An Unexpected Evening Read online

  I sat up and looked at him, then looked at my hands. Did I really do that? My hands felt hot, my fingertips tingled. Was smoke sifting from my fingers?

  "Um, sorry, but I think I just came into another power." I couldn't believe it, twenty-six years old, and just coming into a power. I had long hoped for something a little flashier than the ability to know things, but I'd long ago given up, also. Normally, a witch is fully powered up by the time she's sixteen. Nothing like being a late bloomer.

  Mom and Grandma were going to be thrilled.

  "A power? Getting tossed was some of your witchy stuff? Damn, woman.

  Remind me not to piss you off anytime soon. There's not much that can knock an angry vamp on his ass, you know?" He smiled, no fangs. My man was back. "I thought all your powers were in the areas of seeing and knowing things?"

  "Um, yeah, me too." Strange. I had never heard of a witch blooming so late. "Oh, well, something new all the time." I think I was more shook up than I cared to admit.

  Could just be stress. My life hadn't exactly been a cakewalk—The Hysteria, so many people dead. Yeah, all that could stunt power growth, I suppose. "I'm sorry, Samuel. I think we should call it a night. I am so tired. This is just too much excitement for a girl to handle."

  "I chased you away, after all, didn't I?" he asked with a sad smile.

  I didn't want to leave, not with him looking all sad and forlorn. Power struggle or not, he was where I wanted to be. The little tussle on the bed didn't scare me. Others of any race were always in the midst of a power struggle or flashy show of dominance.

  We all seemed to have alpha issues. Everyone wanted to be the big dog, similar to pack law in the wolf world. Everyone at some point tries to exert his or her power, especially during heated moments of passion. My problem was my new power. I really needed to consult with Grams. New power development—this one, in particular—totally weirded me out for some reason.

  "Honestly, Sam, this new power has me feeling strange. I had long given up hopes on having any pizzazz like Mom or Gram. I really need to talk to my grandmother about this, make sure everything is on the up and up. I have to be sure there isn't some kind of wickedness going on."

  "So it's the classic, it's not you it's me, deal?" he asked with another sad, rueful, smile. I knew he, once again, baited me.

  "You know that's not it."

  "I know, babe, go do what you have to do."

  I stood on my tiptoes and gave him a kiss. "I knew you would understand. Just one of the many reasons why I love you so much."

  His eyes widened. Shit. I hadn't meant to say "I love you" out loud. We tended to stay away from the big L word.

  I turned away and grabbed my clothes, good thing there wasn't much to put on, a dress, a thong, and shoes, all of which I scurried into in record-breaking time while he stood there, naked and beautiful, watching me.

  "I'll see you later, okay?" I said as I opened the door ready to leave.

  "Yeah, okay . . . ."

  I could tell he wanted to say more, but didn't.

  As I shut the door, the click nearly drowned out the soft, "I love you, too, Katerina," he said in a breathy, almost non-existent whisper.

  A human never would've heard his declaration of love, but I did.

  I smiled, my heart full as I walked to my car.

  ~The End~

  About the Author

  Story strumpet, tome-loving tart, eccentric night owl . . . these are all words that can describe freelance writer and erotic romance author Roxanne Rhoads.

  When not fulfilling one of the many roles being a wife and mother of three require, Roxanne's world revolves around words . . . reading them, writing them, editing them, and talking about them. In addition to writing her own stories, she loves to read and review what others write. She operates a book review site, Fang-tastic Books, dedicated to her favorite genres: paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

  Roxanne writes everything from articles to web content as a freelance writer and poet.

  Her erotic and romance stories and poems have appeared in Playgirl Magazine, several print anthologies, in ebooks and on numerous websites.

  Her publishers include Noble Romance, eXcessica, Eternal Press, Xcite Books, Circlet Press, Ravenous Romance, Running Press, Midnight Showcase, Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, and L & L Dreamspell.

  In addition to reading and writing, Roxanne loves to hang out with her family, craft, garden, and search for unique vintage finds.

  You can visit her at www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com and www.fang-

  tasticbooks.blogspot.com

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  If you enjoyed An Unexpected Evening, you might also like the following book from Roxanne Rhoads and Noble Romance Publishing:

  No Place I'd Rather Be