I gently grasped Evan by the shoulders and turned him toward me, cupped his beautiful, dimpled face in my hands, and kissed him. He pulled back, smiling, but it was forced.
“Okay, Evan Garland, I need you to listen to everything I’m about to say. I don’t know this ex of yours, but if what you’re telling me is true, it’s pretty classic narcissistic behavior. Point out someone’s best qualities and convince them they’re flaws. You said he told you your dimple made you look old. Dimples are basically beauty marks, on men especially. And your eyes are your best feature, like model’s eyes even, and people spend lots of money putting on fake eyelashes to make them look long and dark like yours.”
Evan stared at me, looking confused. “So, you don’t think I’m plain-looking?”
I would’ve laughed at the absurdity of his question had I not known the reason he asked. His asshole of an ex had clearly warped Evan’s perception of himself, and that pissed me off. This sweet man didn’t deserve to be treated that way, no one did.
“Evan, you are so far from plain-looking. I honestly thought for a moment you were either fishing for compliments, or playing down your looks, so you didn’t make me feel bad about mine.”
His eyes registered surprise. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t. Cary, you’re so strong and handsome. I-I feel like a paper bag next to you. I should be more like other guys and not get all emotional just because we had sex.”
“You should be you, and stop letting other people’s nasty talk define who you are. I like you, Evan, because you are sweet, smart, and quick-witted, and you’re also hot as fuck! I’ve wanted you since I picked you up at the train station. I didn’t pursue you harder because you were overwhelmed with all that’s going on here, but don’t for a second think I didn’t want to.”
A tear slipped out of Evan’s eye, and he quickly wiped it away. “I’ve wanted you so much, too, but I just thought I was too plain. I still do, but thanks for making me feel different about it, okay?”
I nodded and secretly thought about how I’d love to punch that ex of his. Stupid fucking narcissistic asshole. After my dad and mom broke up, she’d dated one, and he’d made her feel less about her gifts, her looks, and he tore down everything about her. When she finally got rid of him, it took years for her to regain her self-esteem, and she was a powerful witch. I could only imagine what this man had done to Evan.
“You’re quiet,” Evan said, taking a step closer to me.
“Just pondering the nasty spells I could cast on your ex. I’ve never been so tempted to channel my powers for ill-use in my life, but enough about him. Come here. Let’s shower together. I have ways of using that cute face of yours that don’t require talking.”
Evan laughed as I pulled him into a kiss and drew him into the shower. I ended up giving him a blow job because I wanted him to feel… special, wanted, handsome. I wanted him to see himselffor everything he was, and at that moment, giving him pleasure was the only way I knew how to do that.
33
Evan
We cuddled once wegot back to bed after our shared shower. I snuggled into Cary’s arms and fell right to sleep. That had to be more a testament to how I felt safe with him than being tired.
I could never fall asleep when cuddling Andy. It was like I was waiting for him to say or do something else that’d make me feel bad up to the moment he started snoring. I hated to compare the two men, but I couldn’t help it. Andy had a hard and abrasive personality, the opposite of kind and understanding Cary. My caretaker’s caring nature was on full display during our talk last night. I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around all the nice things he’d said about me, but they meant something coming from him.
I left Cary sleeping in my bed as I threw on some clothes the next morning, brushed my teeth, and walked to the manor. Christie was already unloading her car when I got there. “Did you sleep well?” she asked, then looked at me. Her eyes lit up, and she smiled from ear to ear.
“You got laid! Cary? Did he finally make a move?” she asked, causing me to stop in my tracks.
“How can you possibly know that?”
Christie laughed, reached into the trunk, and handed me a box full of stuff before grabbing another for herself, then shutting it. “Baby, even if I didn’t have the powers of discernment, I could see you’ve been used up and loved on. You’re positively glowing.”
“Ugh, are witches always this perceptive?” I asked, feeling myself blush as we carried the boxes inside.
“Oh, worse, much worse. Wait until Al and Cary get their coven together. It’ll turn into a major party where everyone is reading your aura or predicting the future. Anything could happen, really.”
“Wait, aren’t you part of the coven?”
We placed the boxes on one of the tables and Christie turned toward me. “Yeah, sort of. I am a member, but I don’t really go into the group thing as much as Al. If it weren’t for her, I’d be a solo practitioner. I like the hedge witch label. Although, that doesn’t really describe me either. I’m a loner, and don’t want a pet, or familiar. I prefer plants and food… lots of food.”
“Like a kitchen witch?” I asked, causing her to laugh.
“Sure, kitchen witch. I like that. Now, back to business. We need to sweep up the sawdust from Al and Cary’s project yesterday. Technically, it’s not in the kitchen, but I’m not interested in getting dinged because of an overzealous inspector.”
I followed her into the kitchen and stopped short. The basement door stood wide open. “Christie…?” I asked, unable to get all the words out, and she followed my gaze.
She took one look at the door and froze. “Evan, get out of here!” she yelled, chanting and waving her arms in circles.
When a man came up the stairs, she stood poised to attack. “Aah, Ms. Jal, I’m just about done here,” the man said, and neither of us moved.
He looked up from his paperwork and smiled. “I-I’m sorry, I found the front door unlocked when I arrived and assumed you were here and wanted me to get started. Were you not expecting us today? For the inspection?” he asked.
