“Youdidsummon me,” I agree.
“—and my CAT likes you now—”
“I’m very likable.”
“—andthe town thinks I’m attracted to you—” she groans.
“They’re not entirely wrong.”
She sputters. “EXCUSE ME?”
I stand slowly, letting Newt slide off my lap. Her eyes widen as I tower over her. “You feel it,” I say softly.
“That is NOT what I feel!”
“Your magic thinks otherwise.”
She shakes her head so hard her curls bounce. “Absolutely not. I am NOT—under ANY circumstances—attracted to some arrogant, broody, musclebound—”
“Keep going,” I murmur.
“—horny HELL-spawn—”
“Mm.”
“—with an ego the size of the moon and no concept of personal space—”
“I do enjoy your space,” I retort.
“—and a face that’s—” She clamps her mouth shut.Hard.
I step closer. Predator close. Heat rolling off me in waves. “A face that’s what?” I coax.
She shoves my shoulder. “PUNCHABLE.”
I laugh—low, delighted, hungry. She has no idea what she just did to me. My demon surges, slow and thick and possessive. “I could help you,” I say quietly. “With all of this. With the curse. With the pull you’re feeling.”
“I AM NOT FEEL—”
“There’s a very simple way to ease the bond’s pressure.”
Her mouth opens—and snaps shut. Piper’s voice drops to a horrified whisper. “If you say sex…”
I smile.
Her eyes go huge. Horrified. Flustered. Pink creeping up her throat. “You are UNBELIEVABLE,” she sputters. “I cannot—are you out of your infernal MIND—sex does NOT solve CURSES—”
“It would solve this one.”
“No it wouldn’t!”
“Yesit would.”
“No—NO.” She points at me wildly. “We are not doing ANYTHING. EVER.”
I step in. Close enough that she bumps into the wall behind her. Her breath stutters.
“You insult me,” I murmur. “And it excites me.”
