Free Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) by Kelli McCracken Page A

brother.
    Jonah had to be outside like Jesse mentioned. His brother wouldn’t leave him right before the second half of a set. Doing so would be bad for his career as much as Theo’s, considering he was the one to set up this gig.
    Now was not the time to think negatively.
    Swift steps had him opening the door and entering the hall. The back door came into view just as he ran into something warm and firm. Only it wasn’t a thing. It was a person.  
    The minor collision forced him to make an abrupt stop. He teetered on his toes in order to keep from knocking the person to the ground. Once he regained his balance, he caught a glimpse of a woman passing by, a woman he’d carelessly bumped into. Their impact caused her to stumble a little to the right, but it didn’t slow her gait.  
    “Excuse me,” she mumbled and continued toward the door.
    “My bad, darlin’.”  
    He stared in silence, disbelieving that she’d barely acknowledged him. There weren’t many women he could say that about. If this chick weren’t in such a hurry to get outside, he assumed she would have at least spared him a glance.
    Still watching her retreating figure, he walked backwards, unable to look away from her curves. Something about the way her hips swayed when she walked made his pulse quicken. Maybe it was just her body. The rear view was mighty fine. Bet the front view was just as awesome.
    Once she disappeared behind the door, he came to another stop. What the hell was he doing anyway? He was supposed to be going outside too, not heading back toward the bar.
    Damn women…  
    Try as he may, females always managed to distract him, especially redheads. The ones he’d encountered were full of fire and passion, two qualities he loved in a woman.  
    Yet the more he thought about the rich, red locks this chick had, the tighter his gut twisted. He’d seen his share of redheads, but not many with a shade that vibrant. In truth, he could only think of one person.
    “It can’t be,” he mumbled to himself.
    Much like his brother, this city was getting to him. It began with memories. Now his mind was playing tricks. If being in Savannah for two days was already messing with him, he’d lose his mind before he left in a couple weeks.
    Regardless of whether or not he’d lost the love of his life like Jonah, he still had memories that haunted him. And most of those memories centered on the one thing he always wanted—the one thing he never had an opportunity to claim.
    A chance with Cassie Clarke.
    * * *
    The deafening sound of Cassie’s heartbeat increased the minute she opened the back door and strode outside. Her upper arm ached from the impact she incurred with the gentleman leaving the men’s room. The least she could have done is look at him when she excused herself, but she had little time to spare.  
    Once she spotted Ally, a wave a relief washed over her. “God, there you are! What are you doing out here? I thought you were going to wait in the bathroom for five minutes?”
    Ally glared in her direction. Her cheeks turned crimson, as though Cassie had just said the most embarrassing thing ever. But it wasn’t until Cassie followed her friend’s gaze that she understood Ally’s reaction.
    A soft gasp escaped her lips when she noticed a tall figure standing a few feet away. It was the one person Ally said she wanted to avoid—Jonah McCabe.
    Hells bells. She’d failed at her mission to help Ally escape unnoticed. Now she’d have to do damage control. Hopefully, Ally wasn’t upset with her for not running interference. She’d come back to the restroom earlier than she’d planned.
    As Jonah and Ally continued staring at one another, nothing about their body language seemed unusual, nor did their conversation appear to be stressing Ally. In fact, the mood seemed cozy. The slight grin on Jonah’s face said he was enjoying his present company. Had Ally reconsidered talking to him? It sure as hell appeared that way.
    Turning