Page 52 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

Siobhan

That tai chi class was the hottest experience of my life. And it’s not supposed to be sensual! But the way everyone’s bodies moved, the complete command and control they all had. Staring at each other in the mirror but not being able to touch… All of it was enough to make my skin buzz.

And it’s still buzzing. I feel antsy, too hot. Needy in a way that’s unlike me.

I want to say all this, but the words don’t come. I lick my lips, take a breath, tip my head back against the seat.

None of it helps, so I pull out my phone on the drive home in an attempt to distract myself while Aury turns the radio on. Helen’s healing spell video has hundreds of thousands of views, and since she tagged me in it, I keep getting notified every time someone comments or reshares it. My followers are fawning over it, while hers are talking up what an incredible witch she is. There’s no reply from the earth witch I messaged yet.

I wrinkle my nose and close the app, dropping my phone in my lap.

“What’s up?” Aury glances at me with the tiniest line between his brows.

“Nothing, just stupid social media stuff.”

“Social media stuff isn’t stupid,” Aury says, turning onto my street. “It’s your job. You can tell me about it if you want.”

I stare out the window, not intending to get into it, but the words roll off my tongue anyways. “This newer influencer, she does spells. I get a weird vibe from her, but she’s got a decent following. Anyways she wants to do a collab and my followers seem to like the idea. I don’t want to, but I might not have much of a choice if everyone doesn’t calm down about it soon.”

I roll my head against the back of the seat so I’m looking at him. His straight posture and… messy hair? I straighten and lean towards him. “Why is your hair all messed up?”

He side-eyes me, then pinches his lips together like he’s trying not to smile. My mouth drops open, and then I laugh.

“Wait a second,” I say, drawing out the words while I stare at him. Swollen lips, messy hair, faint red marks along his neck. “Goddess above, Aury! What were you and Hayden doing while Jayce and I were…”

Aury smirks, then turns to pull into my driveway. He puts the car in park, then twists to face me. “While you and Jayce were… what, Moonbeam?”

I run my tongue over my teeth, then decide not to be embarrassed about how I absolutely lost my mind over that man for a hot minute.

“While I was climbing him like a tree,” I say, sticking my nose in the air with a haughty chin tilt.

Aury chokes on a laugh. “You were definitely doing that.”

“And you were…?” I raise my eyebrows expectantly.

He sighs, and I can’t tell if it’s a wistful sigh or a ‘I don’t know’ type of sigh. He slumps back in his seat and runs a hand through his hair. It doesn’t help.

“I might have been getting more closely acquainted with Hayden,” Aury says.

I grin. “More closely acquainted with their lips?”

Aury rolls his eyes, then laughs and shakes his head ruefully. “Yes, if you must know. And before you ask, they’re a very good kisser. A bit demanding, but I found I didn’t mind it.”

“Demanding?” I’m leaning so far forward I’m practically in his seat now, but a girl needs details! “Demanding how? Like what?”

“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell. And we’re here.”

“Are you kicking me out?” I say, aghast at the gall of this man.

“I would never, but I am done with this conversation.”

“Okay, tell me this then,” I say. “In all seriousness, will you spend the night with me?”

Aury freezes with his door halfway open, then turns and looks back at me. His eyes scour my face, and I bite my lip, hoping against hope that he’ll say yes. The idea of being alone right now makes me want to cry. Which is ridiculous, because I love my alone time.

“I need to feed my cat,” Aury says.

I deflate. He’s trying to let me down easy. It’s okay if he doesn’t want to spend the night with me. I’m a strong, independent woman, and I don’t need anyone else to be happy.