On the other hand, she wasnt about to let some cocky vampire feel he had gotten the upper hand with her.
Tuesday raced up behind Ethan. You want to use kisses as weapons? She shoved him and he spun to face her with a questioning gape. One thing you need to know about meIm always cocked and loaded.
Grabbing his coat lapel, she pulled him in and planted a kiss on his mouth. This one was as unwarranted and desperately seeking as his had been. The man stumbled backward and his shoulders hit a brick wall, and it gave her the opportunity to move in and deepen the kiss.
His hand caught at the base of her spine under her coat, and he pressed her closer to his hard abs and hugged hip-to-hip. And Tuesday forgot that she was angry and let the lust and want rise and play out.
The mans mouth was incredible. His lips were warm and firm, and when their tongues danced she couldnt imagine doing such a tango with anyone else. And she had tangoed with many in her lifetime. Cinnamon mingled with his clean taste, brewing a cocktail more heady than any weird concoction served in a demonic dance club.
But she was kissing him to make a point. And shed hate to let him think she actually wanted this kiss. She did not. Mostly. Yes, she did!
But that was not how she intended to play her hand.
Shoving away from him, Tuesday swept her hair over her shoulder and assumed a cocky stance. I won that one, vampire.
If a smirk could get any sexier, she didnt know. A few fine wrinkles creased the corners of his eyes, and she even noticed glints of gray strands silvering the hair at his temples. So sexy. Urm, in a completely uninteresting way, of course.
Sounds fine by me, Ethan said. You can have the win, partner.
Right. Partner. She wrinkled her nose at that one. She had suggested they could be partners, hadnt she? About that food?
Just up the street, theres a cheesy little bar that might still be open. Its owned by a couple of expats. They serve American food.
Intrigued beyond what she wanted to convey, Tuesday muttered, Lead the way.
An hour later, Tuesday was full from pulled-pork tacos with pickled jalapeños, and a fruity drink that had a lot of alcohol and even more sugar in it. She would not even require magic to fly now. And Ethan had watched her gobble the food with little more than that constant smirk and a gleam in his eyes.
They were pretty gray eyes, and added a touch of niceness to his usual dour expression. While he was a handsome man, she could tell he dared not show too much. He had been honed and hardened over the centuries. Much as she had been. And she well knew it was never wise to let life play out on her face for others to interpret and use to their advantage.
How long have you been walking this seriously whacked planet? she asked as she noisily sucked the last bits of the red slushy drink through the straw. She wasnt drunk, but she was feeling fine.
Conversation now?
Yes. Im finished stuffing my face. Im feeling relaxed for the first time since my captivity She caught his scoff. I was in a freakin cage.
Fine. Im sorry, okay? It had to be done. But now youre out, so get over it.
It took a snap of the rubber band not to flip him off.
What did you ask? he said. How old am I? He lifted his feet and propped them on a nearby wicker chair, leaning back against the wall in the stuffy bar that had announced last call ten minutes after theyd arrived. I was born in...the 1500s.
Cant remember the exact year?
He shrugged. Early part of the century. We werent known for marking our birth dates back then.
Yeah. I was born in the 1640s, give or take a few years. Or decades. I remember at the time it was the great Puritan migration. They sailed to the New World by boatloads from England. All kinds of religious rabble, preaching and condemning. Fur traders and fishers, too. I dated a fisherman once. He smelled. So! That makes you the old man and me the sexy young thang.
Which should grant me wisdom and you...?
Tuesday shimmied confidently on the chair. A chick with a whole lot of experience on every single thing you can imagine.
It is interesting walking through the ages, isnt it?
It is. She teased a finger around the rim of her glass. You ever get tired of it?
Not yet. Immortality suits me.
Save for the part about drinking all that blood?
Coming from a witch who must have consumed how many vampire hearts to keep her immortality over the centuries?
Five, she said proudly. In order to maintain immortality, a witch had to consume a beating vampire heart once a century. Split the rib cage. Reach in. Feast. And try not to wretch. Each one of those bastards deserved to die, too.
And what qualifies as deserving in your book?
Assholes. Murderers. And general idiots.
