Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell, #2)

by Juliette Cross

So that’s what I was thinking about when my world turned upside down. Literally. I didn’t even hear him until it was too late.

His perfectly square jaw and well-defined cheekbones were all ridiculously symmetrical. What did I expect from a vampire? An old one, at that. His magic hummed in the air, tinged with power and control and the trait I hated most about his kind. Seduction. They all wore it like a coat, parading it around like proud peacocks. So annoying.

So he didn’t use glamour to mask his flaws? Interesting.

His concerned expression shifted, his mouth quirking up with one of those smirky smiles that cocky guys flashed when they thought they could charm their way out of a situation. Uh, no. I don’t think so.

Unbelievable! He was blaming me for hitting me with his stupid car? The reason I wasn’t wearing bright-colored clothes, which I did if I rode at night, was because I hadn’t planned on staying at Tia’s past our lunch date.

But this dumb vampire didn’t deserve an explanation.

Freaking, nervy vampires. Driving around like bats out of hell. Thinking they owned the world.

“Let me—“ “No,” I snapped, avoiding his gaze when he made a frustrated noise in his throat.

Ruben knew our family well since he and Jules worked closely together as leaders in the supernatural world. He was a good friend to us, so if he said Devraj was trustworthy, then he was.

No hint of annoyance in his voice. This vampire wasn’t easily rattled, I’d give him that. Even with my less-than-kind attitude, he’d handled me gently enough. Surely, he’d do the same for my pansies.

“I’m so happy I was able to get you ahead of schedule. Nothing better than ticking off your to-do list early.”

I prepared myself for a dumb blonde joke or something else equally offensive. What I wasn’t prepared for was his sultry reply. “Not at all, darling. I’m a lover of all women.” His gaze caressed my face, shimmering with silver in the dark interior of his car. “I don’t discriminate.”

Was he flirting with me? What nerve! “Let me get this straight.” A shocked laugh belted up my throat. “You speed down an unfamiliar road, hit someone with your Porsche, send her flying into the air, injure her ankle, break her expensive, imported plant, and then decide to flirt with her?”

While I didn’t have the fuller curves like my sisters, I was the tallest. I loved my height. I owned it, relishing the fact that I could look most men eye-to-eye. Or even down at them. But not this one. His powerful physique and easy strength made me feel strangely vulnerable. It wasn’t a feeling I was used to, and I didn’t like it.

“Oh, my goodness,” gushed Clara, wide blue eyes staring at him. “Your aura is…” His head tilted, his expression softening to one of humility. As if. “I’ve heard from other clever Auras that it’s a kaleidoscope. Am I right?” She nodded eagerly. “Such a pretty rainbow.” His smile brightened even more. Good Lord, Clara! Don’t encourage him.

“Isadora. You were hit by the Devraj Kumar. Famous Bollywood movie star.” “Oh, a movie star. Well, I guess that makes it all right then.” “And you’re a vampire,” added Violet with wicked glee. “So fucking cool.”

I’d honed my special abilities to razor-sharp precision so the smell of blood or the scent of a woman didn’t send me into a downward spiral that culminated in sweaty dreams of orgasmic proportions. But her scent had. “Just once.” Then I would wash it.

So here I was yet again, stopping off in Ruben’s hometown, wondering if I’d ever fill that longing for a home of my own. A place to dig my roots deep.

“Fuck it.” I finally, finally, lifted the stained part to my nose and inhaled deep. Utterly. Divine. Abort. Bad decision. Very bad decision.

Permanence. A place I could call home. Though it had been hundreds of years since my mother—my only family—had died, I’d managed to fill my life with pleasure and entertainment.

But she seemed even angrier by the time I’d left her safely tucked up on her sofa.” Ruben’s throaty laughter snagged my attention. He didn’t laugh as often as he should. “I can’t believe the famous Devraj Kumar failed to win over a woman with his illustrious charms.”

His smile fell, his jaw tightened, then he glanced away, his suddenly fierce expression skating away from the windows to my three-foot statue of Shiva on his black lacquer stand in the corner. “Ruben?” I coaxed softly. He ignored me, his eyes trance-like, certainly chasing some memory he shouldn’t be.

“Ruben? Are you serious?” Stiffening his shoulders, he returned his burning blue gaze to me, not saying a word. He didn’t have to. The pain was there, raw and too bright. “Still?” I asked quietly.

I might not be able to help him with his problem witch, but I could at least make a friend of mine. No. I didn’t even want that. I just wanted her to let bygones be bygones. Surely, my skills in the kitchen would win her over. There were other skills I could employ. No! No. Not even remotely going there.

