Page 39 of Spellbound & Speechless
It’sfive in the morning when I finish the self-love potion, and we have more than enough for the client who requested it. I stored the rest away; it will be a good drink for the bar.
Working with Juniper gives me the perfect opportunity to learn more about potion making, and I think I taught her a little about self-love, too. Maybe I’m wrong. These days, Juniper knows more about love than I do—I can hardly believe it.
I amble to my bedroom, wrapped in a white towel and wearing a pink microfiber towel on my head.
That’sallI’m wearing. No, I didn’t forget about my forced roommate. He’s still awake, and it’s time for me to get my payback.
Mac’s attractiveness frustrated me from the start, but that feeling multiplied when I saw him naked. It was the briefest flash, and I didn’t mean to stare! Honest!
It’s not like I got a look at what he’s packing, but…
Gazing at the lean muscles across his back was bad enough. How am I supposed to forget aboutthat? He seemed all too pleased about it, too. It’s as if he knows I want him, and instead of getting me off, he gets off on teasing me.
It’s rude, but if he wants to play games, he’ll soon learn I always win. There’s a reason the Hawthornes don’t have family game night anymore—not while I’m around!
I shuffle into my bedroom and shut the door, saying nothing as I bend over and open my bottom drawer. Without turning to look at him, I know Mac is watching.
His breath hitches.
“Aspen…” His voice is a low growl.
Everything is going according to plan. I smile mischievously. “Yes?” I stand and look at him over my shoulder, holding my silk pajamas to my chest.
“Where are your clothes?” he asks through gritted teeth.
Precisely the question I askedhimearlier. How cute.
I lift the pile in my hands. “Right here.”
“Why aren’t youwearingthem?” His jaw ticks.
Good. I’m getting on his nerves, just like he does mine. Mac is stoic and impossible to read. For once, his feelings are written all over his face—or rather, his body. He grabs the handmade quilt on his little bed, holding it hard enough that his knuckles turn white. Adorable.
“I forgot them.” My lips part. “Why? What’s the problem? I thought wolveslovewalking around naked.”
“We don’t… love it…”
“You could have fooled me.”
“All right.” His glare cuts right through me, but instead of stinging, it makes my pulse pound between my legs. “You made your point.”
“What point am I making?”
“I’ll be more… mindful of my wolf form. I get it.”
That sounds an awful lot like I won, but it doesn’t quitefeellike it. I should have thought about the game before playing it. Winning, in this case, means I won’t get to see him without a shirt again…
Which is for the best, considering nothing will come of the brief, beautiful glimpses of his strong back. Oh, goddess. Do I have a thing forbacks? When did that happen?
“Glad to hear it.” I beam. “Do me a favor and close your eyes. I’m getting dressed.”
He glares. For a second, I think he’ll argue with me,though I cannot imaginewhathe would say. Instead, he covers his eyes.
“No peeking!” I chirp.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I hang the towel on the back of the door and slip into my pajamas. My pulse races with each move. I hadn’t considered how thrilling it would be, being naked around him, even if only for a moment and in the most innocent way possible.
