by Tara Nina
“It’s good to see you out,” David managed to state as he repositioned the basket into one hand behind his back.
“It’s good to be out,” Jack replied, leaning his head to the side and pretending to attempt to examine the contents of the basket. “Don’t worry, David. Your secret’s safe with me. Besides, why do you think I’m here?”
David’s mouth opened as if to speak, then shut. Jack laughed and slapped his good hand on David’s shoulder in a friendly gesture. David straightened, pulled the basket from behind his back and stated in a low tone, “This is my first time here.” He shot a wry glance in Emma Jean’s direction, then back to Jack. “When I discovered that Emma Jean owned this place, I decided to check it out.”
“I think you wanted to check her out,” Jack quipped, causing David to grin and the tension to ease in the other man’s shoulders just a little bit.
“Yeah, ever since I met her at the hospital, I have to admit, curiosity got the best of me.”
“Go for it.” Jack leaned toward him and whispered, “If she’s anything like her cousin, you won’t regret it. God knows my life’s a hell of a lot more adventurous and happier with Shelley than I can ever remember.”
“You do seem a bit more relaxed than when you first moved here,” David teased, then cleared his throat. It was obvious to Jack that being caught in a sex toy shop had him a bit ill at ease. So when he changed the conversation’s direction, it didn’t surprise Jack. “With the Baldwin situation over, things should quiet down around here soon. I have to hand it to you. That idea of yours about the Baldwins going legit was a sheer stroke of genius. Didn’t think Ma Baldwin would’ve gone for it though. How’d you manage to convince her?”
“It really wasn’t that hard.” Jack shrugged as he looked across the aisles and located Shelley sitting at the counter with Emma Jean. A couple of “new” items lay in front of her, sending a spear of need to his core.
From where he stood he couldn’t see exactly what she’d picked, but he held no doubt he’d enjoy each and every one with her masterful sexual guidance. He took a breath and forced his focus back on the conversation with David. “Ma Baldwin was tired of playing the outlaw game. Over the years, they managed to build a substantial reputation with their moonshine. I simply suggested obtaining a business license and manufacturing their product in a more productive manner, in a proper distillery with a packaging warehouse. That way they could produce more and legally transport it to their customers.”
“How’d she feel about paying taxes?”
“Funny thing,” Jack stated, cutting a slant-eyed glance at David. “She never missed paying taxes. She kept a log of every dime made and spent, calculated what she thought was a fair amount for the government, then paid it.”
“Whew wheee,” David said. “No wonder the Internal Revenue Service never came after them.”
“Smart woman, that Ma Baldwin,” Jack replied. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some shopping to do and a hot date.” He leaned close to David and added with a wink, “And hopefully a few new toys to play with later.”
Jack strolled casually past David. At the end of the row, a clear package containing a set of bright pink rubber vibrating balls made him smile. They were covered in raised “nubbies” and he couldn’t help but think about how good they would feel situated inside his woman while they fucked. He picked them up, but shielded them from Shelley’s view as he reached the counter. Hiding the balls from Shelley, he showed them to Emma Jean.
“I’ll take these please.”
“Tell you what,” Emma Jean quipped. She quickly placed the package in a small shopping bag and gave it to him without Shelley seeing the product. “Consider yourself the official assistant to my sex toy advisor.”
Jack grinned. “You’ve got a deal.”
He grabbed the bag, tucked it into his sling and turned as Shelley rounded the counter. She held a large, iridescent purple plastic bag, which matched his smaller one. Jack slid his arm around her waist.
“You ready for dinner?” he said, guiding her toward the door.
“You think we could skip dinner and go straight to dessert?” she replied on a husky breath with a slight shake of her bag.
Jack’s eyes widened. “I’ve always liked dessert better anyway.”
About the Author
Tara Nina is a romantic dreamer whose dreams are now a reality through the publication of her romantic fantasies. She resides in Northern New Jersey along with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a cascade of supportive friends and relatives.
Tara welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Tara Nina
Arian’s Angel
Curse of the Gargoyle
Eyes of Stone
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