was what she needed to hear. How did he know this? She swallowed hard. “I wasn’t thinking that…” she lied.
“Weren’t you?” studying her intently.
“You saved my life!” she replied, managing to look away. “Why would you hurt me?” She couldn’t help but look back again, something inside of her pleading for him to make her understand what was happening.
“Exactly! You don’t have to be afraid of me…ever!”
She forced herself to smile, needing to feel normal. Although normal seemed a million miles away at this moment. She made herself look into his hypnotic stare. “Is the coffee okay?” she heard herself say, but it seemed as though it was someone else who asked.
“Coffee is great!” He flashed another captivating smile then and suddenly stood and emptied his cup. “Well…I need to get going…Chores,” he said, hiking an eyebrow. “They won’t do themselves.”
“Right.” She had to force herself to stand too, but felt all wobbly. “I’ll get you that coffee to take home.”
“Much appreciated,” he said, looking out the window, seeming to want to make her feel more at ease.
She was glad she was able to fill the cup he’d brought with ground coffee from her canister and hand it to him without spilling it. “Here you go.”
Instantly, he was in front of her and had wrapped a hand around hers and the cup and then to her surprise, he took her chin with his other. And before she could do or say anything, he kissed her. If she had considered pulling away, it was so briefly that she didn’t remember. It was as though all the gravity on earth held her there. There was no way she could pull away. She felt a powerful essence, his essence, flowing right through her, to the very soles of her feet. His lips were even softer than in her dreams. She whimpered like a puppy. And then he pulled away, smiling that wonderful, secretive smile. “Thanks for the coffee.” He briskly turned and walked out the door.
Breathless, she stood there frozen, watching him walk away, not looking back even once. He held his head high, proud, and his stride was as graceful and agile as any cat. Her fingertips went to her lips once more. “Oh God!” she gasped.
She dropped down in her chair, visibly shaken to the roots of her being. She just sat there drinking her coffee, knowing that no matter how hard she tried, she wasn’t going to forget this.
Star seemed to know something had upset her. He rose to his feet and laid his big head in her lap. She felt like a robot as she reached out a hand and stroked his head. “Oh God!” she said again. “What’s happening to me?”
The bell tinkled over the door and Paul glanced up from the register, as he was checking groceries for Clifford. He stopped for a moment, staring. Dorian Lodovico was winding his way over to the beer cooler.
Clifford cleared his throat and spoke quietly, “Everything okay, Paul?”
Without taking his eyes off of Dorian’s back, he said, “Uh huh…” He didn’t sound too convincing. Then he looked up at Clifford, who slightly tilted his head in Dorian’s direction, as though to ask if he was the problem. Paul shrugged. “…Not really certain.” He finished placing the eggs and bread in the brown paper bag and handed them to Clifford, but still glancing at Dorian, who now had a can of Folgers tucked under his arm and was browsing over the magazines.
Dorian was keenly alert, fully aware he was under scrutiny by the two men. Yet, to an observer, he appeared not to have a clue. Just as Clifford went to walk away, Dorian grabbed two magazines and looking down at the sports magazine on top, he deliberately bumped into Clifford. “Oh! Sorry!” he said, flashing an ambiguous smile. “Guess I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“No problem,” Clifford said, quickly glancing back at Paul who held a distrustful look. Then he went on out the door.
Dorian approached the register and set his six-pack and the can of coffee down and laid the magazines beside them. “Morning,” he said in his congenial manner.
“Morning, Mr. Lodovico,” Paul replied, meeting Dorian’s sharp eyes straight on.
“Please…Call me Dorian.”
“Dorian it is…then. And I’m Paul.”
“Looks like you get a pretty good business out here,” Dorian said, making an effort at small talk. “Guess that’s understandable…being just off the highway here…and the only store for ten miles or so in either direction.”
“Keeps the roof over our heads,” Paul said, obviously wondering what Dorian was up too. “By the way…I know you just moved in not long ago. What is it you do for a living?”
“As little as possible,” Dorian quickly replied.
Paul chuckled. “Don’t we all. But seriously. What do you do?”
“Investments… stocks mostly. I also have property in Europe. Brings in enough that I can do pretty much what I want.”
