Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(25)

The spellcaster enjoyed having a view, no matter where he was living.

Drifting over to see what lay below, I was caught in the millions of lights and the beauty of the city at night. “Central Park is down there,” Logan said, joining me at the windows.

I didn’t jump. I’d felt his energy before he reached me. “How many homes do you own?” I asked, turning to face him.

“We, Precious.”

I blinked at him. “What?”

“How many homes do we own.”

I shook my head. “Logan, come on. I mean, sure, I appreciate your continued implication that I’m your true mate and we have this unbreakable bond. It absolutely makes a witch feel good about herself, but you have to stop. Don’t . . .” I ran out of steam, unable to finish. Don’t make me fall in love with you, because I won’t survive the end.

The betrayal that I knew was coming.

No matter the sexual chemistry between us, and the undeniable connection between our magic, nothing had changed with his father or mine, and sooner or later that feud would come to collect.

Logan didn’t react as I’d expect. He didn’t get angry and snarl back at me. His touch was gentle as he reached out and brushed my hair back. “One day you won’t have to question my motivations toward you. I promise it will all make sense soon.”

“I’ve heard that before,” I responded dryly.

“Drinks!” Sara shouted, interrupting further conversation. “Thank fuck. I was starting to worry that this was a dry party.”

Logan and I turned to find three of our four friends crashed out on the black suede sectional, making themselves comfortable. Tobias was the only one still standing as he mixed drinks behind a bar that ran along one wall.

“I’ve got witch wine in a variety of brands,” he said, gracefully depositing glasses onto a round stone coffee table. “I’ve also got regular alcohol for those who can’t handle the buzz.” He shot a quick glance at Sara, and she sat straighter on the couch.

“Ah, fuck,” I muttered, and Logan glanced at me. “He’s challenged her now.”

Sure enough, Sara reached out and snatched up two of the witch wines, downing them almost in one gulp. “I’m the goddess-be-damned life of the party,” she drawled, the wine taking effect so fast her eyes were already shiny. “Don’t question me, you overgrown pubic hair.”

Tobias stared at her. Then stared some more. As if he’d never seen anyone like Sara in his life. “Did she just call me a pubic hair?” he finally asked. He was talking to us, but he was still staring at her.

That set Noah and Haley off, as they fell into each other laughing their asses off. They had been sitting rather close to start with, but now Haley was practically in his lap.

“You’re as annoying as one,” Sara said. “Hence why I spell my coochie bare. Not. A. Fan. Of pubic hair.” Tobias’s eyes draped down her body, as if he could prove that statement through X-ray vision. Sara got to her feet and prowled across to him—she was tiny enough that he looked massive next to her. “Not that you’ll ever find out, moneybags.”

She’d adopted my nickname, and I covered my mouth to hide my laughter.

Tobias’s eyes flashed. “Babe, I’ll have you naked before this night is through and you bloody well know it. This pretend hate is nothing more than intense chemistry.”

“Chemistry masquerading as hate,” Logan murmured near my ear. “Feels familiar.”

With a shake of my head, I headed for the couch, grabbing a witch wine on my way. Just one tonight. Then I’d switch to regular alcohol.

“Come on, guys,” Haley said, selecting a vodka mix. “It’s a party. Let’s relax.”

For once, she was following her own advice. No book in hand, no constantly checking her watch to escape. She was snuggled into Noah’s giant side, looking content as Hel there.

I went to drop into the seat beside Sara, who thankfully also had a vodka in hand after her wines, but a firm grip yanked me back onto Logan’s lap.

“What are you doing?” I asked, tensing across his hard thighs.

“Just for tonight, take Haley’s advice and relax,” he said. “Tomorrow you can go back to questioning my every motive.”

“Right,” Tobias declared. “Truce all around tonight. Think you can handle that, badass?”

Sara narrowed her eyes on him, but Haley’s pleading expression caught her attention. “Fine. Tonight only. We’re all friends, and Tobias Brietlin the Third isn’t an impossible dickhead.”

Tobias just laughed. “If you want to see my dick, you only have to ask.”

Sara smiled sweetly. “Me and every other girl you randomly meet, I’m sure.”

“This truce is off to an excellent start,” Haley said with a smirk. “I can’t wait to see what the rest of the night holds.”

Noah got music playing, and I relaxed against Logan, letting myself just enjoy the feeling of being with him. The guys chatted and laughed about their show, and it was clear they knew each other well. The sort of old friends who’d grown up together and had that comfort and familiarity of a true bond.

When my witch wine was empty, a pleasant warmth infused me, and I was boneless as Logan kept one hand wrapped around my waist, while the other stroked along my thigh. Just tiny teasing touches, and the feel of his hand on my bare skin drove me crazy.