Page 9 of Curses & Cold Brew
Action and adventure weren’t needs. They were hobbies, if anything.
My gaze flitted to Ramona’s mouth as I thought about how much I didn’tneedher kind of amusement.
Nope. Definitely not.
Ramona’s silver eyes beamed in the darkness, making me keenly aware of being the sole point of her focus. It was utterly addicting.
The things I might do to be the object of her attention . . .
I shook off that thought, not sure how far I’d go to test that theory.
“Want to find out if that’s truly what your soul desires?” she asked as if reading my mind.
Inching closer, she braced her forearm on the wall behind me. Her body was so close to mine that I could make out the notes of vanilla and spice in her perfume. My skin heated as I took another deep breath ofherin.
“I think I’ve made enough deals with you,” I rasped.
Technically, I’d made two: I agreed to go on a date with her in exchange for information about Lou’s killer last year, and this summer, she’d agreed to extend the deadline for our date in exchange for another kiss . . . and what a fucking kiss it had been.
Ramona’s smile widened as if she were thinking the same thing. “Oh, you and I are just getting started, red.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh,haha, I have red hair. Very original nickname, you corporate hellion.”
“Come on. Make a deal with me,” Ramona goaded, her alluring voice like a siren’s song.
My stomach somersaulted at her commanding tone. “No.”
“It could be fun,” she purred.
“I don’t think we have the same definition offun. This was a mistake.”
“Maybe. But do you have any better things to do?”
A small voice in the back of my head was screaming at me to run. Not because I thought Ramona wanted to hurt me . . . at least not out of malice. I could play it safe, go back to my empty apartment to cuddle with my cat, eat a bowl of spaghetti that was fifty percent parmesan cheese, and binge-watchDerry Girlsagain.
Or . . .
“No more deals,” I declared as I fixed Ramona with a glare. “But maybe helping you would be less boring. So, you can take my help with no deal or you can leave it. What will it be?”
I could tell Ramona was battling a smirk as she pursed her lips and considered me. “Perhaps a witch on the case would help,” she mused. “Not that you were all that helpful with theherbs before.” She sucked her cheek. “Fine. But you stay behind me and don’t make any trouble for us, got it?”
“Yes!” I squeaked instantly. “Now?”
“You asked where I was going.” She stepped back, brushing the brick dust off her sleeve. “You stopped me on my way to somewhere important. Somewhere I still need to be. Are you in or not?”
“Absolutely,” I said a little too eagerly. Clearing my throat, I schooled my expression. “I mean, yeah, fine. Let’s go.”
“Excellent.” The demon flashed a toothy grin. “Into the night we go, little witch.”
6
RAMONA
“Where are we going?” Iris was like a Chihuahua at my heels, having to take two steps to my one.
The bed-and-breakfast wasn’t far from Poison Apple Apothecary, but I could hear her heavy breaths and wondered if it was the brisk walk or her proximity to me that had her respirations quickening. Sometimes I forgot to walk at a human pace. Once, a tourist had accused me of using some sort of “moving carpet like inTwilight.” Whatever the hell that meant. Billy Bacchus had reported me to the demonic council for it.
I let out a grunt of frustration as I slowed down. It was a fine line, being just paranormal enough so that the delicate humans could believe this whole town was a show.
