“You too,” she whispered as she watched him back toward the stairs. There was something in her eyes, something he didn’t believe, couldn’t believe, because he didn’t dare risk hope with the stakes so high.
Chapter 3
By the time Lana came in, Isadora was bored out of her mind. Hardly anyone came into Shenanigans that day, and none of the customers were very chatty. Which gave her far too long to think about all the strange things Toryn said, and did, the night before. Then again, it was better than thinking about the blond prick who couldn’t keep his hands off her assets.
Lana bounced up beside her. “So what happened with the hot blond?”
Isa bit back a groan. “He creeped me out and I ditched his ass.”
“He creeped you out?” she asked slowly. “I gave you the go ahead, and you didn’t take him home?” She acted as if that was a first but Isa hadn’t taken anyone home since Reese and her near slip.
It had been nearly a month since the man before Reese. Lately, it was impossible to get into a guy, except for the one she couldn’t have.
“Eww, did you not see how he was all over me?” Isa shuddered, and let out a breath. “Besides, I drank too much, too fast. At first, he seemed all right, but then by last call he was basically molesting me and trying to suffocate me with his tongue. So I slipped out the back. Didn’t even get the asshole’s name.”
Confused, Lana frowned. “I thought that was what you wanted?”
“Not like that!” Isa twisted the ends of her hair. “Can we drop it?”
“You seemed to be enjoying his attention,” Lana disputed hesitantly
“I was drunk,” Isa ground out. “He went too far, so I left him. Besides, you were hot for him, and I felt guilty, even with your approval. Why didn’t you take him home when I left?”
“Whoa, calm down, hon. I didn’t mean anything critical.” She pouted. “Besides, he was obviously into you, not me. I didn’t stand a chance with the way he was all over you.”
“Sorry. He’s all yours. I don’t trust him.” Isa fought off the urge to relay Toryn’s warning. Sure, it freaked her out, but it would only convince Lana she was crazy… or worse, in love with Toryn.
“I’ll keep him in mind.” Lana grinned before strutting off.
Finally, a bright spot in her day. Isa’s favorite magician strolled in and took his normal seat. He wore the same easy smile and gave her a wink. His short hair and neatly trimmed beard were bright silver. His twinkling baby blue eyes held mischief. Mage was cute in his own way. Plus, he was the biggest flirt.
“Oh Isadora, you are lovely, as always.”
“You’re such a sweetheart.” She grinned.
With a flourishing gesture, he pulled a white rose from thin air. When she went to accept the gift, he snagged her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her palm before tucking the flower behind her ear.
“Your usual?” she asked sweetly.
“If it isn’t too much trouble, gorgeous.”
“Not for you.” She mixed the double gin and tonic with a splash of lime. “So how’s life treating you?”
He shrugged as she came around the counter to lean next to him. “As good as it can be without you by my side.”
Isa blushed. “Aw, I am right here.”
“Yes, but only for the moment.” He sighed wistfully and took a sip. “I realize I am much too old for such a lovely young woman, but a man can’t help dreaming.”
Kissing him on the cheek, she murmured, “You know, age is only a number.”
James, the bartender taking over, walked through the door and patted the magician on his back, winking at Isa. “I keep telling you, Isadora is too wild for any man to tame.”
Mage turned in his seat and gave James a playful look. “And who says anything about taming Isa? She is perfect the way she is.”
Shaking his head, James continued to the office.
Isa smiled at the magician. “You, my friend, are much too sweet to get mixed-up with the likes of me. I am a wicked, wicked child.” She moved back behind the bar and added, “Besides, I wouldn’t want to ruin your opinion of me.”
“Wicked? Hardly,” he countered in good humor. “Perhaps the damsel in distress, but even that doesn’t ring true. You are much too strong to let anyone hold you back, and I know you pride yourself on taking care of your own problems. What I admire the most is how you roll with the punches and fight right back.” He laid down a bill alongside his empty glass before blowing her a kiss and strolling out the door.
She glanced down at the twenty and shook her head. There was a note:
Darling Isa,
Be careful tonight.
Don’t let a stranger take you home.
Love always,
Mage
This wasn’t the first time he’d left her a message. As usual, she was left wondering why he reminded her of Toryn. Aside from the cryptic warnings, they were nothing alike. Still, something about him made her pause.
James came back out and slung his arm over her shoulder. “He’d make a good sugar daddy. He always gives you an amazing tip, and he’s in great shape for such an old guy,” he teased. “Hell, maybe he dyes his hair white for the mystique.” He glanced back toward the kitchen. “You’ve taken home a lot worse.”
Ignoring the jab about Reese, she shrugged. “Yeah, but he’s a sweet old guy. I doubt he would think the same of me if he saw me outside the bar, or when I’m not working. Besides, I’ve never seen him anywhere but here.”
“He only comes in when you’re here. I’ve never even heard of him visiting any of the other bars. I ran into a magician that visits bars down on the south side, but not up here. That guy is icky. Your Mage is kind of cool. My theory, because he only comes in to check on you,” James voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “is maybe he’s Toryn in disguise.”
