Page 18 of Violet

I think Betty realizes it, too, because she turns to Violet and adds, “You know, if a young blood mage was interested in me, I wouldn’t turn him down.”

“He’d be lucky to have you, Betty.” I wink at her and start making a mental list of all the single blood mages I know. Who knows? Maybe one of them is her mate.

“I loved my Martin,” Betty adds, “and I always will. But he wouldn’t want me to stop living now that he’s gone. Your Bill wouldn’t want you to stop living either, Violet.”

Violet opens her mouth to reply and then closes it again. She looks completely at a loss for words, and I don’t blame her.

“I would never want to replace your other mate. I just want a chance to get to know you... and for you to get to know me. We can take our time. See where this goes.”

Which is a complete and utter lie. I may not want to replace her old mate, but time is ticking, and I know exactly where this will go. We’re destined to be together. We’re soul mates. I just need Violet to see it, too.

I know she will, with time, but that’s not a luxury either of us has. Which is why I need to speed things along and seduce my mate. I need to make her want me so bad she’s begging to spend eternity with me. Before it’s too late.

Chapter 8

Violet

“It’s just lunch.” Cash places one big, furry mascot arm on the counter and winks at me.

All of a sudden, I want him. Bad. Maybe it’s because he’s my mate. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s the first guy to hit on me since I started posing as old Violet. Or maybe I’m just sex starved since I haven’t been with anyone in over a year.

Whatever the case, I get turned on. Like, really turned on. And here’s the thing... I have wonky magic, just like my sister. Mine is just a little different...

I don’t shift when I feel strong emotions or when I’m startled or embarrassed, the way Amber does. Nope, I shift whenever I get a girl boner. How embarrassing is that?

I’ve only had a few boyfriends—two in high school and one briefly in college—but any time things got heated... Bam! Not one shift or two: I’d start cycling through different forms like a slot machine flickers through pictures.

By the third guy, I’d learned to turn the lights off. It was that or have him completely freak out when he suddenly found himself doing it with his teacher... or his mother. And over the past year, I’ve gotten better at controlling it.

I’ve managed to hold my form around Nole so many times, I assumed I was an expert by now. But unlike Cash, Nole never tried to seduce me.

Having a guy staring at me like I’m the most desirable woman on earth fills me with need... and the urge to shift! My chameleon magic travels from my fingertips all the way down to my toes, and it takes everything I have just to focus on fighting it. Trying to force it back. Trying to maintain control.

Then Cash leans forward, and I know I’m done for.

“The program!” I cry, backing away from him. Except I’m sitting in my ergonomic pleather chair, so I end up wheeling away from him instead.

I end up crashing into the book truck of returns that’s directly behind me. I come to a stop, and then I just sit there, wide-eyed, while Cash and Betty stare at me.

What am I doing? I need to pull myself together and start acting like an old lady. I need to act like I feel absolutely nothing for Cash, and then I need to convince Betty that nothing happened with her grandson, before someone else says otherwise.

Okay, deep breaths, Violet. You got this.

I turn to Cash. “Could you put your head back on?”

He smirks.

“Your costume head,” I clarify, trying not to blush. Because women my age—women Violet’s age—do not blush.

“Sure thing.” Cash winks at me and picks up the giant skunk head. He settles it in place, and then he does a little dance that must be popular with the kids.

“The program room is just straight ahead and to the left, dear,” I add, getting to my feet so I can point him in the right direction. Five points. “The door’s unlocked, and Nole set everything up last night. He’s such a helpful young man.” Five more points. “You just be sure to stay in costume until the teachers and kids get here.” There!

Cash does another little dance that ends with a full spin and a nod. It’s kind of endearing, but I manage to hide my smile until he dances away.

“You really should give him a chance,” Betty says once he’s out of earshot.

“I’ll think about it,” I say, which seems to appease her.