Sweet had been the first place I felt safe in the last five years. I needed to go home and fix this, even though I’d have to leave the sheik sooner than expected. I couldn’t risk losing my safe haven.
“Oh, and Dr. Sam’s in trouble because someone found out he’s a warlock, and he didn’t register either. I think he could use your help.”
Great. Sam hadn’t wanted anyone in town to know, because of the bad rap warlocks get. I wondered if the news would hamper his practice. That is, if the town coven let him stay there.
We hung up and I called for the sheik. He came to my room and I explained that I needed to take care of some business in the States.
“We must travel to Moscow for a few days, so I see no reason why you shouldn’t go home.” He patted my shoulder. “You are a brave woman and I feared for your life when you fought those warlocks.”
“It’s my job to fight the bad guys. This time they were after me, not you, which is the only good news I have tonight.”
“When I’m finished in Moscow I will return here. Can you meet me in two weeks?”
“Yes, I don’t see why not.” Provided I didn’t have to move everything I owned to a new location.
“I’ve bought this home and I hoped that you would use it whenever you wish.” He stepped closer to me and I could feel his breath.
“You bought it? Why?”
“You told me you liked it and that it felt like home.” He put his hand on my shoulder again.
“I can’t believe you spent that kind of money just because I said I liked something. This place had to cost a fortune.”
“You are worth it. And I could think of no better reason to purchase a home.”
Then he kissed me. Not a light peck on the lips, an I-think-you’re-a-great-witch kind of kiss. No, this was a deep, invading your mouth, I-think-you’re-hot kind of kiss. And I let him do it. It felt good. His lips pressed against mine, his tongue probing and tasting. Everywhere he touched me, I burned, in a good way, and wanted more.
That snapped me out of it. Crap, I kissed a client. Technically, he kissed me, but I didn’t stop him. Geez! I took a step back and he smiled.
“Sheik Azir, um, you’re a client and I can’t, um…”
“And you are my friend and confidant. If I choose to buy a house because you like it, that’s my business. And you should know that I’m not one to follow rules any more than you are. Especially silly ones where a client can’t kiss a witch he finds most attractive.”
I swear in that moment his chocolate brown eyes peered into my soul. Couldn’t explain it in a thousand years, but I really wanted this man.
“That’s the one rule I’ve never broken. I can’t date you.”
“It wouldn’t be dating, Bronwyn. When we touch, our bodies speak to one another. Can you deny it?” He pulled me to the window and we gazed out into the night.
“No.” The fire seemed terribly warm. My breath caught, and my brain filled with confusion. The sheik totally wants me. Ahhhh! Bodies speaking. The guy could write erotic greeting cards.
I just wish it wasn’t true. The connection between us is so intense. But different from what I felt with Dr. Sam.
Sam. Yes, that was the douse of cold water I needed. I was angry that Sam had fallen for Simone, but I also realized in that moment that I wanted to fight for him. Azir and I had chemistry, but I’d experienced something more with Sam and I wanted it again.
I grabbed Azir’s hand and dragged him toward the door. “I’ve got to pack.” He let me shove him out and he smiled, that disarming magnetism oozing out.
“Don’t forget to carry the charms I made you at all times. And watch your back. There are bad guys everywhere. Even in Russia.”
He pulled the handmade ornaments out of his pocket to show me he carried them. Then he reached down to kiss my cheek. “Take care, witch. I’ll see you soon.”
He laughed as he walked down the hallway and I slammed the door. Then I sat down on the bed. My cheek felt warm and wonderful from his kiss.
Wizards’ dicks, what am I going to do?
Fifteen
Wednesday, 7 P.M.
Waxing moon
Sweet, Texas
Happy witches: 1 (Unfortunately it’s not me)
W hy do I ever leave this place? Sat in my living room and watched Casper chase an imaginary bird across the yard. Hard to believe it’s March and spring’s a few weeks away. I’ve got to get busy with the garden soon.
