by Crystal Red
“Kelsey?” Brandon tapped her shoulder.
She flinched and forced herself to look him in the eyes. “Yeah?”
“I wanted to ask you something.”
Kelsey sighed, eyeing the white shirt that highlighted his flexing muscles. “Maybe you should ask Beth. I have some things to take care of in the back.” She tugged her ponytail. She dropped her gaze to the tight Levis he filled out with his long, sturdy legs. She really had to stop staring at him or she’d melt into a puddle of goo. The last thing she wanted to be at work was all hot and bothered.
Is she staring at what I think she is? Hmm. Could drunk Kelsey be the same as sober Kelsey? A secret, naughty girl. Damn, I hope that’s true.
“It won’t take long, I promise. Besides, I already asked Beth, and she had no clue.”
Her eye twitched. “Wait. How did you know I worked here?”
“You told me last night.” His expression remained blank.
How odd…
“Oh.” She gestured with her finger for him to follow her into the backroom. Would she regret being alone with him again? What if he tried to make a move on her this time?
His warm breath tickled the back of her neck as he followed her. Goose bumps rose all over her skin. She tingled in her most sensual areas. Why did she want him so bad? Brandon wasn’t the usual type of guy she went for.
She whirled around to face him. Her back pressed into a bookcase. She sucked in a breath. Their lips were only an inch apart.
“What do you want?” she managed.
“My mom likes the Twilight Series. Do you have the books? You know the ones by Stephanie Meyer.” His lips widened into a smile.
Damn. I wish I didn’t want to kiss her so bad. I should really leave her alone. Too bad my body has a mind of its own.
Okay, so maybe he did want advice on books. At least that’s what he’d told her, but his thoughts weren’t matching up. It was obviously a trick. Her heart continued to pump double its normal beat. What was it about him that made her want to kiss him and then jump his bones? His good looks? Maybe.
“I think so,” she whispered.
“Hold on a second,” he murmured into her ear, all hot and husky-like.
Her pulse jumped as he reached out and touched her cheek.
“Don’t move. Hold really still.” He smiled, brushing something off her cheek.
She grabbed the edge of the bookcase to steady herself from the shaking he caused.
“You had some dust on your cheek. I got it off.” His gaze was hot and devilish.
Damn, he shouldn’t have said that. She wanted to get him off, starting with using the tip of her tongue. A shiver snaked down her spine. Her body ached for his touch. Would he try to kiss her?
He cupped her trembling chin. “Do I scare you?”
“Yes,” she choked out.
She clung to the shelf as he bent to meet her. His lips were so close she could almost taste them.
“Hmm. You had coffee this morning. And whole wheat toast with butter, right?”
She gasped. “How did you know what I ate?”
He chuckled low and soft. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“You want to kiss me, don’t you?” she asked in a shaky voice.
His gray eyes darkened with lust as he traced a calloused thumb over her bottom lip. “Since the day I first saw you, but only if you want me to.”
“I, uh…” Why did she always struggle to speak whenever he was around?
Beth peeked into the doorway. “Hey, Kelsey? I need your help with something in front.”
Kelsey freed herself of his grip and rushed into the front of the store. “What do you need, Beth?”
Beth pointed to an older gentleman. “He’d like some help finding Steven King books.”
“Okay. Follow me.” She walked ahead of the customer and led him to the shelf where all the Steven King horror books were neatly stacked.
“This is great. Thank you.” The gentleman smiled.
“Let me know if I can help with anything else.” Kelsey headed back to Beth.
It was a good thing Beth had saved her from a make-out session with Brandon. If she had let herself go there with him, there might be no stopping them from going all the way. Shit. How could she want a guy like him so much? Sure, he was sexy, but he had to have more than good looks to make her checklist.
She only wanted to be with a guy who had the same goals as her, which included: falling in love, marriage and two or three kids. It didn’t seem as if Brandon wanted those things, but maybe looks could fool a person. A girl could dream, couldn’t she?
With unsteady steps, she walked toward the backroom where Brandon waited for her.
“Hey.” He grinned.
She tightened her jaw and crossed her arms. If she didn’t stand her ground with him, who would? “What about what you said last night?”
His smile faded. “You were drunk then.”
She frowned. “Yeah, and I’m at work now. You have really bad timing.”
Brandon ran a hand through his hair. He tugged hard at the strands as if he struggled with his next words. “Maybe I don’t want to fight the attraction anymore. I get that you’re not used to guys like me, but I think you should give me a chance.”
“To do what? Break my heart?” A muscle in her jaw ticked. Did he really think he could fool her so easily?
He groaned. “Beth already warned me about that last night. I don’t want to get my ass kicked by a girl.”
“A woman. We’re twenty-six.”
“Right.” He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.
Damn. She fills out those black skinny jeans. So sexy. I bet she’d look better with them off.
She gritted her teeth. “You know I can read your mind, but you still think about seducing me?”
“Sorry.” He held his hands up. “I can’t help it. As I said, I’m attracted to you.”
“I’m not going to have sex with you.”
He chuckled. “I figured you weren’t a one-night stand kind of girl.”
That’s a good thing, but I still want her so much.
“Damn right.” She inhaled a sharp breath. “I’m the kind of woman who wants to fall in love and get married. So if you don’t want that, I suggest you stay far away from me.”
He took a step back. “Wow. A woman who speaks her mind. I like that.”
“Did you really come here seeking books for your mom or did you just want to seduce me?” She narrowed her eyes.
