Chapter 8 #2
She cracked it open, pulled out an incense stick, and lit the end with a lighter. The scent of white sage filled her nostrils, almost instantly calming her heart rate. Readings made up only a small part of her business—she did maybe three a week—but they were one of her favorite things to do.
She let the incense burn then picked up the box full of crystals and her favorite deck of oracle cards.
Quin sat on a matching cushion seated directly across from hers. She lowered herself and laid the box of crystals between them. He watched quietly as she pulled out three.
“I’ve never seen one like that before,” he said, nodding at the peachy-pink morganite.
She smoothed her fingers over the raw-edged stone. “This was a gift from Dez. Morganite helps with emotional healing.” Her throat constricted on the words.
She laid out her spherical white quartz and tower amethyst as well then picked up her oracle deck. “Is there a specific question you’d like to focus on?”
He pressed his lips together in thought. “You know I’m not good at this.”
She smiled. “For a quick reading I usually ask ‘What do I need to know now?’”
“Perfect.”
She traced her fingers over the edges of the cards in her palm then slowly started to shuffle them.
Closing her eyes, she brought her attention to Quin’s energy field.
The strong masculinity he exuded. The tension of his body.
The scrutinizing gaze she’d meet if she opened her eyes.
She continued to slide the cards through her fingers, waiting for her hands to warm—a sign from her intuition to stop.
Her fingers heated. She stopped shuffling and slowly spread the cards out in front of the stones. Once she had them fanned out, she held her hand six inches above the middle of the spread, feeling the deck’s energy. Slowly, she moved her hand from left to right.
When her palm tingled, she brought her fingers down to touch the cards then pulled the one she landed on first.
Flipping it over, she stared at the vibrant image of water meeting clouds. She studied it, listening to what the card was saying. One word was written at the bottom.
Release
“What’s it mean?”
She reached for the book tucked into the card box. While she knew the card meanings by heart, it was always important to read the passage verbatim to the recipient. She cleared her throat and clasped the card between her fingers.
“You’ve heard the words in your heart, telling you to let go.
Life continues to move forward and choosing to stay behind will not ease your suffering.
You can take a step, a different turn, and open the door to your future without burying your past. Rise above and take what’s yours, what life has to offer you.
Because the same offerings may not be there tomorrow.
Release your chains, your longing, and your hate and welcome what’s waiting for you with open arms.”
She lowered the card and met his gaze. A warm glow coated his skin, and his lips were parted in awe. He blinked. “That’s pretty intense.”
Her mouth slid into a grin despite the heavy reading. She lifted a shoulder. “Take what you can from it. Or don’t.” She smiled again. “It’s just the Universe’s way of helping you acknowledge your position.”
He reached forward and picked up the morganite. Turning it over in his hand, he studied the crystal. “I think I might need one like this.”
“You’re talking to the right person. I’m placing an order next week and I’ll be sure to get one for you. If—if you’re still around.”
His gaze sharpened. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Not wanting to explore the reasons for Quin’s comings and goings, she shifted her gaze to the window and yawned, hoping to make it clear she wasn’t in the mood to talk about it.
Although the darkness prevented her from seeing the rain, she could still hear its pitter-patter.
It was just after 8:30 p.m., but at this time of year it still got dark early. Her body ached for bed.
“It was just a thought. I think I’m going to have that bath now.”
She peeled her ankle—now wrapped in a Tensor bandage—off the floor then stood. Her muscles coiled in protest.
“Let me help you.” Quin reached for her, but she hobbled away.
“I’ve got it.” She flashed him a smile that was about as pathetic as her attempt to forget the kiss. “Thanks.”
Josie made her way to the bathroom, closed the door, and flicked on the light.
She turned on the taps and let the water run full blast, mostly hot, and then shed her clothes.
Holding on to the edge of the tub, she lowered herself into the almost-too-hot water and then leaned back and closed her eyes as the water continued to run.
The memory of Quin’s hands on her feet and shoulders assaulted her, making her throb for his touch in other places.
That’s what her problem was. She was just turned on and needed to get off. It had been more than a year since she had sex. Hell, it’d been a year since someone of the opposite sex touched her. No wonder she was going through a hormonal frenzy.
She brought her middle and index fingers to the apex between her legs and slowly started to stroke her folds.
Arousal came fast and hard. Her flesh turned slippery as she brought herself closer and closer to a climax.
Quin’s touch replayed in her mind, and she let herself envision his mouth on her breasts, licking her nipples and then dipping his fingers to replace hers.
The lights flickered.
She popped open her eyes and sat up as the bathroom was plunged into darkness.