Sebastian.” It would give me a reason to hear the voice of the shifter who had been in my head far too often today.
After I ended the call with Nova, I called him. “Hey, Sebastian. I just wanted to thank you again for dinner last night.”
“It was my pleasure.”
His deep, rumbling baritone sent a shiver of heat along my skin. Damn, he had the sexiest voice.
“Anytime you want to stop by or grab some takeout, let me know,” he added. “I'll take care of you.”
He always did. My breath quickened at the promise in his words, my mind jumping to a sensual scenario instead.
Alas, I was proud to be an independent woman who didn't need a guy, but the way Sebastian looked out for me felt good. Was there anything wrong with that? I couldn’t think of any—unless it confined my lifestyle somehow or infringed on my freedom.
“That’s sweet of you.” I twirled my hair around my fingers. “One day, I’ll find a way to treat you just as well.” When I heard my flirtatious tone, I straightened and lowered my hand.
