Page 42 of Wrongfully Magicked
Their arrival snaps me out of my fantasy, and I’m not sure if I should be grateful, not wanting to lose my load in my pants, or if I want to take them out back and murder them. Soren slips into the chair across from us, never once taking his eyes off our little female.
And I realize then that sheisours.
There is no way any of us are giving her up, not even Cassius, no matter how much he might fight his attraction.
Anita leans away from Cassius—a cute little scowl on her face that wrinkles the bridge of her nose, not the least bit intimidated by the basilisk—which almost puts her in my lap, and my dick is happy once more. Leaning toward her, I inhale her intoxicating sweet and spicy scent, and my mouth waters with the need to taste her.
Anita might have reservations about us, but now that I’ve made up my mind, I’m committed to my course. I’m not totally inept with women. I’ve done extensive research on the opposite sex, but I’ve never found one that’s been worth the time and effort to put all my considerable knowledge into action.
Until now.
I mentally go over all my research about women, then I barely hold back a devious grin when I settle on the perfect solution, one guaranteed to make her fall madly in love with me.
Seduction.
I’m quite irresistible when I set my mind to something. For the first time in a long time, I want something for myself, something that exists in the real world.
Failure is not an option.
I rest my arm on the back of her chair and lean forward until her back is pressed against my side. I brush my fingers along her curls, marveling at the soft strands and the way her hair coils around my fingers as if claiming me. The ends are a lighter brown, almost like they are glowing from within—a fire ready to burn the unwary.
And I can’t wait to play with her fire.
Cassius can fight the attraction all he wants, but I’ve already accepted my fate.
I’m hers.
CHAPTER TWELVE
ANITA
“Darby.” Leaning back, I speak to the man in question over my shoulder, never once removing my gaze from Cassius. “I think he must be talking to you, because if he used that tone of voice to speak to me, he knows I would roast his nuts.”
Without any prompting, a string of fire slithers between my fingers.
It’s not an empty threat.
Maybe a little heat will improve his personality.
Soren grins at the warning, amusement dancing in his eyes. The tension eases from his shoulders, and he leans back in his seat, crossing his arms as if he’s settling in to enjoy the show. Even if it might have been better for everyone if I left, my fire dances in my veins at the prospect of being near them longer.
Cassius’ hand twitches, like he wants to cover his junk, and I can’t contain my glee, a vicious smile curling my lips.
If he wants to be an ass, I’ll treat him like one.
A brush of fingers on my arm distracts me. When I look toward Darby, my amusement fades, and I sigh. “Take a seat, Cassius. Darby was just going to tell us about the dead body we need to check out.”
Everyone turns toward Darby, their expressions hardening as they get down to business.
“What body?” Porter grunts as he dumps a couple of packages on the table before dropping into a seat next to Soren and taking the last chair. Cassius glares at me like he’s a harpy on the verge of attack, but I only raise a brow, allowing the flames weaving between my fingers to brighten.
With a hiss, he whirls away, grumbling under his breath about women who don’t know when they should be afraid, then he grabs a chair from a nearby table. The giant man seated at that table rises with a deadly glower, fur rippling across his skin—a sasquatch, possibly? Not the least bit intimidated, Cassius just snarls. Whatever the poor beastling glimpses on Cassius’ face has him paling, and he drops back into his seat with a plop.
Cassius storms toward us with his prize clutched in his hands. He slams the chair to the floor, wood screeching with the force, all the while glaring at me as he lowers himself into the seat.
Unperturbed by his anger, I wink at him, then turn and face Darby. “Temper tantrum complete. You may continue.”
A beat of silence follows.