“We should all be so lucky.”
Before Paul could ask any more questions that Dorian didn’t feel like answering, Dorian snatched up the sack. “You have a good day now…You hear.” He spun around and, heels of his boots clicking across the floor, he quickly walked out.
“Cocky sonovabitch!” Paul muttered to himself. “And why do I have this feeling he didn’t come here just for beer and magazines?”
Clifford was still sitting in his truck and smoking a cigarette, blowing the smoke out his open window when Dorian exited the store, jumped in his Porsche, grinned ambiguously, gave him a quick salute and sped out of the parking lot.
Clifford shook his head and sat there until the Porsche was out of sight and then pulled out and headed for home. He just flat did not trust Lodovico.
Amber walked around in a daze most of the morning.
Originally, she had intended to get out her paints. Now, she wasn’t sure what she wanted other than have Dorian hold her in his arms and kiss her again – A feeling she knew she had to shake. She went in her back room and stared at the beginnings of her painting that was sitting on her tripod that she’d never gotten back to. Just as she decided she might as well try to work on it, her mobile phone rang. It was Paul. Normally, she would have been glad to hear from him, but still numb from the effects of Dorian’s visit earlier that morning, she answered with vague enthusiasm. “Hi! Paul…”
Immediately picking up on the change in her, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
There was no way she was going to tell him that Dorian Lodovico had come over to borrow coffee from her and ended up kissing her like she’d never been kissed in her entire life. That it was a kiss that burned through her very soul and had left her speechless and breathless for hours. “…Nothing’s…wrong,” she forced herself to say, though it seemed to take great effort. “I didn’t sleep well at all last night. Just really tired.”
Disappointment was immediate in his voice. “Then I guess you’re not up to seeing me tonight?”
Tonight, she thought. Did I promise to see him tonight? She couldn’t remember. “I honestly hadn’t gotten that far…I mean…”
“I just thought we might watch a movie…share a little popcorn…a couple of sodas. Think you’re up to it?’
He was too nice a guy to hurt his feelings. And she did really like him. On the other hand, she’d never been on a date of any kind with Dorian…he’d never courted her in any way. Just saved her life and brought back her lost dog. Still, Paul was trying so hard – flowers, helping her get her television, hooking it up for her, dinner together.
When she didn’t answer right away, Paul thought she didn’t want to see him. “We can make it some other time, Amber.”
He was hurt. Polite. But emotionally wounded. “No!” she quickly replied. “Tonight is good…”
He breathed with relief. “You’re sure?”
“Definitely.”
She could almost see his face brighten when he replied. “Great! Is seven okay?”
“Seven is perfect.”
“Okay…see you tonight.” He hung up.
She sighed heavily. How was she going to be by seven? Was she still going to be
lost in thoughts of Dorian? Or would she be her grounded self by then? She grabbed her canvass and tripod. She’d have to grab her paints out of the shed. If anything could ground her today, her painting would.
As a raven, Klaus sat on the sign across the highway from the Shell Station and Paul’s Grocery. Sally would have forgotten who had attacked her by now. He kind of liked the spunk the middle-aged woman had exhibited. If it hadn’t been for her crazy cat, she would be dead.
Now, he’d had time to think it over, and he was glad he hadn’t succeeded, having decided he’d toy with her for a while. Hell! Maybe he’d even turn her. She wasn’t bad looking for a more mature woman. And turning her would make her damn right beautiful.
He figured she was between forty and forty-five. He’d been turned in his late forties, giving him an eternal sophisticated look, especially with his frosty-blonde hair. He’d suffered from the boredom of being alone for a while now, and her spunk had piqued his interest.
His wings fluttered and he flew across the highway and around to the back of the store. He could see the teenage girl inside cooking supper, and her brother was at a computer going over his books. Both had their backs to the window. He quickly transformed into his human body and walked around to the front. When he opened the door and walked in Sally glanced up. She stared at him as though she knew she should recognize him, but couldn’t. “Evening,” he said in as charming a voice as he could muster. And he knew he could be very charming.
She smiled hugely. “Oh…Mr. Klaus!” She greeted. “I couldn’t remember your name for a second there.”