It’s so peaceful right now that it’s difficult to imagine the chaos of the last few days, even though I only caught the tail end of it.
Simone became a local hero as of yesterday, when Walter Kiesewetter, the editor of the Sweet Weekly News, ran an editorial about her bravery. He lambasted the sheriff and the local coven for stirring up trouble and treating Simone “abysmally.” It’s my guess Walter doesn’t get to use the word abysmally much so he made the most of it. It’s got to be tough running a town newspaper in a place where newsworthy happenings are few and far between.
Before Simone, the most violent story I’d ever seen in the paper was about a coyote that ate a chicken on one of the local ranches. In that story Walter had taken the side of the coyote.
This demon thing probably made Walter’s year.
Finally met with the head honcho of the local coven last night. She came out to the house and brought food and drinks along. It wasn’t at all what I expected.
Peggy, the sheriff’s mother and leader of the coven, seemed to understand when I explained that I’d been halfway around the world protecting innocents.
“I in no way disrespect what you guys have done here.” I cleared my throat. She made me a little nervous. “The people in Sweet have treated me so well and I think this town is the greatest. I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. It’s just that every time you’ve met, I’ve been out of town.”
For a good five minutes I rambled on and she didn’t say a word.
Peggy sat on the sofa in a long flowing skirt and black sweater. Then she noticed a picture on the side table and picked it up.
She gave a little yelp and then pulled a small tissue out to dab a tear from her eye. It didn’t take us long to discover we knew someone in common—my mother.
Small world.
“When we were at Berkeley your mother turned every head on campus, male and female. If she hadn’t been such a sweetheart it would have been easy to hate her.” As she pushed a graying lock of long brown hair behind her ear she smiled sweetly. She took a deep breath and smiled. “I lost touch with her after she married your father. They moved to Houston for him to do his residency and I ended up here with my beloved Joshua on his ranch. Tell me about your mom. What’s she doing now?”
“She and my dad are in Hawaii at some conference but should be headed back to New York in a few days. She took this semester off but she’s been lecturing at NYU. I can give you her number. I know she’d love to hear from you.” I grabbed a pen and paper from the side table and wrote down the info.
“Yes, oh, that’s wonderful. I can’t wait to talk to her. And I’m sure she’ll be happy to know that her old friend is here looking out for her little girl.”
Stifled a laugh about that one. It’s been a long, long time since anyone referred to me as a little girl.
“That last year of school she talked about turning away from the craft. What happened?” Peggy put the picture back on the table and stuffed the tissue into her skirt pocket.
“She doesn’t practice anymore, but she’s guided me in one way or another my whole life. She and my dad let me make my own decision about whether or not I wanted to be a witch. When I chose the path of magic she supported me.”
“Well, she’s raised a very powerful young witch, and I’m so happy that you landed in Sweet. What a coincidence.”
Since I seemed to find myself in her good graces I decided to push ahead with my mission to absolve Simone and Sam of their supposed sins.
“Peggy,
I’m glad you understand about my work, and it’s wild that you know my mom. But there’s the matter of my friends, Simone and Dr. Sam.” I took a deep breath to prepare for the onslaught.
“Oh, darling, absolute water under the bridge. We needn’t worry about any of it. That young friend of yours is a hero. They even said it in the paper. I don’t necessarily approve of her methods but she saved that child’s life.
“And we all adore Dr. Sam. Now he needs to do the same as you, and tell us his intentions, but I see no future problems.” She stood and walked around, picking up my trinkets from around the world.
“We like to know what’s going on with the magical folk in town. Helps us keep the peace. We don’t need to know your every move and you don’t have to join us or sign anything. It’s all very relaxed. You tell us the type of magic you do and what you plan to do with it, and that’s about it.”
“That sounds fair, but I wondered if you could talk to the sheriff and straighten things out with him. He doesn’t seem to share your relaxed attitude.”
