Chapter 23: *CHAPTER 23*

Malcolm and Caleb stood at the island counter as I walked in, looking like they had just come back from the gym. They were both shirtless, sweat clinging to their foreheads and necks, looking like Greek gods no less. The sight of Malcolm’s rippling muscles beneath golden skin brought memories of the dreams I’d had of him last night back to the surface.

There was a tug on the invisible tether between us—a yank in my chest pulling me in his direction that I forced myself to ignore. Shit. This was not happening. No way was I feeling this way about Malcolm. But it’s not like I could really blame myself, Malcolm with a shirt on was hot. Malcolm without a shirt on was a work of art.

He was all sculpted muscles under golden skin.

It was an effort to tear my eyes away from him, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. Caffeine. Caffeine and work. No sex. And definitely no sex with Malcolm.

"Morning," Caleb called when he spotted me, grinning so widely the gap between his teeth was visible, "Want some coffee?" He waggled his eyebrows, probably remembering how shocked I'd been at his display of Magic yesterday morning and I couldn't help but roll my eyes good-naturedly, sharing his easy smile.

"I'd love some, thanks."

Caleb Magicked a mug of coffee out of the cabinet like he had yesterday before sending it through the air and into my waiting hand. It was just as unbelievable today as it had been yesterday. I wasn't sure if I'd ever get used to it. I was sure my delight was written all over my face as I brought the mug gratefully to my lips.

Malcolm’s eyes locked on me, his scarred brow furrowed as I drank, taking in my outfit. My skin prickled as his green gaze slowly lowered over my button-down shirt to the pencil skirt that came up a little above my knees, locking on the bare skin exposed there. He swallowed hard, eyes tearing back to my face, “What the hell are you wearing?” He demanded.

I finished my first sip of coffee before lowering my mug to respond. The taste was rich, and I breathed in the smell with a happy smile. It was a thousand times better than the coffee I could make at home and couldn't help but wonder how many of my paychecks I'd have to save to get myself one of their fancy machines. I was pretty sure it would be worth it.

"It's my work uniform." I shrugged, distracted by my thoughts of coffee, I didn't notice the tightening of his expression at first.

"And why are you wearing your work uniform?"

"Because I'm going to work," I explained slowly, the lift of my eyebrows saying the answer should have been obvious.

His face contorted, “And you didn't think about checking with me first?"

I bristled at his words, shooting him a glare, "What are you, the house warden or something? Why would I check with you?"

"I don't know," he glowered down at me, sarcasm dripping in his tone, "maybe because of the Binding we're still trying to break? You die, I die? Or have you already forgotten?" He was in full rant now, and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes at him, "Just because we have the mental barriers up between our thoughts doesn't mean that the Curse is broken."

I pointed a finger at him, "Stop getting all huffy with me—"

He spluttered, fully outraged now, "Huffy?!"

Off to the side, I heard Caleb's amused snickering into his coffee mug.

I continued on, crossing my arms over my chest, "I already cleared it with Jenna last night. She said it was fine if I go into work today. Some of us have jobs and lives that they can't put off just because they have a crusty old Peeping Tom in their head."

He took major offense at the word 'old', his jaw-dropping. For someone who put as much effort into his coiffed hair and physique as Malcolm obviously did, I knew it would strike home. Granted, it was easy to tell that he wasn't much older than me, a year or two tops, but it had been satisfying to see the horror on his face. Especially after the patronizing display, he'd just put on.

I pushed on while he was still struggling with a lack of words, "Besides, the cafe is perfectly safe. The robbery they had last week wasn't even armed," the joke slipped through before I could think better of it. Thankfully my phone vibrated in my pocket just then and I pulled out my phone to see Lauren's text that she was in the driveway.

Bless you, Lauren.

"Now as much as I'd like to stand here and argue with you all day, my ride's here." I set my mug in the sink, more than a little sad I hadn't had the chance to finish it, "Thanks again for the coffee, Caleb," I called over my shoulder as I hustled out of the room.

"Bye, Kass. Have a good day at work," Caleb called after me.

I managed to make it out of the front door and down the driveway, half expecting Malcolm to come barreling after me. I was glad happy when the door stayed closed behind me, though I could feel his frustration simmering at the other end of the Bond, even with both of our walls firmly in place.

I gave Lauren a wave as I trotted down the driveway. An upbeat song was blasting through her car's speakers, Lauren singing along loudly—and off-key—as I slipped through the door of her red Prius.

"Thanks again for driving me, Lauren," I said in greeting, pulling my seatbelt across my chest.

She waved away my thanks with a flick of her wrist, as she backed out of the driveway, "Tell me what happened to poor Fergus," She demanded, a worried line taking up the space between her eyebrows, "Is he alright?"

The mention of my car had the same sad pang returning to my chest. I was slowly coming to terms with the fact that my car was gone. If the coven didn't cover the cost of it for me, like Caleb and Jenna had claimed they would, the dent I'd need to make in my savings account to pay for a new car would be brutal.

"He's crossed on to car heaven," I admitted, my lips twisting with regret. The end had not been peaceful for him either. Flames and magic and monsters.

"No," Lauren gasped out, and to her credit, her surprise was genuine, "He was still in his prime."Fergus had been way past his prime, but I loved her all the more for saying so, "What happened? The engine finally gave out?"

What happened was fire. A shit ton of fire. Instead, I shook my head, "I'm not sure what finally did it," I lied, with a guilty twist of my lips at not being able to be honest with her, "All I know is he roared his last song two days ago."

She gave me a quick glance, before turning her Prius out of the neighborhood, "That sucks, Kass," she knew how hard I'd worked to be able to save up for Fergus, "Well, when you're ready to get a new one, let me know and I'll go car shopping with you. My uncle manages a car lot nearby and he'd give you a good deal."

Lauren weaved her car through traffic, the roads still pretty clear with it being so early. The Pembroke's didn't live too far from Cafe Limone, and we reached the parking lot only after a short drive.

As I unbuckled my seatbelt I asked, face twisting with a grimace, "On a scale of one to ten, how angry do you think Janice is going to be after I missed yesterday?"

"Oh, she's going to be a monster," Lauren scrunched her nose, "but when is she not, honestly? I don't know why she's always such a jerk to you though. You work the most shifts out of anyone else in the cafe. If anyone deserved to have a day off, it was you."

Janice was a jerk to everyone, not just me. But I only took the brunt of it because I was around the most, working as many shifts as I could manage because I desperately needed the money. I shook my head mentally preparing myself as we made our way through the back service entrance and into the employee break room to sign in.

"Maybe I'll finally take the risk today and splash some water on her, see if she'll melt," Lauren muttered offhandedly, her reference to the wicked witch had me grinning despite myself.