Page 71 of Tricky Magic
“Not that, you jealous brute.” She sighed and decided on honesty. “I’ve never slept with anyone but Billy since I was eight. Well, except for you and Devon, now.”
She didn’t have to turn around to know that he was scowling. Ellea rolled her eyes.
“Okay?” He sounded puzzled and a little bit angry.
“I have nightmares—rough ones.” She turned toward him with two finished lattes in each hand. His face was softer than she’d expected.
“We all have nightmares, Ellea,” he said, and the sound of her name on his lips made her heart quicken. “You shouldn’t hide yourself or think there is something wrong with you because of that.”
“You have nightmares?” she asked, placing her mug down and turning to hand him his drink.
“Me? No, never,” he said with a teasing grin. It quickly turned into a pout when she pulled the mug away from his reach. “Yes. Gods, yes. All the time. Now give that to me.”
“Oh, so demanding,” she mocked. “Especially for someone who has been drinking dirt for a billion years.”
She slowly handed him his mug. He grasped her wrist before she could pull it away again. Grabbing the mug safely, he deposited a kiss to her palm before letting her go. Her hand tingled, and heat warmed her cheeks.
“I don’t want you to be afraid to try something or do something,” he said. “But you not wanting to sleep in the same bed or room as someone else? That’s on you and your insecurities.”
“Are you calling me insecure?” How dare he make fun of something that has haunted her forever? He grabbed at her free hand and yanked her. She fell in his lap with a low growl.
“We all have insecurities and demons. We all have things that haunt us,” he said quietly, searching her angry face. “But trying to cope with them all on your own isn’t always best.” She rolled her eyes at him, and he glowered at her.
“Don’t worry,” he said with a wicked smile. “I’ll get it through your thick skull one day.”
“Are you calling me thick?” she teased.
“Oh yes.” He kissed her swiftly. “In the best fucking way.”
She laughed softly as she stood, needing her latte, and then yelped as he quickly smacked her ass. She scooted toward her chair and gave him a scolding look. He smiled at her and brought the mug to his lips. She waited, worried if he would like it, but she was greeted with a low moan that made her think of wicked things. He took another sip and licked the foam that was left on his top lip.
“Oh,” he moaned, “I’m going to fuck you later.”
“Are you talking to me or your mug?”
“Both,” he said with a smug grin. “But first, what are we going to do?”
“Do?” Ellea mimicked. “Do with what?”
It was too early for any more serious talk. She quickly sipped her latte, begging for strength and caffeine.
“Now. Today.” He finished his drink in two more gulps and pouted at his empty mug.
“Oh,” she said, glad it wasn’t a loaded question. “I want to train.”
She toyed with her mug in her hands, hoping he didn’t think she was silly. She glanced up at him, and he had a smug look on his face.
“Then let’s go train,” he said. “But if I get handsy, it’s not my fault.”
Excitement bloomed in Ellea’s stomach. She finished her drink and followed him outside.
This was going to be so much more fun than training with her uncle.
41
Ellea
Ellea ran her forearm across her forehead. She was drenched in sweat and breathed hard as she tried to create distance between her and Ros. She gripped the wooden dowels she held in each hand and readied her stance.
