Sex with a Hex: Magical Sisters, Book 2 Page 14

  “What did you say? I can’t hear you for all this commotion.” He tugged her arm to pull her into a corner by the front door, then took both her arms, forcing her to confront him. “Okay, go ahead. Talk.”

  “You didn’t lose the bet.”

  He turned her loose, then ran a hand over his face. “What are you talking about? I lost, fair and square. Sasha turned me down flat.”

  “No she didn’t. Not really.”

  He gritted his teeth and planted his feet apart as though ready to fight her. “I don’t understand, and frankly, after the day I’ve had, I’m not sure I want to.”

  “Oh, Chance, I’m so sorry. I wish we’d never made this stupid bet. But you didn’t lose. Sasha was…” She couldn’t tell him that Sasha didn’t exist. Or that Hilly had transformed into the intoxicating woman. So what could she say?

  “Sasha was what?” His tone was controlled, but a heavy layer of anger lay underneath the control.

  “Sasha was a fake. I got her to turn you down so you would lose the bet.”

  Chance took a deep breath and stepped back from her. “This was a set-up? So you lied?”

  “No. Yes. But I only did it so I could win. I mean, I only wanted the challenge to end. I didn’t want you to get up on the counter and say all those things.” She reached out for him, needing to touch him, needing to make him understand.

  “No.” He held up his hands to ward her off, then started to say more before he finally shook his head. Without saying another word, he turned on his heel, pushed through the door and stormed into the night.

  “Meg, you have to tell him the truth.”

  Hilly’s arms around her couldn’t lessen the sorrow raging through Meg. “I wish I could, but he won’t talk to me.”

  “How do you know?” Allie reached across the kitchen table and covered Meg’s hands with her own. “You haven’t tried to get him to talk.”

  “I don’t have to. Why should he talk to me? I lied and then let him make that speech at the club.” A sob shuddered through her shoulders. “Even then I didn’t tell him the whole truth. God knows how he would’ve reacted if he’d known everything.”

  “Wow, I wish I could’ve been there to hear his speech. I’ll bet he was amazing.”

  Meg scowled at Allie, then let out another sob. “That’s not the point, is it?” She slumped back into the chair. “How did this go so wrong? All I wanted was to have fun. You know, to do what I’ve always done. How was I to know I’d fall for the big lug?”

  “Well, I hate to say it, but I told you so.”

  Meg gaped at Hilly. “Now? You’re going to say ‘I told you so’ now? Why didn’t you stop me?”

  Hilly shook her head, refusing to take the blame. “Meg Tristan, don’t put your mistake on me.”

  “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t blame you, but I don’t know what else to do. Hilly, please, you’ve got to find a way to help me.”

  “I think I’ve already done too much.”

  “Please, Hilly. Please help me.”

  Hilly grew quiet, then shrugged. “Fine, I’ll help. But as I see it, honey, there’s only one thing to do.”

  Meg bit her lip, almost afraid to ask and burst her bubble of hope. “Then tell me. What should I do?”

  “Tell him the truth.” Hilly paused. “And I mean the whole truth this time.”

  Did Hilly mean what she thought she meant? But they’d always vowed to keep their secrets. “You want me to tell him I’m a witch?”

  “Meg, do you love Chance?”

  Meg didn’t have to hesitate. She’d thought of nothing else since she’d shooed Ian and Josh out of her apartment. “I don’t know when it happened or how, but yes, I do.” Another cry escaped her. “Stars and moon, I do.”

  “And since you love him, don’t you want to be with him?”

  Meg nodded, knowing what the next question would be. “I want to be with him every day and every night, for as long as I live.”

  Allie wiped away a tear and handed her a tissue. “This is so romantic I just can’t stand it.”

  But Hilly wasn’t finished. “So if you want to be with him every day and every night for as long as you live—” she smiled and patted Meg’s hand, “—then don’t you think you have to tell him? A relationship based on lies is no relationship at all. Besides, I think he’ll notice the witch’s paraphernalia once you two move in together.”

