Page 40 of Love's a Witch
Blue leapt to the ground and nosed the castle, wandering in circles around it, his snuffles and snorts growing in frustration until he finally torched one of the doors open and discovered the cheese.
“Oh my goddess. It’s working!” Sloane grabbed my arm, and the touch was so unexpected, as was the jolt of electricity that raced up my arm, that I froze.
I wanted this woman on me, under me, around me. If my body responded to a simple touch like this, I could only imagine what it would be like to have her in my bed. Forcing myself to pull my thoughts away from Sloane wrapped in silk, again, I kept my gaze trained on Blue as he used his fire to find his treats.
“He likes it.” It pleased me, more than I wanted to admit, that my gift was well received.
“I think a thank-you is in order, Sloane,” Broca said from where she was scrolling an iPad in her chair.
“Thank you,” Sloane said automatically. Dutifully.
“If you want to thank me, you’ll come with me to the castle and help me deal with this snow issue.” The words were out of my mouth before I’d even realized I’d spoken them, but now that the idea was out there, I realized just how much I liked it.
“There’s nothing I can do—”
“Actually, there’s plenty that you can do. I’m told you work in marketing, right?”
“Sloane’s excellent at marketing. She freelances for several big companies, but her favorite is bespoke clients with unique branding challenges. Which is just what this snow problem of ours needs. Great idea, Knox.” Broca radiated sunshine from her armchair.
“I don’t—”
“If you’re hell-bent on staying here, the very least you can do is put your skills to good use.”
“I thought you wanted me to break the curse. Now you want me to work on marketing your town for you? What’s it going to be?”
“Marketing first. If you think you can break a curse overnight, you clearly have a lot to learn about magick.”
“Excuse me?” Sloane jabbed my chest with a finger, and I reached up and curled my hand around her finger, happy to be touching herin any way that I could, even though I knew she was infuriated with me. “I’m getting really sick of people insinuating I’m a basic witch.”
“Well, you’re not doing much to change our opinions, are you, witchling?” Even I internally winced at that one, but when I saw the fire of battle light in her eyes, I knew I’d provoked her enough to come with me. It seemed I would need to challenge this woman at every step to get somewhere with her, which should make things highly interesting.
“I amnota basic witch. And Iwillfigure out a way to use this snow to your advantage, and when I’m done, I will break the curse and laugh in your face while doing so.” Sloane stomped upstairs to change.
“Well done, lad,” Broca said, her voice low. “Keep poking at her. She needs the challenge.”
I dropped onto the couch across from her and was delighted when Blue flew to me, slamming awkwardly onto my lap, and I caught him close for cuddles.
“Why is that?” I might as well get any intel that Broca was willing to give me if I was going to be working closely with Sloane.
“She’s been so focused on taking care of Lyra and Nova that she’s forgotten about her own needs. And she’s never going to grow into the woman, and witch, I know she can be if she, or someone, doesn’t shake things up a bit.”
“Understood,” I said as Sloane stomped back downstairs. “It will be my absolute joy to challenge her at every step.”
“I always knew I liked you, boy.” Broca accepted a kiss on her cheek as I stood, Blue in my arms.
“Is Blue with us, or staying here?”
“Here. He hates the snow.” Sloane slapped on a puffy navy parka and glared up at me. “All right, Knox. Let’s get this over with so I don’t have to deal with you anymore.”
Pleased, I handed Blue to Broca, while Sloane stepped into the swirl of snow, radiating annoyance.
It looked like my day had just gotten better.
CHAPTER TWELVESloane
Land Rover, huh?” I sniffed as I climbed inside his car.
“What’s wrong with a Land Rover?” Knox asked, casting me a look as I buckled myself in. The snow gusted, icy and undeterred, and I winced as my neighbor leaned on his shovel and glared at me. Pretending not to notice, I shifted toward Knox.
