The Dead (The Thaumaturge Series Book 1) by Cal Matthews Page B

tea samples and various tea paraphernalia, nestled amongst overflowing pots filled with mint and aloe. Low couches were scattered here and there, with books and some old board games around if anyone was in the mood. It looked homespun and comfortable and I knew it.
    He gave an appreciative whistle, and turned to walk down the right side of the shop, admiring the variety. I admired his ass, and the way his jeans flattered his long coltish legs. I tried to do it on the sly, but I glanced up in time to see Corvin grinning at me. It wasn’t a friendly grin and I flushed and looked away.
    “We just left a big gathering in Missoula,” Marcus volunteered, stopping to touch a jar of dried slippery elm. He glanced at me over his shoulder. My face went red, and I wondered if he had noticed me checking him out.
    “We were there for Samhain,” he continued. “We’re on our way home, but Corvin wanted – “
    “Marcus,” Corvin barked. “Quit yapping and get the stuff.”
    Marcus’s face twisted just for a second, before smoothing out, and he gave me an apologetic glance. “Sorry. Guess I better get these herbs.”
    “Sure,” I said lamely. God, what the fuck was wrong with me? I felt utterly devoid of intelligence.
    “Missoula, huh?” I tried, maybe blurting the words a little too loudly. “Lot of witches in Missoula?”
    He gave me another look over his shoulder, and I quickly added, “I mean, Montana isn’t exactly a hotbed of occult activity.”
    He gave me a quick grin. “Maybe not. But there were, like, hundreds of people there.” Suddenly I got the impression he was much younger than I. He sounded like a kid invited to play with the big kids for the first time.
    “Right on,” I said, for lack of anything else.
    He leaned over and peered at another line of jars.
    “Wow, you have some amazing stuff! Where do you get it all?”
    “Um, all over. I have a lot of suppliers,” I said.
    “I'm surprised to find this place.” he straightened and looked me up and down. “Pleasantly surprised.”
    Warmth flared on the back of my neck and stretched up my face, but it was a good kind of heat. I smiled back, more boldly. “I try to keep a good supply. But still, there are some things you just can't get around here.”
    He caught my eye and held it. “I'll bet. What do you do?”
    I shrugged and try to smile again, to keep up the banter. “I manage.”
    We looked at each for a moment longer and I felt like I was supposed to be saying something. Was he really cruising me? Yes, it seemed like he was. What did normal people do in these situations?
    A line appeared between his eyebrows. His lips parted, a small sound escaping them as though he was going to speak. I couldn’t help staring at his mouth, at where the pink tip of his tongue was visible behind his teeth. I found myself leaning forward, my eyes fixed boldly on his mouth. Christ, his fucking mouth.
    “Marcus!”
    We both jerked, and Marcus glanced guiltily over at Jim, watching with hooded eyes.
    “Yeah,” Marcus said, his voice shaky. When his eyes met mine, they were apologetic.
    Feeling foolish and relieved at once, I gave myself a quick mental rebuke, and climbed the ladder to get him his damn herbs.
    The rest of the witches waited at the front of the store while I slipped behind the counter to ring up the purchases. I had to refrain myself from asking them to turn out their pockets.
    “Quite the place you have here,” Jim told me, rocking back on his heels.
    “Thanks.” I grumbled, not looking at him. Marcus handed me a credit card.
    “Been real nice seeing you,” Corvin drawled, and I couldn’t help the poisonous little glance I shot him. The other witches were frowning at him, though, so that cooled me down a bit.
    “Thanks for your business,” I replied, as politely as I could. Corvin just grinned.
    “Thanks again,” Marcus said, as he took his credit card back from me. I carefully kept my fingers from touching his.
    “You're