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given to her and despite the fact they came from Mother Nature, Tasha wasn’t sure about just popping in on Arikk. She had no doubt that he would be happy to see her, but she would feel awfully silly if she went to great lengths and nothing happened. For now, Tasha was content to observe her hottie and dream.
    ****
    Arikk wallowed in misery at the pub, trying unsuccessfully to drown his sorrows in whiskey. Rafe assured him Tasha survived even if he wouldn’t explain the mysterious gift. He tried to contact his mother, but something screwy was going on. He couldn’t make the psychic connection open. His mother preferred he didn’t visit in person; she had gotten grief for her unplanned indiscretion with Father Time. He would just have to keep trying the psychic connection.
    As much as Arikk wanted to believe the fallen angel, he wouldn’t be convinced until he held Tasha again. From experience, he knew that humans were fragile, breakable. Tasha was tough and special, but bottom line, she was still human. I’ve got to be more patient. I won’t rush her healing.
    “Bartender, another whiskey.” Arikk shouted. He really needed to do something, get into a good fight maybe. Sitting around being miserable was new for him.
    “Damn you, Rafe,” he cursed under his breath.
    ****
    Two long, lonely weeks later, Tasha worked up the nerve to try and visit Arikk. She had been checking in on him periodically through the mist. Her cocky wizard was depressed and consuming too much whiskey. “Come on, Arikk. This isn’t like you at all.” Tasha willed him to leave the alcohol behind. No good could come from consuming that much of it.
    “Get ready, wizard. It’s time for an intervention.”
    The words Mother Nature taught her were now second nature. She had no problem remembering the sequence to activate the special powers of the ring. The mist cleared and showed Arikk reclining in front of a large, brick fireplace. The fire appeared to be dying, but Arikk didn’t move to add any wood to it; he was dozing, dressed only in a loose pair of khakis, his bare feet propped on a worn trunk that served as a coffee table.
    Perfect, Tasha mentally applauded her luck; he’s home alone. Time to put my seduction plan into action. She donned her recent purchase from Victoria’s Secret: a lacy black corset and matching thong. Next, she pulled out her thigh high stiletto leather boots. As she struggled to squeeze her feet into the boots, she muttered, “He better appreciate this. Poor college students don’t have money to blow on sexy lingerie.” The final piece of her ensemble was a red leather trench coat, which came to mid-thigh. She neglected to button the coat closed, choosing to secure it with the belt.
    ****
    Arikk was lost. He’d never felt this way before and didn’t know how to fix it. He tried to get in touch with Rafe to no avail. “I know it. He’s ignoring me,” Arikk grumbled before pinching the bridge of his nose. All this worrying about Tasha gave him a migraine. Never before in his life had he spent copious amounts of time pining over a woman. A human female to be specific. He rubbed at his rumbling stomach. He didn’t have any motivation to shop for food let alone cook. I’ll just rest for a bit longer. It can’t hurt – I haven’t felt the pull of evil calling me to battle. Might as well catch up on my rest while I can. Arikk yawned and stretched, tucking his hands behind his head.
    “Need some company, wizard?” A husky female voice grabbed his attention.
    His body jerked at the sound of someone so close to him invading his home, making no more noise than a cat stalking its prey. Grabbing for his sword and opening his eyes, he recognized Tasha standing in front of him, hands on her hips.
    “Sunshine? How in the heck did you get here?”Arikk dropped the sword, his mouth suddenly parched. He watched as her eyes left his and burned a path down his pecs to his abs. A purr escaped from her parted lips as her