My feet ached by the time I made it back, and only a few hours remained until morning. Of course, I spent none of them sleeping. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw a full mouth and dark eyes surrounded by pale hair.
The moment the first hint of sunrise gleamed above the horizon, I was up, throwing on clean clothing and taming my mess of hair. I’d barely buttoned up my pants when I jogged down the stairs.
Malik sat at the kitchen island, eating an omelet as he typed away on his laptop. “Good morning, Cas.”
“Morning,” I said absently. “I’m heading out, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
“Cool.” Malik didn’t even look up. Good to know he wouldn’t be worrying about his baby brother. Hell, Adrian probably hadn’t even come home the night before.
Shaking my head, I closed the back door behind me and headed across the sand. Scowling, I turned toward the sidewalk, remembering I couldn’t shift and swim. I was in for another long walk.
The sun crept above the horizon, painting the ocean with streaks of orange and pink by the time I made it back across town. Residents enjoying the cooler weather whizzed past on their bicycles.
My feet led me right to her, as if she was a lighthouse leading me home. Stopping, I looked up at the pale blue condo.
What the hell am I going to say?
“Hey, I know we haven’t met, but you took my coat, and also can I please take you out? I think you’re gorgeous and I want to lick you all over?”
Poseidon's tits, I was all twisted up over this witch. I needed to focus on getting my coat back, and if I could charm her into a date, all the better.
Squaring my shoulders, I knocked on the door.
Nothing happened.
Tilting my head, I tried to listen for sounds of life inside. Quiet. Had she left? I knocked again, louder this time. Abanging sound echoed inside the condo.
My body tensed as my anxiety spiked. Maybe she was hurt and needed me. That tether in my chest urged me forward, but I held myself back, clenching my hands at my sides.
The door inched open, and huge eyes the color of the deep ocean blinked at me.
I knew they’d be that color.
“Hello?”
“Hey,” I said, unable to help my smile. She was adorable, her pale hair in a messy bun on top of her head and smudges of dark makeup around her lashes.
“Can I help you?” she asked, her voice adorably husky.
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” I said, grimacing. “You actually have something of mine.”
“What?”
The door opened wider, and I was blessed with a view of a slouchy t-shirt draping over her delicious curves. Her nipples peaked the thin fabric, and I had to force my gaze away. My heart rate accelerated, my skin heating.
“Um, my coat?” I sounded so disoriented, she probably thought I was an idiot.
She stared at me for a few seconds before recognition lit up her features. “Oh! The fur coat! Wait, how did you know it was here?”
Good question.
“Tracking,” I said dumbly, not wanting to tell her I’dfollowed her home like a stalker. Besides, I could feel the draw of my coat nearby, so it was entirely plausible.
Her small hand curled around the edge of the door. Each finger was tipped with dark blue polish that matched her eyes. Instinctively, I reached out and brushed my hand over hers. It could have been an accidental touch, it was so casual and brief.
Those luminous eyes widened in shock, but I barely registered her reaction as magic raged through me. It was like being struck with lightning, and in that moment, I knew two things.
First, she was definitely a water witch, with her magic surging to meet mine.
