Page 5 of Untraced Magic (Cutters Cove Witches #1)

Tyler

Above me, the glow of two amber lanterns lit up the deck as daylight disappeared beneath the horizon. The air was stiff, but on nights like this I still managed to run hot even in a t-shirt. Thermo magic had a way of doing that to me.

“God dammit, Wes, it’s the wrong connection size,” I muttered just as arms engulfed me from behind. My eyes widened in surprise before a familiar voice met my ears.

“Hey, big brother, thought fixing the grill would be your jam.”

I turned to find Skye standing beside me with a knowing look on her face. She hadn’t aged a bit in the years she had been away, still looking as young as the day she left. I was sure she had inherited our mother’s seemingly ageless genes.

“Hey, sis, long time no see.” I grinned back, landing a peck on her cheek. Wrapping my free arm around her, the gas bottle balanced precariously on my thigh. “No more blonde?” I asked, motioning to her hair.

She laughed, tugging at a strand. “Yeah, thought it was time for a change.” Her eyes darted to the bottle. “Problem with the grill?”

“Yeah, sorry, just let me get this sorted and I’ll be back shortly. ”

As I turned to head towards the stairs, my feet froze mid-step when I spotted our new neighbor standing at the bottom of the stairwell.

Chocolate-brown orbs connected with mine, and a foreign heat washed over me. Intense. Like an outgoing tide, threatening to pull the sand from under my feet and take me with it. My gaze fell to her full lips, and her tongue slid over them as if parched.

Heat licked at my insides, only intensifying as I walked closer.

We both moved to the side, but in the same direction, causing us to do the whole ‘you go that way, I’ll go this way thing’ but both got nowhere.

Standing face to face, she clutched her drinks in one hand, shoving the other in the pocket of her jeans.

Those jeans.

I chuckled under my breath. “I can’t dance with you all day.”

She let out a sigh. “Don’t worry, I don’t intend to.”

A smile played on my lips. Witty and attractive... damn.

She moved to the side and jutted out a hip, a mask of indifference replacing the heat that had flooded her eyes moments ago.

I swiped my hand over my jeans before stretching it to hers.

“I’m Tyler. You must be our new neighbor.”

She paused, and for a moment I didn’t know if she would introduce herself.

Finally, she replied, “Hi. I’m Morgan.” Her soft palm enclosed mine before quickly pulling away as she eyed the gas bottle still parked on my thigh. “I’ll get out of your way,” she mumbled, stepping aside .

My reaction to her presence caught me off guard, because ever since Ava’s death, I’d not given a single woman my attention.

“Thanks,” I said with a nod, moving past her.

I found the connection and ventured back to the man cave, hooking up the gas bottle easily this time. Watching the action inside, I grinned as Reid pulled a roundhouse kick on his sparring partner Colt, sending him hard into the ground with a thud .

Cheers erupted around the basement.

“You’d better up your game, Colt,” I joked, and he swiftly responded with his middle finger.

From outside, I saw Wes talking to Morgan, catching the way his hand innocently brushed her arm. She would think he was being overly friendly, coming on to her even. She wouldn’t know his true intentions.

He caught my eye over her shoulder, subtly nodding his head to the side.

Human. I figured as much.

Reid threw me his classic cheese-dick smile. “Up for a tousle?” he challenged, his arms open wide as he beckoned me forward.

Colt eyed me from where he stood, still catching his breath. “Ty, get out there. Last time I looked, you were getting rusty,” he taunted.

I wasn’t big on fighting, but when push came to shove, I could hold my own.

“You wish,” I bantered back as I moved inside .

Approaching Reid, I didn’t think before pulling my top over my head and throwing it to Morgan. She caught it with wide eyes, her stare drilling nine-inch nails into my back as I walked away.

Fuck. I clenched my fists. Real smart move.

I didn’t mean for it to happen, to discard my clothing into her hands like that, but there was no going back now.