  Allie’s laugh lifted the atmosphere in the room. “Ain’t that the truth? The first time he eats the wrong goop out of your Crock-Pot and turns into a goat, he’ll probably figure it out.”

  Her sisters were right, of course. “When you’re right, you’re right.” A smile to match Hilly’s formed on Meg’s lips. “And you’re always right.”

  “Then find him and tell him everything. From the moment you saw him to the last time you spoke. Tell him you’re a witch.” Hilly took her hand. “But most important of all, tell him that you love him.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Locating Chance wasn’t difficult. A simple finding spell brought Meg the answer she needed. Granted, he wasn’t where she’d assumed he would be—either at the hospital or at Wesley Ward—but that didn’t matter. If he’d gone to the moon she would’ve followed him.

  Meg walked into the lobby of the Golden Retreat Long Care Facility ready to wrinkle her nose at the smell. Howard Nursing Home where her grandfather used to live had always smelled like an odd mixture of cleaning solutions, sickness and other aromas she didn’t care to identify. But this one was different. Golden Retreat had the fragrance of a hotel. Crisp and clean, the windows sparkled and the floor shone. The place was as cheerful as Wesley Ward.

  “May I help you? I’m Sara.” A smiling young woman clasped her hands in front of her starched white uniform and waited to fulfill Meg’s needs. “Are you looking for someone?”

  A few elderly patients strolled by her, their laughter right at home in the sunlit room. “Yes, I am.”

  “May I ask the name? I could check the register for them.” The girl’s ponytail swung as she motioned for Meg to accompany her to the reception desk. “What’s the name?”

  “I’d like to speak with Chance.”

  An older nurse moved to peek over Sara’s shoulder. “She means Dr. Chance Dannigan, sweetie.”

  Sara’s face brightened even more at the mention of Chance’s name. “Oh, Dr. Dannigan.”

  Meg would’ve sworn every woman in the room stopped to look her way, hoping to find the handsome Dr. Dannigan nearby. “Right. I assume he’s working here.” She made her tone sound neutral, using neither a questioning tone nor a declarative one.

  “I wish.” The older nurse blushed, her giggle sounding much like Sara’s. She cleared her throat and tugged on her uniform. “Uh, I mean, I wish he did. From what I hear, he’s a wonderful physician. Unfortunately, he doesn’t work here.”

  “Hmm.” Did the man check in with all the retirement and senior care facilities? If so, growing old didn’t sound so bad. “But he is here. I know he is.” Hopefully, they wouldn’t ask her how she knew.

  “Oh, yes, he’s here,” answered the older woman.

  Meg paused, waiting for more information, but received none. “Okay, then could you tell me where I might find him?”

  Sara and the nurse exchanged a quick glance. “I’m not sure we should give out that information,” replied Sara.

  “Even to his fiancée?” Meg held her head high and kept her unadorned fingers in her pockets.

  “His fiancée?” The strident tones of the shocked women answered her.

  In for a penny, in for a pound. Meg nodded, giving a quick thought to using a compelling spell. But if she could bluff her way through…

  “That’s right. Now, please, tell me where I can find my fiancé. We have to decide on a china pattern today before our wedding registry activates.” Was that how registries worked? Did they activate? Meg hoped she’d used the phrase correctly. From now on, she’d have to pay more attention to Hil
ly’s preoccupation with the latest bridal reality show.

  The stunned nurses, however, weren’t forthcoming. Taking a risk, Meg started toward the right hallway. “He’s down this way, right?”

  Sara was the first one to unfreeze. “No, no. His mother was moved to a different room.” She slid beside Meg. “Didn’t he tell you?”

  Meg made an “oh, you know men” face. “It probably just slipped his mind. You know how busy doctors are.”

  “Oh, sure.”

  Meg whirled around and headed for the other hallway with Sara hurrying to stay up with her. “So what room was she moved to?”

  “Room one-fourteen, the best room in the place.”

  Figures they’d want the charming Dr. Dannigan’s mom in the best room. Anything to get on the handsome doctor’s good side. “Great. Well, then, don’t let me keep you from your duties.”

  But Sara didn’t take the not-so-subtle hint. “I’m actually going on a break soon, so it’s no bother.”

