WiredinSin by Lea Barrymire Read Free Book Online Page A

had to have spent a million or more on that tree. How could he
so easily give it to her? She swallowed a few times to push down the lump in
her throat. Tears prickled behind her eyes, which dragged a hint of anger from
her addled brain. You’ve fought all this time to not be affected emotionally
by anything and a gift sends you into tears? Wussy girl. With the back of
her hand she scrubbed at the moisture clinging to her lashes. She wouldn’t give
in, wouldn’t allow herself to feel cherished or blessed by this gift. Nope,
wouldn’t give her heart permission to pitter-patter in her chest with the
blooming of warmth. Panic surged through her before she could scoff at her own
reaction. Big, bad succubus is scared off by a gift? You’re a sad, sad
demon, Vic.
    She finally noticed that Gynger was digging around the inside
of the cardboard box. At least one of them was still thinking and not
dissolving into an emotionally charged pile of girly goo. When the other female
came up with a small envelope clutched in her hand, Vic’s mind clicked back on.
    “Is that the trigger?”
    Gynger handed it over and shrugged. “Probably. Open it. I
want to see if this baby does what I’ve heard they’re capable of.”
    Opening the envelope emitted a quick burst of energy. It
skittered cool and pleasant across her skin. She could see the magic as it
shimmered around them, like a mirage dancing in the air. Instantly the Etraza
tree responded with a soft glow.
    The tiny buds that tipped each branch changed, becoming
green and plump. Between one heartbeat and the next they opened, unfurling
brilliant jade leaves so small that she wasn’t sure of their shape. Victoria
stood, mouth agape, as the leaves grew quickly. Hearts. The leaves were
perfectly formed hearts dripping from the branches, weighing them down with an
abundance of foliage. She gasped as she watched miniscule yellow flower buds
form. Sunshine-colored petals opened, shining enough that she thought perhaps
they actually gave off a soft glow. The light fragrance of honeysuckle and
lavender filled the air and Victoria sucked it into her lungs, savoring the
scent even as she blinked in astonishment.
    “That is the coolest thing I have ever seen,” Gynger
whispered reverently.
    “Who is he?” Vic whispered back. She needed to know who
would give her something so magically perfect. Who’d be willing to part with
something so unique? He was either super wealthy or crazy—either way a prized
possession such as that tree should never be given to a stranger.
    “I can’t tell you yet, Vic.” Her friend sighed. “But he is
safe and would never harm you. You’ll let him call again on Thursday, right?”
    Nodding numbly in answer, Victoria stared at the
ever-changing tree. She didn’t even balk at the quick hug Gynger bestowed on
her. Her friend said something before quietly leaving the office, but she
didn’t hear or comprehend. The enormity of the gift, now changing slowly to the
reds and golds of fall, seemed to stop time completely. Now what?

Chapter Six
     
    Victoria found she’d been staring for the millionth time
into the terrarium that housed her Etraza tree. It was snowing lightly within
the glass container. Tiny snowflakes floated to the dirt and covered the
branches with a soft blanket of pure white. The snow was luminescent, glowing
enough to cast shadows on her desk. She knew within an hour it would be glowing
with sunshine blossoms again, but its serene coolness while in winter matched
her thoughts. She rested her fingertips against the glass and let the cold flow
over her skin. Even the magic felt glacial as it wrapped around her hand with a
frozen whisper.
    She sighed. Her entire day had morphed into one emotional
hill after another. For someone who prided herself on not feeling anything, the
change was devastating. She wanted to backtrack a day and ignore Gynger’s
begging. If Vic hadn’t taken on Nick, or whatever his real name was, she’d be
plowing