Page 40 of Cursed Sight
“Sorry not sorry,” he teased. “Why did you grab oracle cards?”
“Take them,” she said and hurried toward the back. “I’d planned on teaching you last week, but we got a littlebusy—”
“I’m pretty sure we gota lotbusy,” he said and winked when she rolled her eyes at him.
Serena grabbed a bottle of red wine off the counter. “Brandy asked me to bring them over and to teach her tonight at dinner. I figured two birds, one stone.”
Ethan grabbed the bottle from her hand and gave it a little shake. “You do remember she can’t drink, right?”
Serena groaned. “I know, but what the hell do you bring to dinner to your ex and his new wife’s place who also happens to be the sister to your—”
He raised his brows in her direction. “To your what?”
“Sister to the guy you’re seeing,” she said, her face cringing.
Ethan laughed and pulled her into an embrace, the bottle against her bottom. “Serena, angel, I’m pretty sure we are doing more than seeing each other.” He cupped her neck and lowered his face to hers. “I’ve claimed you as mine. Use whatever label you want, but I’m pretty sure this means you’ll be my wife one day.”
Serena froze, and he worried he pushed her too far too fast. Handling her emotions felt at times like a juggling act. He had made it this far, and to his surprise, activating their bond had made everything make sense.
“O-okay,” she whispered, and he pressed his lips to her forehead.
“Come on. Let’s put out the sage and palo santo.” He took her hand in his and pulled her toward the front.
Once the store was set for the night, they got in his car and he shut his door as she reached for her seat belt. He released a long breath, thrilled she had not fought him earlier. It was one more battle won and a step toward winning the war.
Over the last week, he learned that “falling for Serena” was not a thing. He was crazy in love for the stubborn witch. Had been in love with her for a while if he was honest with himself. As upset as he had been that she’d known they were soul mates but had kept it to herself, he realized he would not have handled it any differently if their roles were reversed.
He determined it was for the best that she had learned it first. Serena needed time and space to accept their attraction and status as soul mates. Ethan, on the other hand, needed mere moments to think it through before accepting it.
On the ride over, they shared their days. Their threaded fingers sat on her thigh. It was as comfortable as any relationship should be. The little voice in his head reminded him danger was still lurking, but without a definitive of who was behind the future attacks on Serena, he refused to lose control.
“Have you been to their new place?” Ethan asked.
Serena shook her head and peered through the windshield at the tall building. “No.”
Ethan parked and reached the front of the car when Serena did. He took the bottle from her and clasped her hand. “This isn’t the same building she used to live in when they met. They wanted something larger.”
“Because of the baby?” she asked.
“The baby and they wanted a place with no history. Before she met Ryan, she’d lived with her ex Greg for like three years.”
When they reached the lobby to the building, Serena paused. “They warded the entrance,” she muttered with a nod.
Ethan felt Brandy’s and Ryan’s protective spells. “They weren’t here last time I came by.”
“Probably put them up after…” She looked at him, her eyes soft but filled with concern.
“After I scared you all about seeing Volark. I don’t know—”
“Hi, Ethan!” The older man behind the desk greeted him, then his eyes moved toward Serena. “I’m Arnie, the doorman here.”
Serena offered her hand. “Nice to meet you! I’m Serena, Ethan’s girlfriend.”
Arnie nodded with approval. “Found yourself a beauty,” he told Ethan and winked at Serena.
After a quick good-bye, they stepped onto the elevator.
Serena chuckled. “Arnie’s a charmer.”
