“Sorry you missed out?” I ask with a laugh.
“Maybe. Okay, yes. I don’t know how Jac does this all the time. He misses all the action.”
“He prefers it that way.” Normally, Jacques is sitting at the desk, being the behind-the-scenes guy who keeps us all going. But he’s been working on another project the last few days and Hasan had to fill in the admin role.
I wrap my arms around his neck and lean in. “Am I too gross to kiss?”
“You’re never too gross to kiss.” His lips crash into mine. “Or to fuck.”
“Prove it.”
With a swift movement he picks me up and puts me on the desk. I part my legs and welcome him between them, feeling his cock through his jeans. No sooner than we get started does the phone ring. Sighing, Hasan breaks away to answer.
“Templar Investigations,” he says, and I can’t help but smile. He was made for this job, and we’re doing pretty damn well for ourselves. Word of mouth has a weird way of spreading, and along with our normal cases, we get a handful of people calling and asking us to look into “strange things” that have happened. Most are just that—strange—but several have led to demons.
I slide off the desk and walk over to the window. We’re in the office that used to be Trent’s, but this place has a totally different feel. We help people now.
Using the hidden staircase, I go up to the penthouse, which no one is currently living in, but we still use it from time to time. I wash up and change my clothes, meeting Hasan downstairs just in time to close up shop for the night.
“You look amazing,” he says, picking me up and kissing me. “How much time do we have?”
I raise my eyebrows. “Not much, but you’ve always been able to get me off with impressive speed.”
He lets out a guttural growl and lays me down on the desk. He’s going to impress me now.
* * *
The soundof chimes rings out, echoing through the store. The smell of incense fills the air and a feeling of peace washes over me like it does almost every time I step foot into the magic store.
“Hey!” Gemma says, looking up from behind the counter where she’s restocking little crystal charms. “You look good, Ace. I think I’ve only seen you with your hair curled like three times.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I’m usually pretty lazy. But tonight is a special occasion!” I run my eyes up and down her. “And damn, girl. Look at you!”
She smooths her hands over her dress. “Is it too much?”
“Not at all,” I assure her. “It goes with that flashy ring on your finger.”
A huge smile breaks out on her face and she holds up her hand. “I still can’t believe it.”
“I can. You’re a catch and I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.”
Gemma blushes and turns back to the crystals. Nick and Gemma started dating after everything went down with Trent. He was having a hard time taking it all in, and then he just happened to be over when Trent’s anti-aging potion finally wore off and he melted into a puddle of ashy goo. Instead of running away and threatening to expose me as a witch to the entire police force, he stuck with us and still helps when we need him to.
And he proposed to Gemma last night.
“Where’s Jac?” I ask as Hasan, Tom, Gil, and I move into the store. Lyra followed through with moving to Florida, and we took over the lease on the building. Gemma runs the store now, helping educate the Wiccan community. Jared works part time on weekends, as much as his parents hate that.
“In the back with Rachel.”
“How’s she doing?” I unzip my coat and set my purse on the counter.
Gemma makes a face. “She’s struggling and was asking for her powers to be bound again.”
I shake my head. “Did Jac make any progress?”
“I don’t think so. He talks about you too much, if you ask me.”
I laugh and go into the back room, finding Jacques standing by a dry erase board, looking all hot and sexy like a college professor I’m secretly lusting after during class.