Reid moved closer, his stark blues stalking mine like a scope to its target, waiting for me to make my move. I had height and muscle on my side, but Reid was lean and fast.

We had one rule when sparring: No gifts allowed. It was fair game that way.

“Make your move, Ty…” he goaded me, flipping the cap on his head backwards.

I knew how Reid worked. I’d seen him spar many times, and he was mainly all talk, although his fast reflexes were not to be dismissed.

He gave in first, sending a quick jab to my left that I blocked before quickly connecting two blows to his side. He adjusted to the impact, showing no sign of slowing down, then he came at me.

Launching a high kick to my shoulder, I blocked and took hold of his leg, twisting until my back was to his stomach. It left him on one leg, and wasting no time I grabbed the back of his neck, propelling myself forward and hurling him over my shoulder until his back met the ground with a thump .

“Too much talk, not enough game, pretty boy.” I smirked, looking down at him.

He made a face. “Whatever, Ty, you won’t be so lucky next time.”

I pulled him up, and we shook hands laughing.

Colt slapped me on the back. “Not so rusty after all.”

I leaned against the wall, my gaze lifting to Morgan who was walking in my direction, my top between her delicate fingers.

“I believe you may be looking for this,” she stated matter-of-factly, squaring her shoulders. Her heavy stare lowered to my chest before darting away.

“Thanks.” I took it from her and slipped it back on. “Good to see you haven’t auctioned it off without an autograph.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

My brows pitched, surprised at her observation that couldn’t be more wrong if she tried. My fire element crackled inside me, itching my palms. Something about her baited me. “Are you always this… friendly?”

She folded her arms across her chest, scowling. “You threw me your clothes.”

I held back a smile. She was feisty for a human.

“I threw you the top half,” I corrected. Her pale cheeks flared with heat, irises stirring. “And you caught it,” I added.

She huffed out a breath. “You’re such a jerk.”

I laughed to myself, shaking my head. “And you have me all figured out.”

A moment silently stumbled upon us, collecting our breaths. Hers were dark brown, so rich, so intense. I felt the way they crawled over me as she studied me, my skin an inferno under her scrutiny.

Caution edged my tone. “I was just messing around… before, I mean. ”

She shifted her weight between feet, her hand falling to the plain silver chain resting over her collarbone. Her fingers glided over it as if nervous.

I didn’t blame her. The poor girl had walked into a basement of brawling, but whatever conclusions she’d jumped to, it was better than the truth.

“Sorry if we freaked you out with the antics here. We can get a little competitive.” I shrugged.

Her eyes landed on mine, then moved to the action again. “I’m not complaining…” She gestured to Wes, now topless and about to spar with Reid. “The cold doesn’t seem to bother you guys.”

I chuckled at her response. I understood; every guy here was ripped and built to hold their own. If only she knew who she was really hanging out with.

As she continued to watch the guys, I studied every curve of her hips.

There was something about her that drew my attention. Demanded it, even. I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“How well do you know your way around a grill?” I asked.

She turned her head to mine. “I know my way around a grill.”

“If we stuff up the meat, there’ll be hell to pay from the guys…”

She folded her arms, raising a perfectly manicured eyebrow at me. “I can handle my meat just fine.”

I stifled a laugh. This girl had sass.

“I’ll go get it…” she said, turning swiftly on her heel, perhaps regretting her choice of words.

“The garage,” I instructed, loud enough so she could still hear me.

From over her shoulder, she turned back to look at me, confusion stamped on her forehead.

“The meat to be handled, it’s in the fridge in the garage.”

I couldn’t hide my amusement, a smirk tugging at my lips.

She nodded once, the makings of a smile hinted at the edges of her mouth. Not long after, she returned with a tray of steaks, setting it down on the table beside me.

Morgan whistled. “When you said meat, I didn’t think you meant an entire beast.” She let out a chuckle. “What do you lot do all day?”

“And she laughs,” I mused, prepping the grill.

She shot me a piercing look, and I raised my arms innocently.

