Ouachita Mated(6)

Magic opened his mouth to speak but she stopped him with one index finger pointed threateningly at him.

“And if you even dare try to tell me you’ve got Owyn and Renner and the others for that, I swear I’ll toss you out of this office, because you know that’s not true. This clan loves you, Magic, but we don’t have what you need. If we did, you’d have already healed.” Her voice got quiet. “You have to let someone in. You have to let someone love you or you will never let go of the past.”

He stared at her, running his tongue angrily across his teeth. He didn’t want to let go of the past. He’d slipped with Renner, and already regretted it. No, he wanted to hold the past tight, but he wanted to do it without endangering anybody.

Unfolding himself from the couch, he headed for the door. This was a mistake.

“I don’t think you can help me, Doc. I don’t think anyone can. But thanks anyway.”

He jerked the door open, charging into the hall.

And smacked right into the one person he never wanted to see. Anytime. Ever.





Chapter Two



Josie wasn’t watching where she was going. She had more pressing concerns. Like her checkbook, and getting to the spa to talk with Bethany. She flipped through the ledger looking at the amounts she’d recorded as she navigated the hallway.

This couldn’t be right. She’d had 500 dollars left after she’d paid all her bills. How could her bank account be almost empty? She juggled the checkbook until her phone was in the front and then she pulled up her online information once again.

Only to watch the little dial on the screen spin… and spin… and spin.

Her phone provider had shit cell service up here at the lodge. She’d have to link into their Wi-Fi if she wanted to check it. Easy enough as long as their password hadn’t changed. It’d only been a couple months since she’d visited.

“Ooof.”

She hit a solid wall of unyielding muscle hard enough to stop her exhale, but somehow managed to not drop her phone and checkbook in the process. Miracles existed after all.

Her eyes had to travel up quite a ways to get to his face, and that’s how she knew it was him. There weren’t many men in the world that much taller than her 5’ 11’’. Magic was one, and besides she’d recognize that put-off huff anywhere.

“What are you doing here?” His voice was low and rough. Barely contained. Like the tiniest spark from a match could set him off. It slid across her skin pulling chills to the surface.

Bastard.

How did he do that to her with only his voice?

His eyes were dark, and not just because of the long, thick lashes that would make any woman jealous. If eyes were the windows to the soul, his were dark like a nasty storm brewed inside. She couldn’t decide if she’d want to be around to see that storm or not. Could be entertaining. Could be dangerous.

“‘Good morning, Josie.’ That’s what you’re supposed to say. And then I say, ‘Good morning, Magic,’ and maybe smile. But really that depends, because I don’t smile for just anybody in the morning. And usually that’s a big fat no for anyone who isn’t nice to me.”

His face didn’t crack. His eyes went back and forth between hers, but his scowl didn’t budge an inch. The long hair didn’t mean he was fun. He was like a messed up mullet. Business in the front, party nowhere. She’d like to be the one to make him crack a smile. Let loose. But he was even more buttoned up whenever she was around.

Magic, huh. The only thing magical about him was his name. And the way her heart ran away anytime he looked at her.

“What are you doing here?” he repeated.

She casually leaned one shoulder against the wall, cocking her hip. She wasn’t riled. No sir, not a bit. “You know, I could ask you the same thing.”

Magic closed his eyes, tipping his head back on his broad shoulders. He was so annoyed, she kind of wanted to laugh. They weren’t in kindergarten, but it was so damn fun to mess with him.

“I live here, Josie.”

“Oh, yeah. I do too. At least for a while.”

His head snapped up to stare at her, a deep crease between his two dark brows. “What’s that?”

She gave him a bright grin. “I’m staying at the lodge for a while. Didn’t Bethany tell you?” She knew her best friend hadn’t said a word because she didn’t actually know Josie was coming.

“No,” he snapped. “How long are you here?”

“Hmm. Not sure yet. Layna put me down for a room.”

His frown deepened, if that was even possible. “Did you pay for it?”

Josie stiffened, her smile disappearing. “No. I flashed Layna my tits and she said we were good. Of course I paid for it, you asshole.”