And you never feel cold. Always so warm. She clasped Erysss hand and squeezed. See? Youre warm as toast. And my tits are in desperate need of a nice warm sweater. Or Ill take a handsome male head lying on them if I can manage that. The eligible bachelor pickings tonight are slim. Have you seen Valor?
I think she headed to the kitchen to check the keg. We should have enough Iced Kiss for tonight, but theres a lot of people here.
The ice beer they brewed had a high alcohol contentand a touch of wintergreen mixed with quartz gem elixirand they served it in shot glasses shaped like icicles.
The towns annual Winter Fantasy Ball, held in the Bleekwood mansion every January, had been featuring The Decadent Damess microbrews for four years, as long as they had been in business in Anoka. Eryss was proud of their beers, but despite the rumors, shed never confess that the four witches who owned the place also stirred in a bit of magic with each batch.
Im heading home, Eryss said. Your eligible bachelor count is correct. Unfortunately. And Im restless. I need to ground myself in the conservatory.
Still having those dreams about the man? I thought you were going to cast the anacampserote?
I did perform it on solstice eve. Havent had another dream until last night. I dreamed again of the great love I once lost. I can never see his face. Its a portent, I know. But with the spell cast, I should be able to recognize his soul should he come into my life. Though, you know, it might not be today or tomorrow. For all I know, it could be thirty years from now.
I dont think so. You will find your great love when you are still young. Maybe youll get him for your birthday?
Eryss turned thirty in a week.
Sure, maybe. But I am in no mood to wander these bleak halls in search of some steamy man flesh. It isnt going to happen tonight. Im restless because Iaggh, I just need some hot and heavy sex, you know?
Darling, I know. Mireio fanned her bosom and cast a glance about the ballroom, where the band had just ripped into a bouncing jitterbug. There arent many men left in this town we havent served at the bar.
And after getting to know them from across the bar, Eryss added, I want to clock half of them over the head.
Youre telling me. We should drive downtown to Minneapolis one night. On a man hunt. Or try Tinder!
Ugh. Dating apps are for hookups.
Yeah, but sometimes a hookup is all a girl wants. You know? But wait, maybe you dont know. Youre the one looking for the happily-ever-after. Oh, sweetie, youll find him.
I know I will. Eryss chuckled at her friends hopeful dramatics. Friends would never admonish one another for wanting some mind-blowing, no-strings-attached sex once in a while. She hugged Mireio. Oh, you are freezing.
Its the décolletage, dont you know. She ran her fingertips over her corseted bosom. I can never stay warm in winter. Remind me why I live in Minnesota?
You were born here, and you love the changing seasons. Eryss took Mireios hands and held them together between her palms. Warmth, she whispered with intention.
Thank you, Mireio said. I felt that magic all the way to my toes. But just so you know, if your plan to open another brewery out of state comes to fruition, I vote for California.
Me, too. And it is on my list. Ill see you tomorrow at the brewery. She kissed Mireios cheek, being careful to avoid the little black heart patch. Ill make sure Valor has the new keg in place.
See you tomorrow!
Valor had indeed already replaced the spent Iced Kiss keg with a new one. That, along with the half keg of the Uff Da IPA Lot, should last for the remainder of the evening. That beer name had been all Mireios doing.
On the way out, Eryss said her goodbyes to everyone. She knew many and many knew her because they frequented the brewery. A few knew her because theyd had occasion to believe and had been desperate. A love spell here. A breakup spell there. The repulsion spells against violent lovers were always difficult but necessary. Those who received the benefits of her craft kept their mouths shut, guarding Erysss secret.
It wasnt easy being a witch, even if the town she lived in was the official Halloween Capital of the World.
At the top of the stairs that fronted the mansion, she stepped out onto the patio where a bonfire toasted partyers regaled in myriad costumes. The air was warm and tainted with ice and burned oak. Dozens of people stood around the fire with plastic champagne goblets and beer mugs in hand. Among the elves and witches and faery princesses were snowcat racers (the easiest way to bundle up and dress in a sort-of costume without looking out of place), loggers (lots of flannel and thick, warm boots)oh, those lumbersexualsand one daring caveman who wore a fur Fred Flintstone number that strapped over one shoulder. Poor guy, he might develop frostbite in places hed never imagined possible.
