Page 13 of Bloodween

I jumped back, not expecting to see him. All six-two of his glory filled the doorway. Dorian had to be at least two hundred and twenty pounds, built like one of those defensive players on a football team. His rich brown skin was painted over his toned body and—AND why are we admiring him? He didn’t give in to our advances. He’s not worthy of anything but sacrifice.

“Why are you standing right here?” I asked as his eyes roamed over me before stepping aside.

“Thought you might’ve escaped through the bathroom window.”

I turned my mouth up at him. “Is that supposed to be funny?”

“A lil bit.”

“He. He.” I fake-smiled and walked past him, heading back toward the living room.

He stopped me as we got to the entrance of the bedroom. I looked back at him, his eyes their normal shade of brown, but his energy had shifted.

“What?” I asked.

He stuffed his hands into his fitted gray pants. “You have a smart mouth.”

“I’m a smart girl,” I stated sarcastically.

“That has always intrigued me.”

“Okay?”

What was he getting at? The fact that he found me mean? Whoopty-doo.

He took me in again, slower this time, making my blood curl.

“What if we do what you asked and,” he paused, “one of us wants more? Wants it to happen again?”

Oh.

“More of what?” I feigned ignorance. “Have you ever wanted more with any of the women you’ve dabbled with?”

“No.”

“Then why would I be any different? This would just be sex. One time. A little witch and werewolf fun. I won’t want more.”

“Varek might,” he admitted. “And you’re Ren’s best friend. That could be dangerous.”

I wish he’d stop bringing her up. And stop letting his little wolf control him. Man up, sheesh.

“You have to learn how to control your wolf. He picked you to bond with—that doesn’t mean he gets to do as he pleases. You are his host. Make sure he knows that,” I said, putting on my best encouraging voice. He needed someone to soothe his beast while reminding him who really held the leash.

“But there’s something about your scent. I’ve been trying to ignore it but it’s fucking intoxicating. Overwhelming. I—he—keeps begging for you.”

I didn’t know if the scent he spoke of had anything to do with the potion. No one ever said the Crimson Elixor messed with scent, but maybe it did.

Or maybe he was full of shit, using his wolf as an excuse for what he already wanted to do.

Either way, the ruggedness of his words made my heart jump and my magic prick under my skin, though I didn’t let it show.

“See? You do have control. Otherwise you’d let him have his way with me.”

Crimson Circle Initiate Armisha, the seductress, has clocked back in.

“You’re not taking this serious, Armi. This could be a bad idea for us both,” he breathed.

“Probably.” I smiled. He thought it was at him, but it was at the realization that plan B hadn’t failed at all. It only needed time to fester. “But you brought me here for a reason, didn’t you? You wanted to play.”