Storm (Elemental 1)

“Here.” He backed her up until she was leaning against the molding between the hallway and the living room, then let her go. He looked at the guy with the shot glasses. “Get her a cup of water or something.”

She braced her hands behind her on the wall and stared up at Hunter. She couldn’t figure out his expression, whether he was disgusted, or disappointed, or exasperated.

Maybe Quinn was right. Maybe she was going about this all wrong.

“Where’s Quinn?” she said.

“I told her to give me a second.”

Traitor.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” At least her voice wasn’t slurring yet, but everything felt warm. “Now I’m all liquored up. You didn’t even have to work for it.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why would I want you trashed?”

“You’re a guy, right? Isn’t that why you asked me here?”

He glanced away and sighed.

“See.” She reached out and poked him in the chest. Hard. “Monica told you about me. About Drew. That’s why you brought me here.”

“Damn. You’re on to me.” He was untying one of the twine bracelets from his wrist.

His words drew her up short. “Wait. What?”

He got one bracelet free and held it between his fingers as he untied another. He shook his head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

The movement of his fingers had her spellbound. What was he doing?

“Monica talks too much,” he said. “I stopped listening.” He was on to a third bracelet, and he didn’t look at her. “Besides, I prefer to figure things out for myself.”

Shot Glass Kid showed up with a plastic cup. “Here. Drew will shit if she pukes in the hallway.”

That made her want to stick her finger down her throat right there.

Hunter took the cup and held it out to her. His eyes leveled with hers. “Drink.”

She took the cup and sipped. Water did nothing to tame the inferno in her stomach.

He reached out and started tying one of the bracelets around her wrist.

She was so startled that she let him. “What are you doing?”

The silvery black stone strung on the twine fell against her skin, smooth and cool. It cut through the fire better than the water had. “This is hematite. For anxiety.” His voice turned wry. “And clarity of thought.”

“It’s a rock.” But the tequila did seem to be having less effect.

The corner of his mouth quirked, and he started tying another one. His fingers were gentle and warm against her wrist. “Amethyst. It does a lot of things, but really, I’m just trying to take the edge off so you can walk.”

He was walking around with a hunk of amethyst on a piece of twine? “You’re giving me a bunch of rocks?”

“Not giving.” He glanced up. “Loaning.”

“What, are you afraid you’ll be off balance?”

“Something like that.” He tied the third bracelet. “Quartz. To help the other two.”

She looked down at the three stones on her wrist and wasn’t quite sure what to say. She sure didn’t feel drunk now. Just a buzz.