Page 80 of Hexed & Hazy

“Oh, many times.” I set my drink down and lead him through the winding place, my fingers woven with his. “But to me, that only makes it even more special. You knew I would like it here, and I do.”

“And now you’re taking me to…” He looks up at the door, his brows drawing together.

“Well. Yes.”

I drag Seth into the room—a solo bathroom, thankfully, and a spotless one—and swiftly lock it behind us. This museum has always boasted lovely restrooms, with soft lighting, gentle music, and even a shelf of books to choose from while using the facilities.

But that’s not why I’m here.

“Ro.” He lets out breathless laughter. “What are we…?”

I lift an eyebrow and bite my lip, waiting for him to catch up.

After a few seconds, his eyes widen, his lips parting. “Is this a prank?”

I roll my eyes. “No, I needed a moment alone with you. That’s all.”

The lump in his throat bobs as he nods. Up and down, over and over. “I, uh—didn’t expect you to be so adventurous, to be honest.”

“Should I be offended? You assumed I would be boring, even after what we did last time?”

“No. No, it’s not that—not at all. But this is⁠—”

He’s about to ramble. I can tell, and I stop it, snaking my arms around his neck and bringing him down to my level.

Our lips press together in a way that’s becoming easy, and he envelops me, pressing me against the wall. My legs wrap around him, and even though my body has been changing over the last few years—larger, stronger—he doesn’t seem to struggle to keep me up and pinned against the wall.

Perhaps this isn’t the place for this. In the daytime? Certainly not, but on a night like this…

I can’t stop. I can’t keep my mouth from him. When his fingers move between my thighs, past my underwear, I let him. When he lowers onto his knees and brings me back to the floor, with one of my legs wrapped around his neck, I let that happen as well.

His mouth on my heat is, by far, the best way to end the best date of my life. Sprinklers be damned.

Even the odd looks we get on the way out—likely thanks to our messy hair and swollen lips—can’t bring me down.

Chapter 25

Seth

As much as I want to spend another night with Rowan, my sisters will kill me—or ask me a million questions—if I don’t go home tonight. I walk her to the door, where we kiss several times before she pushes me on the chest and tells me to go home.

And I do.

That doesn’t stop my sisters from berating me. Mom is already asleep, but they’re wide awake, sipping hot chocolate in the kitchen as if they’ve been waiting up all night.

I groan as I open the fridge to pour myself a glass of water.

“How’d it go?” Stella asks, lifting her mug to her lips. “We can make you some hot chocolate if you need some comfort after losing a baddie like Ro.”

I lean against the countertop and face them head-on. “No need. I had a good night.”

Natalie narrows her eyes. “With Rowan, right? No one else?”

I can’t say I blame them for the scrutiny. They love Rowan—love all the Hawthorne sisters—and even though I’d hope they love me as much… well, my past isn’t a secret to them. Seeing me move on can’t be easy, considering that they looked up to Scarlet like a big sister. Hopefully, they know it’s different with Rowan. I want it to be different.

“Yes.” I drop into a seat at the table with them. “I was hanging out with Rowan, all right? Can you be quiet about it?”

She doesn’t want our relationship spreading through Starbrook yet—though that feels impossible to avoid in the long run—and I want to respect her wishes. But there’s no hiding it from my sisters, and they don’t live here anymore. Telling them is harmless.