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“Nosy little Sprite.”

She grins. I groan and cover my face.

This cannot be happening.

I came to Arrhythmia to open a bed-and-breakfast.

That's it.

A fresh start.

Something that belongs to me.

Something I could succeed at without my mother's magic, or Melida's talent or my grandmother's approval.

I was supposed to prove I could build a life on my own.

I was not supposed to discover dormant powers because the cursed Jersey Devil next door might be my supernatural soulmate. And what happens when he rejects me?

Oh no.

Absolutely.

Fucking.

Not.

Because if Clarissa is right, then last night wasn't just a night. And Damian wasn't just a man I wanted. And that scares me more than I want to admit.

I stand abruptly.

“No.”

Clarissa sighs. “We're back to that?”

“Yes. No. He didn't mean it. Absolutely not.”

“But—”

“He didn't claim me.”

“Belinda—”

“He got carried away.”

“Okay.”

“I am not his promised.”

“Okay.”

“My magic is not changing.”

“Okay.”

“And last night was just sex.”

Clarissa's eyebrows climb.