The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) Read Online Free

some composure.
    Irri tation flitted across his face, but disappeared before she could catch more than a glimpse.
    “Call me Darius, please. We will be working too closely to stand on titles.”
    “ You’re making an assumption, Mr. Winterbourne.” Sabrina leaned back and crossed her legs to give herself a little more armor against his smooth ways. “I told you I’d hear you out and here I am. I didn’t promise to suddenly drop everything for your needs.”
    His irritation flashed again until she said the word “needs.” Then sly, seductive amusement flooded his face and exhilaration shot through her.
    “My needs are another matter entirely and I’m certain we’ll get to them eventually. I’m here today to discuss the matter of the Summer Court’s visit.”
    She didn’t know if she wanted to laugh in disbelief or smack him for his audacity. She settled for a roll of her eyes.
    “Focus, Mr. Winterbourne. What exactly do you want and what does it have to do with me?”
    He opened his mouth to make a no doubt smart-ass comment and she held up her hand. “Rein it in, please.”
    He chuckled, sitting forward to lean his elbows on his knees.
    “As you command, my lady.” He inclined his head. “My petition is the same as last night. Beltane is a week away. The Summer Court has chosen your fair little town as the location where they shall perform the healing ceremonies to strengthen the wards, and you’re the only witch here who can perform the rituals correctly.”
    “ That’s debatable,” she mumbled, but he didn’t seem to hear her.
    “Come now, Lady Foxglove, you must understand what a great honor this is. The opportunity to serve the Court in this way is not offered lightly.”
    S abrina snorted. “I thought I’m the only witch in Cloudburst who could correctly perform the rituals. It doesn’t sound like selection so much as desperation. I’m the only one you know of here, so I’ll have to do. Right?”
    His patronizing smile never slipped. “They would not have chosen Cloudburst were it not for you.”
    “ Baloney!” She grimaced and flicked one hand. “Got oceanfront property to sell me in Arizona, right? Nice try. Tell them to visit Sedona, then. I’m sure the Vortices are in need of a good realigning.”
    Darius’ s smile began to fade and he took a breath to say something as the waitress appeared beside him, her gaze fixed on his handsome visage. Sabrina smiled, grateful for the interruption, and ordered hot coffee and a blueberry scone. Gather your wits, because this guy will run all over you if you let him. Darius’s ridiculous demands to host the Summer Court of the Fae ranked up there with cleaning out the sediment trap in her shower. Yeah, not going to happen .
    Darius turned his brilliant smile on the waitress and she fluttered and simpered, twirling one lock of hair around her pencil with a giddy smile. Sabrina sighed, hoping the girl wouldn't forget her order. Darius played up the charming, handsome, and virile male. She suspected women fell all over themselves to attract his sparkling gaze.
    At last, the girl flounced away, her hips swinging in invitation , and Darius watched her retreat with a satisfied smile on his face. Sabrina shook her head in bemusement. You’re just mad because he doesn’t look at you like that.
    Why the hell would she want him to look at her favorably? She wanted not hing to do with men. Selfish, manipulating, responsibility-avoiding bastards . Darius fit in just right. She bet he’d slept with more women than the flakes of snow falling outside the coffee shop windows.
    Yeah, but think of how experienced he’d be .
    She stifled a groan.
    Darius’s gaze fastened on her like a magnet and he cocked his head in inquiry.
    Crap, he can’t read thoughts, can he?
    “Where were we?” His question accompanied a smug smile.
    “You were just getting ready to suggest the Court should go to Sedona for Beltane.”
    The warmth in his smile dimmed and she