by Iris Abbott
Zoe narrowed her eyes. “How do you know the guy you danced with wasn’t the one following you?”
“I don’t, but he can follow me anytime, and that’s enough of that. I’m still waiting to hear about the Halloween party.”
“I’ll tell you about it later tonight when we get back to the inn. I think we have something more important to talk about, like three tall, dark, and mysterious men.”
“Three?” Tara said in confusion.
“Yeah.” Kara told her about the run-in she had in Boston. She finished right before the waitress showed up with their food.
“Coincidence?” Tara asked in a doubtful voice as soon as the waitress walked away.
“No way in hell,” Zoe replied. “I’d buy one maybe even two good-looking guys dropping onto our radar and capturing our attention, but three? Nope!”
“What are we gonna do about it?” Tara anxiously tapped her fingers against the wood table.
“Don’t know yet,” Zoe said, “but we better figure it out fast.”
“Like we didn’t already have enough on our plates.” Kara sighed.
“Know what you mean, times like this make me wish we had some kind of help,” Zoe admitted.
“Yeah,” Tara said in that soft-spoken voice of hers. “And it wasn’t just us against the world.”
It really wasn’t them against the world, Zoe thought, but sometimes it sure felt like it. Apparently, none of them had a suitable reply. The three of them fell silent and concentrated on the food in front of them.
FIVE
Zoe exited the double doors of the inn in a slow jog. She came to an abrupt halt when she noticed Drew Leaning against the side of the building. “Hey.” She was more than a little surprised to see him dressed in sneakers, running shorts, and a tight T-shirt.
Her heart sped up, and her breath got stuck in her throat. A slow heat started in her core and spread outward to the rest of her body. There was no denying the fact that she was attracted to him.
Drew nodded at her. “Hey, saw you jogging around town yesterday morning, but I couldn’t catch up to you. Thought I’d take a chance and see if you wanted some company today.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “I’d be more than happy to show you around.”
She didn’t need the distraction, but the offer was too good to turn down. Besides, she’d jogged and walked around downtown for several hours yesterday, and Zoe hadn’t learned anything. So, what could it hurt? “Now that’s an offer too good to turn down.”
She started jogging down the sidewalk and waited for him to fall into step beside her. “Do you know Enigma well?”
“Like the back of my hand. My family’s lived here for centuries.”
Making small talk was difficult when what she really wanted to do was drag Drew into a back alley, wrap her body around him, and feel the hardness of his body pressed against hers. She didn’t believe in love at first sight, but lust at first sight was an entirely different matter. She had it bad. Zoe sucked in her bottom lip and concentrated on the cadence of her jogging. It was harder than she expected.
She got a well-timed distraction a couple of minutes later when they neared the Witch’s Brew. Brianna stepped out onto the sidewalk almost like she’d been expecting them, but Zoe knew that was impossible. “Hey, how are you?” Zoe jogged in place while she waited for the other woman to respond.
“Doing just fine,” Brianna answered. “I see you’re enjoying Enigma and all it has to offer,” she said with a wide grin. “Drew, I’m surprised to see you this morning.” She arched her brows and gave him a questioning look.
Drew grinned right back. “Work can wait,” he said with a wink. “The pursuit of a beautiful woman cannot.”
Zoe’s heart sped up and her cheeks heated. She couldn’t remember the last time a man showed interest in her. Most were more than a little put off by her physical strength. She wasn’t the most feminine woman. Frilly skirts and lots of makeup were not her style. Drew definitely made her feel like a woman, and she liked it!
“The party’s only a few days away,” she reminded them. “Don’t forget the costumes. Remember, the Witch’s Brew has something for everyone.”
“Oh,” Zoe hadn’t even thought about costumes. She smiled at Brianna. “I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. I’ll be sure to come back later today or sometime tomorrow with my sisters.”
“They made it into town okay?” Brianna asked.
“Sure did, and they’re as excited about the party as I am,” she was quick to add. “It’ll probably be the highlight of our trip.”
“I’m sure it will be, dear. Well, I’ll let you two get back to your run. Have fun.” She laughed that tinkling laugh that reminded Zoe of chimes and disappeared inside the shop as quickly as she appeared.
“She’s sweet,” Zoe mentioned as she and Drew jogged off down the sidewalk.
“Brianna?” He threw back his head and laughed so hard it sounded like he was howling. “She’s a tough old bird, feisty and strong. But sweet? That’s a new one.”
“Hey!” Zoe smacked him in the upper arm. Her fingers tingled from the skin-to-skin contact. “I travel a lot, and she gave me one of the best welcomes I’ve ever had. So yes, Brianna’s sweet.”
“You’re kinda hot when you’re mad.”
He tucked a stray lock of hair that had worked its way out of Zoe’s ponytail behind her ear. His touch made Zoe stumble. She almost fell but Drew wrapped a strong arm around her waist and clamped her next to his rock-hard body. “Careful, baby.”
Yeah, that was easy for him to say. Every time he touched her, Zoe’s brain seemed to short-circuit. “I’m usually not so clumsy.” Way to go, she silently scolded herself. The last thing she wanted was to look like a fool in front of Drew.