“Please…” he graciously said as he approached the register where she was standing. “Call me Joseph or simply Klaus.”
Her face said it all. She was flattered by the request, and she definitely did not realize he was the person who had tried to kill her. “Joseph…I like that. Good strong name.”
“Why thank you…”
“You can call me Sally.”
“I remember...Sally it is.”
“Is there something I can help you with, Joseph?”
“I could use some toothpicks.”
“Oh…” she said, walking around the register and down the center aisle. “Over here. We even have them in colors…if you like?” She held up a small box.
“Hmmm…Colored ones would be different. Sure, I’ll take a box.”
The door to the back opened and Paul stepped through. He nodded at Klaus. “Evening.” Then speaking to Sally, who was heading back around the register, “Judy’s finished cooking supper. There’s some fried chicken when you get time… if you want some.”
Eyeing Paul, “Aren’t you eating?”
“Already did. Ate quick…” he grinned becomingly and held up a DVD. “Gonna watch a movie with Amber. Should you get busy, Judy’s available. Said she didn’t have any homework for a change.”
“Good to know. Thanks, Paul. Have fun!”
“I hope too!” he hurried out the door, but he glanced back through the plate-glass window before going on to his truck. Sally didn’t seem to be upset by Klaus anymore. “Guess there’s no reason to worry,” he said to himself.
Klaus was staring at Sally when she returned her attention to him. “Now…Where were we? Oh yes…toothpicks!”
“Yes,” he replied, his eyes all but devouring her.
“Anything else I can help you with?”
He hiked an eyebrow and grinned flirtatiously. “You could give me your phone number.”
Totally surprised, she looked up at him wide-eyed and definitely at a loss for words. “Did you… just ask for my phone number?”
Amused by her shocked response, he said, “I certainly did – You’re not married are you?” he asked, looking as though maybe he’d overstepped his boundaries.
“Oh…No…Not married.”
“Boyfriend?”
She shook her head ever so slowly, obviously not believing what was happening. “No boyfriend.”
“That’s a surprise.”
“It is?”
“Yes it is! You’re a very attractive woman. But I must confess I did notice that you had no wedding ring on your finger…To be honest…I noticed you the first day I met you.”
“You did?”
Judy suddenly jutted her head through the door holding a platter of fried chicken. “Want a—” She saw Klaus. “Oh…sorry! I didn’t know anyone was in the store. Just wanted to see if you would like a piece of chicken, Sally.”
“Sure. In a minute, Judy.”
She motioned with the platter to Klaus. “Want some?”
“Oh…No…I just ate. Thanks anyway…Smells scrumptious.”
“Judy’s a great cook,” Sally said.
Klaus spoke to Judy, “Help me convince this pretty lady to have dinner with me on her free evening.”
Judy was almost as astonished as Sally at first and she swallowed hard, trying to compress her surprise. “Ah…Yeah…You should go out, Sally. Do you good.”
“Well…I…” Sally looked at Klaus and then at Judy and then back at Klaus. She suddenly smiled hugely, obviously delighted. “Yes! Yes! I’d love to have dinner with you.”
Judy suggested, “You know…It doesn’t have to be just your night off, Sally. You rarely take one, anyway. I can watch the store for you, if you want to go out other than Saturday or Sunday.”
“You sure? What about homework?’
“Most of the time I can do it in the store…unless I’m studying for a test. We’re rarely that busy of an evening…as you know.”
“Tomorrow night?” Klaus asked. “Or is that too soon?”
“Goodness!” she said, hands automatically going to her hair.
“You’re lovely,” he said. “I like you just the way you are. Wouldn’t change a thing.”
Judy’s eyes widened on that one. Sally rarely wore anything but jeans, sweatshirts or T-shirts, and all with sneakers.
“I’m sure I can find a dress,” she said, self-conscious now. “I guess tomorrow night would be as good as any.” She looked with expectation to Judy.
“Tomorrow night is good as any. You go out and enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you, Judy,” Klaus said.
Judy smiled placidly and gestured with the platter. “Well, the chicken will be here in the kitchen should you want any, Sally.” She disappeared back in her house.
