Dream Shard (25 page)
I
f you go casting love spells, be careful what you wish for.
A Touch of Magick
© 2010 N.J. Walters
Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 1
Rhiannon Sparks admits she’s not a very good witch—she can’t even light a candle without a match—but she keeps trying. At least her talent for business has made her magick shop a huge success. Now if only there was even the faintest flicker in her nonexistent love life.
During a night of eating and drinking, she and her girlfriends cast a candle-magick spell for hot sex. All in good fun, of course. Except Rhiannon accidentally mixes up the words. Instead of a lover, she asks for true love.
Deputy Ryland Stone’s past keeps him firmly rooted in reality. Then he meets Rhiannon and sparks literally fly. One date leads to another, and then they’re practically setting the bedroom on fire…until she reveals the deal breaker.
Though love and magick have found Rhiannon at last, getting a handle on her newly unleashed power is the least of her problems. Unless Ryland accepts that magick exists, he will never accept her for who and what she is.
Warning: This book contains a simple candle-magick spell, which you use at your own risk, a disastrous date, phone sex, and enough sizzle to practically set the sheets on fire.
Enjoy the following excerpt for
A Touch of Magick:
Rhiannon whirled at the sound of the male voice. The bucket tipped precariously and water slopped over the side. She jumped back, just missing getting her shoes wet. Swearing under her breath, she laid the pail down and swiped at the water trickling down the front of her wool skirt.
“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She looked up. Way, way up. Not that the man was overly tall. He was probably about six feet tall, give or take an inch or two, but when you were only five-foot-two most people were taller than you. The high heels helped, but not much. “Well, you did.”
One corner of his mouth kicked up in a half smile. Rhiannon immediately noticed his full, very kissable lips. She shook herself. What the heck was wrong with her?
“You going to clean up this mess?”
“That was my plan.” Her voice was sharper than usual. Something about this man set her on edge, yet she wasn’t afraid of him. Not in the least.
“Shouldn’t you wait until the police examine the scene?” It was then she noticed the uniform.
Sighing, she wondered if she should have just stayed in bed this morning. “I didn’t call the police.”
“I didn’t think so.” He held out his hand. “Ryland Stone, Deputy Ryland Stone.”
Seeing no way out, she reached out and took his hand. An electrical shock surged through her body, going straight to her breasts and arrowing down between her thighs. She yanked her hand back with a yelp, cradling it against her chest. Her entire body tingled with awareness.
Ryland was shaking his hand too, his pale blue eyes never leaving her face. “Sorry about that. Must be static electricity.”
Of course it was. What the heck had she been thinking? For the briefest of moments, she’d thought the spark had been one born of magick. Instead it was something as mundane as static electricity.
Obviously last night’s spell and the conversation with her sister this morning had muddled her good sense. She had sex and magick on the brain. Ignoring the tingling in her breasts and the way her nipples were pushing against the cups of her bra, she focused on the problem at hand.
The deputy was standing there just staring at her and she realized she hadn’t said anything. “I’m sorry. Rhiannon Sparks.”
He blinked and suddenly broke into a full grin. She was immediately struck by his masculine good looks. His blond hair was cut short, but the style suited him. His jaw was square, and stubborn if she was any judge of character. There was a scar bisecting his left eyebrow that kept him from looking too pretty. His shoulders were wide, his body lean and fit. All in all, a very nice package.
“Sparks, huh. Figures.” He shook his hand again and then motioned toward the wall.
They’d certainly struck sparks off one another, but she assured herself that meant nothing. “I didn’t think there was much point in calling the police about this.”
He shook his head. “This is vandalism, pure and simple.” His eyes went to the words “witch” and “devil” before returning to her. “Plus, it’s just plain nasty.”
Rhiannon rubbed her hands over her arms, suddenly feeling the chill through her sweater. He noticed immediately and in a couple of strides was by her side. “Why don’t you go on inside while I call this in. We’ll take some pictures, have a look around and then I’ll come and talk to you.”
“I don’t see what good it will do.”
He shrugged. “The vandal might strike again.” He pointed to a small blob in the far corner. “These graffiti artists always sign their work. He might have targeted other businesses last night. Even if he didn’t, if he’s ever caught we can tie him to this scene and a few others.”
She could see the sense in that. “Okay. I’m sorry I didn’t call the police immediately.” And she should have and would have if she hadn’t been so muddled. Certainly, she might not be the only business affected by this vandal. There were most likely others.
“No problem. You go on inside and get warm. I’ll be in to talk to you as soon as I can.”
She turned and opened the door, grateful for the blast of heat that hit her. Still, she paused and stared after him as he strode toward his vehicle. The man looked as good going as he did coming. She felt her cheeks heat. Her choice of words had all kinds of images flashing through her brain.
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Dream Shard
Copyright © 2014 by Mary Wine
ISBN: 978-1-61922-382-0
Edited by Heidi Moore
Cover by Angela Waters
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: August 2014
