Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Epilogue
Teaser chapter
Praise for the Novels of Vicki Lewis Thompson
Casual Hex
“I absolutely cannot say enough good things about the Hex books. They are fun, quirky reads. My only problem is I race through each one of them because I just can’t wait to see how they end.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Outrageously funny and imaginative . . . Vicki Lewis Thompson is a creatively gifted author who can make the reader believe even the impossible as she brings the story alive on the printed page. . . . Brimming with wit, creative characters, a delightful plot, and plenty of imagination, this story is a delight.”
—Romance Junkies
Wild & Hexy
“Each book that Vicki Lewis Thompson pens is an experience that will have you laughing from the start . . . simply delightful. Wild & Hexy is a zany adventure in romance and magic. Readers won’t be able to resist another visit with the inhabitants of Big Knob.”
—Darque Reviews
“An excellent addition that makes me eager for more! . . . You never really know what might happen in the small town of Big Knob, but you won’t want to miss a thing. A must read!”
—Fallen Angel Reviews
“There was so much going on in this book that I really didn’t want it to end . . . wonderfully fun . . . a keeper for sure!”
—Fresh Fiction
“If you thought Over Hexed was phenomenal, wait until you read Wild & Hexy! . . . A rip-roaring good time.”
—Romance Junkies
“Get ready for a truly Wild & Hexy ride . . . brewing with lots of magical fun, mishaps, and most important of all—romance! . . . Vicki Lewis Thompson has penned a fun paranormal tale.”
—Romance Reader at Heart
“Pure FUN from first page to last!”
—The Romance Readers Connection
“Sassy, fun, and magical, Wild & Hexy is pure delight from the first page. . . . This novel is one you’ll want to read in one sitting, and then you’ll want to read it again.”
—Romance Reviews Today “A fun book to read from start to finish.”
—Once Upon a Romance Reviews
Over Hexed
“A snappy, funny, romantic novel.”
—New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips
“Filled with laughs, this is a charmer of a book.”
—The Eternal Night
“The same trademark blend of comedy and heart that won Thompson’s Nerd series a loyal following.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Thompson mixes magic, small-town quirkiness, and passionate sex for a winsome effect.”
—Booklist
“A warm and funny novel, you find yourself cheering. I would definitely recommend it.”—
The Road to Romance
“This novel was brilliant. I laughed until I cried, and it was a very fast read for me. This genre is the beginning of a new series for Thompson, and if this novel is any indication of the following books, then Thompson has hit the jackpot.”
—Romance Reader at Heart
“Vicki Lewis Thompson has a true flair for humor. Pick up Over Hexed and be prepared to be amused, delighted, and satisfied as Vicki Lewis Thompson takes you on an unforgettable ride.”—
Single Titles
“Vicki Lewis Thompson sure delivers with Over Hexed . . . a lighthearted tale that won’t soon be forgotten.”
—Fallen Angel Reviews
“With her wonderful talent of lighthearted humor, Vicki Lewis Thompson pens an enchanting tale for her amorous characters, steeping it in magic and enough passion to scorch the pages.”
—Darque Reviews
“Vicki Lewis Thompson has created another romance blended with humor to make you beg for more.”
—Once Upon a Romance Reviews
Praise for Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Hexy Romances
“Snappy, funny, romantic.”
—New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips
“A trademark blend of comedy and heart.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Count on Vicki Lewis Thompson for a sharp, sassy, sexy read. Stranded on a desert island? I hope you’ve got this book in your beach bag.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz
“Wildly sexy . . . a full complement of oddball characters and sparkles with sassy humor.”
—Library Journal
“A riotous cast of colorful characters . . . fills the pages with hilarious situations and hot, creative sex.”
—Booklist
“Smart, spunky, and delightfully over-the-top.”
—Publishers Weekly
“[A] lighthearted and frisky tale of discovery between two engaging people.”
—The Oakland Press (MI)
“Delightfully eccentric . . . humor, mystical ingredients, and plenty of fun . . . a winning tale.”
—The Best Reviews
“A funny and thrilling ride!”—Romance Reviews Today
“A hilarious romp.”
—Romance Junkies
“Extremely sexy . . . over-the-top . . . sparkling.”
