Page 44 of The Magic of Discovery
“Shit, that’s so hot,” she breathed. I barked a laugh, but then she stiffened and narrowed her eyes on me, a quick but righteous fury already building. “Does he know you’re here? You aren’t like, cheating on him? I amsonot meant to be the other woman.”
“By the moon, I swear he knows we’re seeing each other. It’s not like we’re exclusive or anything. It’s really an exchange of needs when we hook up, and I love him just like I love all of the guys.”Kind of.I shrugged my shoulders, trying to portray the casualness of our arrangement.
“I’m sure he’s thrilled you’re out with me of all people,” she muttered, her gaze now locked on the water, and she sounded almost... sad?
“Sloane likes you. I know he’s abrasive and rough, but deep down he is one of the best men I know. He just doesn’t trust easily and is very career-driven. He’ll come around. He wasn’t bothered at all, and even if he were,” I shook my head, “it wouldn’t have stopped me from pursuing you. Does this change things for you? I can’t give him up, Saige.” I held my breath, hoping like hell that it wouldn’t.
“Do you want a relationship with him? A real one?” she questioned, tilting her head and searching my face for the truth.
I opened my mouth to respond and then shut it again quickly because I had no idea how to respond to that. Seemed ridiculous, but the possibility of officially locking down Sloane was always so fucking slim that I’d never allowed my mind to venture down that route. Maybe it was from fear of ruining our dynamic that already worked so well, or maybe fear of rejection, but I simply hadn’t let myself consider it.
“Would it be crappy to say that I don’t know? Believe me when I say that this is the first time I’ve ever thought about it. It has always been purely sexual, each of us chasing a release that the other knows how to perfectly provide. I don’t know what a relationship with him would look like, but what I do know is that I want to explore things with you. So, does it change things for you?” I asked again, feeling shy and vulnerable.
Her focus stayed on the rushing water for several moments, and I thought my heart was surely going to beat right out of my chest. Just as I was about to open my mouth and fill the silence, she spoke. “Thank you for being honest about it. I know that we’re also not exclusive. I mean, I’m dating two of your friends, so it would be very hypocritical of me to be jealous. The fact that it’s Sloane and not another woman makes me feel better about it somehow. So, no. It changes nothing for me. I still want to get to know you better, and this was a good start,” she told me honestly before she leaned forward and pressed a slow kiss to my lips.
Thank the freaking moons. Relief flooded my system, and I enjoyed taking her mouth, licking her tongue with promises of what mine was capable of. Maybe, just maybe, I could keep her... and my fiery pyro. Gods, I could only hope. Stepping back from her, I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and she smiled up at me.
“Come on, sweetheart, let’s get out of the woods.”
Standing, I pulled her up to me, and together we folded up the blanket before putting everything back in my bag, linking hands, and trekking back to the bike. Glancing down at her, the setting sun lit up her hair like shimmering fire. Her whole body glowed with the setting rays, and I swallowed roughly. Emerald Lakes was shaping up to be the best assignment I’d ever been on.
* * *
The sun had set completelyby the time we pulled back into Saige’s driveway, my headlights illuminating the tall figures of my brothers standing by the damaged gardens. All three of them turned their heads when we approached, so I cut the lights as I pulled into the open spot in front of the garage and killed the engine.
Kai had already bounded over and was lifting Saige off of the seat, squeezing her in his arms, straight upsniffingher hair. Instead of being creeped out, she just laughed and called him a weirdo, slapping his shoulders in an effort to get him to put her down.
Cam and Sloane shuffled up behind Kai, and I gave them a smile. Cam gave me the bro nod, but Sloane just stared at me with an expression that had me on edge.That’s definitely jealousy.
“Do you mind if I go inside and use the restroom before we head out, Saige?” Sloane asked, but still, his eyes didn’t leave my face.
“Oh, yeah, of course.” Saige tossed the keys to him. “Just go in through the mudroom and take a right. It’s the first door on the right,” she explained as Cam reached out, pulling her to him and I watched Sloane stomp off into the house. She smiled up at him, and the big man stared at her like she was something precious to protect. I could feel his happiness and arousal, and once he had her firmly in his grasp, relief. He wasrelievedhe had his large hands on her hips, feeling her body pressed against his to confirm that she was safe.He’s got it bad.
Kai slid up beside me. “How’d it go, man?”
“It was great. Thanks for the help with the food. She loved it, and I definitely owe you.” A grin broke out over my face, the feeling of it welcome but almost unfamiliar.When was the last time I smiled like this?
“Is it weird that I don’t findthisweird at all?” He gestured to Cam who was depositing kisses up and down Saige’s neck, small, dark chuckles rumbling from his chest as she squealed.
“Then I’m also weird because I think it’s hot as hell,” I confessed. “Cam deserves something good, and I’m glad she’s breaking through his tough exterior.”
The screen door swinging shut had our heads snapping over to where Sloane had just walked out of the house. Never one for chit chat or social niceties, he stalked over to me, and didn’t waste any time.
“So, this shit over here,” he abruptly said, gesturing with his arm to indicate the dead gardens, “is fucked.”
Saige snorted in disbelief. “No way.”
His eyes narrowed on her as he crossed his arms over his chest. For the love of the stars, I hoped he was only at a level five or six on the Sloane Sullivan scale, not a ten or eleven.Yes, it’s a ten-point scale. I held my breath.
“Red, this property is tainted with the dark magic exhibited by only one race: demons. I have zero doubt about it. But my question is, what would demons achieve by fucking with your little plant paradise, hmm?”
I see we’re closing in on a level seven, and if she sasses him, this could escalate quickly.
“Quit being a dick,” Kai whispered like Saige couldn’t hear him. Sloane definitely did, judging by his eye roll.
“There’s been some... strange things going on. It’s a really long story, but I do feel better having confirmation as to what’s causing this. I was really scared, it was like my magic was fucking up. Can you imagine? A green witch who kills everything she touches?”
Saige was trying to remain calm, but I could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest. She was spooked. Cam noticed and put his hands on her shoulders and began rubbing them for a few moments before moving to stand before her in line with the rest of us. He spoke in a low voice, attempting to soothe her nerves.