  “Great.” Yeah, just great. Meg shot her a halfhearted smile. The room numbers on the walls next to the rooms whizzed by her until, at last, she stood outside the correct room. Giving Sara a quick pat on the back, Meg shoved her toward the lobby. “Okay, we’re here. Thanks so much. Bye.”

  For the first time, a frown marred Sara’s features, but she kept moving down the hallway. Still, if the girl moved any slower, she’d get run over by the elderly man shuffling down the hall with his walker. Meg waited, biting her lower lip, until the girl was finally out of earshot.

  Summoning her courage, she pushed the door open and took a step forward. Half hidden by the door, she peered around the edge into the room.

  The room was as different from her grandfather’s as a room could be. Bright sunshine spilled in through a large lace-trimmed window. The bed, although a hospital bed, was inviting, with a colorful quilt and two overstuffed pillows. Photos and mementos sat scattered on a desk and side table. A television, tuned to a popular soap opera, hung overhead.

  Chance sat on a plump-looking sofa next to a woman who had to have reached beyond eighty years. Her full white hair shone, silver sparkling in the natural light. Classic yet stylish gold earrings hung from her ears although she was dressed in a housecoat. Slippers hugged her feet and her hands worked the knitting needles and yarn as well as any woman half her age. Her smile lifted the wrinkles in her face to frame intelligent dark eyes, eyes so much like Chance’s. She tilted her head, interrupting whatever Chance was saying to her and drawing his attention to the door.

  “Meg?” A flash of a grin stole away, replaced by his scowl. “What are you doing here?” His mother took his hand and he covered hers with his own but didn’t take his focus away from Meg.

  Meg dragged in a steadying breath, then forged ahead with her plan. “Hello, Mrs. Dannigan, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but could I please talk to your son? Um, in private?” She’d have gotten on her knees to beg him if she’d thought it would do any good. Instead, she entered the room and stopped when his scowl deepened.

  Chance stood, but didn’t draw near. “What for? You won the bet, Meg, although you cheated to do so. But I don’t care. I’m not going on with it. You and I have nothing left to talk about. I’m sure you can find your way out.” He turned his back on her and retook his seat next to his mother.

  “Please, Chance, let me explain.”

  “You don’t owe me an explanation and I don’t owe you anything. Now, one last time, please leave.”

  Meg didn’t know which hurt worse: his rejection or the pain she could hear in his voice. Once again she considered going down on her knees, but rejected it. No, she would stand her ground and make him listen. Then, if he wanted nothing to do with her, she would accept his decision and try to move on.

  “Look, Chance, we got off on the wrong side of things from the very beginning.”

  “Meg, this isn’t the time or the place.”

  “Maybe not, but I’m making it the time and the place. Mrs. Dannigan, I apologize, but I have to do this now.”

  Mrs. Dannigan stared at Meg, but she didn’t sense any animosity. Instead, the older woman seemed to be silently urging her to continue.

  “Chance, I don’t even understand why or how everything went so wrong. You were just so arrogant…” She paused, remembering his mother. “And I was a party girl whose ego was sky high. Our pride and stupidity had us butting heads and that got us wound up in something we couldn’t stop.”

  Chance’s jaw tightened, clenching and unclenching his teeth. “Meg, I’m warning you. Either you leave on your own or I’ll call security.”

  She didn’t mean to laugh, but she couldn’t help it. “You’re new in town so let me fill you in. Security in Cottageville, even for the banks, much less a nursing home, is usually a geriatric citizen who’s asleep in a chair somewhere. He won’t have the muscles to lift a puppy much less a determined woman like me. I’m not going anywhere, so you might as well get this over with.”

  “Fine.” Chance was up and standing inches from her face before she could blink. “Let’s do this. I saw you that first night at the club and I wanted you more than any woman I’d ever seen. But what’s strange is that I wanted more than just your body. I wanted to know you, every part of you.”

  A bit of his anger dimmed as he twisted around to his mother. “I’m sorry, Mom. I know you don’t want to hear this.”

  His mother waved her hand, dismissing his concerns and letting them know he could speak his mind.

