Free Black Magic Rose by Jordan K. Rose Page A

her backside. “How is that supposed to help me? What? Is there a certain technique to landing on one’s ass that will save me from a werewolf attack? Frankly—”
    She was on her ass again, and he was back at the truck when she looked up.  
    This time when she got up, she didn’t bother to say a word. Instead, she marched over to the truck and punched him straight in the gut, sending him doubling over.  
    “My hand. My God that hurt!” She shook her hand and hopped up and down. “What the hell do you have on under your coat?”  
    Dragomir stood up, clutching his abdomen. “Nothing.” He coughed and gasped. “You’ve got a good power punch. Let’s see what else you can do.” He stepped back and circled her.
    “I think my hand is broken. I must have hit your belt buckle.” Sofia opened her hand and stretched her fingers, then tried curling them back, but stopped midway due to the pain throbbing in her knuckles.  
    “I am not wearing a belt and stop whining.” He removed his coat and tossed it into the open truck window. “Do you think a thirsty vampire will wait for you to ice your hand? What else can you do?” He disappeared into a shadow.  
    “Where the hell are you? What else can I do? Nothing. I didn’t even know I could do that. Had I known, I’d have punched you in the head and knocked you out, then called the police to have you removed from the property. No. Maybe I’d have called Rick to come get you. Yes, that’s what I’d have—” She fell on her ass again.  
    “You know, bruises do form on butt cheeks. And I did not hear Dr. MacDuff say anything about knocking me down every chance you got.” She climbed to her feet but didn’t bother to dust herself off.  
    “Where are you?” She couldn’t see him at all. Oh, but she could feel him. She knew he was watching her from not too far away, trying to stare into her. “Cut the crap. I can feel that and I don’t like it. Have you ever heard of sexual harassment?”  
    He laughed and not just a single chuckle. It was a full belly laugh that echoed in the night.  
    He was standing not three feet from her.  
    “Sexual harassment is not a laughing matter.” Sofia turned to her right to slap him.  
    But before her hand made contact with his face his fingers curled around her wrist. His laughing stopped. “I was not sexually harassing you. I have never mistreated a woman in all my years. And I have no intent to begin now.” His breath was warm on her face.  
    He pulled her closer to him, pressing her body to his and slowly twisting her arm behind her back. It didn’t hurt at all as long as she didn’t fight him.  
    She stared up into his face. From this proximity she saw the crescent-shaped moon reflecting in his dark pupils. His eyes weren’t black. They were the darkest blue she’d ever seen, easily as dark as the midnight sky. Long black eyelashes made his eyes appear gentler than she’d ever noticed, almost human.  
    She assumed from the bump on the bridge of his thin nose that it had been broken at one time. His face was shaved smooth, and she was tempted to press her finger to the deep dimple centered in his chin.  
      A mild breeze blew and his hair danced across her face.  
    She closed her eyes and inhaled. The woodsy scent of autumn, crisp evergreens, and mossy forest mixed with dewy grass flooded her mind. It was a pleasant aroma, one that made her think of home, of all the years she’d spent in the woods hiking and photographing animals, bird watching.  
    But that other scent was there, too. Clean, but artificial. Soap .  
    She sniffed. What is that? Lever? No.  
    Dragomir released her arm. “I think you’ve had enough of a break. Back to work. What else can you do?” He stepped away from her, once again vanishing into a shadow.  
    Sofia stumbled back from him, legs wobbly, arms rubbery. Damn it! Why does this keep happening? She landed on her ass once again. “Thanks a lot. Next time why don’t you