Page 30 of The Royal Street Witch
“May I?” he asks, nodding toward the open stool.
“It’s your seat, right?”
He sits, looking to his brother as Chantal dances near the stage. This could get awkward.
“Really?” He’s not amused at all, and I tilt my head trying to keep my expression serious.
“Really, what?”
“Flirting in front of me?”
“Uh, he approached me.” I rest my chin on my hand. “You jealous?”
He leans in, a little too close, and takes a moment to breathe me in. “You smell like fucking heaven.” His lips brush against my ear, making my lips part, my breath stalling because I wish that Bastian was the cowboy and I could actually call him and fuck him and do all the things he wants to do with me. But he’s not.
“Of course I’m jealous.”
“I like those words,” I say, catching a glare from Cassius. “Did you tell him?”
“Are you kidding? He’s going to need a PowerPoint presentation before I approach him.” He cocks an eyebrow. “You like that I’m jealous?”
I take a deep breath. “Brought two vials of the potion, in case you wanted to try with him.” I pat my purse.
“I want to try with you.”
He’s so intense and it’s startling because Bastian is usually so laid back and cool and the opposite of intense, yet there’s something electrifying about it.
“What’s he doing here, then?”
He sighs and looks over to Cassius, who’s attention is solely on his phone. “He needed a breather and asked to come with. I omitted the fact that I was meeting you. So this is just a ‘surprise.’ He runs his thumb along his bottom lip. “He’ll have questions, but he’ll know everything soon enough.”
“Soon enough…” I repeat, falling into thoughts of what the future holds.
“I was trying to be a big boy and be patient, but I was kinda going crazy. I’m happy I ran into you before you texted.”
“That’s a problem, Bastian. That’s a real problem.”
His tongue presses against his top lip and I want to taste it again. I want it in my mouth, and I am in trouble. Maybe if we just fucked, just let it happen, all the desire will fizzle out, but something tells me it would only fuel the flames.
“And when I do find you, you’re flirting with Tim McGraw over there, and we couldn’t be any more different.”
I try not to grin, but I can’t help it. I open my mouth to tell him that Tim McGraw isn’t my type, but Chantal approaches with two beers and a scowl on her face.
“Why?” she asks, placing a beer in front of me. She’s visibly drunk, her eyes red and watery. “I get it, you’re fucking hot and sexy but you can’t hang with us. Okay?”
Bastian stands and laughs. “You think I’m hot and sexy?”
“Fuck, everyone in this room thinks you’re hot and sexy. So pick someone else to smile at like that, because it won’t work on us. You’re off limits.”
And there it is. The smile sinks from my face as I eye Bastian, and he feels it too. Cassius is watching us from the bar, and now I can’t breathe.
“Is he bothering you?” She looks at me for answers and I have none.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say, clutching my purse.
“Wait.” Bastian grabs my wrist and that’s when Chantal stands up straight.
“Don’t you fucking touch her,” she yells, and I thinkHEATand pour a flaming sensation into my wrist, and Bastian lets go as if burnt. Across the bar, Cassius stands, and I hate the way Bastian is glaring at me.