  “Then why didn’t you just act like a normal guy and try to take me home?” Meg was more confused than when she’d walked in.

  “Because I knew you weren’t like any normal woman. If I’d taken you home that night, I would’ve given up the chance for us to be more than a one-night stand. Besides, you were just so damn annoying and egotistical—” Chance’s nostrils flared and his eyes blazed.

  “I was annoying and egotistical? Stars and moon, are you kidding me? Like you once said to me, that’s the pot tramping all over the kettle. You were the irritating, egotistical blankety-blank. Why I wanted to have anything to do with you, I’ll never know.” She could smell the spicy aroma of his breath, almost feel the touch of his lips, thinned in fury, against hers. For a second, she had to work to keep her hands fisted at her sides.

  “I wanted to bring you down a peg.” Chance’s harsh whisper brought her gaze to his.

  His eyes sparkled as though egging her on. But on to what? More fighting? Yes, but only if the fighting ended in his bed.

  “Same here.”

  A sound behind him turned them toward his mother. Mrs. Dannigan remained on the sofa, but her hands rose and fell to make slapping sounds on the cushions. Was she trying to tell them something? If so, why didn’t she simply speak up?

  “Mom, are you all right?” Chance started toward her, but she lifted her hand, palm out to him, then thrust her pointed finger at Meg. He pivoted, the anger replaced by another emotion Meg couldn’t define. He tunneled his fingers through his hair and drew in a deep breath.

  “Aw, hell. That’s how we started. And I admit it. I loved the game the first couple of times we did—” he glanced at his mother, then back to Meg, “—what we did. But then, I don’t know, something changed when I saw you with another man. I didn’t know it at the time, but I finally figured it out. Seeing you with him just pissed me off.”

  “But why? Were you upset at me?” Meg swallowed, suddenly afraid to ask the question that frightened her too much to say aloud. “Chance, because we did this challenge, because I did what I did, do you think less of me?” She couldn’t meet his eyes. “I’ve never much cared for what people thought of me, but I care what you think. Almost from the first moment we met, I’ve cared what you thought.”

  The silence following her admission was worse than anything else he could’ve done, short of tossing her out on her ear.

  “I was pissed off because I was jealous. Not because of what you did. And I never once thou
ght any less of you. How could I? I was doing the same thing. I was the same way.”

  “Yeah, well, men often have a double standard regarding sex.” She managed to lift her head and found his eyes. Gone was the hard glint of before, replaced by a softer warmth.

  “Not me.”

  Not him. She’d known deep down that he wasn’t that way. Had known he understood the freedom sex could bring. “Would it make a difference if you knew I didn’t actually do anything with Ian and Josh?”

  He dipped his head and lowered his voice. “How can you stand there and tell me nothing happened? I saw you.”

  “You thought you saw me.”

  “No, I saw you. But I don’t care about them. Like I said, I can hardly fault you for doing what I’ve done.”

  Trying to explain how she’d made love to illusions overwhelmed her. She could explain later, after she got him to accept what she was. “Oh, Chance, how did we end up this way? If I could take it all back and start over, I would.”

  He took her arms, firm yet not hurting her. “I’d like to do the same thing. If I could, I’d walk up to you that first night, take you in my arms and never let you go.”

  A hum vibrated through her before she realized the hum was a result of her heart’s frantic pounding. “I wouldn’t let you go either. Damn, we’re a couple of idiots, aren’t we?”

  “Fools, more like it. Unfortunately, we can’t change the past.” His mouth grew thin again. “But why did you cheat, Meg? If that’s the way you felt, why didn’t you take my offer to let you win? Then I wouldn’t have had to watch and I wouldn’t have given Sasha the time of day.”

  “Have you met me? I never forfeit or let someone else take the loss so I can win. Yep, that’s me. Bullheaded to the end.” She leaned into him and heard his heart speeding as fast as hers. “I’m so sorry I tricked you, Chance. But I just couldn’t stand to see you with another woman. So I set you up and cheated, but I’m not proud of it. Can you forgive me? Can we please start over? Can we pretend like the past never happened?”