Page 78 of Dark Moon Secrets

Clearly, Luna didn’t want me reading any of the books. This only meant I wanted to get my hands on them even more.

I tapped on the floor, wondering if a secret compartment was under the floorboards. Not detecting any hollow sounds and getting bored quickly, I went back to checking behind the hanging material.

Systematically moving around the shop, I peered behind bookcases and curtains, running my hands over the surfaces. I found nothing.

There’s got to be a spell for this.

Distracted, I pushed the material back and froze. I’d made a full circle around the shop and ended back at the window.

No sign of a wolf.

Instead, Alaric stared back at me, the streetlight highlighting his features. He grinned at me and waved.

My heart rattled with excitement. I gave a small wave back, and heat flushed to my cheeks.

He tilted his head to the door.

Should I let him in?

Hell yeah. He wasn’t a wolf. Nothing wrong with my eyesight. He was human, dressed rather smart tonight, I must say—ripped jeans and loose black shirt, open enough at the top to get a glimpse of his chest, hair waxed into a neat, ruffled look, clean-shaven, and ready for lips to be kissed.

I let the curtain fall quickly to hide my face. I’d let my thoughts get away too quickly.

Fanning myself with my hands, I went to the front door. Luna locked it, but now my magical abilities were developing well, I used a little, concealing the light, to open the old bolt. Hand on the handle, I turned and pulled it toward me.

“Can I come in?”

“You do know we’re not open, right?”

“Yeah, but you’re the boss lady, and maybe I want to buy something.” He raised his eyebrow suggestively. “Or maybe I want to browse.”

You can browse me if you like.

I opened the door wider and stepped to the side.

“Only because you asked so nicely.”

I got a whiff of his spicy aftershave, and it sent my head spinning with delight. My body ached to feel his with mine as he walked past me into the shop.

This is ridiculous. He was only a man. I was letting myself get carried away way too easily.

If my friends were here, they would be encouraging me to act.

This could be my chance to get to know a local better and discover local insights about what was fast becoming my home.

I peered out into the street—it was empty. No witches were in sight who would come down and tell me off for letting Al in the shop, especially Luna, who had told me to keep away from him.

Her words were the motivation that would lead me straight into his arms. I closed the door and leaned back into it as I saw him standing in the shop, my breath catching as I took in his sexy, hot appearance. I wanted his arms around me, his hands on my body, his lips on mine.

“You look stunning tonight. Are you going out?” he asked. His eyes paused on my neckline.

“I thought you were wanting to peruse for something?”

“Maybe I’ve already found it.”

Too soon. Too soon. I maintained his gaze, his eyes easy to get lost in. I didn’t care how soon this was or what this was. I wanted him now.

He radiated a danger that only drew me to him even more. No doubt about it, I wanted him, now. Being cooped up here for the last few days made me even edgier to do something for myself.

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