Chocolate and marshmallow oozed out between graham crackers as smores were handed around. A game of ice bowling was set up along the side of the patio. The balls and pins had been chipped out of ice harvested from the nearby Mississippi River. Laughter sprinkled the air as if it were crystal snowflakes. The evening could be magicalif a girl had a man on her arm with whom to share those sweetly tempting smores.
Yet Eryss was an introvert and didnt feel at all guilty about leaving the party early. Shed come to make nice with the locals because area businesses and the city council always invited the brewery to Anoka events, andokay, shed had the gown. Why not use it?
Though she wouldnt have minded dancing, if any man had asked. Of course, she might have had to hang out near the dance floor for that to happen, and well, introverts didnt tend to do such things.
With a nagging hankering for gooey marshmallow and chocolate teasing her, Eryss turned and was roughly bumped into from the side. Oof!
Though a deflection spell teased the tip of her tongue, she wisely held off from speaking the words. She and her fellow witches did their best not to flaunt their craft at public events.
I am so sorry. The mans cold hands gripped her forearms to steady her. I wasnt looking. That was entirely my fault. I slipped on the ice.
There was no ice on the fire-warmed concrete steps, but Eryss wasnt about to point that out once her gaze landed on the mans face. Deep brown eyes were shadowed by thick black brows. She had never seen such a rich iris color and thought perhaps there were also glints of gold winking back at her. A five oclock shadow brushing his jaw emphasized an exquisitely masculine bone structure. Thick coal hair, swept messily back from his face, screamed for her to touch the loose curls that tickled those red ears.
And suddenly, her heart performed a skip and every part of her being stood up in recognition. Was he...?
Ive been looking for you, she murmured in awe.
Uh...you have?
Giddy warmth flooded her heart. Her veins. Her skin flushed and shewell, she felt it in her very soul. This was the man. The one.
He had to be.
Oh, what? Eryss shook her head out of the deliciously muddling awe and back to reality. Sorry. Did I say I was looking for you? I mean, uh... What to say? She couldnt come right out with the revelation that she suspected he was her long-lost soul mate. Just because the man gave off smolder vibes did not make him receptive to her beliefs of reincarnation. You need a hat, she decided quickly. Looks like your ears are burning.
He gave a funny wince. Obviously, hed picked up on her comment, but wasnt going to press. They are. The blood vessels in my ears have started to constrict and blood is being shunted away from my extremitiesah. Ha-ha! His smile revealed bright white teeth and squinting eyes that captured Eryss as if a love spell had been cast. Sorry about that. I have a tendency to expound on silly things. Suffice it to say, Im from the West. Didnt expect it to be quite so cold. He touched an ear and winced again.
We call it frostbite here in Minnesota. She marveled over the lingering laughter in his smile. Wonderful. And he was hers. Maybe? Yes, he had to be. But how to know for sure? We should step over by the fire.
Yes, but you seem to be on your way out?
Her gaze wandered to his broad shoulders, down the white shirt, rolled to his elbows to reveal a manly dusting of dark hairs on hisoddly, tanforearms, and to the thick veins that corded the back of his hands. Leave now when shed just stumbled into the man shed been waiting for?
Leaving? Heck, no! Will you join me for a hot chocolate?
I should be honored to share libations with such a lovely queen, he replied.
Libations? The man most definitely was not the standard bar slug or even a hipster (the brewerys standard customer). And Eryss remembered that she had been feeling horny not too long ago. How lucky could a girl get to find her soul mate and have him be übersexy, as well?
When he offered it, she took his arm and allowed him to lure her over to the bonfire. They found a spot close enough to warm their hands but far enough away so as not to ignite Erysss sparkly skirt. The man with the sudden and seductive laughter got them hot chocolates from the bar posted outside the front of the mansion. It served eggnog, hot chocolate, hot brandy and some kind of drink called a Dirty Snowman. Despite her trade, Eryss didnt like beer all that much, so she was thankful to sip something sweet with just a touch of alcohol.
Im Dane Winther, by the way. He handed her a paper mug. I was on my way inside to find my coat, but I suddenly find the need for warmth has dissipated. And Ive yet to take a sip of this thick brew. He winked at her. Must be the company.
A charmer? She could work with that. Eryss Norling. She offered her hand, which he shook. Stand closer to the fire. You really need to warm those hands.
