Cursed-epub by Ann Mayburn Page B

rebirth.”
    Using both hands, Sean slammed the sword down onto the carpet, splitting the ring neatly in two. Carmella clasped her hands to her ears as an unearthly shriek made her bones ache. Sean rocked the tip of his sword out of the floor. The white ring of salt was now a scorched black circle.
    “Is it gone?” she asked in a faint voice.
    “It's gone.” Sean moved quickly to her side.
    “Okay, I think I'm going to pass—” She didn't even get the chance to finish the sentence before her eyes rolled back.
     
    ****
     
    The warmth of sunlight on her eyelids woke Carmella from a deep sleep. The first thing she became aware of was that she was lying on someone's chest. A quick peek confirmed she cuddled against Sean as he slept. She had to suppress a giggle when she heard him snore ever so slightly.
    The windows facing the coastline and ocean stood wide open, and she had to appreciate the view. Rio looked much better from twenty stories up. The ocean reflected the oranges and reds of the sunrise, and a few people strolled the white sand beach. She stroked her hand lightly over the red-gold hair on his arm, marveling at the reality of being here with him.
    The day should be starting with a chilly shower before boarding the bus for the hour ride to work. Instead, she absorbed the warmth of the most amazing man she had ever met and watched the sunrise. In his sleep, he tucked his arm around her waist and cuddled her closer with a low murmur and a soft smile.
    As the sun rose higher in the sky, the need to use the bathroom became urgent enough to take the romance out of listening to his heartbeat as he slept.
    Moving slowly, she lifted his arm from her shoulders and padded across the room to the open bathroom door. After taking care of business, she looked at herself in the mirror. For a moment, she just stared at her reflection and ran a wondering fingertip over her face. She looked so different. It wasn't just the lighting or the subdued colors of the walls. She looked at herself clearly for the first time in what seemed like forever.
    Leaning forward to peer into the glass, she examined her eyes. Yesterday she had been ashamed at the light brown color. Her mind told her they looked like stupid cow eyes that no man would ever be attracted to. Now she could see the delicate shades of browns and amber and appreciated their depth and complexity. I'm not ugly. I might not be a beauty queen, but I'm not ugly. Maybe someone who looks like me can interest Sean. Maybe I do have a chance with him. Smacking her lips together, she made a sour face. She wasn't going to have a chance with anyone if she didn't brush the funk of last night's tequila out of her mouth.
    After opening the medicine cabinet, she did her best to brush her teeth with her finger and some toothpaste. Having found some mouthwash, she gave a silent prayer of thanks to whatever god watched over women without toothbrushes.
    Sean's voice came through the door as she opened it. He was just hanging up the phone when she shyly stepped out. Even after everything that had happened last night, she hardly knew him. They were at once intimately familiar with each other and strangers.
    His eyes lit up and he gave her a charming smile. His hair glowed like fire in the morning sunlight slanting through the windows at his back. “I took the liberty of ordering some room service for us. I thought you might be hungry.”
    They both stood there awkwardly for a moment, the air taking on a weight against her skin as if light had acquired substance. Gripping her hands into fists, she decided to take charge of the situation. She marched over and placed her hands on Sean's warm chest. He grinned down at her, and she rose on her tippytoes to place a gentle kiss on his stubbly cheek. “Thank you for saving my life.”
    Cupping her face in one large hand, he said, “You're welcome.” She could feel his heart beating fast beneath her palms, and his excitement gave her pleasure.
    The