“I didn’t think so, but it wouldn’t matter to me if you were.”
“Wow! Could you be any more of a charmer?” Though Zoe loved the attention.
“I’m trying to charm your pants off, is it working?” He gave her a wolfish smile.
“Oh, crap!” He was too much for her. She spotted a tree-filled park in the distance. The water from a pond glistened in the center. She took off at a sprint, turning to call to him over her shoulder. “Race you to the park!”
He was much taller, had a longer stride, and looked to be in great physical shape. Zoe knew she couldn’t beat him, but it would stop the flirting and give her an opportunity to regroup. She bit her bottom lip, concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, and pounded down the street toward her destination.
The entrance was only ten feet away when Drew flew past her. Zoe had to hand it to him, he’d waited until the last minute to overtake her instead of making her eat his dust and embarrassing her. She followed him over to a bench at the edge of the lovely pond. An oak tree with bright red and orange leaves spread its protective branches over the surrounding area.
Zoe bent over at the knees, panting, and trying to catch her breath. The run was the best exercise she’d gotten in a couple of weeks. As soon as her breathing was under control, Zoe sat down on the edge of the bench. Drew sat next to her, so close their arms and thighs touched. If it had been anybody else, she would have moved away, but with Drew, she relaxed and enjoyed the warmth of his body next to hers.
He placed his arm on the back of the bench so that it was on her shoulders, and Zoe actually leaned her head back on his arm. It was strange, feeling so comfortable with a man she hardly knew, but being with Drew felt right. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.
Drew broke the solitude a couple of minutes later. “So, Zoe Myers, what do you do when you’re not challenging people to races?”
Zoe opened her eyes and stared at him. “Do you really want to know or is this you being polite?”
“I’m not fond of idle chitchat. I really want to know.”
For the first time ever, she found herself wishing she could open up and let him see the real her, but there was just too much at stake. At least she co
uld give him part of the truth. “I’m really into martial arts. I lease space back home and teach lessons to women and children.”
“A warrior woman,” he said with a roguish grin. “I can see that about you, and I like it.”
He didn’t seem put off by it at all. Zoe was beginning to think she might have found the perfect man. “How about you? What do you do when you’re not delivering party invitations or jogging around downtown Enigma?”
“Well, it appears we have a lot more than jogging in common. I work with my cousins in the family security business.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait a minute, Drew Gannon, as in Gannon Security?”
His brows raised. “You’ve heard of us?”
“I’ve been to a few self-defense seminars sponsored by your company over the years. It has a stellar reputation.”
“Actually, it’s my cousins’ company, but I am third in command on the hierarchy,” he said with a smug smile.
“Wow, you should really be proud of that.”
“I am. It’s a family business, so a good reputation means a lot to us.”
Yeah, well, Zoe knew all about family businesses, the good and the bad. “My sisters help me out sometimes. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
“So, you and your sisters are close?”
“Very. It’s just the three of us, and while the twins might have a slightly closer bond for obvious reasons, family is everything to us.”
“The Gannons feel the same way. In this age where the value of family seems to diminish more and more, it’s refreshing to meet someone else who feels the same way. Speaking of family, have you met Brianna’s granddaughter, Brittany?”
Zoe frowned at the change in topic. “Yes. She dropped by Witch’s Brew during my first visit. She seemed as sweet as Brianna.”
Drew snorted. “You and Brittany have a lot in common. Make sure you visit her studio soon. I’m sure she’d love to show you around.”
“She already invited me.” Zoe shrugged. “Brittany sounded swamped when she was in the shop. I don’t want to add to her overload, but I am curious to see the place.”
Zoe got quiet. She really missed her studio and classes. She made up her mind to visit Brittany at work soon. “You know what, I think I’ll give her a call and stop by sometime in the next couple of days. Maybe I can get in some exercise.”
“What? Tired of jogging with me already?”
“Nope.” She wiped a hand across her forehead. “Now that I caught my breath, we should jog around the park. It’s beautiful here,” she wistfully admitted.
“Yes, it is,” he agreed.
When Zoe glanced up, Drew wasn’t looking at the pond, the trees, or anything else in the park. His eyes were focused squarely on her. She shuddered from the intensity of his gaze. She’d never felt that much heat before. She struggled to get her mind off of the sexy man next to her and where it needed to be.
“You can finish telling me everything you know about Enigma.”
He stood and held out his arm to help her to her feet. “Everything, huh? That’ll take more than a jog around the park,” he warned. “Enigma’s my hometown and I’m proud of it. Have dinner with me tonight.”
She laced her fingers with his and rose from the bench. She squeezed his hand before pulling away. “I can’t.” She was tempted, but it was a bad idea for several reasons.
“I’m not gonna push the issue, but don’t think that means I’m giving up.”
He gave her a lopsided grin that made her knees wobble. Man, she was in trouble. “Less flirting and more jogging,” she insisted. Zoe walked to the paved path that wound around the lake. She picked up the pace as soon as her feet touched concrete.
Drew joined her and started pointing out landmarks in the distance as they made their way around the path.
“Any strange occurrences around town lately?” she asked in an offhand matter. She held her breath, waiting for his response.
