Page 23 of Of Poison & Pumpkins (Of Witches & Men #3)

A beat passes, then he says quietly, into my hair, “That’s what Tinsley said.”

“I don’t want to get arrested.” My body starts shaking again.

“Hey, hey. Don’t think about that right now.” His hands find my temples and massage them slowly. “You’re still stiff, Rynnlee, relax. You won’t break me. It’s okay to put your whole weight on me. It’s not like your skull can crush my godly muscles.”

I snort in laughter, then do as he says, finally giving in to the stability he’s providing. Closing my eyes, I let a little whimper escape because the massage feels so damn good.

“Imagine Goosie’s kittens on your legs right now, sound asleep in a heap of fur, all purring madly.”

Goddess, the little circles he rubs on my temples are the perfect pressure, not too hard or soft. It’s taking away the anxiety while also keeping me alert.

“Now, imagine them wearing knitted boots. You wouldn’t even have to make them if it’s too much work. I’ll custom order twenty tiny paw-covers.”

I smile, and endorphins must be flooding my blood, because the worries melt away.

“Are your eyes still closed?” he asks, while his hands move into my hair, sculpting a masterpiece on my scalp. “I’ll take that moan as a yes. But Rynnlee, you need to stop massaging my thighs, pretty please.”

“What? I wasn’t.”

“Okay then.” He chuckles deeply. “Now pretend you’re in bed, on a soft blanket, with warm fuzzy socks on, and those kittens are still with you, but now there is a fire crackling in the fireplace and magic fills the room. You can taste it.”

“Like cinnamon.”

“Of course, cinnamon is the best type of magic. And you inhale your favorite smell.”

“Your skin in the rain.”

His hands stop massaging.

“I mean …”

“Rynnlee? Have you been smelling me without permission?”

I roll away and try to stand.

“Wait, I didn’t mean for you to leave.”

When I manage to get to my feet, despite feeling like my brain is floating in a fog, Elias gazes up at me in wonder.

“You’ve sniff-catalogued me.” He stands too, more fluid. “I knew it! There’s a tiny little journal filed away in your brain of my scents, and you’ve memorized them, haven’t you?”

I swig the rest of the water and check the store for Tinsley.

“She left to pick up Maya. Said she’ll text you.”

“You don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Was I wrong?” His nuclear smile murders me yet again.

Ugh. This man. What am I supposed to do with him?

“I need to lay down,” I say.

“I’ll come with.”

“No, Elias, I need you to sleep somewhere else.”

Hurt flashes across his eyes for only a second, until he covers it and shrugs. “Yeah, I know. I already have a place.”

“You’re sure? And it’s not in your car?”

He chuckles and rubs a hand over the back of his neck. “Yeah, Shannon texted me.”

Shannon? The waitress from Raven Slam? I keep my face neutral. “Alexandra’s ex?”

“Yeah, she gave me her number when we were there, in case we couldn’t find Alexandra.”

I quickly sweep past him so he can’t see my expression and prep the store for a temporary closing.

“Sunflower, what are you thinking? Why the stomping around like a mad woman?”

“I’m not stomping!” I say, while purposefully lightening my steps. “I’m walking with power!”

“Okay, then. Are you walking with power because you’re jealous?” he asks with amusement in his voice, trailing me as I lock the front door, turn off the lights, and check the thermostat.

“No, what would I have to be jealous about? You can sleep wherever you want to sleep.”

Suddenly, his hands are on my waist and I’m looking up into dark brown eyes. “I’ll tell her no,” he says calmly, a smirk threatening to break free. “If it means that much to you, I’ll sleep in my car, no problem.”

I want to push his chest away, to scream a thousand curses, then wrap my legs around his frame and climb him like a ladder. Instead, I grab a fistful of his t-shirt and wrench him closer.

I gulp, and force myself to say what I truly want. “You’ll sleep at my house,” I tell him, realizing I’m probably giving him whiplash for all my back and forth. It’s not like I owe him anything or give a clear answer. Nevertheless, I’m feeling a little guilty.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“On the couch. And you’ll do your own dishes.”

“Of course, and I’ll even put the seat down when I piss.” He laughs. “Don’t huff at me.”

I try to back away, but he holds me close. “I don’t huff.”

“You are the huffing queen.” His head falls back, and he laughs up to the ceiling. “You did it again, you big huffer.”

The bell of the front door dings, so I jerk out of his grasp. I thought I’d locked the door, but when I see who entered, a whole new set of problems smacks me in the face.

“Brooke!?” My little sister stands before me.

Elias stumbles back.

“What are you doing here?” I can’t take my eyes off Brooke’s waist, where an older, gray-haired, tall man has his hand wrapped around my sister.

“Dad?” Elias shakes his head in confusion.

“Hey, Eli. Surprise! You have a new stepmom! Meet Brooke Pozinne, well, I guess Brooke Thoren now!”

My little sister wiggles her ring finger, plastered with a giant diamond. “We’re married!”

I need to get far away from here. Now.