Page 55 of Amber: Deja Brew

Chapter 21

Amber

After Chase is through with me, Wes carries me to the couch and proceeds to take me from behind. Julian fills my mouth so I can’t talk, but Wes keeps asking if I’m sore, which means Julian keeps pulling his cock out to let me answer.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take long before we’re all overcome by passion and Wes forgets to talk. Or maybe he keeps talking—maybe we all do—and we just don’t notice. And then I’m coming, Wes is shattering inside me—with the spelled condom, of course—and Julian finishes in my mouth.

“I like how salty you taste,” I tell him, and when he groans, I grin. I’m so used to blurting out my thoughts by this point, I don’t even blush.

I snuggle against my bear shifter as he carries my sated form to the bed. He holds me so my back is pressed up against his chest, while Juli settles in near my legs and Chase lies down on my other side. Then, we proceed to ask each other questions and tell each other truths.

Julian confesses that he’s worried how he’s parents will react, but he’ll still tell them about us when they arrive. Wes talks a bit about his family, too, and how they make him feel excluded. We offer our support, and then Chase suddenly confesses that he’s actually writing a romance book.

That’s the last thing I remember before Wes is suddenly shaking me awake. “You need to see this, Ambear. All three of you do,” he says.

“Huh? What?” I open my eyes and realize that Wes is kneeling on the bed while Chase and Julian are both trying to sit up. The mattress resists, and keeps tossing them onto their sides. It’s a pretty entertaining sight, or it would be if Wes didn’t sound so urgent.

“I think there’s a light on at the bakery,” he explains once we all finally manage to clamber off the bed.

“What?” I gasp, rushing up to the window to look.

“Do you think someone’s breaking in?” Julian asks, watching as the flashlight moves around in the upstairs window.

“I think the witch never went to Australia,” Chase says.

I think he’s right, but when I don’t end up saying so, I realize the truth spell wore off. “We’re not spelled anymore,” I tell my guys.

“I noticed,” Wes grins.

“I’m glad it wasn’t permanent.” Julian sighs in relief.

“So, what do you want to do about Minerva?” I ask, holding my breath. Because I swear if my guys try to leave me behind—

“Whatever you decide, little bear,” Wes says instead.

I pull on my clothes and race downstairs. This time, the guys let me lead the way, and I’m a Chameleon on a mission. I race across the dark street, and by the time I’ve made it to Minerva’s front door, I’ve shifted into a troll. I raise my hand to knock, but the glass suddenly shutters in front of me and flies inward, all over the bakery floor.

“Did I do that?” I ask in surprise.

“No, I did,” Julian says. “I was trying to turn all the lights, but I guess it didn’t work.”

Except it seems to have the intended effect, because a few seconds later, the lights flicker on, and a certain red-headed witch comes racing downstairs.

“Why did you blow up my door? What’s going on... officer?” she asks, and I realize I still look like Liam the troll.

“I’m here investigating a crime,” I say, deciding to own it. “Witnesses say they saw you inside Jewels Cafe, using magic to cast a curse.”

I half expect Minerva to deny it, but instead, she grows pale. “I didn’t mean to do it, I swear.”

“So you cursed our cafe?” Julian cries, coming into view. “How could you, Mini? You can be mad at someone. But whether you think it's justified or not, you don't go after their business. Their livelihood. And you almost killed a bunch of people, too.”

Minerva pales. "I—"

"Save the excuses. You and I, whatever friendship we shared, that's done. And I swear, Minerva Montgomery, if I so much suspect that you're sabotaging my business, or anyone else's, I’m going to have you arrested.”

“I really didn’t mean to do it.” Minerva starts to sob in earnest. Not pretty, delicate Minerva Montgomery tears, but big fat ugly tears that turn her face red and splotchy. “All I wanted was to go home and forget about this stupid town. But my mom kept telling me to fight for what was mine, and it was so stupid, but I just thought if I left the reviews... but then I regretted it, I swear I did. I was going to take them down, but my parents wouldn’t let me come to Australia. They said I was an embarrassment and they didn’t want their relatives to see me, so they bought me a ticket back here. And when I saw your cafe, I just... I’m so sorry, Julian. Officer. Please don’t arrest me, I swear I’ll make this right.”

“How do you plan to do that?” I demand, Liam’s voice making me sound all frightening and official. I actually feel kind of bad for Minerva, but after she nearly drowned us and destroyed our cafe, I don’t have much trouble pushing those feelings aside.

“I’ll tell all my customers to go to Jewels Cafe. I’ll hand out flyers. I’ll bake for you. I swear. Whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do it.”

“And you’ll pay for the damages from the flood?” I demand.

“Yeah, I’ll pay. I’ll transfer Julian the money right now. I’ll send you everything I have.” She pulls up her phone, and a few minutes later, Julian confirms the transaction. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough to cover the broken coffee machine and all the mugs that got destroyed.

“Make sure you follow through on your other promises,” I warn Minerva as I feel myself starting to shift back. “Have a good night now.”

And then I turn and march away with Julian on my heels my face slowly starts to morph into my own as I break into a triumphant grin.