Amber spent the entire afternoon painting and finally finished her landscape, capturing to her satisfaction the trees behind her cabin and the little path that ventured off to the right, the one that eventually led to Dorian’s cabin. She felt better, relaxed and thought her head much clearer than during the earlier part of the day. She quickly put her paints away, leaned the landscape on top of her little bookshelf to dry and took her shower.
After her shower, Amber put herself in a TV dinner, as Paul would be arriving soon. She just wanted to eat and be ready for him. No sooner had she finished eating, and there was his familiar rat-a-tat-tat at the door.
She swung the door wide and before she could say come in Paul had her in his arms and was kissing her. It happened so quickly that she didn’t have time to resist had she wanted to.
Now, out of familiarity more than anything else, she returned the kiss, and then smiled wholeheartedly when he broke away; glad that she had not balked, something she’d been afraid she would do, since Dorian had all but sent her melting through the floor earlier. She quickly shoved Dorian to the back of her mind. Tonight was Paul’s…He was a good man. And common sense told her that he was the man she should be latching on to.
“Got ‘Time Traveler’s Wife’,” he said after he pulled away. Thought you might like it…Haven’t seen it, have you?”
“No…But it is one I thought I might like.”
“I know you said you like paranormal romances. And I like science fiction…so maybe it will work for the both of us…anyway, Judy says it’s good.”
“Then by all means…” Amber replied. “
It has to be good!”
He chuckled then and put it in the DVD player while she went off to make popcorn in the microwave. As she was standing at the microwave waiting for the second bag to puff up, he slipped in behind her and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.
“You smell good!”
“You like it, huh?”
“Yeah…not too strong…Just nice. What is it?”
“Juniper Breeze…my favorite. Feel like it’s the real me.”
“Certainly suits you.”
“I’m glad you like it. I was afraid you might not…because it is different.”
“That’s why I like it…Most perfumes are too strong.”
Just then there was a scratching at the back door. “Star’s back.” She went to the door and let him in. He jumped up, greeting Paul enthusiastically.
“Hi! There, fella.” Paul gave the dog several hearty, affectionate slaps on his back. Then grabbed his front paws and eased him down.
“He does get a little over exuberant some times,” Amber noted.
Star suddenly turned and barked at the back door. It was apparent why. Dorian was standing there with a Ziploc bag full of fresh ground coffee. Amber thought she would drop right through the floor. Why now? God! Why now?
Looking at her, Paul squint his eyes quizzically and then he turned and went to the door and opened it. “Lodovico.”
“Hi!” Dorian said, smiling gregariously. He jiggled the bag. “Returning the coffee I borrowed from Amber this morning.”
“Oh…” Paul stepped back intending to just let Dorian hand the bag through the door, but Dorian had other plans. He pushed his way on inside, not even bothering to hide his slight smirk and oblique glace at Paul.
Amber wanted to disappear into the walls, into the air, anywhere. Only, there was no where to run! All she could do was weakly reach out and accept the bag, trying not to faint right then and there, and all the time acutely aware of the way Paul was watching her reaction. “Thanks…” she heard someone speak. Was it her? Sounded like her. “You didn’t have to return it. Wasn’t that much.”
“Of course I did,” Dorian replied. Then he eyed Paul, almost appearing amused. “Oh! Am I interrupting something?”
It was obvious Paul was using great restraint. “Just getting ready to watch a movie.”
“I’m sorry…I’ll go.” He smiled with his eyes at Amber. “Again…Thank you!”
“You’re welcome,” was all she could think to say.
Paul held the door open for him.
“You two have a good evening.” Dorian briskly went out the door and began whistling as he walked away.
“I don’t like him!” Paul said as soon as he closed the door.
Amber laid the bag of coffee on the counter, afraid to meet Paul’s eyes. “You don’t?”
“Hell no!” he hissed.
She was a little surprised, as she’d not told him anything. She managed to compose herself and turned to face him. “Why?”
Paul opened the microwave and took out the popcorn that had finished popping. “I think it’s obvious, Amber.”
“What? What are you saying, Paul?”
He fronted her and handed her the bag. “First of all – He’s after you!”
She was shocked. She had not realized it was so obvious to Paul.
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