Page 91

“Your familiar!” Aurora perks up, clapping. “This is a cause for celebration. Come on, let’s get drinks.”

I clear my throat. “Ryan is eighteen.”

“Just tea, I mean.” She tugs at my shirt, taunting. “Come on.”

I do as she says, and Ryan follows closely behind.

This may be the best coven meeting I’ve attended. A life is saved, the coven members are all happy, and Aurora is smiling at me in a new way—something I’m sure she wouldn’t want to put words to.

That’s fine. I’ll give her time to work it out. The gods know I need it, too. I need to figure out how to keep her close without repeating the past.

Without letting her die.

Chapter 27

Aurora

There’s nothing hotter than a man in charge, and Sterling is definitely hot when he’s leading the coven. Whether he’s giving speeches, helping out other witches, or even bossing me around, he’s a total smoke show. I don’t really know much about fertility magic—at least not when it pertains to plants—and this particular ritual is so out of the realm of my abilities.

He definitely seems to know what he’s doing, instructing everyone to circle the community garden and chant. His voice is loud. When the entire coven stands in a circle and holds hands, I swear he seeks me out, his rough fingers sliding into mine.

I want him. Can we still be just friends when I want him this badly? Maybe I’ve wanted more all along, or maybe it’s this horny ass full moon. When he starts to drive me home, I pose another idea: “Can I hang out at your place?”

He accepts.

I’ve only been in his cabin the one time, and I can tell it’s not the kind of place he invites other people. The table? Two chairs. The fridge? Tiny. His bed? Well, that’s pretty big, but there aren’t nearly as many pillows as I’d want and expect.

When we step inside, I’m definitely thinking about his bed and how to get there. One time to get it out of our system didn’t work, but maybe the second time will be the charm. It’s worth a try.

I wasn’t exactly considering how the night would end when I wore my best lingerie, but maybe it’s fate that I happened to be wrapped up like a bow under my outfit. Thank you, Aphrodite.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” he asks casually, walking into his kitchen.

“Hm…” I plop onto his small couch, still in disbelief that he managed to sleep on this thing. “What do you have?”

“Water. Oat milk. Apple and orange juice. Beer.”

“No hard liquor?”

“No.” He turns to me, lifting one of his eyebrows. “Tell me what you like to drink, and I’ll stock it up.”

Is he going to stock his bar for me? The man who clearly isn’t hosting events is going out of his way to get drinks for me. No fucking way. If I didn’t want to blow him already—and I do, I definitely do—I’d want to now.

“Tequila, charmed for a good time.” I wink. “They make it at the Moonlit Tavern, I’m sure they’d sell you a bottle.”

“Noted.”

“Water is fine,” I say sweetly.

Probably better to keep my wits about me for what I have planned—not that I have much of a plan. Whatever he wants, really. He wants me on my knees? Done. He wants me on top? Not my favorite, but I’d do it for him.

A friendly round of bouncing on it. And maybe cuddling after, if he’s interested.

He brings two glasses of water and moves to sit down on the armchair, but I clear my throat, patting the couch next to me.

“I don’t bite.”

He gives me a look of disbelief even as he takes the seat. “Yes, you do.”