Page 46 of Tricky Magic
“Well,” she said, taking another step back, “glad you are in one piece, and it was a pleasure meeting you, Sam. Umm, I will see you around.”
She turned and bolted quickly to the front door. It only took Ros a few strides to catch up with her as she left the front porch. He grabbed her arm, and heat licked at his hand. She whirled on him with her eyes wide, and he shook his hand, trying to get rid of the feeling crawling up his arm.
“I’m sorry about that. This is weird. I should go.”
“No,” he said, reaching for her again and ignoring the heat. “It’s not weird; I’m glad you stopped by and that you got to meet Sam. He has been hounding me to meet you.”
She stood there, avoiding his stare. “I’m not sure why I stopped by,” she said. “I am glad you’re okay, but I should go.”
She turned away from him before he could stop her.
“I should be good to run again by Monday,” he called after her. But she didn’t turn back, only picked up the pace and ran in the direction of her cabin.
Ros felt Sam walk up behind him. He looked toward his friend, and Sam’s eyes followed Ellea’s retreating form.
“Oh, what I would give,” Sam said, smirking, “to see that curvy little sprite kick your ass. Does she always wear those leggings?”
He made a show of adjusting his pants. Ros placed his hands on Sam’s shoulders then kneed him right in the balls.
“I’m going to tell Devon you said that,” he whispered in his ear as his friend hunched over. “Can’t wait to see what curse he puts on your cock when he gets home.”
23
Ellea
Ros was quieter than usual on their first run of the week. She thought it was due to his still-healing injuries, but he kept their usual pace and then some. Toward the end, he increased their speed so much that she almost let him go, but her stubborn nature wouldn’t allow it. Maybe he just had somewhere to be or had to get back to Sam. It was so interesting seeing him with another man. Sam was so nice and really easy to talk to, and she couldn’t believe he was an alpha. She had never met one before. She’d imagined them to be Neanderthals, but Sam was a beautiful statue of a man. Ros looked more wolven than Sam did, and Sam was sweet. What was he doing with a guy like Ros, she didn’t know. It made her wonder what the females in this town were like. To think of vampires, wolven, witches, and whatever other supernaturals lived here mingling together was crazy, but maybe she should venture out and explore more.
It was something she thought about as she stepped out of the shower. She’d forgotten that this town wasn’t filled with people who knew what she was. She might even be able to go out and not get dirty looks from the locals. She smiled at the thought, and it was decided. After practice this morning, she would head into town and explore. That plan put a pep in her step as she headed out to the greenhouse. Elias was already there, leaning against the glass structure, wearing his usual black. Ros was a pain, Sam seemed like someone she would be friends with, but Elias was something she couldn’t put her finger on. He was kind and patient, but they both held a lot close to their chests.
“Good morning,” she said, grabbing his attention. He greeted her with a smile that matched her own.
“You seem in good spirits today,” Elias said, stepping toward her. “Did you have a good weekend?”
“Yes, it was quiet and restful. How was yours?”
“It was fine.”
“Did any of your family give you trouble?” Maybe they could get to know each other more.
“Trouble?” He raised a brow. “It was family, why would I have trouble?”
Sometimes she forgot people had normal relationships with their own family. She only had her nana and uncle, but life with her parents was enough to make her wonder who else had it rough.
“Ah, yes.” She shook her head. “I was speaking from experience.”
“No trouble,” he said with a small laugh. “It was a normal visit to make sure things were in order.”
“Do you like things in order?”
“Usually.” He paused, seeming to think about his answer. “I like to have a plan and make sure I’m ready for anything. But enough about me. I have a trick for you.”
“A trick?” That made her curious and cautious, as the t-word always did. “Will it help with the apple?”
She hoped so.
Ellea always fought with patience, and this felt like it was dragging on.
“It should. I ran into afriendduring my visit, and they reminded me of something.”