It’s never safe to live next door to your lovers. If they got too attached, it caused all sorts of problems. Though the thought had crossed my mind—say, first thing this morning after an erotic dream starring a golden-haired witch with taunting green eyes. But no. That was a terrible idea. Terrible. Wasn’t it?

Everyone knew that women were disappearing from night clubs or bars. It wasn’t exactly safe to be out that late on my own. I wasn’t equipped with the kind of defensive magic my sisters were.

There was history between Jules and Ruben. A history none of her sisters were privy to. Not the whole story anyway. And it was a topic of discussion that was never on the table.

Pulling open the kitchen door, the rumble of a deep, masculine voice caught my attention. Yep. Mateo must’ve come over with Evie. That was nothing new. They were glued at the hip most of the time.

I rounded into the archway leading to the living room to see just what I knew I would. That freaking vampire, who I’d been happy to be rid of after that nightmare two nights ago, was cozied up on our couch, his arms spread wide on the sofa back, dressed in a casual black T-shirt and jeans.

Do you have any idea how many homeless cats and dogs I could help with the cost of his stupid car?

aggravated that he was back. Why was he back? And why were my sisters so easily duped by his so-called charisma?

“There really was no need for you to come all the way over here from your hotel. I wish you hadn’t bothered.” And I one hundred percent meant it. Maybe ninety-nine.

Then he fell silent, too. But he wasn’t leaving! Like he enjoyed just sitting there on the bench and watching me plant flowers. What did he want?

“I do need something,” he finally answered, the sun glinting off something silver in his mouth. “What is it?” My gaze was solely focused on his mouth now, realizing with a rush of heat that his tongue was pierced. “Your forgiveness.”

“Not a problem. Just prop it under the garage.” No need for interaction of any kind. “I’m sure we’ll see each other around the neighborhood.” “Not likely.”

But then he had to do his shirtless yoga every day! Except for Friday. I didn’t catch a glimpse of him through the fence on Friday on my way to water the pansies. Instead of yoga, he decided to wash his car in the driveway.

“Ah.” He bit his lower lip, drawing my eyes to the movement and the smile he held back. “I see.” “What?” I asked, wondering why I felt so disoriented and confused in this vampire’s presence. “You just don’t want to have lunch with me.” Bingo. But I’d never tell him so.

The intrusion of his magic forced an image in my mind. A flash of blond hair, slim thighs, the hem of her skirt. That skirt hiking higher. Fuck. I punched up a fortress-thick wall of magic to block it out. I sure as hell didn’t need this guy’s powers steering me down the carnal lane of naked Isadora. I had enough problems resisting those thoughts without his influence.

Ruben’s voice had deepened. This mess was taking place in his territory, and there were vampires under his rule breaking the supernatural laws.

I found her fascinating. Was it because she seemed to want to flee my presence the second we were ever alone? I wasn’t sure.

Yes, I was accustomed to people liking me. Especially women. But Isadora Savoie did not, that was for sure.

he homed in on me, heat simmering in his dark eyes, his lips parted in such a sensual look that sweat broke out on my back. It had been a hot minute since a man had looked at me like that, that’s all. I’d stopped dating a few years ago, immersing myself in happier pursuits.

Devraj added in that teasing rumble, “Got to love Big John. Always there to give a helping hand.” Dawning realization shot through me like a thousand daggers hitting me at once. I suddenly stepped back, bumping my hip into the bar, my mouth going cotton-dry. Big John? Big John. Big John! No, no, no, no, no!

No, Isadora. You will not allow him to get to you. Tipping my chin higher and pretending to be far braver than I was, I cleared my throat and sashayed toward him.

Exasperating! I didn’t like to hurt people’s feelings, but if he was going to push me, then it was his fault. “If you must know, I don’t particularly like you.” “Everybody likes me.” “Well, I don’t.”

How did I explain my social anxiety to someone who thrived off of fame and attention, who entertained strangers in bars with his wild stories?

His smile didn’t diminish. If anything, it brightened at my resistance. He gestured toward the cushioned bench on his porch. So I settled onto the bench and waited. And waited.

Dammit! I couldn’t dislike this guy when he was kind. And made me tea! As a matter of fact, all my reasons for disliking him in the first place seemed to vanish more rapidly the longer I was in his company.

It was better than passable, but Devraj didn’t need too many compliments. His ego was already oversize.

Even so, my heart whimpered at his apology.