Page 11 of Paws for a Minute
Flames didn’t come out of anywhere. They came from a point of ignition, and this certainly wasn’tthat.
FIVE
COHEN
When Cohen went over to Alana’s shop, he thought he would go in, lay down the law like he was so used to doing, and then he would leave with time to spare.
He didn’t think for two seconds that he would be standing in the backroom of Wixx, taking in all of the magical objects, longing to know what each and every little thing did for Alana. The magic ball was obviously the easiest thing to spot.
The big glass orb had a place of honor on a small round table in the very center of the room, right under a chandelier. The table itself was covered in a deep green velvet tablecloth that resembled the curtain.
The only thing missing from the ambiance was a fireplace where fragrant flames magically danced to whatever magic Alana chose fit to do.
“I’m not gonna lie,” he broke through the heavy silence. “All of this stuff kind of scares me.”
Alana arched a brow at him. “Did the big bad sheriff actually admit that he is scared of something? Something that little old me has?” She laughed, but he didn’t know if it was a giggle. “I can’t believe that for two seconds, Cohen.”
There she went again, saying his name like it was precious to her. Or maybe it was because he hadn’t heard it from her mouth often that it had more of an impact.
Maybe it was the woman herself that was having such an impact on him.
Cohen kept Alana Wixx at a distance from himself for a reason. He didn’t trust the witch, that was true, but he also didn’t trust himself. What kind of man was he if he could be attracted to one of his bitterest enemies?
You continued to love Amanda long after you started to hate her, his wolf pointed out needlessly. Of course, it was only needless because Cohen already knew that. Sometimes, his wolf forgot they shared a brain. A head. A heart. Whatever the wolf felt, the man felt; the opposite was also true too.
“You are terrifying,” Cohen admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Her head snapped up in his direction, and her lips parted in a gasp. “Of all the things to say,” she hissed, narrowing her eyes.
Cohen shook his head and took a step forward while one arm motioned to the room in which they found themselves. “Can you blame me? Alana, look around. This isn’t the kind of room I usually find myself in. Do you understand that you might make people nervous because of the power you wield?”
“I could ask you the very same question, you know?” Alana shot back without missing a beat.
Was she anticipating his question? Did she mean what she said?
“You cannot be scared of me,” he chuckled. “You’re a witch.”
“But you’re the sheriff. You are also basically the alpha of the town. If there is anyone in this town that wields all of the power, it’s you.”
Cohen threw his head back with a laugh. “I don’t think so. Mrs. Francis has way more power than me, and she insists on protecting you. From the very first time I met her, she warned me that I wasn’t to mess with any Wixx women in Half Moon Key. That kind of command coming from the people who sign my paycheck? Well, let’s just say I took it in stride.”
“Apparently,” she rolled her eyes. “Why are you here, Cohen? We already agreed this afternoon that we would have a truce between us. We have our truce. What more could we have to discuss?”
Cohen clenched his jaw until his head ached. He flipped through all of the reasons that led him to this shop, but he couldn’t find anything that wouldn’t sound completely unhinged.
What was he supposed to say?I think you’ve put some kind of spell on me because I can’t stop thinking about you.No. He couldn’t say that for obvious reasons, and some of it had to do with the accusing tone he would no doubt take when he asked.
Alana Wixx was not the kind of woman who took accusations lightly, especially not when it came to magic. Every time the council asked her to make sure that the spell over town was holding, Alana was very defensive.
He couldn’t blame her either. It’s not like Cohen even understood completely why Half Moon Key needed that kind of magical protection, anyway.
“I would like to know, Alana, what it takes for a person to be spelled.”
She frowned. “You change the topic faster than the wind changes direction.”
He shrugged and took another step closer to her because he found he couldn’t help himself. His legs were moving of their own volition as if they simplyhadto move closer to Alana. How could he not think she was playing a dirty magic trick on him?
“I don’t know what you’re asking,” she finally said, sitting at the small table where the crystal ball sat. “Are you asking me if someone has put a spell on you?”
