Page 57 of Divine Temptations

I didn’t want him to come because of the spiritual reasons. I wanted him to come because… because the way he was looking at me made me feel like more than a symbol. More than a story.

“Yes,” I said, softer than I meant. “I’d like you to come.”

Julian’s gaze dropped to my lips.

Then lower.

His eyes skimmed my body again, slower this time, like he wasn’t even pretending to be subtle. When they returned to mine, they were darker. Hungrier.

“I’d love to come,” he said, voice low and edged with heat.

Percy choked on a snort.

I didn’t even look at him.

I smiled instead, letting a hint of wickedness curl the edge of my lips. “We’ll start at sunset, out behind the ministry. There’ll be a bonfire. Blankets. Tea, if you’re lucky.”

Julian leaned in just a little, his voice barely a murmur now. “Will you be there?”

I nodded. “I never miss one.”

His eyes met mine again and held. It was like electricity had coiled between us—live, crackling, waiting to arc.

God, he was dangerous.

And I couldn’t wait to be ruined by him.

Julian tilted his head toward me, and for a split second, I thought he might kiss me right there, with Percy watching and the whole town ready to gossip by morning.

But instead, he bit his lower lip.

Bit it.

And then whispered, “What should I wear?”

I felt a smile bloom slowly and sinfully on my face.

And before I could answer, I asked myself the one question I hadn’t dared until now:

Was I ready to let someone see the real me?

Chapter Five

Julian- Episode 72- Unholy Orders

Recorded live from the soft cult capital of Virginia

Julian Reed, Host

“Blessed be the weird, because Riverbend, Virginia, is a full-throttle fever dream.”

[sound of drink being set down]

“Listen, disciples, I thought I knew strange. I’ve covered tantric cults in Bangor, Maine. I’ve interviewed a man who swears he’s the reincarnated soul of Cleopatra and Elvis. But nothing—and I mean nothing—could have prepared me for this glitter-dusted crystal vortex of a town.”

[beat, dry amusement]

“Picture a Hallmark Christmas village if it were overrun by witches, yoga moms, and ethically non-monogamous Reiki practitioners. Every storefront is painted in earth tones and covered in hand-lettered signs that say things like ‘Mercury’s in retrograde, not your attitude’ or ‘Breathe. Intuit. Buy Local.’”