“Goodness, girl, my son won’t give you any more trouble.” She waved a hand at me and shook her head. “He does what I tell him to, but he’s very protective of this town. We all are. Not to make excuses, but he’s only been sheriff for three years and we’ve never had any trouble like your friend’s demon.”
Wanted to correct that fact, remind her that Simone had nothing to do with the demon, but didn’t want to push my luck.
She looked at the paper with my mother’s number. “Oh, I just can’t wait to call and find out how she’s doing. And tell her how happy I am to have you here in our town.”
Damn. She’ll be filling my mom in on the details of my life. I love my parents, but there’s a reason we live so far apart. Argh.
Thursday, noon
I’ve been home forty-eight hours and haven’t heard a peep out of Sam. Maybe he has his hands full trying to explain himself to the local coven. Although, I thought I cleared all that up with Peggy on Tuesday. One thing’s for sure. I’m not going to sit around and wait for him to call.
How dorky is that? But you’d think I would have seen him in town at the grocery, or when Simone and I ate at Lulu’s for breakfast this morning. I wonder what he’s doing?
7 P.M.
Simone leaves tomorrow morning. Caleb and Kira plan to drive her into Dallas to catch her plane. She decided if she had to fight demons, she’d just as soon do it on her own turf. So it’s back to Los Angeles.
Wish I didn’t feel so happy that she’s headed home. Honestly, I’m mixed up about it all, especially now that I know she and Dr. Sam didn’t do the mattress dance.
“Why haven’t you called him since you got back?” she asked me while she packed up her stuff in the guest room.
“I’ve been busy.” I sat on her bed and picked at the tiny fringe on the ivory-colored chenille. “And when I was in Dubai things got weird.”
“Weird how?” She pulled out her lingerie and some of it scared me. Black lacy things with slits in the crotch. Leather underwear that laced up the back. I like sexy stuff as much as the next girl, but that doesn’t seem very comfortable.
“The guy’s totally in love with you. All he ever talks about is Bronwyn this and Bronwyn that.”
News to me.
“I’ve never seen a guy so loopy over a woman.” She snapped her suitcase closed and tossed her makeup into a large zippered backpack.
Loopy? A week ago the guy said he needed a break, and we didn’t even have anything to break from. He was about as far from being loopy about me as a man can get.
When I didn’t say anything, she turned to glare at me. “Listen, Bronwyn, I don’t know what’s going on in that goofy head of yours but don’t fuck this up. This guy is head over heels for you. I know because I flirted with him unmercifully.”
What a surprise.
“Oh, don’t give me that look; I did it for you.”
“Me?” Do I really need friends like this?
“I didn’t need a man so bad that I would steal one from my best friend, Bron. I decided if he was really the one for you then he’d be able to resist my charms. And I gave it to him full force. If he couldn’t resist me, then he wasn’t good enough for you. And guess what?”
I shrugged.
“He turned me down flat, you idiot. And I didn’t make it easy for him. I had to see if he was for real, and he is. So whatever tension is between you, it’s time to suck it up and fix it.”
If only it were that easy. “You know how I am with relationships, Simone. And it’s not just about Dr. Sam. I have feelings for—” Geez what was I thinking? I couldn’t say those words out loud.
It’s ludicrous to even imagine that I might care for Azir. I mean he’s a friggin’ sheik and lives on the other side of creation. He’s got a total God complex and wants to save the world. He’s richer than any person has a right to be.
And he’s beautiful.
“Bron, if you tell me that you’re in love or lust with someone else I’m going to knock the crap out of you.” Simone stood with her hands on her hips, giving me the evil stare.
She had it right. I had no business being in love or lust with anyone, especially the sheik. And I do have feelings for Dr. Sam. If he loves me, as Simone seems to think, then I definitely need to at least try to sort things out.
She put her hands on my shoulders.
“Hey, I’m just kidding about the violence, but you do need to set things straight. If you’re into something with someone else you have to let Sam down easy. The guy’s total for you.”
