"I read too much and do not socialize as much as I should. My family runs one of the largest covens both here and in North America. I rarely participate."
So he was a witch. Interesting. I could sense power emanating from him though I couldn't quite place him. I didn't have a lot of experience with witches, but if they were all this pretty, I could certainly get on board with more exposure. "So you neglected your magical practice?" I asked.
He laughed. "Not quite. My magic is quite eclectic. I didn't want to study solely with my family because I wanted to explore more. Our family is unique in that we are not born with ingrained talents. We have a... " he paused. "I guess you could say a pool of magic. We mold it. My mother chose to focus on divination, so that's where her talent lies. My father and brothers each chose different paths, but I refused to choose anything."
I leaned forward, extremely interested in spite of myself. "So where do your strengths lie, then?" I asked.
His elegant fingers curled around his wine glass. "Everywhere," he said with a wolfish grin.
I swallowed hard and leaned back. "Well," I said breathlessly. "I guess I deserved that."
His low rumbly laugh did funny things to my stomach, and I felt heat climb from my toes all the way up my neck. "Excuse me for a moment," I said before the blush crept up to my face.
I removed the napkin from my lap and placed it in my seat as I stood up. I turned from him and carefully made my way to the bathroom.
On my way, a man appeared beside me. "He's certainly pretty."
The blush had reached my cheeks. "Go away, Sterling. Your ice queen awaits."
He touched my elbow and steered me away from the bathrooms. I turned to see if Dimitri was watching.
"Don't worry. He's got his nose in a book. But I'm sure that's what you love, right? Sensitive little boys driven with emotion and no sense."
I chuckled. "Jealous?"
Sterling scoffed. "Of what? Books?"
"Intellect?" I challenged. "Emotional intelligence? Perhaps the fact he got out of his seat to pull my chair out?"
"He probably ordered your wine before he captivated your mind, didn't he?"
I frowned and Sterling crowed with amusement. "Poor little Maron has a tiny little woman brain and can't pick out her own wine."
"It was a nice gesture," I said, though ithadbothered me.
"Admit it. It drove you nuts."
We were in a darkened hallway close to the coat closet. There was no one else around. "What do you want?"
Sterling moved closer to me and my back bumped the wall. "Personal space," I whispered.
"Yes. What about it?" He moved even closer. Barely an inch separated our hips.
"You're being super inappropriate," I whispered. His proximity was scrambling my brains.
"Why do you hate me so much, Maron Archer?" He reached out with a finger to toy with a loose strand of my hair.
"Is this what this is?" I asked. I licked my lips in nervousness. "Your ego?"
"My ego has nothing to do with it," he said.
"It has everything to do with it. I didn't jump in the sack with you right away and it's galling you, isn't it?"
"I hate redheads," he said with sincerity, but he leaned in even closer and inhaled deeply. "But you smell like strawberries and sunshine. Everything about you is forbidden, but I can't seem to get you out of my head. I hate you so much but I also want to tear your dress off."
"Sterling!"
"Hmmm?"