Ethan quirked an eyebrow. I shall endeavor not to be an asshole or an idiot. At least, not too often.
Tuesday yawned. Youve had a pitiful showing in the trying department. But I wont hold that against you.
I thought you intended to hold everything that made you uncomfortable against me?
Pretty much. But youre lucky Im tired now. I only got about two winks on your couch. Can we go back to your place? I need to seriously crash and recharge. If I can get some good sleep then Ill be able to think clearly and maybe even stir up a demon-tracking spell.
Then heres to a well-rested witch.
* * *
The witch nodded off within five minutes. Ethan had offered her his bed. It was around the corner in the loft. None of the rooms had separating walls, save bathroom, and he could see the end of the bed from the kitchen. The city lights beamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the bedroom area. Hed bought this place for those windows. The view was incredible. Hed wanted to point out Sacré Coeur to her, but she had literally dropped onto the bed and rolled into a snore.
Now, he wondered what their next move should be. And if more kisses would be required to make her comply with his wishes. She hadnt needed provoking to kiss him back after hed initially kissed her. A retaliatory kiss? Bring them on.
And in his next thought, he frowned. Hed kissed a witch. And...hed liked it.
Chapter 5
A shower had never felt more welcome. Tuesday dried off in the steamy room. The floor and walls were grey marble that was deeply streaked with clear quartz. Gorgeous stonework. And she could feel some of the earths energies remaining in the stone when she pressed a palm to it, though they were weak. The manufacturing process tended to rape natural stone of most of its essence, but if she took her time, and had the inclination, she could restore its vital energy with an earthing spell.
It was a hell of a lot more than Stuart could do, that was for sure.
Take that, Stuart.
It was weird to think that an inanimate object was listening in, all the time, waiting for a cue to turn on some function in the apartment. Electronic witchcraft was not her thing. But apparently Ethan was one of those spoiled rich bachelors who could afford lifes luxuries. But he didnt seem to flaunt it, with million-dollar wristwatches or fancy suits, so he earned credit for that.
The bathroom was attached to the bedroom, which was open to the rest of the loft. A nice setup, and she suspected the view out the picture window was awesome, were the shades not blocking the bright sunlight now. She hadnt realized how dead tired she had been last night. Her face had hit the pillow. Snores had commenced.
Now she didnt hear Ethan puttering about in the kitchen, but then, why should she? The guy was a vampire. He didnt eat food. But she certainly hoped he played the charming host and either ordered in or found something for her to nosh on.
Fingering her black silk shirt, which revealed a nicely toned tummy, she sighed. Shed worn it for two days straight and a long flight across the Atlantic Ocean. She needed clean things to wear. And at the very least, some basic magical accoutrements.
Combing out her hair with Ethans comb, she then snapped her fingers and whispered, Dry, and a whoosh of air fluffed up and through the wet strands, instantly drying them. Sometimes Latin wasnt necessary to kick in the magic. Keep it Simple, Stupid was a motto she followed with her spellcraft. She wove her thick hair into a loose side plait and left some in the back hanging free.
Without makeup or a toothbrush she felt out of her element. Not quite in top form. She scanned the insides of the medicine cabinet and spied the wood-handled toothbrush. Nah. She wasnt going to use a vampires toothbrush. She squirted a blob of toothpaste on her finger and scrubbed the old-fashioned way. Centuries ago, this had been her only option to dental health. That, or use a bit of twig or the corner of some rough suede. It worked. But her kingdom for a dash of dark eye shadow and lip gloss.
Ugh. Nature witch, she muttered to her reflection. I should concoct a makeup spell. She tapped her fingernails against the mirror, thinking it odd that a vampire even had one in his home. Yeah, Ill worry about the lacking glamour later. Ive got bigger problems to solve.
Putting the obsidian crystal around her neck, she held it a few moments. Grounding herself. Finding a calm tone for her personal vibration.
Now ready to face whatever adventure the vampire with the attack kisses had in mind for her, she wandered out into the living area. Seated on the leather sofa, Ethan was focused on an iPad, but he nodded over his shoulder and said, Ran down to the creperie an hour ago when you were still sleeping. Got you some croissants and pain au chocolat. Fresh juice, too.
