Magical Acts: (Skeleton Key) Read Online Free Page A

tilted his head. His blonde hair was worn longer than was currently fashionable, but he pulled off the look. His clothes were casual but expensive. He obviously liked True Religion because he was wearing their straight-edged jeans and a black T-shirt with a white devil pointing his pitchfork at a red heart. She recognized the clothing brand because one of Elaina’s former boyfriends only wore True Religion. The guy was also wearing a pair of Prada loafers, which probably cost at least a grand. Jeez. Why was she surprised? Most people who ventured into this area were wealthy. You had to have serious moola to afford most of the shops on this street.
    She realized then that she’d been gawking at him. And he seemed to enjoy her interest. He stepped in front of her. His lips quirked into a half-smile. “Do you like my ring?”
    She blinked at him. “What?”
    “I saw you looking it at. My mother tells me it has magic.”
    “Magic.” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Do you believe you’re wearing a magical ring?”
    “I don’t argue with my mother,” he said. “But I admit, I believe in magic.” His unusual gaze snagged hers. “Do you?”
    “No.”
    “What about fate?”
    Something inside Natalie snapped. He was pulling her chain, right? Messing with her. “You should really cancel your subscription to Pick-Up Lines for the Lame and Desperate.”
    She strode around him.
    He followed her.
    She whirled around, caught between flattered and annoyed, and asked, “What’s your name? I need to know what to put on the restraining order.”
    He laughed. “Ah. I do not wish to be restrained … not from you.”
    Natalie felt a little dip in her belly. He was flirting with her. He leaned down and whispered, “Shall I guess your name?”
    Natalie stared at him. She automatically moved her fingers up to her scar, but his gaze never wavered from hers. She saw the sincerity in his gorgeous gaze. Good-looking, but one taco short of a combo platter. And so was she, damn it, because she found herself uttering, “Sure. Go ahead.”
    His gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked so familiar, she was sure they’d met before. Yet, she was sure that she would’ve remembered him. “Natalie,” he whispered.
    “How could you know that?”
    “I believe in fate,” he said mysteriously. “I believe that I will see you again.”
    Honestly, his interest made her uncomfortable. No man had taken that much notice of her, much less pursued her in … well, ever.
    The man made an odd little bow. “Until destiny brings us together, Sweet Natalie.”
    She watched him turn, and within the blink of an eye, he was gone.
    Poof.
    As in, not there.
    She looked around, but no one else in the café seemed to notice that a man had just vanished into thin air.

    * * *
    A fter paying check and leaving the café, Natalie wandered into the shopping district. The experience with Mr. Nameless had rattled her. She distracted herself by window shopping. Six blocks crammed with stores that sold food, clothing, art, accessories, handbags, and so much more. Pamper Palace sat in the middle of shopper’s nirvana like the big diamond in the queen’s crown.
    Even though Natalie had no intention of using Eliana’s credit card, she had decided to follow her stepsister’s advice and take the day off. Down the street was her favorite dessert place, which sold the best chocolate cake ever made. She’d buy a slice—and maybe pick up a box of truffles—then go home and finish reading Magical Acts .
    Just as she closed in on the dessert place, she spied a new shop: Strange Magic.
    Natalie paused and studied the navy-blue storefront. When had this place opened? Maybe Eliana was right—she really did need to get out more often. She studied the window display. On the left side was a three-tiered display of charm bracelets. The right side of the exhibit featured an array of colorful perfume bottles.
    Then her gaze was drawn to the middle object.
    A crystal skeleton