Page 81 of Kiss and Spell
“Who do you have an appointment with?” he asked.
“I have to double-check the name.” Ursula went over to the counter and took out a paper planner where Mama sometimes wrote down call-in appointments. It was old school, but the system kept them organized. She turned to the today’s date. “One p.m., P. Charming—” She snapped her head up and glared at him. “Sir, no, you didn’t.”
Xavier stroked his beard like a sexy Bond villain. “I booked your entire afternoon.”
Ursula waggled her eyebrows in a come-here-lover-boy motion. “So, what do you have in mind?”
He looked at her with a naughty, delicious smile. She’d seen that same smile when he lowered to the floor and made her squeal this morning. Heat sizzled through Ursula and hit her right in her core. “I have plenty of plans for you, but business before pleasure.”
“Come, Your Highness,” Ursula said, inviting him forward to the reading table in the window. She recalled whispering those words while rocking on top of him, naked, while he surrendered underneath her. Everything tingled. Ursula cleared her throat and refocused herself. Work hard now, play hard later. The chair squeaked underneath Xavier as he sat.
“What can Madame do for you, Mr. Charming?” she asked.
He straightened. “I’d like to know my future.”
“Pick your tool.” She gestured to the crystal ball, the deck of tarot cards, and the palmistry sign on the table between them.
“I’ve always been fond of crystals,” he said.
“Follow my lead.” Ursula modeled every step for Xavier. Breathe in. Let your thoughts drift away. Hold a steady gaze on the crystal. Let incoming images and signs from the universe fill your mind. Close the gaze. Thank the tool. Breathe in. Even after all those steps, the crystal ball remained blank for Ursula. Clear. Open. Maybe that was the message. Her path was open in the best way.
Ursula faced Xavier.
“Popcorn. Twinkle lights. Letters. Teacups. Red roses,” he said robotically. She sat up. Whoa. Who knew that the universe had so many messages for him? He blinked, which effectively broke his gaze. “I have no idea what most of that means.”
“Life has a way of revealing things if you’re paying attention,” she said.
“I didn’t see you there.” He sounded annoyed as if the crystal played a trick on him.
She understood his aggravation, having looked into countless crystals and wishing to get a straight answer. “The universe isn’t direct. It tends to be vague; you have to find meaning in those images. For example, I love popcorn. I consider it to be a food group.”
He chuckled lightly. “Seriously, Sula.”
“Yes, have you ever had kettle corn? Salty and sweet at the same time.” She put her fingers to her mouth and kissed them. “Delicious.”
“Okay, that probably explains the popcorn, but what about the rest…” His words trailed off and his gaze went distant. There was a note of confusion in his voice. Ursula took his hand and held it.
“The signs will make sense when you see them,” she assured him. “Keep your eyes open.”
He gave her a hand squeeze. “I’ll do that, Madame.”
Ursula nodded and took her hand back. “So, what else can I help you with?”
Xavier tilted his head back. “Well, I had an amazing night with this sexy witch. She has a gorgeous smile and a banging body, and she completely rocked my world. You might know her,” he joked.
Ursula held back a laugh. Maybe Xavier was getting too good at using slang. “Are you bragging?”
His eyes twinkled. “No. I’m celebrating. I was hoping to keep courting her.”
“I don’t remember that fairy tale. I thought princes didn’t court witches,” she teased.
“I do,” he said, leaning over the table. Something intense flared in those eyes of his. Ursula felt a pulsating current of energy moving through her at those two words. The crystal ball between them glowed and shimmered. She stared at it, more surprised than frightened.
Inanimate objects coming to life. Didn’t see that happening.
Xavier leaned back in his chair. “I think the universe is on my side,” he said smugly.
Ursula stood from the table. “So, what are our plans for the afternoon?”