Once in a Blue Moon: Beaux Rêve Coven, Book 1 Read Free Page A

didn’t you? Tell us the truth.”
    Bryn kept her gaze on her pot. “If I did, it was only to ensure he took a room here. Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, so they say.”
    Darcy snorted. “Sure. Making frenemies was all that was about. Didn’t have a thing to do with the fact he was getting hard just looking at you.”
    She shot her a sideways glare. “Darcy, enough. They’re in the dining room now.”
    Darcy pouted but began gathering dishes. “Aoife, help me set the table.”
    “No flirting,” Bryn called after her.
    “Not with the dark one. Promise. He’s already yours.” Darcy pulled a large covered dish from a cabinet, one she’d handmade in her potter’s shed and set it with a thump on the counter beside Bryn.
    Bryn checked the oven for the pies she’d been baking and the scent of cinnamon and apple escaped. The tops were beginning to brown so she turned the oven off and left the door cracked open. Then she ladled the gumbo into Darcy’s crock. Miren carried it out to the table. Radha gathered the remaining elements of the dinner and strolled through the swinging door into the dining room.
    Bryn’s arms were empty as she followed Radha out, and she was glad, because the moment Ethan’s dark gaze slid over her, she tripped, her toe sticking on the edge of the woven rug beneath the large plank table.
    Ethan shot out his hands and caught her.
    She landed against his chest and sucked in a deep breath. She hadn’t stood this close to a male in years, and the sensory details were a bit overwhelming.
    “I’ve got you.”
    The way he said it in his deep, rumbling voice struck her. At once, a sensual thrill licked her senses. But a quiver of apprehension quickly followed. “I’m not usually this clumsy,” she murmured and pushed against his chest—a mistake, because her palms instantly molded around the bulges of his pectorals.
    Sweet Goddess, he was well-made.
    He set her back, easing his hands away and giving her a one-sided smile. “After you,” he said, indicating toward the table.
    She went to her usual place at the table and blushed as he pulled out her chair for her to take her seat. He settled at the head of the table next to her.
    Her friends hadn’t moved. They watched her interaction with Ethan with wicked gleams in their eyes. Something was afoot. She could feel it, but she waved a hand toward the table. “We don’t stand on ceremony here. Please take your seats.”
    Food was passed around. Darcy ladled gumbo into bowls filled with rice and bread was broken. As bread plates were passed, Aoife, who sat at Bryn’s other shoulder, reached into a velvet bag tied at her waist. She pulled out flowers and began to lay one beside each slice of bread.
    She smiled at the men. “I run a fragrant-oils business here. Flowers make life…prettier…don’t you think?” she said, batting her eyes at Renner.
    Bryn narrowed her gaze, knowing Aoife’s penchant for flower magic, but she relaxed when her sister witch placed snapdragon blooms on the first plates. Protective magic was fine. And snapdragons served a dual purpose of encouraging friendship. Perfectly appropriate for the occasion.
    But then she placed a zinnia bloom on the last plate, the one intended for Ethan.
    Bryn gave her a subtle shake of her head. Zinnias were for lust.
    “Pass the plate, Bryn. Ethan’s waiting,” Aoife said, an innocent smile on her face.
    But the act of her giving him the plate might enact the magic, binding his lust with hers. Bryn pulled back her hand, reluctant to accept it. Yes, ever since she’d met him she’d been imagining all kinds of sexy possibilities, but she wanted to tread carefully in those deep waters.
    “You don’t believe in flower magic,” Aoife whispered.
    “Why are you doing this?” she asked just as softly, leaning toward her friend.
    “I saw the way he looked at you when he caught you. He only needs a nudge.”
    “Shhh…” Bryn pasted on a smile and quickly handed the