A woman with teased hair the color of a ripe mango came forward with her hands raised. "Ohhh, Miss Callie. Now that outfit makes a statement. No man will be able to resist you."

"I won't be able to resist them either, since I can hardly move," Callie grumbled, causing Harrison to snort some of her peach margarita up her nose. Callie stuck out her tongue. "You deserve it, cousin. You no longer get to pick out what I'm trying on. By the way, I don't see you parading around in any of these outfits. Do I get my turn to chuckle at your expense?"

"I'd love to wear something like that. But Mom insists I wear the dress she wore, the dress her mother wore etcetera, etcetera. I'll look old-fashioned and ridiculous. You'll definitely chuckle." Harrison smiled at the saleslady hovering beside them. "Madame Aubrey? I think Callie would like something a little softer. Something a little less revealing."

Madame Aubrey tapped her chin, tilting her head as she studied Callie's body. "I think I have just the thing for the discerning connoisseur. It's our newest arrival. Enchanted to perfectly match the wearer's personality."

"Now that should be interesting."

Oh God. Could this get any worse? She held in her stomach. "What are you doing here, Tyghe? I thought this place was females only."

He smiled at Madame Aubrey as she passed him slowly with a curious grin. He turned to Callie, looking her up and down. His gaze narrowed on the plunging neckline that made her breasts look two sizes bigger than they were. She crossed her arms and glared, but he only quirked his lips. "They make an exception for me. I'm very ... generous with my female friends. I may have to buy that for you, Callie. As long as you promise to wear it only in the bedroom. And only for me."

Harrison stood. "I'm suddenly nauseous. I think I need another margarita, maybe a few straws to shove in my ears."

Callie watched her follow the eavesdropping saleswoman out the door, grumbling under her breath at her best friend's abandonment.

Tyghe shut the door, eating up the distance between them with long, swift strides. He leaned close to her ear, gripping her arms when she started to move away. Callie inhaled sharply at the jolt of electric energy zapping through her at the contact. She could almost hear the sizzle.

His grey eyes darkened. Had he felt it too? "Just doing my job, sweetheart. Madame Aubrey knows me, knows I only show up when I want something. Someone. Now she'll tell everyone in the salon that I'm after you. But you have to do your part. This illusion only works if you pretend you want me, Callie, just a little." He caressed her bare arms, his gaze on her lips. "The passion between Magian matches is not a subtle thing. It is powerful. Undeniable. Electric. If I'm one half of your match, you won't be able to stay away from me, just as I won't be able to stay away from you ... especially before we find our third and join together officially."

Callie's breath came faster. His touch was taking away her ability to think. Had he ever touched her before today? No. Surely not. She would have remembered the sparks, the intensity. Unless it was a part of Harrison's spell. Her magic, such as it was, reacting to his.

She licked her lower lip, and Tyghe groaned. "We should practice. Pretend you can't keep your hands off me, Callie. I'll make it easy on you. Pretend I'm Tucker."

Her mouth opened to protest and he was there, tongue tangling with hers, lips opening hers wider, taking more, taking everything. Callie closed her eyes and saw swirls of violet and silver sparks burst to life behind her lids.

Tyghe Abbott was kissing her.