“Not exactly,” Portia began. “It would be me asking for her help on your behalf. I’d be responsible. And given that I am now tied to the resort …” Portia slammed the little book shut, dropped it into the drawer before slamming it closed, and then she looked up to smile at them. “You know what? You two go off on the couples’ activity today. While you’re gone, I’ll get in touch with Alice Gatlin.”
“Why do we need to go on the couples’ activity?” Ruby asked.
Ethan turned to look at her and studied her features. He was trying to decipher what her reluctance could mean. Hadn’t they been having a good time together? Why wouldn’t Ruby want to spend more time with him?
Maybe you’re a sloppy kisser, and you’ve gone and scared her away with your massive tongue.
Ethan ignored his wolf’s comment. It was impossible. Those kisses they shared were amazing. He knew it. Ruby knew it. Hell, even Portia should know. She had seen them kissing enough to realize the truth. There was a connection between the wolf and the succubus. That’s when something Ruby said tickled the back of his mind.Aunt Portia is an amazing matchmaker.Could this be why Portia was constantly pushing them together?
Another thing Ruby warned popped up.To be completely fair, she is also a bit of a trickster. She likes to mess with people.
Ethan might not know much about the broader paranormal world and its creatures, but whether Portia was a trickster or not didn’t matter. Not to him.Hewanted to spend time alone with Ruby.
And that’s exactly what he was going to do.
It had nothing to do with Portia and her possible matchmaking and everything to do with Ruby.
TWELVE
PORTIA
Lou was chuckling like a little kid at the back of the class who had just stuck a sign that saidKick Meon his teacher’s back.
What the bartender had actually done was send a Flaming Anus to a pissed-off panther shifter sitting alone in a secluded booth. The shifter glared at the witch sitting at the bar. She nursed her drink quietly, musing to herself. She was completely lost in her thoughts, and she had no idea that she’d just been pranked by Lou.
The shifter stood and stalked forward to tap the witch on the shoulder. “The hell do you think you’re doing, sending me this?” He lifted the drink. The top of the drink was almost burgundy, and it faded to a sparkling orange in the middle, and a bright jeweled red closed it out at the bottom. A bit of smoke danced over it, giving it a dramatic flair Lou appreciated. He always was a bit dramatic.
The witch frowned. “I didn’t send you a drink.”
The shifter frowned. “This is a Flaming Anus. Did you curse me?”
The woman shook her head. It was nearly impossible to tell whether it was the man’s questions that threw her off or the very intense jump between the two thoughts.
“I didn’t. Really, reallynot. There’s been some mistake. I didn’t send anything to anyone.”
Portia watched the rest of the scene unfold. Not that she was surprised, but the shifter ended up sitting next to the witch, and soon enough, the two were laughing about the drink.
“That drink is always a great icebreaker,” Lou commented when Portia went to stand beside him behind the bar.
“Sometimes,” Portia laughed.
“Hey, it’s funny. If someone takes that personally, that’s more a reflection of them. One thing is for damn sure, it’s always entertaining.”
She smiled. “Whatever you say, Lou. Now, if you want to leave the bar for a little while, you might have some fun with the weather controls in my office.” She tapped the bar top with her long nails. “Unless your heart is set on mixing drinks all day, but I do have something a little more interesting.”
Lou’s hazel eyes sparked with interest. “Oh? What’s happening? Is it little Ruby and the big bad wolf?”
Portia nodded, victorious. “Good guess, cousin. I got them to go on the couples’ activity.”
Lou threw his head back with a laugh. “That’s wonderful. Those two have no idea what is about to hit them.”
“My thoughts precisely,” Portia agreed.
“Are we really gonna mess with them?” Lou looked like a kid begging for a cookie for breakfast.
Portia just couldn’t say no to him when he gave her that look. Good thing she had already decided to involve him.
“Oh, we are definitely going to mess with them.”