“Hey, that’s not a proper kiss.” Elizabeth laughed.
Henry stood and walked to stand in front of Isabella. He offered her his hand and she stood, with a quick sideways look at Jake. Henry held her shoulders in alignment with his body before pressing his lips over hers. She didn’t resist. In fact, the gentle kiss lasted longer than the one with Jake, who jumped up, ready to intercede. But the two pulled apart.
“Wow, what a kiss.” Isabella smiled broadly at Jake.
“I’ll give you a great kiss.” He elbowed Henry out of the way and grabbed Isabella, hugging her tight with one arm around her waist while he cupped her neck with his other one. He nudged her lips softly several times until she responded in kind and clutched his jaw, drawing him as close as possible. The kiss went on as coughs sounded out, as well as muffled laughter. Everyone watched the couple kissing except Elizabeth, Ella noticed, and she cringed. Now aware that her secret crush was in fact Jake, she sighed. Love never ran smoothly.
“Okay, you two. Perhaps you should carry on when no one else is around,” she said.
Jake pulled away. “You started it, princess.” He flopped down and tugged Isabella into his arms.
“Your turn, Jake,” Ella said.
He smiled at her and she wondered whether he would pick her in retaliation. He tilted his head to the side and rubbed his freshly shaved jaw, but rather than choose her, he stared over at the doctor.
“Doc, tell us…”
Not again! Ella heard her heart thump and thump. She knew the doctor liked Jake, even if no one else suspected. If he asked her outright who she fancied, would she admit the truth?
“Tell us, what’s the worst injury you have seen?”
Ella clutched her chest and sighed with relief as the doctor answered. Isabella cringed with the doctor’s answer and the game moved on as each person took a turn. When it came to Marcus, she froze, wondering who he would choose and what he would ask. She bit her lower lip and again avoided making eye contact.
“I choose you, sweetheart,” he said.
“Of course you would, boss, but enough with the displays of affection for one night. It only makes me horny.”
“Shut up, Jake.” Isabella slapped his chest. The doctor giggled. Ella studied her friend, who smiled and swayed to the music in the background, drinking her third glass of wine.
“Okay, truth or dare?” Ella asked in a cool manner.
“Now, that’s a tricky one. There are so many things I would like to ask my beautiful wife right now. At times, she is still such a mystery to me and full of surprises, but I’m going to go with this. I dare you to do the splits. I know you’re athletic, training as you do, but I wonder if you are flexible enough to perform that move?” He smiled wolfishly.
Ella slowly inhaled and as she tilted her head to study Marcus. “I’m in a dress.”
“So—be discreet.”
She could pull the silky dress up, but the last time she performed this maneuver must be well over a year ago, when sparring with the professor. Taking a deep breath, she stood and pushed her chair back.
“You go, girl,” shouted Elizabeth.
Ella stared around the room and removed her high heels before pushing away a wooden side table and moving the rug to give her enough space. Happy that the area allowed enough room, she stretched and flexed her back. Turning her head from side to side, she stared at Marcus, whose dark eyes ran the length of her frame.
“You don’t have to do it, Ella—a kiss will suffice.”
“Aw, he’s so sweet, Ella. I want a man like him.” Elizabeth clapped her hands in delight.
Ella shook her head, half believing Elizabeth a little in love with Marcus as well as having a crush on Jake. She would show him, and she wouldn’t bow down or give up.
Standing still, she zoned out from the group, and flexed her hips. In one fluid motion, she dropped and let her legs open in a scissor shape: one stretched out in front, the other behind. As she met the ground in a full split, she bounced right back up, standing with a triumphant grin.
“Wow, how hot was that,” Jake said.
Ella curtsied and sat back down.
“Watch yourself, Gateway. That’s my wife.”
“Shit, that’s cool,” Henry added as he sat forward.
“I’m impressed. You’re not hurt, are you? Only I can see two of you?” Elizabeth said.
Everyone laughed.
“No, I’m fine. But I think you’re going to have one hell of a headache in the morning. Would you like some coffee or tea?” Ella marched over barefoot to the coffee table to collect empty glasses.
“Tea please.”
“Okay, you carry on and I will bring in some drinks and snacks.”
“Do you need a hand?” Marcus asked.
“No, you stay and play the game.”
He nodded and the others continued to play. She left the cozy room as peals of laughter burst out. Her stomach dropped and a cold lead weight stopped her dead. Perhaps she should stop now. Tonight proved to be fun. Normal—something they rarely did. She pressed her hand to her temple. She loved Marcus. Perhaps they could fix the broken part of their relationship? She strolled into the kitchen, deep in thought, and quickly put together drinks and snacks, bringing the tea through first, followed by beers and nachos with dip. When she sat back down, it was Isabella’s second turn, and right on cue, the witch sat forward and faced Marcus. Her bright-green eyes enlarged and glowed brighter, so much so Ella removed her gaze.
“Marcus, tell us, why did you call for The Book of Blood?”
A tortured moan ripped from Marcus as he tried to press his mouth shut, but he couldn’t. His