Let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Had to put the sheik out of my mind. He’d be an impractical choice for a lover. “No, I’m not in love with anyone else. You’d think a high witch would know how to deal with relationships, but that’s the one area I’m totally deficient in.”
“Don’t take it too hard, Bron. It’s tough for all of us. Love hurts, but it’s usually worth every minute you spend in it.”
Simone can be positively brilliant sometimes. Yes, love sucks.
Friday, 9 A.M.
Figures. I call Sam and he’s out of town for a long weekend. That’s just not allowed. If I get brave enough to call a man, he should be there waiting for me.
Stupid man.
I hope he’s not out with another woman. Then he’d be a really stupid man and I might have to kill him.
Not that I have a right to kill him. Maybe I should have returned his calls and e-mail. I just had to do this my way and now it’s probably over. Didn’t even give him a chance.
Stop. Breathe.
Garden. I need to go get dirty. Oh, great, now I remember the dream in the conservatory with his arms wrapped around me. Nooo! Dirt, hands planting herbs. That’s what I’ll do. Then I’ll till the flower garden. Hard work—the answer to everything.
Noon
Okay, so the gardening thing didn’t work. It’s going to be a very long weekend if I just sit around wondering what Sam’s doing.
Oh, yippee! Phone’s ringing. Please let it be someone who can save me from this psychotic behavior.
2 P.M.
The call didn’t help. It was the sheik’s assistant at Duban Industries. I’ve got another week here at home before I have to take off for Brussels. I’m meeting the sheik and the PM there for more meetings. At least we aren’t going back to frozen Oslo.
I wonder why the sheik didn’t call me himself. Probably just busy with something important. I mean, the guy’s a billionaire. He doesn’t have to make his own phone calls.
But he acted like he had the hots for me in Oslo. Wouldn’t he find some excuse to make contact? Am I the only woman in the world who doesn’t understand men? And why the hell do I care so much about two men I hardly know?
I need to go back to the old Bronwyn ways. Men are for sex only. Ride them hard and then let ’em go. Can’t have sex with the sheik, but if I treat this whole thing with Sam like that, I might just survive. Of co
urse it doesn’t help that the man has my heart hostage, and I don’t have any idea how to get it back.
Sixteen
Saturday, 11 A.M.
Sweet, Texas
Returned jets: 0
A fter torturing myself for hours on end and making a mess of the conservatory, I went into town last night. Lulu’s had chicken and dumplings and I wolfed down more than my share of comfort food. Add two pieces of pie to that and you’ll understand why I felt like I needed a wheelbarrow to roll me back to the truck.
Ran into Margie, who invited me to a party at her house tonight. She told me it’s totally casual and just a few friends, great music, and lots of food. After last night’s gorgefest I swore I’d never eat again, but I’m already hungry for lunch so that didn’t last long.
Still haven’t heard from Dr. Sam. I sent him an e-mail and asked that he call when he gets back to town. But now I feel like a stalker chick. I’ve left messages at his office, home, and cell too. No way I’ll tell him about being jealous of his imaginary affair with Simone, but I will apologize for being a jerk while I was gone.
Got a call from the airport and discovered the sheik had the jet returned to my hangar. Bummer. I thought when I left it in Dubai to travel to Oslo that would be the end of it. I’d taken a commercial airline home. But no. The damn jet is right back where we started.
If it weren’t almost midnight in Moscow, I’d call and give the sheik a piece of my mind. That’s not true. I’m staying away from that guy until I can sort out how I feel about all this.
Now that I’m home, the whole thing with Azir seems like a huge mistake. I just needed some distance.
Sam upset me, because he acted weird while I was gone and I had a momentary lapse.
Still, the sheik’s a charismatic fellow and I’m going to make a charm that helps me resist him whenever he’s around.
Speaking of which, I better get down to my workroom and put together some charms and potions. I’ve been seriously slacking and I don’t want to get caught shorthanded.
Oh, and I have to go back and check on Mr. Gunther to see how his memory potion is doing. He was resting when I stopped by today and I didn’t want to disturb him.
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