Seduction advice

The soft light filtering through the curtains woke me earlier than I'd expected. I groaned but then remembered my resolve: this was vacation, and I wasn't about to waste it.

Sitting up, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. The screen glowed back at me: 7:00 a.m.

Perfect. There was no better time to start plotting.

An image of the purple-haired, tattooed woman flashed in my mind, and a sly smile crept onto my face. I needed advice expert advice and I knew exactly who to call.

Opening my contacts, I found Ciara and hit the video call button. My aunt was a legend in our family.

Before settling down with her wife, Aeliana, Ciara had been a notorious heartbreaker, leaving a trail of bewitched and lovestruck demons in her wake. If anyone could give me pointers on seduction, it was her.

The phone rang a few times before the video connected. The image that appeared made me grin.

Ciara's white hair gleamed under the morning sun, her red eyes sharp and alert. She was outside, jogging along a picturesque trail lined with dark trees and jagged rocks.

Her athletic build was evident in her snug sport clothes, and her short horns caught the light as she adjusted the phone.

"Rhiannon," she greeted, her voice slightly breathless. "What are you doing up so early? Aren't you supposed to be lounging around in some overpriced hotel?"

I leaned closer to the screen, checking the background for signs of Aeliana. It was clear Ciara was alone. Perfect. "I need your help," I said quickly, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

She smirked, slowing her pace until she came to a stop. "This should be good. What's the emergency? Did you burn breakfast? Forget how to boil water?"

"Funny," I deadpanned. "No, this is serious. I met someone."

Ciara's eyebrows shot up. "Oh? Someone worth waking me up during my jog? Must be special."

"She's…" I hesitated, but there was no point sugarcoating it. "She's insanely hot. Like, distractingly hot. Purple hair, tattoos, tall basically, she looks like she walked out of a mafia movie. I bumped into her last night, and now I can't stop thinking about her."

Ciara grinned, clearly amused. "So, what's the problem? Go talk to her again."

"That's the issue!" I said, throwing a hand in the air. "I didn't even get her name. She helped me up, smirked, and disappeared. Now I don't know how to approach her if I see her again."

Ciara laughed, wiping some sweat off her forehead. "Ah, the classic case of being struck dumb by a gorgeous woman. I've been there. Okay, listen up. First, confidence is key. You can't walk up to someone like her all shy and nervous you need to own the room."

"Easier said than done," I muttered.

"Second," she continued, ignoring my grumbling, "you've got to create opportunities. Hang out in public spaces. Look good but casual, like you're not trying too hard. And if you see her, make eye contact. Hold it just long enough to send a message."

"Message?" I asked, tilting my head.

Ciara smirked knowingly. "The message is: 'I see you, and I know you see me.' It's subtle, but trust me, it works. Then, when she approaches because she will you keep the conversation light. Be charming but don't spill all your secrets. Keep her intrigued."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You make it sound so simple."

"That's because it is," she said. "The only wildcard here is your moms. They're protective enough to scare away most people."

My stomach sank. "Exactly. They're going to make this impossible."

Ciara waved a dismissive hand. "That's easy. Distract them. Sign them up for some activities, something that keeps them occupied all day. You'll have plenty of time to work your magic."

I nodded slowly, a plan already forming in my head. "You're a genius."

"I know," Ciara said with a wink. "Good luck, kid. And don't forget—confidence!"

We ended the call, and I sat back, letting Ciara's advice sink in. My first task: figure out how to keep my moms busy. Picking up my phone again, I scrolled through the hotel's activity list.

My eyes lit up when I found the perfect options: a guided tour of a nearby historic city, followed by an all-day spa experience with full-body massages.

Smirking, I hopped off the bed and grabbed my things. After a quick shower, I slipped into the sexy swimsuit I'd hidden from Riley.

It was bold but tasteful, just enough to make an impression without looking desperate. Over it, I wore a light sundress and threw on a pair of sunglasses for good measure.

Feeling confident, I headed out to find my family.

When I reached the breakfast area, they were already seated.

The dining room was bustling, with waitstaff moving gracefully between tables, carrying platters of delicious food. The scent of fresh pastries and brewed coffee filled the air.

Seraphine was happily munching on a plate of flaky croissants and jam, while Riley sipped her tea with a small bowl of fresh fruit beside her.

Rowena, as usual, had gone all out. Her plate was piled with scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes drenched in syrup, and what looked like half a grapefruit for good measure.

"Morning," I greeted, sliding into my seat.

"You're up early," Riley observed. "What's the occasion?"

"Just wanted to make the most of the day," I replied casually, reaching for a plate of buttery toast.

Rowena glanced at me suspiciously. "What are you plotting?"

I ignored her, spreading jam over my toast. The food was incredible—each bite bursting with flavor.

The eggs were fluffy, the pastries melted in your mouth, and the coffee was rich and smooth.

As I chewed, I glanced at my moms. Seraphine was happily chatting about the croissants, while Riley nodded along, her stern demeanor softening ever so slightly. They looked so relaxed, which made my plan even better.

Once breakfast was winding down, I cleared my throat. "I think I found something that will make you happy today."