—Rendezvous
“A whole new dimension in laughter. A big . . . BRAVO!”
—A Romance Review
ALSO BY VICKI LEWIS THOMPSON
OVER HEXED WILD & HEXY CASUAL HEX
SIGNET ECLIPSE
Published by New American Library, a division of
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First published by Signet Eclipse, an imprint of New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
First Printing, February 2010
Copyright © Vicki Lewis Thompson, 2010
All rights reserved
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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eISBN : 978-1-101-18479-0
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To all the compassionate souls who spend their precious time and resources to save homeless pets, with special gratitude for the largest no-kill facility in the world, Best Friends Animal Society, where I spent a fulfilling week one memorable July.
Acknowledgments
As always, I’m deeply indebted to the wonderful folks at Penguin for championing my cause, especially my editor, Claire Zion. I’m grateful for the support of my agent, Robert Gottlieb, at Trident Media, and for the constant encouragement from my assistant/daughter, Audrey Sharpe and my brainstorming partners, Jennifer LaBrecque and Rhonda Nelson. I’m also filled with wonder at the twists of fate that brought me in contact with Romance Writers of America and its founder, Rita Clay Estrada. Rita’s vision transformed the romance landscape, and without RWA many of us, including me, might never have published a book. Thank you, Rita.
Chapter 1
The night Anica Revere turned Jasper Danes into a cat started out innocently enough.
They’d dated for nearly three weeks, and tonight lust ping-ponged across the restaurant table. Anica had anticipated this moment since she first glimpsed this dark-haired Adonis with golden eyes. Although Monday wasn’t a common date night, Jasper’s favorite restaurant was open and he hadn’t wanted to wait for the weekend to see her again. All the signs pointed to finally Doing It.
He studied Anica as if he wanted to lick her all over, which sounded great to her, except . . . she still hadn’t mentioned a significant detail, one that could be a real buzz kill. She hadn’t told him she was a witch.
With chemistry this strong she was so tempted not to tell him, but one mistake with a nonmagical man was enough. The image of Edward racing out of her bedroom a year ago still pained her.
He hadn’t even bothered to grab his clothes. Sad to say, a Chicago police squad car had been cruising by the apartment building and poor Edward had been arrested using a Keep Lake Michigan Clean leaflet as a fig leaf substitute.
She’d heard all about it from her neighbor Julie, who kept a video camera running from her third-story window in hopes that she’d get something worth airing on her brother’s independent cable show, Not So Shy Chi-Town. That clip made it on the show, no problem. To avoid legal repercussions, Edward’s features had been scrambled so no one except Julie and Anica knew who it was.
“You’re frowning,” Jasper said. “Anything wrong?”
Good thing he wasn’t a mind reader. “No, no. Sorry.” She smiled to prove that everything was hunky-dory.
He reached for her hand. “What do you say we get out of here?”
Whoops. She wasn’t quite ready to be alone with him. Better to reveal her witch status in a public place, where she could resist the urge to prove that she had special powers.
That had been her biggest mistake with Edward. He hadn’t believed her, and she’d worked one teensy spell to convince him and had been inspired by what was at hand, so to speak. He’d left before she could explain that his penis would return to its normal color in a few hours.
“I’m fine with leaving,” she said. “But there’s chocolate mousse on the dessert menu. Let’s get some to go. Mousse could be . . . a lot of fun.”
“Mm.” His gaze grew hot. “I like the way you think.”
As he signaled their waitress, Anica searched for the least-threatening way to explain her unique gifts. After her experience with Edward, she dreaded broaching the witch situation. Maybe she should retreat to a quiet place for a few minutes and ask for guidance.
She pushed back her chair and picked up her purse. “I need to make a trip to the ladies’ room.”
He stood, a perfect gentleman. “Hurry back.”
“You bet.” All the way to the rear of the restaurant, she thought about how gorgeous he was and how much she wanted him. She imagined how his eyes would darken during sex. So far his lips had only touched her mouth and neck, but she could mentally translate that delicious sensation to full-body kisses. She longed to feel his dark chest hair tickling her breasts as he hovered over her, poised for that first thrust.
