Page 7 of Witch's Betrayal
"She was also the first human woman he saw naked," I joked. "That might have had something to do with it."
"You took all of our cherries, baby," he laughed. "Well, not the first I saw naked but the first woman I touched in human form."
"But definitely not the only one," I replied, lifting an eyebrow.
His playful smirk dropped.
"No," he said quietly. "You're the only one I've ever touched. It's the same for the others."
"You're kidding." My mouth dropped open.
He shrugged. "I mean, you had a new body every twenty to fifty years so it's not like we didn't have variety."
"But for the last thousand years." I lowered my voice to a whisper, even though I knew Nona couldn't hear us. "While I've been gone, you haven't been withanybodyelse?"
He shook his head, his eyes locked on mine. "Sal and I were created for you. We have free will but our desire is only for you. Ash?" He paused to think. "He just loves you more than anything else."
"Shit," I muttered. "I've gone a few years without it andthatfelt like torture."
"Because you’re still human." He raised his teacup to his lips. "It's not so bad to go without sex when the urge to be with one you love is completely gone."
"And then I had to figure it all out and cock tease you guys for a while longer," I chuckled. "That must have been hard, pardon the pun."
He lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. "A little but what's important to us is that you're back for good. I'm sure you've figured out by now that it's more than just mind-blowing magical sex between us."
"Yeah," I smiled warmly. "I have something with each of you that is so unique. And I don't ever want to let it go."
"Yep. You turn Ash into a chatterbox, you and Sal are the calm in each other's chaos. You and me?" he winked. "We got that sexual healing, baby."
"Well you're not wrong," I said, snapping a dish towel at him. "But I didn't think your ego could possibly get any bigger."
"Unfortunately, that's the only part of me that continues to get bigger the longer I live."
I flicked a piece of debris at him and we continued to banter and tease throughout the workday. He hung around as our entertainment and even brought us lunch from a local deli. The day flew by having him there and he even stayed out of our way when we got busy. As the work day wound down, my sore feet still had a spring in my step with the thought of more alone time with Ash soon.
In the last hour, I felt a heating anger at the back of my skull. I saw my grandmother's face in my mind and could feel her anger and frustration radiating through me. As Nona and I began closed duties, I clenched my teeth in my own frustration. Who knew why she was so upset this time but if I had to guess, it had something to do with the devilishly handsome man sitting at my counter.
Right before closing, Diana burst through the door, absolutely fuming. She was pissed. I even felt Raum's aura rise up defensively to protect me like a shield.
"Where have you been?" she demanded. "I've gone to your place and there's no sign of you there for the last two days!" Her fiery aura flickered around her like a bonfire. A shocked Nona made herself scarce in my back room.
"Sorry, I've been busy," I said, keeping my voice nonchalant. "And crashing with friends the last couple nights."
"What friends?" she demanded, appearing to take no notice of Raum sitting a few feet away from her.
"Doesn't matter," I said snippily. "If you want to get in touch so badly, you know I have a phone."
Her voice softened a little when she realized I wasn't backing down.
"Deja dear, I haven't seen you since your ceremony. I was hoping to catch up to you in person to tell you I'm proud of you."
Raum rolled his eyes, which she still didn't seem to notice. Only then did I realize his whole body looked a few shades darker, as if under a shadow.
"Thanks, Gran," I said, keeping my voice firm. "But being in the coven now doesn't change the fact that I still have a business to run and a social life."
"Darling, of course," she said patronizingly. "I understand you're busy. However, I do think you should spend more time with your new coven members. They're your family now."
"I know," I huffed, my patience growing thin. "And I will. Just give me some time, alright? I only became official two days ago."
"Well, I don't want to meddle in your affairs." She snidely paused on that last word. "But I have arranged for you to receive an important lesson tonight in shadow magic, which is beyond my scope of teaching."
"Can't. I have plans already." I pictured Ash lying in bed this morning and my core heated at the thought of his mouth, his hands, and every inch of his painfully perfect body. Only twenty more minutes and I'd be right there with him.
"Oh, that's a shame," Diana sneered. "I'd hate to inform the coven you don't take them as seriously as you claimed. They may consider rescinding your membership if you make a habit of blowing them off."
"You have no right to make commitments for me behind my back!" I said, finally losing my cool. "I'm an adult, Diana! Please stop treating me like an incapable child."
She said nothing for a long, tense moment, then turned toward the door.
"Fine, make your choice then. But if you do not want to lose favor with your new family, I suggest you attend your lesson. It's at Laurel and John's house at seven-thirty."
