Page 18 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)
EIGHTEEN
M orning sunlight painted Bacon & Eggs in shades of gold, making the enchanted window displays shimmer. Romi’s heart skipped as she spotted Xabir waiting outside, his usual suit replaced by dark jeans and a fitted sweater that did wonderful things for his shoulders. Her magic hummed appreciatively, remembering how those shoulders had felt under her hands when they’d briefly danced in the café.
“You’re early,” she said, fighting a grin as his eyes darkened at the sight of her in the dress Clover had chosen. His gaze traced her figure slowly, making her skin tingle.
“You’re beautiful.” The words came out in that deep rumble that never failed to make her pulse race. A faint flush colored his cheeks, making him look younger, almost vulnerable.
Romi’s breath caught. Seeing the composed alpha flustered made her feel oddly powerful. “Careful. Keep throwing around compliments like that and I might start to think you actually like me.”
“That would be... accurate.” His voice dropped lower as he stepped closer, his alpha energy wrapping around her like a caress.
Inside, they were led to a cozy booth where enchanted flowers bloomed in time with their conversation. Their knees brushed under the table, sending sparks of awareness through her body. Every time she glanced up, she caught him watching her with an intensity that made her magic flutter.
“The stuffed French toast is magical today,” their server told them with a wink. “Literally. Each bite tastes like your favorite childhood memory.”
“That sounds amazing,” Romi said. “Though potentially dangerous. My childhood memories involve a lot of experimental potions gone wrong.”
“I’ll risk it,” Xabir said, that almost-smile playing at his lips. His foot hooked around her ankle under the table, the casual possessiveness of the gesture making her breath hitch.
Their breakfast arrived floating on sparkly clouds, accompanied by coffee that changed flavors based on their mood. Romi discovered her French toast tasted like her mother’s apple pie, summer afternoons in the garden, and the first time she successfully cast a spell. Though she noticed her coffee had taken on notes of spice and heat that had nothing to do with childhood memories and everything to do with the way Xabir’s thumb was tracing circles on her wrist.
“What do you taste?” she asked, her voice slightly breathless.
“My father teaching me to shift.” His expression softened with memory, though his eyes remained heated when they met hers. “Running through the forest together under a full moon.”
The vulnerability in his voice made her squeeze his hand. He turned his palm up to catch her fingers, thumb tracing patterns that sent tingles of electricity through her arm. Neither of them seemed willing to let go.
After breakfast, they drove to Mystic Woods in his sleek black car that hummed with protection spells. The hidden waterfall waited for them, its crystalline waters dancing with visible strands of wild magic. Xabir helped her over a fallen log, his hands lingering on her waist longer than necessary.
“I used to come here to practice spells,” Romi told him as they walked the winding path. Her breath caught as he tucked her against his side, his warmth seeping into her. “Something about this place makes magic feel more... alive.”
“Show me?”
His request surprised her. Most people - especially alphas - preferred to demonstrate their own power rather than watch others’. But Xabir’s expression held genuine interest mixed with something deeper, more heated.
Smiling, she called her magic forth. It responded eagerly, weaving with the waterfall’s natural energy to create shimmering patterns in the air. Butterflies made of light danced around them, leaving trails of sparkles in their wake.
“Beautiful,” Xabir murmured, stepping behind her. His chest pressed against her back as his arms encircled her waist. His breath tickled her ear. “Though I wasn’t watching the magic.”
Her power surged in response to his closeness, creating a shower of golden sparkles that rained down around them. She felt rather than heard his low chuckle, the sound vibrating through where their bodies connected.
They reached The Luminous Pearl just as the afternoon tide brought the merfolk performance. The underwater restaurant’s glass dome offered a spectacular view of bioluminescent sea life swirling in intricate patterns. Their table floated in a private alcove, surrounded by softly glowing crystals that cast intimate shadows.
“This is incredible,” Romi breathed, watching a group of merfolk create elaborate illusions with glowing plankton. She turned to find Xabir’s gaze fixed on her, dark with an intensity that made her magic spark beneath her skin.
“The view is... enchanting.” His voice had dropped to that low rumble that seemed to resonate through her entire body.
The enchanted seafood changed flavors with each bite, creating a symphony of tastes that had Romi closing her eyes in bliss. When she opened them, she found Xabir watching her with an expression that made her forget how to think.
“You’re doing that on purpose,” she accused, though her voice came out husky rather than stern.
“Doing what?”
“Looking at me like... that.” She gestured vaguely, trying to ignore how his presence seemed to fill all her senses. “All smoldering and alpha-like.”
His lips twitched. “Would you prefer I stop?”
“I didn’t say that.”
The heat in his eyes made her grateful they were sitting.
“I’m trying to come up with more ways for shifters and witches to connect in town,” she smiled at him. “You know, trying to build bridges between supernatural beings.”
“Is there a particular reason you’re so set on this?” he asked, his gaze practically stripping her on the spot.