around. His presence was quietly reassuring, especially after my reaction to Rita’s trapped mist.
“He is hot,” Amanda whispered to me on the drive, taking in Ira’s well-built form.
I grinned. “He’s mute, Mandy, not deaf.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks flushed as she glanced sheepishly back at Ira. I could be mistaken, but I thought I saw the corner of his mouth twitch in amusement. Huh. So, he was paying attention. Half the time it felt like he was in his own little world.
When we reached Amanda’s place, her parents fussed over her and lavished me with praise for nursing her back to health. As far as they were concerned, she’d been struggling with a drug habit. I stayed and hung out for a while, and I suspected they thought Ira was my boyfriend because Amanda’s mum pulled me aside at one point and whispered, “He’s quite a dish, Tegan. You did well for yourself.”
It made me wonder what it would be like to be with someone like Ira, especially since he didn’t talk. Would he just silently toss you around the bedroom and shag you senseless?
God, I was such a hussy. My hormones must’ve been acting up. Earlier today I was wondering what it would be like to sleep with Finn and now I was mentally undressing poor Ira. I wondered if Ethan would be jealous if he knew. The thought made me grin.
When we arrived back at Finn’s I was immediately hit with two distinct and opposing sensations. The first was the repulsion from the mist in the jar and the second was an altogether new one. I could feel Ethan’s presence so forcefully it almost knocked me off my feet. My entire body filled with unmistakable and violent lust for him. Jesus. This definitely wasn’t normal.
I steeled myself and tried not to give in to the urge that swept over me as I walked into the kitchen. Ethan, Lucas, Finn, Rita, and Delilah all stood around the table staring intently at the jar of mist. My legs practically turned to jelly at the sight of Ethan. It had to be because of his blood.
I’d imbibed far more than I should have and now I was paying the price, which was resisting the urge to drag him upstairs and tear off all his clothes. This so wasn’t me. It was like a sex fiend had burrowed under my skin, turning me into a horny psycho.
Ethan’s eyes flicked to mine, and I swore I saw his nostrils flare. Oh no, was he smelling how I felt? I blinked and did my best not to look at him, turning my attention to Rita instead.
“Are you any closer to figuring out how to get rid of it?” I asked.
“No,” she replied, frowning. “I’ve tried a whole variety of spells and nothing seems to work. I think I need to hit the books and see what I can dig up. Gabriel, Alvie, and Mum have gone to visit an old warlock friend of Gabriel’s. Gabe’s convinced this guy will be able to help us, but he lives off-grid in a cabin in the woods on the other side of the country, so they’ll be gone for a few days.”
“Oh. Well, that’s good. Did Gabriel and Alvie find anything at Michael Ridley’s place?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Rita sighed dejectedly.
Unintentionally, I found myself standing way too close to Ethan. My arm brushed his, and a bolt of lust shot through me. “Sorry,” I muttered, but he didn’t respond or acknowledge me at all. I did notice his posture stiffen slightly.
It was actually frightening how much I desired him. Rita began explaining something about one of the spells she tried earlier, but I couldn’t bring myself to pay her any attention. I wanted Ethan. I needed him.
Something came over me as I went up on my tiptoes, leaned in close, and rested my face in the crook of his neck. Then I flicked out my tongue and licked his smooth skin. His body went rigid, and he gripped my arm tightly.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, closing his eyes for a moment as though gathering himself. Hmm, perhaps he wasn’t so indifferent …
“Let’s go to my room,” I whispered.
“No,” he said firmly.
“But I’ve missed you,” I went on, leaning even closer and wrapping my fingers around his bicep. I gave him a long, meaningful look to communicate exactly in what way I’d missed him.
Ethan moved fast, dragging me out of the kitchen and shoving me into the empty living