Page 33 of Cursed Sight
“Have a great day!” Amanda Jo called and disappeared to the back after they said their good-byes.
Ethan held the door for Serena and kept a tight hold on her hand. The fact she had initiated the touch was a step in the right direction for them. Her fingers were smaller and softer than his, her warmth mingling with his. The simple touch was right. She belonged to him, even if she did not know it.
“Shouldn’t you be getting back to work?” Serena asked after walking a block in silence.
He turned his wrist to check the time. “Yeah. I’m not sure how I’m going to concentrate knowing he’s out there.”
She squeezed his hand. “I will go back to the store and see what I can find. You finish your day, and when you’re done, come find me. I’ve been wanting to teach you how to read oracle cards in addition to the tarot. Maybe we can find some guidance as to what you’ve seen. If we’re lucky, we’ll have an answer soon since you’re a rather quick study.”
He hated leaving her alone, but she was more than capable of protecting herself. His workday was rather shot. Memories of Volark standing close to three women who held a special place in his heart would plague him until they got to the bottom of things.
“So, Amanda Jo… Did you two used to date?” Serena asked, and his mind reeled to understand where her question had come from.
Ethan shook his head. “No. Our family has known her for years, but she’s only been a friend. Why? Are you jealous?” he asked, his lip twitching with amusement at the possibility.
Serena tried to release his hand, but he held on and pulled her to a stop. “Why wouldIbe jealous?” Her words held venom, but her eyes showed her vulnerability.
He raised his free hand to her face and cupped her soft skin in his palm. The pink tip of her tongue slid along her lower lip, scrambling any semblance of thought he’d had. Ethan lowered his mouth to hers, his heart pounding against his breastbone.
Remembering how quickly their last kiss became heated, he did his best to hold back. Ethan rubbed his lips against hers, a soft breath fanning across his mouth when she parted her lips.
Unable to ignore the invitation, he accepted. So many emotions swirled through him as their tongues caressed in a sensual dance. Flashes of memories from another lifetime gave him pause, pulling him back to where they stood in the middle of the sidewalk.
Serena was the only woman to cause each nerve ending in him to fire. His body vibrated, and his need to claim her could barely be held in check. That was not the man he was, driven by his sexual urges.
Pressing his forehead to hers, he sucked in a deep breath and his nostrils flared. Their hands had separated. Hers were wrapped around his neck, her breasts against his chest. His free hand was splayed against her lower back, his fingers reaching toward the round globes of her bottom.
Kissing this woman in public was dangerous. Neither seemed to remain in control of their senses.
Ethan pressed a chaste kiss on her lips and lifted his head. Her eyes fluttered open and met his. Her dazed expression filled his ego with pride. If one kiss could cause such a reaction, he wondered what taking her would do.
He dipped his lips once more and muttered across hers, “God, I love kissing you.”
Afraid her senses would kick in and she would pull away, he drew her against his side and continued their walk down the block. He felt the heat from her body where his hand had cupped her waist. After a few steps, Serena’s arm banded around him.
Ethan smiled at the win. He had never worked for a woman so hard in his life, but Serena was worth every up and down. Flashes of the memories from before came to mind, but they felt out of reach. Without being able to see the images clearly, he could feel their familiarity and the sense of having what was his.
Chapter 20
To Ethan’s dismay, Serena walked him to his building and demanded he go inside. He was adamant about seeing Volark, and his concern for her pulsed like a separate living being. Serena did not take threats to herself or people she cared about lightly. Brandy had become a friend, albeit in a strange and confusing manner, and Andrea was part of the Broderick family. If Volark truly had the ability to return, she would make sure he was gone for good next time.
With a deep sigh, she stared up at the brick building before her. She set her internal armor in place and removed her cloak of protection. Her position as high priestess had to do with varying factors. One, her ability to control her magic and wield it like she did. And two, her ability to present herself in a manner that demanded respect. Sometimes it meant being a royal bitch, and she refused to let them know a heart beat under her breastbone. If Peter suspected one did, he would probably feed it to his pack.
Stepping inside, the smell of dirt and sweat assaulted her immediately. Her brows pinched together as tears pricked her eyes. She shook her head and ignored the front room where a few werewolves milled around varying workout machines. A few cast curious gazes in her direction, but no one dared comment on her presence.
Serena moved toward the first set of halls and spotted a man back out of a room to the left. His nostrils flared before his deadly eyes met hers.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Xander asked, straightening to his full height.
Her eyebrow rose at his tone, and a light breeze blew down the hall, a reminder of who he was speaking to. “I’m not really sure who pissed in your Cheerios, but you need to watch your tone, pup.”
A low, menacing growl escaped Xander’s lips. “I’ll t—”
Serena did not bother waiting to hear what his next words were. With a blast of wind, she pinned him to the wall, his words lost to the force of her powers. His tone had said enough.
“You really should work on your manners,” she said with a shake of her head and continued down the hall.
A few minutes later, she stood before a door she believed to be the correct one. If Xander was not such a dick, she could have asked him for help.
