Page 29 of Haunt Me, Maybe

A squeak escaped me, and my knees gave up all pretense of being strong. They buckled, and only Wes’s quick grab saved me from falling to the floor. His laugh was rich and deep; it reverberated through his chest as he pulled me up.

“Yeah,” he said, hoarsely. “That’s what I thought.”

He leaned in, pressing one last kiss to my temple—so soft it was devastating—and then stepped away. The weird mix of heat and cold left with him, and the room returned to its usual tempered glow. Wes watched me for a long moment, his expression torn between satisfaction and restraint.

I did that. I put that look there.

“We’re going to have to talk about boundaries,” he said.

I managed a breathless smile. “Are we?”

“Oh, absolutely,” he replied, eyes lingering on my mouth. “Because if we don’t, then this attic is going to echo with your cries of pleasure and pleas for mercy…and I don’t have the kind of control in me to grant them.”

He turned away, vanishing before I could respond. I slid down the wall, heart pounding and lips still tingling. My thighs were slick beneath my skirt, and a heavy pressure lingered low in my stomach, waiting for Wes to come back and finish what he started.

I knew one thing with certainty—this was only the beginning.

CHAPTER TEN

Aven

The attic was quiet again in a way that felt deliberate. Mid-morning light slanted through the open window, highlighting the dust dancing on the breeze. Everything was warm-toned and serene, like the world decided that for this hour, nothing bad could happen. Too bad it hadn’t considered my feelings in that decision.

Wes still hadn’t appeared. Not when I woke. Not when I dressed. Not when I lingered by the window longer than necessary, pretending to watch the street while waiting to feel that signature chill that never came. I sighed. He was avoiding me, then. Brilliant. Maybe I really had somehow messed up that kiss.

The thought landed awkwardly, giving me secondhand embarrassment…or was it delayed embarrassment? I tried to shake it off; there were a million reasons Wes could be avoiding me. Last night was…a lot. Dangerous. Stupid. Complicated. He was allowed his space.

Knowing that didn’t stop the confusion from taking root in my chest. Or the nervous energy. Or the way my attention kept snagging on memories of fiery hands and a voice gone rough with the last thread of restraint. I’d never felt anything like it.

—and probably never would again if avoidance was a guy’s direct reaction to touching me.

Enough moping! Fenn hopped into the center of the room with a decisive thump and fixed me with a knowing look. If you have energy to worry about boys, then you have energy to practice.

“They’re not even remotely the same,” I muttered. “Besides, I have a shift today.”

Not for a few hours.

I considered arguing, but I never won against Fenn. And I was getting tired of my magic acting up around magically-charged places in town. Who knew when I’d bump into another one?

If it’s the ghost you’re worried about, he isn’t around.

“Twist the knife deeper, why don’t you?” I muttered.

With an annoyed groan, I rummaged through the desk, grabbing all the necessary ingredients for a ward circle. Runes protected the attic itself, but an extra layer never hurt. My stick of chalk was more of a nub, and I hoped there was enough left to draw a circle.

There was. Yay.

Lines precise, I added the crystals and charms to their places at the compass points and settled in the middle. It was nothing big or flashy, but it was strong. Fenn nestled across from me in the center, like he owned the place.

I will absorb the excess, he announced, already smug. Like a sponge.

I snorted despite myself and crossed my legs. Hands resting lightly on my knees, I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.

In.

Out.

In.