Daniel Rose should be having a good night. He’s a bestselling author; he’s had film adaptations of his books; he’s met movie stars. And there’s a storm outside tonight, electric and wild. Dan’s always liked storms. Tonight, though, he’s stuck staring at his computer and suffering from writer’s block, out of ideas and inspiration. But when an adorable young man knocks at his door, asks to borrow Dan’s kitchen spices, and announces witchcraft’s real and their apartment building needs an exorcism, Dan’s dark and stormy night takes a turn for the magical. Sterling Friday’s among the youngest qualified practicing members of the coven, and this haunted building’s only his third assignment. He’s a very good clairvoyant but less good at proper spellwork, and he could use some help with both ingredients and psychic anchors. He also happens to be a fan of those Daniel Rose novels, and he’s hoping Dan, as a writer, will believe his story and not turn him away. On a night drenched in magic and rain, as ghosts hover in the background, the attraction between them is immediate and elemental.

Elemental

“Are you?” He nudged their noses together. “About me? We don’t have to do anything you don’t feel good doing.”


“Nervous,” Sterling said, “about asking you to do something you’renot ready for?” He’d left the fingers touching Dan’s hand.


“I want you,” Dan said. “I only meant I don’t really—I don’t even go out much. I don’t talk to people much. I avoid big conventions because I never know what to say. I’m only good when I’ve got time to edit and revise and give words to my characters. Not me.” He dropped a kiss at the corner of that enchanting mouth, added, “You’re what I want. Which is apparently a pixie-sized walking rainbow with magic powers and all the words ever. Who needs taking care of.”


“I’ve met one or two pixies,” Sterling complained, “and I am muchtaller than that—”


Dan put a finger over his lips. Sterling blinked, raised eyebrows, smiled. Kissed the finger. Then licked it, a swipe of pink tongue over skin: a promise and a racing heartbeat.4


Chapter 10