“Nothing more than usual,” he replied.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She frowned at his vague response.
“Enigma has always lived up to its name. The town is cloaked in mystery, and the residents like it that way. Sometimes the things that happen here are hard for an outsider to understand,” he cryptically added.
His words sounded like a warning to Zoe, but she didn’t detect any menace. She tried to laugh it off. “I was thinking more along the lines of Halloween pranks but never mind. Let’s talk about something else.” Suddenly she no longer wanted to hear about Enigma.
They jogged around the park and chatted about family for thirty minutes before he escorted her back to the hotel’s front entrance. The sidewalk in front of Inn Enigma was almost deserted when they arrived. Only a handful of people were present, and they walked on the other side of the street. “Thanks for the exercise and tour,” Zoe said.
“You’re welcome.” He moved closer, invading her space.
Zoe retreated a couple of steps until she felt the rough brick of the building press against her back. Drew placed both hands on the structure next to her head, caging her in. He towered over her. It wasn’t something the five nine Zoe was used to, and it turned her on even more.
She glanced into his eyes and swallowed hard. She could drown in their silky brown depths if she weren't careful. It confirmed what Zoe already suspected. She was in way over her head with Drew Gannon.
Zoe closed her eyes and savored the touch of his lips as they brushed across her forehead and trailed lower to her mouth. She didn’t hold back the desire she felt for him. Zoe melted into his body, wrapping her arms around his neck to force him closer. He tasted so good, and she wanted more.
His hands moved to her body and slid down to grasp Zoe’s hips. He straightened without breaking the kiss. Her head was spinning, and she felt like she was floating on air. That’s when she realized that Drew had actually lifted her off the ground and continued to hold her suspended in air.
She shuddered when the hardened ridge of his erection rubbed against her swollen and sensitive sex. Her desire-filled moan echoed around them. She needed him so much she ached. His mouth moved to her neck, but she grabbed a handful of his hair and maneuvered his lips back to hers. She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his lower back, urging him even closer.
She rubbed her body against his completely lost in how good he made her feel. The harsh clearing of a throat brought her to her senses. She jumped, dropped her legs and arms, and put space between them.
“Get a room,” the male stranger good-naturedly joked. “You are standing in front of a hotel.”
Zoe wrapped her hands around her arms and vigorously rubbed. She silently chastised herself, wondering what the hell was wrong with her. She completely lost track of where they were and what they were doing. If that man hadn’t interrupted, she might have let Drew take her right there on the sidewalk. He might not be a vampire, but the man was dangerous.
“Umm, maybe I’ll see you around,” she lamely muttered before rapidly moving toward the entrance of Inn Enigma.
“You’re gonna change your mind about that date,” he promised before she could close the door behind her.
His words echoed in her head. Zoe didn’t stop to wait for the elevator. She stormed up three flights of stairs to reach the suite she shared with her sisters. Spontaneous combustion was obviously a myth, or Zoe was sure that both she and Drew would have gone up in flames. His kiss was that hot.
****
Later that night, the three sisters lounged around the living area of the suite and discussed their observations of the town. Towards the end, Zoe did something out of character. She turned the conversation away from the hunt and bared her soul. “Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder if this is all worth it?” she asked her sisters with a shaky voice. “Because I do at least twice a week.”
Tara gave her a sad smile. “It’s crossed my mind more than once.”
Zoe frowned. “How come you never
said anything?”
“I didn’t want to sound selfish or…” She blushed. “I didn’t mean to imply that you’re selfish, because you’re far from it, Zoe.”
Zoe didn’t take offense at all. “I know, and we wouldn’t have thought that of you either if you had said something similar.”
“Not me,” Kara insisted. “But then again I’m the adrenaline junkie of the family. I live for the hunt. And think of all the good we do for mankind, even though no one really even knows about it.”
“I appreciate the fact we’ve saved countless lives, but sometimes I just want more,” Tara confessed.
“Exactly!” Zoe wasn’t surprised that the most compassionate one of them got what she was trying to say.
“Here’s more food for thought,” Zoe plowed ahead. She’d started the conversation, so she might as well finish it. “From what we’ve been taught, vampire hunting is a family tradition passed on from generation to generation. The numbers have got to be low, because, besides our parents, we’ve only met one other hunter,” she glanced at Kara. “Only one verified hunter, anyway. The job isn’t really conducive to settling down and having a family, and while I love the two of you with all my heart, I want more.”
She wasn’t surprised when an image of Drew flashed through her mind. “I miss the peace and self-contentment I get from teaching self-defense and martial arts. I’m tired of running all over the continent chasing monsters. And most of all I want a husband and children of my own one day. And I don’t want them to see me meet my demise at the hands and fangs of some demented bloodsucker.”
“Like we did,” Tara whispered.
The three sisters came together for a group hug. Zoe wiped away a few stray tears and soaked up their comfort and love. “I was torn that night,” she softly admitted. “I could stay and fight with Mom and Dad or get the three of us to safety. I chose the latter, and because of it, they died a horribly gruesome death.”
“You didn’t have a choice. All of us would have died if you hadn’t done what you did. You saved us!” Kara vehemently defended Zoe and her actions.
