display.
Isis and Pema joined in and they continued to joke about Cele and Claire as they fell into their routine of rearranging displays. It took all of Pema’s effort to remain engaged with her sisters when her mind continually drifted back to Ronan.
The shifter had power over her, and for the first time in her life, she was weak where a male was concerned. It was disgusting, really. Yet, if he walked in the room and crooked his finger at her, she would melt and follow.
She wanted to feel his lips on hers as he caressed her face. More than anything, she wanted to feel his hard length sink deep into her, assuaging the building ache. She sighed. Her obsession was becoming ridiculous. “I’m going to need your help staying away when I see him at the club opening. I don’t want to throw myself at him and look like a fool,” Pema told her sisters.
*****
Claire sat, fuming in the back of the club. Gossip had spread quickly about how Ronan had shown up at Confetti Too smelling of Pema. The Rowan sisters were always the talk of the realm, whether it was because they were the famed triplets, or because their sexual exploits usually involved the most powerful, or that they were sought after for their magic. She couldn’t escape the inept witches and it was infuriating.
She had called Ronan several times, but he hadn’t answered. She had come to the club seeking him to make amends and was disappointed when he wasn’t at the doors. His truck was in the parking lot, so she knew he was around somewhere.
Nerves riding high, she stood up and headed to the back halls of the newly built Confetti Too, thinking maybe he was in the staff room getting ready for his shift. She planned to seduce him and remind him of what they had shared for so many years. Pema couldn’t hold a candle to what Claire meant to him.
Her heart was racing in her chest as she stalked down the hall. She stopped outside the door marked office when she heard the unmistakable rumble of Ronan’s voice. She pulled out a compact and checked her lipstick before straightening her clothing. Her hands were sweating as she reached out for the doorknob.
She stopped to wipe her hands on her skirt and considered the best tactic for getting him back. Her mother had made it clear she wouldn’t tolerate Claire being with Ronan, that he was beneath Claire. She didn’t care what her mother said. She had never been the dutiful daughter and wasn’t about to start following her mother’s orders now.
Doubt about his feelings for her surfaced and she knew she needed to be sure she was going to have his full attention. She refused to have any of his thoughts linger on Pema and would do anything to ensure they didn’t. Good thing she had planned ahead, she thought, as she pulled out a small vial from her purse and swished the clear liquid. It stung to resort to a love potion to retain his attention, but desperate situations called for desperate measures.
Crossing the hall, she hid from the open doorway and rested her sweaty palms on the wall behind her. There was no telling how angry he’d be if he saw her lurking outside the door. Nerves wracked her and Ronan’s raised voice had her holding her breath. He was upset about something and having a heated discussion with someone.
“I’m sorry I stormed out on you today. Things got out of control and they shouldn’t have. You were right to stop things from going further. Honestly, I don’t have a clue what came over me. I hadn’t intended for that to happen when I returned. I’m not even certain why I did come back, but it wasn’t for that.”
Claire’s heart dropped to her feet at hearing Ronan’s words. She wondered if he was talking to Pema, and if so, what did he mean by stopping things? Did that mean he hadn’t had sex with her?
Ronan’s voice interrupted her musings. “No, Pema, I can’t deny the connection between us and I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Her heart twisted in her chest at the
Learning to Kill: Stories