Page 43 of Ruled By Wizard

“I didn’t.” Natalia touched her phone. “Wizard texted me bright and early this morning to remind me. He wanted to know when I was free.”

“When is your first date?”

“Tonight. That’s why I came in early. I need to finish everything then go home and take a nap before we go out.”

“Why didn’t you pick another night, when you felt better?”

“I want to get the dates over with so I can move on and never see or speak to him again. You said this is your last week working at the club. After that, I can go back to living in a world where The Last Riders don’t exist.”

Arden made a face.

Natalia reached for the pain relievers again. Her head felt as if it were splitting open, and Arden’s expression wasn’t helping.

“What’s that look for?”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. The Last Riders have a way of getting to you.”

“Pfft. I know exactly which part of the body they get into.” Natalia shook another pill into her palm. “I don’t have to worry about that. Wizard isn’t my type, and I couldn’t be attracted to him if he were the last man on Earth.”

“Okaaay,” Arden drawled. “Just remember I warned you.”

Before Natalia could take the pill, Arden snatched it from her hand. “You’ve already taken two. Give them time to work.”

Picking up the bottle, Arden stared down at her. “Be careful, Natalia. I know you’re only going out with Wizard because you want to help Marco. I didn’t intend to become involved with Doom, either. Luckily, it worked out, but I had to change my way of thinking.” She frowned. “Don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say. Doom is his own man. All The Last Riders are, but …”

“But?” Natalia prodded when Arden hesitated.

“But Wizard rules them all, and you’re not used to being ruled by anyone. It’s not in your DNA.”

“Thank God,” she said fervently.

Arden gave her a mysterious look. “Just don’t underestimate him.”

“Don’t worry. The way I feel right now, he shouldn’t underestimate me.”

Standing in front of her closet, Natalia considered what to wear on her first date with Wizard. Not finding a body bag she could zip herself into, she closed the door.

When she had texted him the time to pick her up, she’d asked where they were going so she would know how to dress. His only instruction had been to wear something comfortable and warm.

Opening her dresser, she took out a pair of jeans and a thin sweater.

Once dressed, she brushed her thick hair and secured the mass of curls with a clip, letting a few tendrils escape. After applying her makeup, she glanced at the clock. She had ten minutes before she was supposed to meet Wizard at the restaurant.

Finished, she stepped back to examine herself in the mirror.

She had applied only minimal makeup. As far as first-date effort went, her appearance reflected her complete lack of enthusiasm.

The oversized green sweater did nothing for her skin tone, and its loose hem fell to the tops of her thighs, concealing every hint of her figure. Even her sneakers showed their age.

After checking the clock again, she grabbed an older purse that she could sling over her shoulder.

Downstairs, she was reaching for her van keys when the doorbell rang.

Frowning, Natalia went to the door and looked through the peephole. Anger surged through her like a geyser.

She unlocked the door and flung it open to see Wizard standing there, unperturbed, his eyebrows raised.

“Damn. If that’s how you greet all your dates, no wonder you have to find them on dating sites.”