Page 26

“No.”

“So, why are you here?”

“I have been looking for Ethan. Unfortunately,he’snot in the phone book. I thought you might have some information that could help me.”

“You could have called.”

She ignored the comment. Thrusting her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, she studied him. “So?”

He moved away from her and took a seat behind the desk, then motioned to the chair opposite, but she was too restless to sit down, and she paced the floor in front of the desk instead.

∞∞∞

Caleb watched her long legs in her tight jeans as she moved across the floor. Only force of will kept him in his seat when he wanted to leap up, take her in his arms, drag her down, and make violent love to her.

If it had just been a case of mere lust, he might have done it, but it went deeper than lust. She called to something inside him. No, not something. He admitted it at last—she called to his wolf.

Wolf had always asked for very little from him, content to remain in the background of Caleb’s life. Now he wouldn’t be quieted. For the first time, there was something wolf wanted. Caleb could sense him so close to the surface, hungry, clamoring to be free. He realized, with a jolt of surprise, that it was full moon in a few days’ time. He’d actually forgotten in his constant fear over Regan’s safety.

Caleb hadn’t been able to put her out of his mind. Worry had gnawed at his every conscious moment. He didn’t want to worry about her. He didn’t want to feel anything for her.

Then an alternative explanation slipped into his head. After all, she was a witch. He glanced at her sharply, and she raised an eyebrow.

“What?” she asked.

“Have you put a spell on me?” he asked.

She looked taken aback by the question. “What sort of spell?”

“Some sort of—” He paused. He’d been about to say love spell. Luckily, at the last moment he’d realized what she would infer from that. That he was in love. Which he most definitely wasn’t.

She was watching him; he could almost see her brain working—the second when enlightenment struck. Her eyes widened, and then she grinned. She came around the desk and sat on the edge only inches from his chair, swinging her long legs. He resisted the urge to push himself away from her, and the urge to push himself closer.

“A love potion? You think I’ve put some sort of love spell on you.” She stared down at him, and those strange witch’s eyes penetrated into his soul. He wanted to drown in them, lose himself completely. “Are you inlovewith me, Caleb?”

He forced his gaze away. “Not love,” he growled. “I never mentioned love. Some sort of attraction spell, to make me want you.”

“I’m hurt, Caleb. Do you really think I need a spell to make men want me? Am I so ugly?” She pouted at him, fluttering her long lashes.

“God, you’re a bitch.”

She grinned. Then her eyes widened in alarm.

“What?” he asked.

“I had a thought. When you were with Catrin, that time you brought me home, she made you coffee, didn’t she?”

“Yes. So?”

“That’s it then. Catrin’s put one of her lust spells on you.”

Relief hit him. This wasn’t natural—it was some sort of spell, and it would fade, or she’d remove it, or something. He glanced up to see her watching him, amusement still on her face.

“Oh, for God’s sake, Caleb—I’m joking. Of course, Catrin wouldn’t put a spell on you to make you fall in lust with her sister. What do you think we are?”

She laughed then. He’d never heard her laugh before. Not in genuine amusement. It was a beautiful sound, musical, and he listened, entranced. Then she fell silent. She looked at him, head to one side, her gaze drifting down over the length of his body.

“So,” she murmured. “Do you lust after me, Caleb? Do you want me?” Her voice lowered to a husky drawl that sent frissons slithering down his spine.