He moved closer and wrapped both hands around the mug. After blowing over the hot chocolate, he took a sip. Norling? I believe that means something like they who come from the north?
Got it in one guess. But Ive always lived here in the north. I own The Decadent Dames brewery in town.
Ah, yes, I noticed that place. Across from the antiques store? I had wondered how decadent a beer could be, but you were closed when I passed by.
We had to finish kegging the Iced Kiss for tonight. Well be open tomorrow. And I promise a very decadent experience if you try the oatmeal cream stout.
I do like a nice dark beer. And chocolate. He held up his mug, tapped it against hers in a paper-thud toast, then tilted back a swallow. Mmm...you Minnesotans do know how to do hot chocolate. I think theres booze in this.
Eryss smirked. Its got crème de menthe in it. We call it a Chocolate Kiss.
A bemused smile danced in his eyes, and once again captivated by his utter and easy merriment, Eryss swayed, but stopped herself as soon as she felt her body lean toward him, toward his interesting ocean-surf scent. It was a scent shed recently smelled. But...where and when? Wow, she was really leaning close now. She did not want to scare the man away because he thought she was weird. Or excited over finding someone she had known for ages.
Mmm, yes, its got a touch of mint in it. A kiss, indeed. He grinned and took another sip.
His eyes actually smiled. And with all that thick, carelessly swept hair that virtually demanded a woman run her fingers through it, could the man be any cuter?
Eryss stepped closer until they stood shoulder to shoulder before the bonfire. The blaze toasted her cheeks. Or was that Dane? She loved the name. Very Nordic.
Did he feel the same way about her? As if he knew her? She jittered on her toes, knowing she stood next to him. The one!
Maybe. She shouldnt get ahead of herself. She could simply be feeling giddy over bumping into one heck of a hot man.
Ill have to stop in to your brewery, he said. I find Im on a forced vacation in your chilly little town. I was supposed to pick up a rare dagger from Stuarts Stuff, but the proprietor is out of town.
Hawaii for a funeral. Isnt that lucky?
I said the same thing, but I dont think the owners sister found the humor in my wishing for warmer weather. Though she did allow me to take a second cookie.
Ha! Gladiola Stuart is discerning about whom she allows to have a cookie. Apparently, you passed the test. And I can see why.
Eryss cautioned herself from drawing her gaze up and down his body in an indiscreet droolfest. She wasnt that kind of girl. Mostly. She was much more stealthy, and had already checked out his ass when hed gone to get the hot chocolates. Nice and tight. And no, he hadnt given any indication that he recognized her in any way.
Chill, she cautioned inwardly. Do not freak the man out.
Where did you come from? she asked over her steaming mug. Im guessing someplace warmer by your thin shirt and vest? And the tan.
He palmed his chest. The tweed vest granted him an astute, teacherly vibe, which, when added to the smoldering dark looks, Eryss found intriguing.
Im from Santa Cruz, about an hour from San Francisco. Im afraid the tan is a permanent condition. And I had to buy a warm coat in the Minneapolis airport after Id arrived. Can you believe Ive never experienced snow before? And Im a geologist.
Youll be baptized by fire, or rather ice, here in Minnesota. What branch of geology?
Geochemistry. Which means I really like rocks. But I also dabble in botany and anthropological genetics. I like to have options.
I guess you do. I like rocks and plants. Genetics is beyond my grasp.
Its my weakest field of study. But the little I know tells me that you had at least one blue-eyed parent to be sporting the color yourself. Gorgeous.
Eryss parted her lips to speak, but then couldnt think of a thing to say. He smiled a little when she caught him staring into her eyes. It was a flirtatious moment that made her giggle.
So what are you dressed as tonight? she asked.
I didnt have time for a costume. Gladiola Stuart told me about the party earlier. I guess you could say Im a scientist.
Eryss purred over the steamy chocolate. I suddenly find myself quite fond of science.
His brow lifted and a smile glittered in the mans deep brown eyes. And like that, Erysss ovaries did the dance of joy.
To science. He offered his mug in another toast.
Eryss tapped her mug gently against his and shivered one of those good, warm-all-over shivers. First handsome man shed met since the anacampserote, and here she was thinking he was the one.
Or was she overreacting because he was also the sexiest thing on two legs that managed to touch her with his dancing eyes and laughter?
So you said youre in town for a while?