“Oh yeah,” she laughed, “’cause it’s so easy to hide an entire foot of man.” She rolled her eyes and started for the office. “Have a good night.”
* * * *
Her phone rang as she zipped up her boots. “Hello?” she answered as she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She was edible. Isa hoped she could find a good distraction tonight.
“You still coming?” Toryn asked eagerly.
“Nope, found something better to do,” she teased.
“Mmhmm.” He chuckled. “Want a ride down?”
“Sure, but I was planning to walk.” She shrugged, twirling her hair around a finger.
“Walk twelve blocks?” There was a low, sexy growl to his voice that turned her on. “I bet you’re wearing those sex-on-stilts knee high boots, which means, I am driving you down so you won’t break an ankle.”
“Mmm, fine.”
He sighed. “I know Mike will want to take you home, which is great. If not, I’ll also drive you back. Only I won’t plan on it.”
Isa cringed. “What about Leon?” she asked, not wanting to ruin his night. If she didn’t wind up with Mike, she could take care of herself.
“San Francisco.”
A smile curved her lips as she struggled to sound neutral. “Oh, I could plan on hanging with you tonight.” She might need to invest in a chastity belt so she didn’t try to jump him when he least expected it.
“Oh no, Princess. You go get your groove on before you go bat shit crazy on me.”
And she would if her dry spell lasted much longer. Hell, she would probably tie him up and take full advantage. Yeah, best not to think about that, because the idea was far too tempting.
“Whatever. When will you be here?”
There was a knock. “Now.”
Isadora ran to the door and threw it open with a grin.
He made a motion for her to turn around and she obligingly twirled.
His blue eyes sparkled in delight.
“Mike is going to be all over you.” He bit his full, juicy bottom lip. “I have the perfect accessory.”
Her head tipped to the side, one eyebrow arching as
he slid his long, graceful fingers along her neck to hook the choker.
Exploring, her hand came up to feel the smooth stone hanging from a satin ribbon. She moved to the mirror to see the flat round crystal. It was half pink, and half dark purple. It shimmered in the light as if tiny gems were trapped within, the colors swirling toward each other in a strange way.
“It’s beautiful. What is it?”
His eyes slid away. “It was calling your name, so I had to give it to you.”
She wrapped her arms around Toryn and fought the urge to kiss him. “Thank you. I love it.” I love you.
His hands settled on her waist as a smile spread on his lips. “I thought you would.” He nodded toward the door. “Come on, let’s get going.”
* * * *
Toryn parked right outside the bar, but threaded his arm through hers before Isa made it to the door. He pulled her toward the diner two doors down. “Hungry?”
“Starving.” Isa stared down at the ground as she smoothed out her skirt.
“I had a feeling you’d skip lunch.” He turned toward her with an imploring look. “What’s your excuse this time?”
A blush colored her cheeks as she avoided his gaze. “Reese was in one of his moods. I only dealt with him when I absolutely had to. God, he’s such a pain in the ass. Thankfully, the kitchen is out of sight of the bar.”
“Well, boss lady, fire his ass,” he sneered.
Admittedly, he was jealous Reese was the last one to sleep with her, and for some reason she was embarrassed by their encounter. He wanted to know what the bastard did, so he could fix it. Of course, she wouldn’t tell anyone, not even Lana.
She grimaced. “Yeah, but then Lana will make good on her threat to hire Remus. And no fucking thank you. I still don’t see why the asshole ever applied. Plus, he makes my skin crawl. I don’t want to put up with that prick on a daily basis.”
He squeezed her hand tighter. “Can’t say I blame you there. He is a creep.” Worse than that, but he couldn’t explain the kind of games the prick indulged in without risking her trying to take matters into her own hands. Until her awakening, where she would gain access to all of her magic, she was no match for Aeremaius.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked over. “I thought you were old friends.”
“Never called him a friend, but I have known him for ages.”
The waiter came and took their orders. Poor kid couldn’t look away from Isa who was breathtaking in a clinging suede dress. It didn’t help when she shamelessly flirted.
Once the poor guy left the table, she flipped her attention back to Toryn and picked up their conversation where they’d left off, “But he’s in the band.”
“Yeah, only because he’s a good drummer and old one had to move on,” he stated firmly, hoping she would drop the subject.
“Right.” She rolled her eyes and let it go.
Leaning closer, he carefully probed, “So what was Reese’s problem today?”
“Oh, let’s see,” she ran her fingers through the ends of her hair as she leaned back and put her feet up on the bench next to him. To anyone else, she would appear relaxed, but he knew better. Something was bothering her. He wished he knew what. “Might have something to do with the fact I fucked him and dropped him. I swear Lana only hired him to piss me off. Apparently she wanted him, but forgot to mention it to me, so how the hell was I supposed to know?”
His hands gripped the seat. “You never did say what the offense was.”
She swallowed hard and looked out the window. “Doesn’t matter, he didn’t do anything wrong. He wasn’t who I wanted.”
His heart paused a beat. “Who do you want?”
Shaking her head, she wouldn’t look at him. There were plenty of things he couldn’t tell her, so he let her avoid the topic.