“Like I said, hungry men. So, what brings you to Cutters Cove? It’s not exactly a thriving metropolis.”

She stole a sideways glance at me, a long pause following.

“I just really needed a fresh start, and it seems this is the place I’ve ended up.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of the comment but didn’t push it.

A loud cheer erupted from Scarlet and Jade as Wes yielded to Reid, who had his elbow wrapped firmly around his neck. It wasn’t like Wes to lose, let alone need to yield, but I guess we all had our off days.

My attention turned back to Morgan, who was loading the grill with meat.

There was more to her than the tough exterior she put on; I was certain of it. But that was another rabbit hole I couldn’t afford to go down, so I tucked those thoughts into my back pocket and left it with the rest of the dirty images her ass had been torturing me with ever since she’d arrived.

“So, are you a mechanic?” she said, her gaze sweeping over me as if trying to figure me out.

“What gave me away? Is it because I’m exceptionally great with my hands?” I raised a brow, holding up the tongs.

“It’s definitely not the hands.” She snorted before a more serious expression settled over her face. Her brown eyes locked on mine. Longer this time. The same way they had connected at the gas station.

I tore myself from her heavy stare, breaking the moment. She was human, and I’d vowed never to fall for another human again.

It pained me to think that even after losing Ava, my body reacted to Morgan in ways I couldn’t comprehend. I felt like a fraud. They were similar in looks, both with dark hair, only where Ava had been reserved and softly spoken, Morgan was witty with a subtle confidence about herself.

Her lips opened then shut again, like she was deciding if she should speak. When she did, it barely came out a whisper.

“It was you at the gas station…wasn’t it?”

I couldn’t let her know how much the moment had affected me. How my heart had hammered the side of my ribcage like it was fighting for air.

I needed space. A fresh breath. Air not tainted with her strangely overwhelming scent.

She was human, and I knew first-hand how that scenario played out .

I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

My gut twisted into a knot, knowing I had to pull the asshole card.

“I think Skye needs some help inside,” I said bluntly, so she got the hint.

I knew I sounded like a jerk, but it was better than the alternative begging for mercy in my pants.

She remained silent, and I shifted my gaze to hers to be sure she’d heard me.

Her lips tightened, and an expression clouded her face I couldn’t read.

Finally, she muttered, “Sure,” then walked away.

The evening seemed to drag, maybe because I was in the same room as a human who had managed to awaken every cell inside of me. My calm exterior was nothing but a facade, a carefully curated mask of indifference I’d mastered to perfection.

But beyond that, blood scorched its way through my veins, my nerves misfiring it seemed at her mere presence.

Leaning against the back of the couch, Morgan stood deep in conversation with Scarlet, her long hair falling over her shoulders in subtle waves. Every so often, she adjusted herself, capturing my attention, before I had to turn away.

Beside me, Reid sat perched on the edge of a lounge chair, his elbows resting on his knees. “What’s the go with the new girl?” he asked, low enough to keep the conversation between us.

“Human,” I answered, just as low.

Hearing the word aloud hit me like a punch to my gut.

Reid took a swig of his beer. “Pity, she’s hot. ”

I huffed a laugh, running my palms down my jeans. “Yep,” I muttered.

At that moment she caught my eye again, and my insides fucking crumbled. Her curious irises captured mine, holding our connection. This time, I couldn’t look away.

She stared at me like I was an artifact to decipher. I stared back pokerfaced, when all I could think about was the taste of her perfect-as-fuck lips.

What was wrong with me?

Our eyes remained anchored in place, like some magnetic form of torment as the corner of her lips lifted into a tight smile. I lifted my beer to my mouth, absorbing her intensity.

Reid let out a quiet whistle. “You’re in trouble.”

“Fuck off.” I grumbled.

He clamped a hand on my shoulder. “Keep that one in the ‘look but don’t touch box,’ Ty.”

I dragged a hand down my face. God dammit, I was going straight to hell.