A Witch's Love Read Online Free Page B

wouldn’t she look at him?
    “So you never wanted to go away to school?”
    “No, I guess I always felt like my family needed me. So I stayed. Why did you?”
    As they approached her house, he felt like the time had gone by too fast for his liking. There was still so much he wanted to know about her. “I graduated from Oxford with a degree in literature.”
    She turned to walk up the steps.
    “You know, it sounds like your family is really lucky to have you.” He watched as she smiled, and in that moment, he felt anxious at the thought of leaving her.
    She held onto the wooden rail of the open porch as she peered down at him. “Thanks. So, I will see you at work?”
    Right, he would be able to see her more today. “I’ll be around.” He climbed the steps.
    She watched him with such joy that it made his heart beat faster. When he reached for her, she stepped back.
    “My, uh, sisters are probably up by now.”
    Not really caring who was up and watching them, he crossed to her and took hold of her hand and brought her soft skin to his lips. He lingered for only a moment to inhale her perfect lavender scent. His eyes were locked with hers as he let her hand go, gratified when he heard her sigh. He bounded down the steps and broke into a jog.
    He hadn’t even made it to the end of the driveway when he sensed them. The world slowed its motion and time stood still as he inhaled the smell of sulfur, the scent of demons. One he could never forget. The odor took hold, settling in his chest, and in the time it took him to turn to catch a glimpse of Ava, entering her home, his anxiety turned to fear.

Chapter 2
    Ava hated Mondays. She’d no sooner arrived at work than she’d spilled coffee all over her favorite skirt and just as she managed to clean up the worst of the mess, the phone rang.
    “This is Ava.” Sometimes she wished she wasn’t the only employee allowed to have a cell phone on while she worked. This was not a good day for interruptions.
    “Oh, hey, Mr. Clarke, What can I do for you?” Mr. Clarke was the owner of the inn and almost never called her. “I can meet you— Ah, sure, now is fine.” Of course, he’d want to meet now. She and her coffee stain were ready for a meeting with the owner. “Okay, I’ll be there.”
    As Ava hung up the phone, she sighed. He probably only wanted her accountings of what happened yesterday, but that thought didn’t prevent her from being nervous. As she made her way over to his office her thoughts traveled to Lucas. She was pretty sure she missed him, which was ridiculous! She’d just seen him this morning. And how could you miss someone you just met? After all, what did she really know about him?
    Other than he was gorgeous, a great runner, and listened to great music. When she thought of it that way he didn’t sound all that bad. Yet she was left longing. She wanted to know everything about him, from his favorite color to what made him tick. Why?
    Well, she was sure the jury was still out on that one.
    Walking up to Mr. Clarke’s office door, she took a deep breath and tried to suppress her thoughts of Lucas. Then as she knocked on the door a question arose in her mind. Why was Lucas “hanging around” as he’d said this morning?
    The pine wood door rushed open. “Come in.” Mr. Clarke nodded toward a red chair. “Have a seat.”
    Yes, sitting was good. Why was she so nervous? Her knees felt like they were about to buckle. She made herself comfortable in the chair across from his desk but her mind raced. Her boss didn’t look angry, but Mark had been one of his favorites. Her job couldn’t be in jeopardy, could it?
    Mr. Clarke moved around his desk then settled in a large leather chair. He took note of a few papers on the desk, which made her stomach turn. Did he have the police report before him?
    “First, let me say how sorry I am about yesterday’s incident. I had no idea that Mark was a violent man.”
    “No, of course you didn’t, no one knew.”