“So what’s the story with you and Mike? You never take him home more than three nights in a row, but you do let him back into your bed.”
Her head jerked back, eyes blinking in shock. “We run out of things to talk about too fast to pursue a relationship. We argue constantly, the type likely to turn into a knock-down-drag-out fight. He’s great in bed, but not what I’m looking for.”
“Isadora!” he mocked surprise.
“Come on, you’re worse. I haven’t taken nearly as many men home for one night stands.”
And it was true. He felt the knife slide between his ribs and twist. If he could have her, he would never take another living being to bed again. He wouldn’t need to. The one woman he wanted sat in front of him.
“What can I say? I’m a cheap whore.” He half-laughed, gritting his teeth.
“Oh well, I still love you.”
If only that were true. He managed to give her a reassuring smile.
The waiter brought their food, and she practically inhaled it. Whatever Reese, the prick, had done, Toryn wanted to slaughter him for upsetting Isa enough she’d go hungry. Instead, he let out a snort. “You really should have sucked it up and ordered some lunch earlier.”
Annoyed, she replied with a mouthful of food, “Whatever you say, dad.”
A laugh burst free. Toryn had never had a fatherly thought where Isadora was concerned. “Reese would have made you a meal. That is what he gets paid for, after all.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to deal with the withering look he gives me whenever I ask for anything. Like I cut off his balls with a spork.” Dinner finished, she straightened her legs and laid her head back against the seat to stare up at the ceiling.
What is on her mind?
Toryn studied her, but let further explanations slide. He couldn’t resist her contact and casually pressed his thigh against her outstretched leg. He loved the current that flowed between them. It felt so natural to be close to her, to touch her, but he couldn’t have all of her and it was tearing him apart.
After a moment, she excused herself to the bathroom, clearly rattled by something. If only he knew what.
* * * *
Isa stood in the bathroom and stared at the mirror, not actually seeing herself, or anything really. She was busy trying to figure out what to do about Mike.
He was a great guy, but not for her. The more she thought about their situation, the less she wanted to be with him. She felt like she was destroying him the more he fell for her. If only she had room in her heart.
Contemplation getting her nowhere, she headed back to the dining room. On her way, Isa handed the waiter more than enough for their meal and started for the door with a look over her shoulder. “You coming, Toryn?”
He snorted as he stood and crossed the distance. “Need a drink?”
“I do.” She pushed through the door and stepped into the cool night air, turning toward the bar next door.
“What’s going on in your pretty head, Princess?”
“Nada.”
“I don’t believe it,” Toryn replied.
With a shrug, she strutted right up to Vinnie. “Good evening, gorgeous.” She winked, enjoying the way his eyes lit up.
Ooh, he blushed, even with his olive complexion. “Oh Isadora, you are stunning as always,” he practically purred.
“Thank you, but I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
“Only the ones I want to take out and treat right.” He shifted in his seat and she managed to avert her eyes from checking out what was happening under his fly… much.
“Oh, is that so?” she purred as she leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. “Well, call me sometime and we’ll go out.”
Toryn let out an exasperated sigh. Waving, she turned around to let him take her arm again.
Vinnie shrugged in apology, but opened the door. Toryn looked all sexed-up and she couldn’t help wondering what was going through his head.
The bar was their first stop, where he ordered a couple of Loves. Sweet but they pack a punch. She raised an eyebrow as he handed her one, wishing like hell it was a hint.
Toryn nodded toward the doors where the bouncer was peek
ing in at her. “Well, if Mike falls through, you could always take Vinnie home. I think he could make you happy for a night or two.”
That stung, but she laughed off the unintentional insult. “Yeah, and ruin the fun little interplay we always have at the door?”
“You’re all but bursting at the seams, Princess. You need to get laid.” His light tone felt like a thousand barbs.
Trying to play it off, she turned to him with a smirk. “Nah, I could go hang out with my best friend if Mike falls through. There’s always my drawer full of toys if I get desperate.” She winked.
Toryn’s eyes widened. “Mike? Pass?” He laughed out loud. “Please, he never passes.” He sighed and headed upstairs. “Still, Vinnie has been checking you out for years, and you always, without fail, affect him like his first porno mag.”
Her mouth dropped open as her eyes blinked. She couldn’t believe the words actually came out of his mouth.
Toryn leaned over to whisper against her ear. “Don’t worry, Princess, most men have the same reaction. I should know, but how do you miss all that wood?” He chuckled and added out loud, “Damn Isa, you could open your own lumber mill.”
“Toryn!” She blushed, and yes, she knew he was kidding, but shit. Did he have to go there?
Chapter 4
Toryn saw Aeremaius was already seated, though everyone called him Remus in Isa’s presence. He had a feeling she’d learn about their world very soon and dreaded the day. He couldn’t imagine she would trust him when the truth came out.
Still, he had to keep up appearances. Isa waved at Lonny and Scotty, fully ignoring Remus who molested her with his eyes. She noticed though. Beyond feeling her tension, he could hear her teeth grind together as she carefully avoided looking his direction.
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