RoadBlock Read Online Free Page A

was relaxed, and clearly accepted what Cal had said as truth, but was still trying to make sense of it, explain it somehow. It made Cal smile to realize this was how Dagger was, he was an analyzer. It was cute.
    “Dagger, what do you do for work?”
    “Oh…I fix computers. Hardware, mostly. It’s a small company though, so sometimes I have to do some software stuff, if it’s basic I can handle it. How about you?”
    “Teach online college courses. Literature, folklore, this upcoming semester I have one on Celtic legends and fairy tales, which should be fun. It’s all video casts and remote Q&A, so I can do it from anywhere. Maybe you can help me get my computer set up here, though?”
    “Yeah, no problem. How about Betony? What does she do?”
    “Makes herbal lotions, soaps, beauty products. She has an online shop, it does pretty well.”
    “Nice.”
    They sat in silence for a few minutes until Dagger thought of something. “So, did you always know you’d have to move someday? Is that why you both have jobs that you can do anywhere?”
    Calderon studied him closely. Having a mother who was a seer had taught him some things, it seemed. “Yes. That’s why.”
    Dagger just nodded. “Where did you live before?”
    “New York. Queens.”
    “And before that?” Neither of them had a New York accent, Dagger knew they weren’t from there originally.
    Calderon smiled. “Hartford. We were born there. Moved to New York for Betony’s training. She interned with an herbalist there.”
    “You’ve always stayed together?”
    Calderon’s smile faded, but he answered. “Our parents died in a car crash when we were both in college. We don’t have any other family, except for a few second-cousins in California. We’ll always stay together.”
    “I’m sorry.” Dagger reached out across the table and placed his hand over Cal’s, an automatic gesture of comfort he didn’t even think about. When their hands touched, though, a little shiver passed through them both, and their eyes locked. Betony walked in then, and Dagger pulled his hand away, getting up to help her with the dishes.
    “I’m sorry, Betony, you shouldn’t be doing this. Here, sit down and I’ll open another bottle of wine. I can clean up in my own house!”
    “I don’t mind, Dagger! You made us dinner, and helped with the porch. It’s fine.”
    Calderon got up and helped Dagger clear the last of the dishes, and they all walked into the kitchen. When Dagger had refilled their wine glasses he rolled up his sleeves and began rinsing off dishes and loading the dishwasher. They talked easily, about their jobs and the work that still had to be done on the house, about the coven and the town. Soon it was full dark, and Betony was yawning.
    “I think I’m going back home. I still need to unpack a few things and I’ve got to get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow.”
    “Yeah, you’re right. We should both go.”
    “Thank you for dinner, Dagger, that was really nice.”
    “Hey, no problem. Do you need help tomorrow?”
    Calderon and Betony exchanged a glance. “I feel bad asking you, but yes, actually, we can use all the help we can get. Tomorrow is furniture day.” She said the last part with a groan, and Dagger chuckled.
    “I don’t mind. Come over for coffee when you get up?”
    “Sure, thanks!”
    Dagger walked them to the door, and Betony gave him a little hug before she trudged across the street. Calderon paused, and Dagger used the hesitation to pull him into an awkward kiss. He startled, but recovered quickly, wrapping his arms around Dagger’s waist and returning the kiss. Dagger moaned against Cal’s lips, feeling him respond, and deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and sweeping his tongue inside, exploring. Dagger’s thigh pressed between Cal’s legs, and Cal felt himself growing hard. Dagger’s hands were everywhere, groping his ass, running up his back, squeezing his hip, every touch making Calderon’s stomach flip. He