The Lying, the Witch, and the Werewolf (Down & Dirty Supernatural Cleaning Services Book 4) by Kate Quinn (uplifting books for women .txt) 📗

“Hey Nico. Nice...weather today,” I say lamely.

I’ve been trying to patiently wait and see if Liam would come around. We had so little time together, but it’s time to face facts: he doesn’t want to be with me. And I don't blame him. I made the choice to save him by turning him into a vampire against his will. That’s on me. But I’d make the same choice again and again. I’d rather he hate me than be dead.

But a girl has needs. I’ve noticed that Nico has a musk. Sometimes I have to leave the office when we’ve both been there too long. I usually take a drive, go get donuts, try to think unsexy thoughts.

I’m definitely not ready for another boyfriend, or even a fling with a guy. Pretty much I want to keep other bodies out of the whole scenario. If I was a better person, I would’ve taken a vow of celibacy after what I did to Liam.

Instead, I splurged on a Thunderstick Vibrator. Ten thousand five-star reviews on Amazon, and all those women can’t be wrong.

Speaking of which, I was meant to receive it today. I check the tracking number to see where it is in the postal system. If it arrives maybe I’ll knock off a bit early, take a nice bath, listen to music, light some candles…

The computer is telling me that the package was delivered and signed for. I look at the signature. Oh no. Please no. This cannot be happening.

“Um...Paige?” Nico’s voice is questioning, amused.

I do not want to turn around. “Yeah?” I ask, my voice breaking. I pretend to type on my computer.

“Well, I got this package that I didn’t realize was for you.” He actually laughs. I want to die.

“Oh?” I make a big show of being really engrossed in work. First I squint at my computer like there’s something upsetting there, then I flick through papers on my desk—

The bright purple Thunderstick lands on my desk with a THUNK. Wow, the reviews that said it was solidly made were not kidding. It’s thick and long and heavy.

And exactly what I need.

Nico has a lot of nerve laughing. At least I don’t screw my own clients! I mean, sure, he’s been doing less of that since we’ve been sharing a space. But sometimes I come in at the same time one of his clients are going out and I can smell the scent of sex in the air.

Of course, Nico pretends he’s some sort of Mother Theresa type. He tells a client that yes, her husband is cheating on her and then nobly wipes her tears and fucks her back onto her feet. No wonder he gets so much repeat business.

Well I’m not gonna let Nico shame me for having needs.

My hand closes around the Thunderstick and I heft it like a dumbbell at the same time that I raise my gaze to meet Nico’s eye straight-on.

“Congratulations, Nico, you cracked the case. This is indeed a vibrator. It is mine and I will be going through a lot of batteries in the near future.”

Instead of backing down, Nico just grins at me. “Actually, it looks rechargeable. Convenient and way better for the environment.” He tosses the charging cable onto my desk. “Seems there’s a remote too.” Nico holds the tiny square with about five thousand buttons on it up so that we can both examine it.

“Give that to me,” I say, snatching it from him. In my haste, I press on the buttons and the Thunderstick rumbles to life in my hand. Not only does it shake, but it spins too, with enough power to rival Darron’s smoothie blender.

“That’s a lot of horsepower,” Nico says in a low rough voice, his single eye still fixed on me, intense and burning.

“It is,” I agree, my voice also slipping into a lower register. I run my other hand up and down the rotating shaft. Nico shudders. Our gazes are still locked together as he reaches out and his hand covers mine, moving with it. Now there’s the cold plastic of the Thunderstick beneath my palm while Nico’s hot strong hand encloses my own.

There’s a little bathroom at the back of our office. I can imagine leading Nico there, both of our hands still on the Thunderstick. I’d lock the door and then the two of us could do our own thorough review.

It could be so hot. And so fun. It’s been so long so Liam and I—

Liam.

Our one and only time was on a romantic date. We had sex on a picnic blanket under the stars. Getting off with Nico and a Thunderstick in a bathroom that stinks of Dollar Tree fake pine cleaner sounds like the solution to a very depressing sex-themed game of Clue.

And that’s a game I don’t want to play.

I hit the remote button again and the Thunderstick goes quiet. Jerking my hand away from Nico’s touch, I drop the vibrator into my desk drawer.

“I shouldn’t have had it sent to the office,” I say, as if that’s the problem here.

Clearly frustrated, Nico runs a hand through his hair. “You can send whatever the hell you want here. I didn’t purposely open it.”

“No.” I give him a tight fake smile. “It was unprofessional and I apologize.”

“I don’t want your apologies, Paige,” Nico growls. “I want—” Planting his hands on my desk, he leans in. “I want you to be okay. I hate seeing you torn up like this.”

Oh. That’s not exactly where I thought he was going with that statement.

I’ve got a lot of experience in cockblocking hot, sexy, panty-melting Nico. But concerned and caring Nico is a whole different animal.

The tears that I usually hold back until I’m in the shower fill my eyes. “I’m okay,” I say.

“Bullshit,” he counters. “You jump at shadows and startle whenever a car door slams.”

“I’m not used to sharing an office,” I lie. The truth is, I have been on edge. The