Page 12 of Her Curves, His Fate

“I’m almost afraid to look,” Nora laughed.

As they turned away from the provocative display, Nora couldn’t help but wonder if their mutual attraction was fate beckoning or just a wicked combination of the mating spell and the sultry ambiance of Dil’s cabin. Despite their confidence that the spell wasn’t working on them, maybe it was.

Whatever was happening, one thing was certain—resisting Rafe Masterson would prove to be a challenge unlike any she had ever faced.

Just like the bedroom was well stocked for the pleasure of the flesh, the kitchen held enough food to feed an army of trolls. They decided on steaks and pan roasted vegetables. As they worked to fix something to eat, Nora was aware of the deepening connection forming between them. She didn’t think it was the spell even though the air was heavy with erotic tension.

No, she was beginning to believe Rafe was telling the truth. She was his mate. And on the flip side, he was hers. Not just in the traditional sense of shifter mates. But soulmates. She had never left so…complete.

She felt tingles of magic skipping along her skin. Tidbits of spells filling her mind.

“Is something wrong?” Rafe’s expression held concern.

“I don’t know.” Nora finished seasoning the few fresh vegetables they had found and put them in the oven. “I feel so drawn to you right now.”

Which was a polite way of saying she wanted to jump his bones.

“Welcome to my world,” Rafe said his voice husky and filled with need. The look in his eyes sent shivers down her spine.

“You’re—”

“Feeling the effects of the spell. That’s a sugar-coated way of saying it.” He ran a hand through his dark hair, clearly agitated.

“It’s overwhelming.”

“Yes, it is, Nora. But remember, I would feel this way for you without the spell.” He moved toward her. “I don’t want something controlling our actions, forcing us into anything.”

Cupping her face in his hands, he stared down her, his blue eyes slowly filling with silver. “I want you, Nora, like I’ve never wanted anyone in my life. You are my mate. Of that, I’m certain. And, I wish like hell this spell hadn’t happened.”

“Me, too, Rafe. Me, too.” She stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his stubbled jaw. “Let’s eat and then try and get some sleep. Maybe it will have dispersed by morning. That’s what Dil seemed to think would happen.”

“Sounds perfect.” Rafe replied, his eyes lingering on her lips for a moment before he stepped away to rummage thought the drawers for plates and silverware.

He cooked the steaks to perfection and Nora dished up the vegetables. As they ate, they began to talk about their lives. She learned he had been the alpha of his pack for almost two decades. That he had overthrown the previous alpha. It made his position unusual in the sense that most alphas became leaders because of their family lineage. It made her respect for him grow. He’d seen an unacceptable situation and stepped up to fix it.

“So why a bartender?” Rafe leaned back in his chair, having eaten his meal quickly. He enjoyed watching Nora enjoying her food.

“I’m not sure. It was something to do while I waited for my powers to grow. And you wouldn’t believe some of the things people do when they’re drunk.”

“Try me,” Rafe challenged.

“I must admit I’ve cast some spells that have gone wild, but not when I’m drunk.” She tapped her chin with her finger. “Umm, maybe I should be drunk, and my spells would work.” She gave a soft giggle. “Anyway, there was this very young wizard who tried to cast a love spell on this girl at the bar, but he was so wasted that he accidentally cast it on himself instead.”

Rafe laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Did it work?”

“Like a charm,” Nora winked, sipping her wine. “He spent the rest of the night flirting with himself in the mirror.”

“Sounds like quite the sight,” Rafe said, shaking his head in amusement.

“Tell me about you, Rafe,” Nora urged, genuinely curious. “What’s life like outside New Haven?”

“Nothing too exciting, I’m afraid,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mostly just work and training with my pack.”

“Training for what?” she asked, leaning forward, her cleavage teasingly on display.

“Control,” Rafe answered, his voice tight as his gaze lingered on her chest before snapping back to her eyes. “We train to control our shifter abilities.”

“Just like me. I have to learn to control my magic.” She sighed heavily then rose to her feet, gathering the dishes.