Page 50 of Witchful Thinking

“Mom said a cake that nice deserves a real kitchen,” Alex said with a grin. “She stole it.”

Lucy laughed. “Did you even get a taste?”

“I did.” The cream puffs had melted in his mouth.

“So, what did you think?”

“You’re gifted.”

She looked at him. He saw open tenderness in her gaze. It rendered him speechless. He wished she would never stop looking at him this way. “You’re too nice.”

A lump formed in his throat. “It’s the truth.”

Lucy opened the tea caddy. It held teaspoons; the top was decorated with printed labels explaining every type of loose tea brew in artfully arranged jars. The top listed the selection in the caddy and what it helped with. Alex scanned the labels, trying to decide whether he wanted to decode his dreams or manage his stress. The scent of sage and leaves hit him, easing his nerves. His attention drifted over the bottle underneath the yellow label that claimed to help him pick the right path.

“What type of tea would you like?”

Alex picked the yellow label. “I’ll have the hibiscus and honey brew.”

“Hmmm…interesting choice.” Lucy picked up a small spoon and doled out dashes of loose leaves into the cup.

“How so?” Alex asked cautiously.

He had never really vibed with herbs and flowers. The fruits of the Earth just made him aware that the ocean was his home. The curve of her lips and the amused gleam in her eyes relaxed him.

“These herbs are aphrodisiacs.”

“They make you fall in love?” Alex gave her a side-eye glance. Lucy detached the kettle from the base and poured steaming water into the cups. They settled at the table for the reading. Loose tea leaves and parts of dried flowers bobbed on the water’s surface. Steam curled up and evaporated into the air.

She lifted a brow. “There’s nothing about this tea that has anything to do with love.”

“Really?”

“It’s all about lust, desire—yearning. Aphrodisiacs are all about getting the blood moving, the juices flowing. They’re about bringing out absolute pleasure.”

He was caught off guard by the sudden husky quality to her voice. He noted the tightness of her shirt around her curves. Alex shifted in his chair and hoped that he wouldn’t shame himself by getting turned on over tea. Fantastic.

“So, you’re not dropping a love potion in my drink?” Alex joked.

Lucy gave a head shake and made a face. “No way. That’s a rookie move. If I wanted, you’d be my love zombie. I have many ways.”

Alex smiled as his mind thought about all her unlisted ways. “Love zombie?”

Lucy’s smile was as intimate as a kiss when she said, “Yes, because my love is so good, you’ll crawl out of your grave to have more of me.”

Blood drained from his face, traveling southward to other parts, and his mind conjured an image of them. He was covered in graveyard dirt while she was in a lacy, tight nightgown befitting a neo-Gothic romance heroine. He’d dragged himself from the grave just for her flesh. They rolled around underneath the moonlight on the wet grass. His hands dug into her thighs while she pressed herself against him, and he bit the sensitive skin behind her ear. He squeezed her willing body; she threw her head back and screamed his name—

“Alex. Your tea’s getting cold.” Lucy slid the cup over to him. Alex shifted in his chair again, unable to hide his excitement from this angle. He focused on his tea to cool himself down. All this talk of aphrodisiacs was giving him good ideas of how to be bad in the best way.

Lucy motioned over to the small crystal bowls. “Sugar?”

“Yes, honey?”

Lucy blushed. Oh. It’s nice to know that little flirtations and compliments made her blush. She added honey to both their teas. He’d keep that in mind. He drank slowly, enjoying the bright, fragrant taste. There was no reason to rush a good cup of tea. Lucy sipped her cup, finishing her drink much quicker than him.

“How’s your drink?”

“It’s good—nice and sweet. Just like a certain witch I know.”

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