Page 7 of Magic & Mochas
“I don’t want your father’s money, Rasmus.I want you out of my building, and out of my life.”I glared at him, refusing to back down and let him walk all over me again.
A vein throbbed in his forehead, and wisps of flames flickered to life in his hair, like it always did whenever he was angry.“Is there someone else?Is that what this is about?”
“So what if there is?”I said impulsively.And then I panicked when Rasmus’ expression darkened.
This was going to be a very short-lived, very painful lie.My magic skills were impressive, but even I couldn’t conjure a boyfriend out of thin air.
“Anyone I know?”There was a dangerous edge to his voice, the one he always got right before he did something he shouldn’t.
“I—” I started, my voice failing me.What should I do?Should I just admit that I was lying?But then I would never hear the end of it!
The shadows shivered a moment before I heard footsteps on the stairs behind me.“About earlier, I wanted to—” The shadowmancer drew up short when he saw Rasmus, his violet eyes flicking between us and narrowing.
At least he was fully dressed this time.He wore an ocean blue, collared shirt with buttons that ran down the front, with a pair of black pants and shoes that only added to the impression that he was a part of the shadows that seemed to constantly waft from his tanned skin.
With lethal grace, he stepped up beside me.“Am I interrupting something?”
Before I even knew what I was doing, I wrapped my arm around the shadowmancer’s and blurted out, “This is my new boyfriend.”
Whose name I didn't even know.To his credit, the man hardly even blinked at my sudden clinginess and declaration.
Rasmus looked shocked for a moment, but he quickly recovered.“What is he, an actor?There’s no wayyouof all people could—”
“The name’s Thorne.”The shadowmancer seemed to be taking this ridiculous situation in stride, and even held out his hand to Rasmus.
So his name was Thorne.That seemed oddly fitting for the shadowmancer.
Rasmus looked at his scarred and callused hand like it might bite him.“Rasmus.”He hesitantly shook hands with the shadowmancer, and I could tell from his grimace that the man had a brutal grip.
I tried not to smile.
The shadowmancer was cool, calm, and convincing—and more than a little intimidating when he was glowering.At least this time, that glower wasn’t directed atme.Rasmus sized him up, and seemed nervous at what he saw.
“Now, Rasmus, my lovely girlfriend and I were just about to start scrubbing the floor.Lots of old food and whatnot that needs to be chipped off.Care to lend us a hand?”Somehow, he even managed to make his smile look threatening.
“M-Maybe another time.I have…another appointment,” Ramsus stammered quickly.Glancing at me, he added, “I’ll be in town for a while—I’ll make sure to stop by some other time to continue our…discussion.”
And with that, Rasmus scurried out of the shop.
I breathed a sigh of relief, some of the pent-up tension finally leaving my shoulders.Which was when I became acutely aware that I was still holding onto Thorne’s very solid bicep, and that there was an inscrutable expression in his violet eyes as he peered down at me.
Chapter four
Pumpkins & Pretending
Clove
Iabruptlyreleasedhisarm,my cheeks flaming.“Thank you.For playing along back there.”
Thorne ran a hand through his dark hair.“Your ex?”
“Yes.”I bit my lip.“He hates Willowmere.I never imagined he’d follow me all the way here.”
Thorne’s gaze sharpened, and his shadow flickered agitatedly.“Is he stalking you?”
“I…I don’t think so,” I answered slowly, feeling oddly touched that this near-stranger was showing me such concern.“But itdoesworry me that he plans to be in town for a while.He’s not the type to take time off of his precious job in Seattle to spend time in a small town—and especially not just to chaseme.”
“You think he’s here on business.”
