The way the guy had looked at my sister, with such complete adoration, I knew it was pointless. He was sunk, and his fortune would soon be my sister’s. Trying not to feel guilty for allowing this to happen, even though there wasn’t anything I could do about it, I shoved those thoughts aside and made my way up the stairs to Margo’s apartment to pick her up.

We were going to get breakfast at The Bacon House. It was her suggestion. I didn’t know how she could eat such a heavy breakfast while hungover, but it sounded good to me. I lifted my hand to knock on the door, but footsteps from the stairwell behind me caused me to pause. I hadn’t known anyone had followed me inside the building.

“You left before things got fun last night,” Rathe said, as I turned around to find the source of the noise. He was standing there with a paper cup that I recognized from the coffee house across the street. His hair still looked messy from sleep but he managed to pull it off. The ripped jeans and snug black tee shirt he was wearing looked better than good on him. It was as if that style was created just for him. Not staring at Rathe was going to be difficult. I snapped my gaze from his attire to his face. I had to get a grip on my appreciation of his general sexy as hell looks. Of course, he was smirking. Again.

I doubted anyone loved Rathe more than Rathe loved himself. The expression on his face was one I’d seen before. Men who knew they were beautiful almost always flashed that smirk. They enjoyed a female’s reaction to it. If I could keep reminding myself of this, it would help me keep my eyes off him.

“I’m not comfortable in crowds,” I replied honestly.

He took a drink of his coffee and continued to study me. I knew his standing here talking to me wasn’t because he was attracted to me. The repel charm was already in effect with him. He’d walked away from me easily enough last night. He wouldn’t get too close.

Being born into a family of witches, whose greatest power was their siren ability, required some magical power to dull men’s senses when they saw me. It had worked well, and it would save Rathe from my attraction to him.

Rathe continued to hold his crooked amused grin and watch me. I waited for him to make his excuses and walk inside. “You’re not into girls.” He said this as if he was letting me know, in case, I wasn’t quite sure. It was odd and annoying.