“I’m all on the up and up now, aren’t I? But yes, it was time for me to leave the East Coast and come back here. I stayed with Tom for a while as I searched for a good location and then eventually found the space. Simon and I had known each other awhile. He had some money and wanted to buy in. As it happened I needed both a partner and some more capital.”

“Did you always know? That you were … different from the other kids in school?”

“Tom started my training relatively early.” Some of his earliest memories were of being taught how to erect shields around his magick. “So I knew. But obviously there are gaps in my knowledge.” Which he tried not to let bug him and managed. Not entirely, but enough. “You obviously did. Growing up in a clan and all. What was that like?”

“It was just how I grew up. I didn’t know how unusual it was until I went to college. I’m going to say it was the same as not growing up in a clan but you’re going to disbelieve that.” She grinned. “My parents had dinner parties and friends. Those friends had kids my age. We went on vacations together, when my mother actually let go for enough time to leave, that is. Some people are foodies. Some people like the beach. My family had one major thing in common with their friends, just like other groups of people have. It was just about magick instead of NASCAR.”

“Did you go to public school?”

She shook her head. “No. From kindergarten through high school graduation I attended a private school the clan runs.”

“Ah, now I get the college comment. The first time you were confronted by non-magickal people?”

She shook her head again. “No. While I didn’t go to school with anyone other than witches, we still had neighbors and went to the grocery store and that sort of thing. For the first time at college I had to hide what I was far more than I didn’t. But it was a good lesson.”

“I haven’t yet been in a situation where I don’t have to hide what I am more than not. Even at the club I’m having to hide everyone from the outside world.”

“Which is why you support coming out so strongly? You’re not in a clan; why haven’t you just told people if you’re bothered so much?”

“I don’t think you know me well enough to say that.”

“I didn’t say anything. I asked. Big difference. If you don’t want to say so, that’s fine too.”

“I’m sorry for snapping. I support coming out because I think it’s time. I believe it will come out and soon. And I’d rather be in control from day one than have to clean up in the aftermath of someone else’s behavior.”

She let him process without pushing herself into the conversation. He liked that too.

“But I understand why, until now, things have been kept a secret. I get it. Which is why I respect the rules, even if I haven’t been in a clan. And I agree with the reasoning. I just don’t believe we have the luxury of secrecy in the age of instant information.”

They continued to eat as he peppered her with questions about clan and magickal stuff. She seemed to possess an encyclopedic knowledge, which was really, really hot. Smart women really turned him on, he’d discovered, especially since Meriel Owen had swayed into his bar only the night before.

“Feels like I’ve known you for years.” She spoke as if she’d been inside his head.

“I was just thinking that.”

“Do you like gelato?” she asked as he paid the bill.

“Yes? I think. It’s ice cream, right?”

She snorted. “No. It’s better. Come on. There’s a place near your club. I’ll treat you to some.” She held her hand out and he stood, bringing her with him.

“Yeah? Are you offering me sweets? Do I need to protect my honor?” he murmured, bringing her close as they left.

She laughed. “I’ll protect it for you. You can totally trust me with it.”

It was his turn to laugh. What an unexpected pleasure she was.

HE walked her out and she took in a deep breath once they’d reached the street. Just being able to unload her worries had made her feel a lot better. Good enough to truly enjoy this time with him.

She liked this man. A great deal. He challenged her without being patronizing. Expected her to defend her ideas. She snuck a sideways look up at his face as he waited for the car to be brought around. In charge. Big. Masculine and protective. It was beyond ridiculously hot. He stepped closer, putting an arm around her shoulders and his warmth enveloped her. She must have sighed because he looked down at her, kissed her forehead and even managed a deft pass off of a tip when the car arrived.

“Gelato first and then the club? We don’t have to stay long. I just like to be there and keep an eye on things.” He spoke as he weaved through Friday-night traffic on 2nd leading toward Heart of Darkness.

“Sounds fine. I don’t have any plans other than this so I’m happy with whatever.” She just wanted to be with him, though she didn’t say it out loud.

She pointed the gelateria she meant. “It’s close enough to Heart of Darkness and parking here is nuts. Why don’t you park at the club and we can walk?”

He snorted. “I’m not going to make you walk. You’re in heels and it’s cold and raining.”

“All right then.” She sat straighter and focused. “Give it one more pass.”

“Why?”

“Jeez, you argue over the dumbest things. I’m going to see if I can’t make a parking space happen, that’s why.”

He made a left at a cross street and then a right to circle back. “You can do that?”

“I can do lots of things, Dominic.” Pleased, she tried not to laugh.

“Teach me.”

“All right. But not while you’re driving.” She closed her eyes and used her othersight instead. Ebb and flow. Energy swirled and broke in waves against the buildings. She found the places where the energy was disturbed and honed in. In the should we leave now void Meriel found, she sent a whispered yes. And when they reached the gelateria again, a spot was just opening up where a car was pulling away.

“Damn,” he muttered, making a very smooth parallel job into the vacated spot. “Don’t touch the door.” He got out and circled the car. He moved like a predator. Like a Were. She wondered if it had come from hanging out with Simon Leviathan or if it was just part of his makeup.

“I can open a door. I’m not an idiot.” He helped her out and closed the door.

“Can and should are different things. When you’re alone or with other people you can open your own door. When you’re with me, you’ll let me take care of you because I like it and because why shouldn’t you let me?”

He was so incredibly arrogant. In any other man she’d have been inspired to slap his face and huff off.

But Dominic wasn’t like any other man. On him, it totally worked.

“Don’t be so bossy.” Still it wouldn’t do to let him get cocky or take it for granted that he’d be getting his way all the time.

He laughed as he opened the door to the boutique gelateria she’d discovered just a few months prior. “Tom says it’s written into my genetic code. But you’re a big girl, you know how to tell me to back off if that’s what needs telling.”

Utterly unconcerned with that possibility though, he walked them through the crowd to the counter. “What should I get?”

“My favorite is pistachio. But it’s all really good.”

“Meriel, it’s good to see you!”

She laughed and looked up to Dominic. “My secret’s out. I come here so often they know me by sight.”

He leaned down and brushed a kiss against her temple. “One look at you and who’s going to forget?”

He was so good at that.

Blushing, Meriel ordered some pistachio with some chocolate malt for herself and decided on chocolate flake and vanilla malt for Dominic. He reached for his wallet and she sent him a raised brow as she opened her bag. “My treat, remember?”

He got the cutest furrow between his eyes when he was thwarted. But he shrugged. “Thank you. Will you share yours with me? Just … a lick or two?”