In the Company of Witches by Joey W. Hill Read Free Book Online

zone they were in tonight.
    Plus, finding Ruby in bed didn’t mean any sleeping was happening, unless it was the postcoital kind, a woman sated and exhausted from a couple hours of sweaty pleasure. Derek was definitely a powerhouse in that area. Maybe because she’d turned Mikhael down, Raina felt an unwelcome twinge at the thought of her friend under Derek, his very substantial cock thrusting into her, catapulting her into climactic ecstasy. Bitch.
    “What do you want?” The bitch sounded querulous and sleepy, the kind of sleepy that came from being woken at one A.M. Apparently they were in the same time zone.
    “It’s the middle of the night. You could answer with a note of concern.”
    “Says Peter about the wolf. You always call me at freaking ungodly hours, and it’s always absolutely nothing important.”
    “That’s a matter of opinion. But if you feel that way, why do you answer?”
    “The wolf did eventually try to eat Peter.”
    “I can handle any wolf on my own. I think you answer because you’re so entertained by what I call you about.”
    “Yes, I get so bored helping a Light Guardian save the world every other day. Oh, and having mind-blowing sex on the off days.”
    “Does Derek know you’re having mind-blowing sex on the off days? With who?”
    Ruby’s chuckle made Raina smile. As the tense coil in her lower belly eased a little, she realized she hadn’t called to yank Ruby’s chain. She’d needed a friend. Mikhael had stirred up some hazardous terrain, whether she admitted it or not.
    “All right, what is it, you shrew?”
    “It’s nothing, really.” Raina examined her glossy bloodred nails. Gina had done the manicure, and Raina liked the pair of tiny black triangles projecting from each cuticle like vampire fangs. “I have your old boyfriend Mikhael staying here. Other than pussy, what does he like to eat for breakfast?”
    A clatter as something was knocked over, followed by an impressively creative oath. Before Ruby could say anything else, Derek had the phone.
    “You want to repeat that?”
    “I don’t see the need. Just because you can hear what’s being said a mile away doesn’t mean you should eavesdrop.”
    “We’ll be there in a few minutes.” Static was already crackling on the line, because Derek couldn’t use cell phones without his magic aura screwing with them. She’d lose him in a moment or two.
    “No,” Raina said sharply. “You won’t. This doesn’t concern you, Derek. I’m handling it.”
    “What exactly does he want?”
    “That’s between him and me. If I have problems, I’ll call Ruby and let her know I need her help. Not yours.”
    She could almost hear Derek grinding his teeth. Music to her ears.
    “Raina…”
    She sighed. He loved her best friend. It was damn annoying. It put a damper on the whole chain-yanking experience. “Honestly, there’s no need. I just wanted to pick on Ruby about it. Plus I wanted to give her—and you—a heads-up he’s in town, and let you know it has nothing to do with her.”
    “I wouldn’t have worried about that. I trust Ruby.”
    “I wouldn’t trust any woman with a pulse around him. I’ve seen him. If you get a lull in your save-the-world plans, this would be the perfect time to give her an early birthday gift. Every woman dreams of a threesome with two hot guys, and—”
    Click. Raina put the phone down with a saccharine smile. Ruby could thank her for that one later. Once a man’s testosterone got poked by that kind of stick, he’d have something to prove. Probably for another couple hours. Lucky bitch.
    “ Every woman dreams of a threesome?”
    Holy Mother. She managed, barely, not to spin around and take out the door with a blasting spell. He’d breached the protections on her floor, arrived with no warning at all.
    While she locked down her reaction to that, it was hard not to react to his appearance. He’d changed clothes. Gone were the shirt and slacks, the polished shoes. He was barefoot,