A Kiss of Frost and Fang: A Christmas Fantasy Romance Novelette by Olivia Savage

Author:Olivia Savage [Savage, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-12T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR

THE CAFFEINATED CAULDRON had never felt so charged, like lightning about to break. Elara moved around the café, adjusting chairs and straightening decorations, her movements brisk and efficient. Damien’s presence was like a dark, magnetic force as he watched her. The potion's effects still lingered, flickering like hungry flames inside his usually controlled demeanor. Every now and then, his fingers would reach out as Elara passed. Just that simple touch seemed intense and searching, as if he sought an anchor in the storm he was weathering.

"You know, for a vampire, you're terrible at hiding your inner turmoil," Elara said, trying to inject some levity to break the tension she knew they both felt.

Damien offered a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I could say the same about a certain witch who's been buzzing around like a bee on a caffeine high."

Elara huffed, placing a bowl of candy canes on a table. "Hey, it's not every day we host a supernatural summit in our humble coffee shop. And let's not forget the whole 'no magic allowed' rule."

“True.” Damien's expression turned severe. “If anyone discovers I'm under a magical influence..." His voice trailed off, the unspoken consequences lingering in the air.

Elara paused, her hand lingering on the back of a chair. “I'll just have to make sure they don't find out.”

“Together. We’ll figure it out together.”

“What, don’t you trust me to handle this alone?”

He gave her a flat look, but underneath, it still simmered with heat.

“I've gotten pretty good at covert operations, you know. Not that I’ll ever try to slip you a potion again. My attempts at comedy are obviously a disaster waiting to happen." She flashed him a grin that was more nerves than humor. Turning her back, she smoothed the tablecloth.

"Elara." Damien stepped closer, his body a solid wall behind her. Elara swallowed at the sound of her name on his lips. "My current state is not just about this meeting. It's..."

When she turned to meet his gaze, he hesitated. Slowly, as if he couldn’t fight the impulse, his eyes dropped to her mouth, hovering mere inches from his.

"It's what?" Elara prompted, her heart doing a somersault at his proximity.

Damien looked up, his blue eyes locking with hers. "It's how much I need this," he whispered, closing the distance to let his fingers brush against her lips. “How badly I need to touch you, to feel you.”

The contact sent a jolt of electricity through her, both alarming and exhilarating. Elara sucked in a breath. "Damien, we're playing with fire here," she murmured, not moving away. “It’s just the potion doing weird things to your vampire physiology.”

"No. It’s more than that," he said, his voice rough. "You are more than that.”

“You need to focus.” And as much as Elara wanted his attraction to be real, she couldn’t let him blow this meeting.

He fisted the fingers that had moved to slowly run up and down her arm. Locking his jaw, he forced himself to step away. “Right now, you're the only thing keeping me from burning up.

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