AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t think your sister would like that very much.”
The words gave her pause as she flagged down a bartender. Her eyes narrowed, then gleamed.
“Oh, that fiend. Well, it’s done. I already bought it. And gratitude is always well-received here.”
The drinks came in no time, and he imitated her by lifting it in the air.
“Thanks.”
“It’s no problem. And I don’t mean that kind of gratitude.” She sipped and pursed her lips. “Unless there’s really something going on between you two?”
The question baffled him until he realized how close she had gotten, her mouth already grazing his cheek. Her hand rested lightly on his knee, too, fingertips emitting little sparks that tingled. The tingles stayed there, though, a by-product of her magic more than their skin contact.
“There’s nothing going on. But…”
“You are not into witches?”
On instinct, he glanced in Ruby’s direction and stilled when he found brown eyes meeting his. Her smile was gone, but she returned her attention to Lionel when he tapped her shoulder.
“I see,” Pearl murmured, watching them with amusement and slowly backing away.
“There’s nothing to see…and thanks for the drink.”
He excused himself before she could flirt some more, understanding that was a line that shouldn’t be crossed. Close to the entrance door, a figure blocked his way.
“What are you doing?”
Maddox peered at Ruby, who was scowling. Again.
“Hanging out in a bar.”
“I told you to stay away from her.”
“Technically, I did. She is the one who can’t stay away from me.”
Her scowl turned deeper, then was shot in Pearl’s direction. But Pearl was already busy cozying up with someone else.
“Oh.”
“Why, though?”
“Pearl’s in a careless mood.”
It brought back the memory of the tension he had detected between the sisters earlier, then Ruby’s progressively sulkier mood when she returned. Suspicion rose.
“So…Lionel.”
A streak of…something crossed over her features.
“It’s nothing. We know each other. We met up here and hung out.” A pause. “Not that he is the reason I turned you down. It just happened. It’s a completely different scenario. I didn’t know you would be here.”
Why are you nervous?
The thought came and went in his head. He cleared his throat. “I didn’t ask.”
But now she confirmed his suspicion because there would have been telltale signs if a woman was interested in the man she was talking about—and Maddox asking her about it put her on edge.
“Right. See you later, then. And about Pearl…”