Points for the vampire. But she wouldnt tell him that.
You mean Stuart is incapable of such errands? Not sure you got your moneys worth with that guy, she said gaily.
Sliding onto a bar stool and tearing into the paper bag, Tuesday bit into a still-warm pastry loaded with gooey chocolate. Crisp, thin layers of pastry engulfing sweet, dark chocolate? By the seven sacred witches, it was amazing.
What are the plans for today? she asked around chews.
Thought you could summon the demon. Witches can do that, right?
Right, but I cant summon a demon who has marked me. Just doesnt work that way. I can track him, perhaps even locate him, but hes not going to come when I call like a little bitch.
Ethans sigh echoed across the room. I thought youd be more useful.
Way to boost a chicks confidence. Besides, Edamite Thrash confirmed The Beautiful One wasnt going to come when I call. So get over it, will you? I know what is first on todays list of adventures.
Whats that?
Shopping! I cant wander around in this same getup. I mean, I can work it, but I seriously prefer clean clothes. And I need some lip gloss and eye liner. I feel naked without the black stuff.
Is that going to help you to locate the demon?
It will. She turned and fluttered her lashes at him. Dont you know a womans power is all in how she feels about herself? When I look good, I do my best.
I think you look great.
Youre a guy. Guys always say dismissive things like that.
He shook his head and set aside the iPad. Shopping it is. And then?
And then, I also need to pick up some spell supplies. Outfit myself with a makeshift hex-and-spell armory. Then I should be able to set up a grid to map the city of demons. And hopefully, by incorporating the sigils power, The Beautiful One will stand out on that map.
Hopefully? Im going to need more than that. I require assurance.
Tuesday shrugged and bit off another piece of chocolaty pastry. You get hope from me for now, vamp. Say, do you mind that I used your comb?
As long as you didnt use my toothbrush, I dont care.
What if I did use your toothbrush?
Were stopping at a pharmacy, first thing.
* * *
The witch could work the tight black jeans and floaty flowered shirt. Her vibe was definitely bohemian, with her thick white hair braided down one side and the furred spangled coat topping it all off. In the pharmacy, she tore open the makeup packaging and performed a quick makeover on herself, fluttering her newly blackened lashes at him and pursing her deep violet lips.
Ethan nodded approval because the sooner she served her personal needs, the quicker he could be done with this stupid stuff and get on to the important work. But he had to admit the deep color she wore on her lips stirred his desires. The violet lipstick emphasized her plump, heart-shaped mouth. He couldnt take his eyes from them. They might taste like sweet grapes warmed under the Tuscan sun.
Yikes. Ethan checked himself. What was he thinking? He was not attracted to a witch. Yes, he was. And what the fuck was that about?
Come on! Tuesday skipped ahead, obviously on some kind of spending high.
Ethan kept his credit card handy. Whatever made the witch happy.
Now, she had managed to find a dusty candle shop that opened to a private room in the back that was filled with all the witchy accoutrements he imagined shed ever need. And while he suspected the shop owner was one of those kitchen witches who spoke incantations from books shed bought on the internet and thought she was casting spells, she wasnt a real born witch like Tuesday Knightsbridge. And if she knew that the woman buying smudge sticks and candles from her really did possess natural magic, she would be in awe.
Tuesday popped her head out from the back room with a bag full of goodies and winked at Ethan as she wandered by. Homeward! Stuart waits for us!
At the very least, hed gotten a new toothbrush.
Back at his place, Tuesday dropped her shopping booty on the floor by the sofa, tossed her coat on the chair and beelined to the bathroom while he picked up the mess.
Setting her heeled boots on the rug by the door, he then placed the bags neatly on the kitchen counter. He liked a clean, organized home. Which was probably why his few attempts at living with women over the years had failed. Also, the lack of privacy was jarring. Sharing a home with another person was hard work. And since he could have a relationship without moving in with the woman, he chose to stick with what worked.
Although a few relationships here and there, over the centuries, had worked for him. Most had been so long ago hed forgotten what it felt like or how it had lasted. That wasnt exactly true. A man never forgot the women who had passed through his life. And the current one was moving through like a hurricane intent on settling and spinning about for a while.