Page 29 of Spell Ya Later

Noah grips my hair firmly and tilts my head so he has better access, his teeth gently grazing my bottom lip. His stubble scratches against my skin, amplifying the electrical surge that’s lighting my skin on fire.

He pulls just a little on the too-hard side and I accidentally moan into the kiss, unable to help myself. The sound pulls a matching groan out of Noah as he pulls my body even closer.

“Hazel.”

I whimper at the way he says my name. Like he’s desperately thirsty and I’m the only drink of water for miles. Like he’s been denied food for days and I’m a thick, juicy steak.

“Yeah?”

“I should...” He licks his lips. They’re rosy and swollen from kissing and I can’t stop staring at them. “I should let you go upstairs.”

The hands still desperately clinging to my body say otherwise.

“Why?” I’m still staring at his mouth.

He takes a deep breath, leaning his forehead against mine. “Because it’s a weeknight and I have work in the morning. And if I follow you up there, I don’t know if I’d ever want to leave.”

A breeze rushes by us and I nuzzle further into his warmth, away from the cold.

“I want . . .” I trail off.

He groans again, the sound reverberating through my body. “I want, too.”

I sigh, pulling away the smallest amount. “Next time?”

He smiles, arms unwrapping from around me to hold my hands. “Next time.”

Chapter 11

Witches Roller Derby

“Hazel?Hazel!”

“What?” I lift my eyes from my phone. From the text I’ve looked at fifty times since I woke up.

Noah: Good morning beautiful. Have an amazing day.

I’ve been daydreaming about my kiss with Noah last night since I saw that text. And apparently Grandma talking to me isn’t enough of a distraction to pull me out of my musings.

“Your head is full of fireflies, sweetheart. What has you in the clouds?” Grandma asks, leaning against the counter.

I swivel to face her in my little chair behind the cash register. “I’m not ready to talk about it yet. But it’s good.”

She smiles, lavender and smoke filling my nose. “Every woman is entitled to her privacy. I’m glad you’re finding things that bring you joy.”

“I am, too.” I take her hand, the bangles on her wrist jangling. “Have I thanked you lately for doing all this for me?”

“There’s no need to thank me. I would do anything for you—for all three of you. However, if you wish to do something kind for your Grandma, I have an errand that needs doing.”

Sometimes I wonder how fiercely grandma loves mom. That’s her daughter, but I’ve never met two more different people. Two people who enjoy riling each other up as much as they do.

They’d do anything for each other—except fix whatever it is that broke them.

“Whatever you need.”

“I have a few orders that need to be delivered. Luckily, I have a few items that are ready for pick up at the witches’ farmers’ market, so I was going to go there to make my deliveries. I was wondering if you’d want to accompany me and make the deliveries so I can do my other tasks.”

“The witches’ what now?”