Magic's Song
back to reality, “Brent, I feel… I’m kinda dizzy.”
    “Hold on, sweetie,” he whispered, feeling a bit unsteady himself. His wooziness had little to do with the calisthenics he’d just completed. The lyrics to a love song he’d been trying to write unfolded in his mind.
    Just as quickly, his state of bliss turned to fear. Tanith touched something he didn’t want exposed. She scared the hell out of him.
    He couldn’t afford to care about her. He’d fallen into that trap before and he wasn’t going back. He had to get out of her apartment.
    Brent held her until her heartbeat slowed. Then, he took care of his condom and then carried her into her bedroom. He braced her against him and pulled back the covers.
    Placing her on the bed, he tucked the covers around her. She smiled sleepily at him, here little grin tugging at places he didn’t want tugged.
    “My God, Tanith,” he stifled the words he really wanted to say. “Who knew you’d be so fantastic in the sack?”
    “Hmm. It wasn’t bad, was it?”
    “Scary good. It’s almost like I’m drawn to you against my will.”
    Tanith closed her half-open lids. And slept.
    He dressed. Then he ran from the building, jumping from landing to landing. When he reached ground level, he leaned against the wall and covered the bridge of his nose with a fist.
    “I can’t go there again, Tanith. I have to stay away from you.”

Chapter Ten
    Tanith awoke and reached for Brent. She felt only sheet and slammed her fist into the mattress.
    Of course he hadn’t stayed. “You’re a fool, Tanith Cox.”
    She pushed the unfocused doubts from her mind, choosing to concentrate on feeling wonderful. The sex had been off the charts. Her entire body ached from head to toe but every part of her still tingled. She hugged herself. Even after the night of marathon sex, she wanted him again.
    An unconscious thought poked at her mind, threatening to spoil her ecstasy. Something Brent said bothered her, but she couldn’t bring the memory to the surface.
    She didn’t really want to bring it to the surface. She felt all giggly inside and wanted nothing to spoil that.
    Brent had felt the magic too. She was sure of it.
    Ugh. Bad word—magic .
    Unbidden, the memory poured over her. It’s almost like I’m drawn to you against my will .
    She sat erect. “Ah shit.”
    The night hadn’t been perfect. It hadn’t even been real.
    “That damn book!” she muttered to the air.
    Great. Now she was speaking aloud as if the book could actually hear her.
    Tears trickled down her cheeks. “He only came here because of that damn book.”
    The accidental pun made her feel a little better. Well, maybe he came because they were so good together, but he had arrived at her apartment because of her wish.
    She wanted Brent, but she had to make sure he’d chosen to be with her. Of his own free will. She didn’t want a man under a spell.
    Her greedy body didn’t want to risk what they’d had. You said yourself, that book has no magic. Why hex a good thing?
    A counterargument formed in her mind. If Brent hadn’t come to her apartment because of that damn wish, then wishing for his free will wouldn’t hurt anything.
    She felt better and checked her watch. If she hurried, she could drop by Nana’s house and still make it to the campus library in time for her Sunday study group. She retrieved her old bike and cycled as if the wheels were on fire.
    Nana didn’t answer the doorbell so Tanith found the key in the pot of rosemary and hurried inside. She bolted up the two floors to the attic, making a beeline for the book. Once she held it, she hesitated.
    Her hands traced the letters, The Magic of Life . The night, or morning, had been magical. Did she really want to throw it away?
    It wasn’t really a magic book, she reminded herself. It was just a book. Her wish would have no effect on her relationship with Brent, whatever that might be. A one-night stand? Something more?
    She pushed aside her

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