Magical Midlife Dating (Leveling Up 2)

“You’re apparently known throughout all of the magical community. I don’t think that’s a bad example of anything…”

I yanked on the wheel of the hose roller, only getting another foot.

“What the hell is the point of this thing? To make sure no one uses the hose?” I yanked again, using all my strength. It wouldn’t budge. “Screw this thing. Rip it out and toss it.”

Austin laughed and bent, bumping me to the side with his big shoulder. “Lemme try again.” His yank cracked the plastic, breaking it from the base. He ripped the hose off the side, tearing it from around the spindle, and got enough out to reach his back. “There. See? Nothing to it.”

“If Edgar asks, we have no idea how this thing got broken.”

“Agreed.” He pushed down his sweats, and I ripped my gaze away, my face heating and my heart quickening. I breathed through the heat worming through my core. Wrong guy for this reaction. I had a willing partner upstairs. Hell, I had a whole host of willing partners. This guy was off-limits.

I just wished my mind and my body would get in sync for once. I was still hesitating with Damarion, although I had no idea why. He was hot and nice and a gentleman and insistent—boy was he insistent—but I never got further than the roaming hands before I freaked out and pushed back. I wanted to close the deal while at the same time wanted a longer ramp leading up to it.

The poor guy was probably frustrated, though he didn’t show it. I just didn’t know what my problem was.

“Can you get it?” Austin turned and showed me his blood-slicked back, the wound newly closed and the edges already starting to crust. The top of his muscular butt was smeared red from where blood had soaked into his sweats.

“Why on earth does Mr. Tom insist on white sweats?” I asked, turning on the water. Austin didn’t react to the frigid air or the cold liquid washing down over his defined back. He turned into a polar bear—ice was kind of his thing; it was intense heat he probably disliked.

“There is one thing I would like to apologize for, Jess,” he said, his voice sending shivers racing across my skin. “You’re right—you’re your own woman. A smart woman, at that. I need to trust that you know what you’re capable of.”

“When you’re not flying off the handle because of a few bruises, you mean?”

He let out a slow breath. “I’m not sure I can control my reaction to seeing you…like this, especially knowing who’s doing it. We won’t ever get along, him and I. It will never be peaceful between us, not until one of us submits to the other.”

His voice turned harsh, a growl riding his words. He’d die before he’d submit, that much was clear. I knew without needing to ask that Damarion was the same way.

I struggled to control a sudden surge of emotion. The writing on the wall was entirely too clear. They could not coexist. This town was too small, and this house smaller still. If they’d flipped out this much just at the sight of each other, they’d end up rumbling one way or another. If I kept interceding, eventually they’d figure out how to get at each other when I wasn’t around. It was only a matter of time.

I swallowed down a lump in my throat. I could not bear to see Austin leave. He’d been my first real friend in my new life. My first normal friend, at any rate. I’d come to depend on him, as much for his easy conversation and comforting presence as for his ability to keep the magical world from completely going off the rails. I’d almost died, for heaven’s sake, and someone wanted to kidnap me. Those things should’ve given me nightmares, but they hadn’t—because I knew Austin was watching the property. Because I trusted that he’d keep this town, with me in it, safe.

But I also trusted Damarion. He’d saved my life, and I needed him for training. Ivy House had given him the ability to draw out my magic, and without him, I’d be back learning at a snail’s pace. With mages sniffing around, I didn’t think I had that kind of time.

And yet…I couldn’t help but wonder why Ivy House had chosen Damarion as my trainer over Austin. It wasn’t the wings, because Ulric or any of the other guys could’ve helped with the flying thing, no alpha required. They weren’t as strong or powerful in that department, but I wouldn’t be either. They were probably more my speed than the breakneck diving and rolling that Damarion did.

I knew why, though, didn’t I? Austin didn’t want to be a part of all this. He didn’t want to answer to anyone, especially Ivy House’s magic. He wasn’t a sure bet, and so Ivy House couldn’t trust him. It had chosen the next best option.