“See?” Nick said. “You’re probably worried for nothing.”
“Are you sure the Magician isn’t referring to Claudia? She works twice as hard as most people and is more dedicated than anyone I know.”
“I’m sorry. If she were here, it would be about her. This is about you.”
“Crap.”
“Is there anything else either of you can think of besides waiting it out? I’ll go bonkers if I do nothing.”
“Sorry, buddy. I’ve got nuthin’,” Nick said.
Sadie snapped her fingers. “Those daytime vampires. Sly and Morgaine. Maybe you can talk to the woman. She’s a witch and can do a locator spell.”
“Great idea, Sadie. Nick, you know where they live, right?”
“Yeah. In my brother’s old apartment building. Sly’s the super and his daughter lives upstairs. He babysits his grandson sometimes, so I doubt they’d have moved.”
“Where is it?”
“Do you really want to bother them at this time of night?” Sadie asked. “If they’re up during the day, they’re probably asleep at night. They have to sleep sometime, don’t they?”
Anthony pounded his fist on the coffee table and inadvertently broke it in half. Sadie jumped in surprise.
“I’m sorry, Sadie. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m more worried about you.”
“I’ll be okay. I’ll get the address from Nick and visit them tomorrow night if they’re unreachable. Sadie, can you tell Angie and Chris that Claudia’s missing and send them home for the day?”
“I have a couple readings booked. Why don’t I run the place for one day?”
“I thought you didn’t want to do that.”
“That was back when it was a bar. I think I can handle the tea crowd.”
Anthony leaned toward her but spoke so both she and Nick could hear. “So, you think she won’t be back by tomorrow?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Anthony watched her facial expression carefully as he asked, “Sadie, you get vibes. What is your gut telling you?”
Sadie sighed. “I’m sorry. My gut tells me she won’t be back tomorrow.”
Ruxandra had been having an unexpectedly pleasant evening. Kurt was funny and flirtatious, making her feel like an attractive woman again. She hadn’t realized how much damage to her self-esteem all of Anthony’s rejection had caused. Suddenly, she knew that Anthony might not be what she needed—and even more surprising, that she wasn’t playacting with Kurt. She was genuinely attracted to him. If only he’d let his hair grow, he’d be every bit as attractive as Anthony.
Never having much of a filter, she’d probably blurt that out at some point, but now was not the time. She didn’t want to spoil the wonderful mood. As they strolled over the bridge, Ruxandra remembered something that hampered her mood anyway. Claudia.
She wished she could invite Kurt in, but letting him see Anthony’s girlfriend all duct-taped up and probably asleep on the cold, concrete floor wouldn’t make a very good impression.
Why did she want the girl, anyway? And what in the world was she going to do with her now? Frig. Anthony will probably call Kurt to help him find her. Pondering her dilemma made her stop in the middle of the bridge.
“Why are you stopping?” Kurt asked.
She took his hand and pointed to the full moon over the Charles River. “Look. Isn’t it beautiful? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything prettier.”
Kurt leaned against the railing. “I have.”
“Really? What?” She expected he’d say something about flying above the clouds or soaring over a jungle waterfall or something. But instead, he swept a stray lock of her hair behind her ear and said, “You.”
She nearly melted on the spot. Grinning at her feet like a schoolgirl, she said, “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do. I’m a Libra. I appreciate beauty in all its forms. Nature can be breathtaking, but nothing beats a beautiful woman. And you, my lovely, are the most breathtakingly beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Her jaw almost hit the pavement.
“Seriously?”
He nodded and leaned toward her. She tipped her face up, letting him know she was open to the idea of kissing him. He wasted no time and captured her lips in one of the most passionate, toe-curling kisses she’d ever experienced. Even Anthony’s sensuous full lips didn’t convey the desire radiating from Kurt. And surprise, surprise, she wanted him too.
If only I didn’t have a human held captive in my damn lair.
All she could do was prevent whatever damage Anthony might do if he called Kurt and blamed her for Claudia’s disappearance.
Which pocket does he keep his phone in? Kurt was wearing an old fatigue jacket with about a million pockets both inside and out. Crap. Oh, well. I’ll just have to feel him up to find it.
She began caressing his back and chest. He took it as a go-ahead signal to grope her a little too. By the time she located the rectangular shape, he was cupping and squeezing her ass.
“Get a room,” someone yelled from a passing car.
They broke apart and giggled like they’d been caught in the act. A little longer, and they might have been. Kurt gazed down at her with heavily lidded eyes. She recognized that look. She hadn’t seen it in a while, but she knew it as “bedroom eyes.” If only she hadn’t blown it by kidnapping Claudia, they’d be making love in about ten minutes.
They recommenced their walk, heading in the direction of her lair. She had to drag her mind back to the task at hand. She needed to pick his pocket and take his cell phone. Then she had to hope he didn’t have a landline Anthony could call.
One thing at a time.
When they reached the Flats, she turned to him for a good-night kiss. He surprised her by sweeping her into his arms and dipping her low as he kissed her silly. She had exactly the room she needed to reach into his pocket, grab his phone, and slip it under her waistband. Fortunately, she’d worn a skirt and sweater instead of a one-piece dress or her catsuit.
When he pulled her back up and she regained her balance, she smiled. “Wow. You’re so…” What was she going to say? She never complimented guys. She didn’t have to. But she wanted to say something sweet to Kurt.
He smiled in return. “Sexy? Smart? Handsome?”
She chuckled. “I was thinking ‘romantic,’ but the rest apply, too.”
His smile turned into an ear-to-ear grin. His straight white teeth held a certain appeal, but she was a little sad knowing he’d never grow fangs and sink them into her neck in the throes of passion. At least that gave her the moment to cool off.
“Well, it’s been a great night, but I should let you get some sleep.”
“Why?” he said with a teasing smile.
She laughed. “Look, I like you, and I don’t like many people. But let’s take it slow. Savor it. Okay?”
He stepped away and held her at arm’s length. “I guess I can do that, but I’d better go soon. Otherwise, I might try to change your mind.”
Exactly what I wanted to hear. She didn’t really want it to end, but at the moment, that’s what had to happen.
“Okay. I’ll look for you tomorrow night. Unless you have a phone…” He began to reach for his pocket but she stopped him by taking his hand.
“No. Unfortunately, I don’t have one. I’ll have to meet you somewhere.”
“How about here? I’ll pick you up and take you somewhere really romantic.”