Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Logan’s lips quirked a little. ‘I told myself we’d make it work.’
‘It wouldn’t have lasted. It would have fallen apart, and that would have come between us.’
‘Nothing could do that,’ Logan asserted.
‘She was already doing it. You’ve spent months hating me. You talked about switching clans.’
‘I was just blowing off steam. I didn’t mean it. And I don’t hate you. Never did. I hated the situation.’ Logan flexed his jaw and winced, probing at a red spot. ‘You know, I’m almost glad she did this tonight. It opened my eyes; made me realize you were right.’
‘I’d have preferred it if I wasn’t right.’
Logan sighed again, his gaze turning inward. ‘She isn’t someone I ever thought would deliberately gut me open like that.’
‘She’s still the CeCe you know. People do out-of-character shit sometimes. She’ll be regretting it now. And I’m thinking Neal will be getting dumped tonight on top of everything else. She admitted she’s using him. She said it was her attempt to make you get the message that a triad isn’t going to happen and we should all just let it go and move on.’
Logan scowled. ‘Bullshit. I’ve been a dick to you; even threatened to leave the clan. She didn’t ever try to calm me down. She wanted me to keep nagging you and making threats. I didn’t see it.’ He paused, his expression pensive. ‘But you did.’
‘You always think the best of the people you love. I’m too jaded and cynical.’
‘And half your mind is on the Black Willow Witch.’
Ripper went rigid.
‘You think I didn’t pick up on the zing between you two? Last Saturday night, Emberlyn brought out your protective streak in full force. She’s probably the last person on this planet who needs you to shield her, but that didn’t stop your entire being from reacting when she was hurt. You’re into her. There’s no other reason you’d react that intensely.’
‘We’re not talking about Emberlyn right now.’
Ignoring that, Logan went on, ‘She’s nothing like I expected. I’d heard so much crap about her that I thought she’d be an uptight, spiteful bitch. She’s not.’
Eager to change the subject, Ripper said, ‘Back to what we were talking about before . . . what do we do about CeCe?’
‘I don’t plan to do anything. I’m not the one in the wrong.’ Logan stretched out his legs. ‘When she apologizes, I’ll accept her apology and hope we can go back to being friends.’
Ripper held that same hope. ‘Things won’t be the same, though.’
‘No, they won’t. She took a dump over everything I feel for her. Exploited it. Pushed the right buttons so I’d push you. I’ll always care about her, but I’ll never look at her the same way after this. Not ever.’
The front door swung open, and there was Emberlyn – clad in a skin-tight white dress that highlighted every sensual curve. Just looking at her made Ripper feel he could breathe easier. Which made no real sense – especially when his body had a habit of igniting around her, just as it did right then.
‘I keep forgetting to ask you to make more of those elixirs for me,’ he blurted out. ‘You got time?’
Those pale-hazel eyes narrowed, seeing right through him. Truth was . . . after that messed-up scene at the bar, after seeing his brother so cut up, Ripper needed to be with the one person who took his thoughts away from everything else. A person so grounded that she was steadying to be around.
He thought she might call him on his shit; demand to know why he’d really come. It wasn’t as if he’d need the elixirs soon – there wouldn’t be a full moon for another few weeks.
She didn’t challenge his claim, though. Instead, she opened the door wider. ‘I have time.’
Some of his pent-up tension slipping from his shoulders, he accepted her silent invitation and walked inside. The energy of the house – all interwoven with her own – put him further at ease, soothing the sharp edges of his mood.
‘Follow me,’ she said.
He didn’t even try not to admire her ass as they walked. He’d given up on that – it was a waste of energy.
Entering the consultation room, Ripper watched as she lit an incense burner, filling the air with the scent of sandalwood. He glanced around, noticing the many changes. Millicent’s possessions and presence had given the space a dank and creepy feel. There’d been pockets of shadow all over. He’d always felt cautious on entering. That off-putting vibe was gone.
There was color in the form of gemstones, rock quartz, golden goblets and candles. The air was fresh and smelled of the bunches of dry flowers and herbs dangling from the ceiling. Everything seemed to glimmer – the shelves, the altar, the stools, the cast-iron cauldron, the soft-cream walls, the wooden floor.