Despite her parents urging her to find a nice wizard boy, she’d always been attracted to nonmagical guys. Because they couldn’t wave a wand or brew a potion to create what they wanted, they had to make it through life on sheer grit and determination. She admired that.
She’d noticed Jasper the minute he’d stepped into her downtown coffee shop. What woman wouldn’t notice six feet of gorgeous male with a physique that did great things for his Brooks Brothers suit? She’d become his friend once she’d learned he was suffering from a broken heart. Sure, he probably had the ability to recover on his own, but she wanted to help.
They’d progressed from conversations at Wicked Brew to a lunch date. That had been followed by two dinner dates, and after the last one he’d kissed her until she’d nearly caved and invited him upstairs, rule or no rule.
He had a right to know the truth before the kissing started again, though, and most likely he wouldn’t believe her. If he didn’t she had to let him go. No clever little tricks to convince the guy this time. But letting him go would be very difficult.
The bathroom was empty, which pleased her. She’d been hoping for time alone to prepare. Jasper was special and she didn’t want to muck this up if she could possibly help it.
Closing her eyes, she took a calming breath and murmured softly, “Great Mother and Great Father, guide me in my relationship with this man. Help me find the best way to tell him of my special powers. May we find a kinship that transcends our differences. With harm to none, so mote it be.”
The bathroom door squeaked open. Anica quickly opened her eyes, turned toward the mirror and unzipped her purse as a tall brunette walked in. Moving aside the eight-inch rowan wood traveling wand she carried for emergencies, Anica pulled out her lipstick and began applying another coat of Retro Red.
She expected the woman to head for a stall or take the sink adjoining Anica’s to repair her makeup. Instead the woman clutched her purse and watched Anica. Weird. Maybe this chick needed privacy, too.
Anica capped her lipstick, dropped it in her purse, and closed the zipper. Turning, she smiled at the woman, who didn’t smile back. Instead her classic features creased in a frown. Troubles, apparently. She looked to be in her late twenties, about Anica’s age.
“It’s all yours.” Anica started toward the door.
“Damn, I can’t decide what to do.”
Oh, Hades. Anica tended to invite confidences and she was usually willing to listen and offer whatever help she could. But now wasn’t a good time. “I’m sorry. I have to get back to my date.”
“Jasper Danes.”
Anica blinked. “You know him?”
“Yes.” The woman sighed. “I stopped by here for a drink, hoping to run into him, beca
use he comes to this restaurant all the time. I should have realized by now he’d be involved with someone else.”
Anticipation drained out of Anica so quickly she felt dizzy. She looked into the woman’s soft brown eyes. “You’re Sheila.”
The woman nodded.
In the spot where hope had bubbled only moments ago, disappointment invaded like sludge. If Sheila was having second thoughts about breaking up with Jasper, then Anica should step aside. What Anica shared with him was mere lust, which might disappear once he found out she was a witch.
She made herself do the noble thing. “We’re not really involved.” Yet.
“I was afraid to ask if it was serious between you two, because it looked as if—”
“We were heading in that direction, but when I first met him he was devastated over your breakup. If you regret leaving him, then maybe there’s still a chance to start over.” Anica wanted to cry. Jasper was the first man she’d had any real interest in since Edward and she was giving him back to his ex. Nobility sucked.
“Excuse me, but did you say I left him?”
“Yes. He said that he begged you to reconsider, but you—”
“Oh, my God.” Sheila gazed at the ceiling. “It’s déjà vu.” She closed her eyes and let her head drop. “I thought I was smarter than that. Guess not.”
“I don’t understand.”
When Sheila opened her eyes to look at Anica, her gaze had hardened. “I didn’t understand, either, until now. Tell me, did he say that I broke his heart?”
“Sort of. You know how guys are.”
“Apparently I don’t know enough about how guys are, but I’ll learn. Let me guess what he said.” Sheila deepened her voice in a pretty good imitation of Jasper. “I thought we had something special. I was all set to take her home to meet my folks in Wisconsin when she lowered the boom. Maybe I should have seen it coming. Maybe I dropped the ball somehow, didn’t live up to her expectations. I tried to get her to reconsider, but she was finished with me.”
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