His laugh had a shaky edge to it. “Okay, maybe I lied, but I did want to make sure you were all right.”
Can’t blame a guy for trying. Still, her tight clothes don’t leave much to my imagination.
“I am. You can leave now.” She shooed him toward the door.
“Do you want to have lunch with me?”
Kelsey froze at his question. Her breath burned her throat. What was the catch?
Why is she staring at me as if I’m crazy?
Her hands settled on her hips. “Maybe because I wasn’t expecting you to ask me out.”
“Is that a no then?”
“When?”
“Today.” He stepped closer.
She sucked in a breath as he fingered a loose tendril of hair that had fallen into one of her eyes. How can the slightest touch from Brandon make her bones want to turn into goo?
“How about Chinese? I like to drink diet Coke.” She shuddered as his touch lingered.
“Sounds awesome. See you at noon.” He winked and then strutted away.
She found herself drooling over the shape of his ass, and the way it moved when he walked. Firm and tight just the way she liked her men. She was really losing it. When will I get sex off my brain?
Kelsey did her best to focus on the inventory for the extra books, but the distraction didn’t keep her from picturing what Brandon looked like naked. She groaned. Why did he have to come to her bookshop? Now all she wanted to do was kiss him from his lips t
o his toes. Every last inch of skin.
She shouldn’t have told him where she worked. Maybe he would have found out anyway since they were neighbors. She wanted a guy to challenge her, to understand her. Could he really be the one to do that?
When lunchtime came around, Brandon showed up with her favorite white rice and Asian chicken dish. They pulled up two metal chairs and sat at a small card table.
“I got you a diet soda like you asked, but I think you could drink regular. You’re so skinny.” Brandon swallowed a mouthful of his Coke.
“Not when you eat chocolate,” she muttered.
He shook his head, digging into his chicken. “You only weigh, what, a hundred and ten?”
She glared at him. “Don’t you know better than to ask a woman how much she weighs?”
“Hmm, guess not.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes until she pushed her empty container aside.
“Why did you move to Missouri, anyway?”
He cleared his throat. “So I could run my Uncle Dean’s car and motorcycle shop. Chad is the co-owner. My uncle had to retire because of poor health. I told him to cut back on the fast food, but he didn’t listen. He suffered two heart attacks.”
Her heart ached for him and his uncle. She couldn’t imagine having to handle something like that. “Wow, that’s hard. I’m sorry. Is he doing any better?”
“A little bit. My Aunt Gladys keeps after him. Wives are good for that.” He smiled, but the sadness lingered in his eyes.
Kelsey sipped her soda. She patted his hand. A zap of heat soared throughout her. “Thank you for lunch.”
He leaned back against the chair. “Same time tomorrow?”
“Uh…I’ll probably bring my lunch.”
He frowned. “You don’t want my company?”
“Not if you’re going to attack me.”
“I didn’t.” He laced his fingers with hers.
The warmth of his hand sent heated desire to her core. She bet he was one hell of a kisser. “Yeah, but you tried to.”
“Can’t help it. You’re beautiful.” His mouth widened into a huge grin.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She stared at him, dying to caress and taste his lips.
He let go of her hand and stood. “So, will I see you tomorrow?”
She nodded, waiting for him to kiss her, but all he did was turn and then exit the front door. Damn. When would he kiss her?
A little later, Kelsey helped Beth with the customers up in front of the store. One customer caught her eye. Where had she seen her before? The woman was a tall blonde with blue eyes. She wore black boots and a matching dress. Then it hit her. She was the same woman who’d shown up at her birthday party and told her to enjoy her wish.
Her throat tightened. What did she want? Could she have had something to do with her new gift?
“Hi, Kelsey. Remember me?” the blonde whispered.
“Yes, from my birthday party. Who are you?”
The blonde held her hand out. “Victoria Stiller. I heard about your bookshop and couldn’t wait to stop by.”
“Are you looking for anything in particular?” Kelsey pulled the stool closer to lean toward Victoria.
Victoria rubbed her palms together. “Yes, do you have any witchcraft books?”
A cold, hard knot formed in her stomach at the word “witchcraft.” Something about this woman didn’t sit well with her. A long, brittle silence lingered around them as Kelsey showed Victoria to the aisle with the type of books she was interested in. What if witches really existed, and this woman just wanted to cause her trouble? Fear gripped her so tightly she fainted to the floor.
Chapter Four
Brandon’s gut tightened as he sank to his knees on the bookstore floor. He stared at Kelsey, who’d fainted. He nudged her arm. Nothing.
“Kelsey?” Adrenaline surged through his veins. His voice rose as he shook her arm. She sat up with a groan.
Beth rushed to Kelsey’s side with a bottle of water. “Try not to move around too much. You could have a concussion.”
“Let me make sure you’re not bleeding.” Brandon cupped the back of her head and felt for a bump or cut. He held his breath as his fingertips ran over her scalp. His heart thumped harder and louder. For a brief moment, he thought about touching her in another way, but then, with a shake of his head, he cleared his mind.
She trembled at his touch, but didn’t push him away. Instead she let out a fluttery sigh.
When he didn’t find any injuries, he eased his hand away. “You’re not bleeding. Why did you faint?”
Kelsey sighed again, her gaze on everything but him. “I saw someone I knew.”
“Who? An ex-boyfriend?” His pulse pounded. He hoped it wasn’t one of her exes trying to win her back. There was something about her that pulled him in. He didn’t want to let go until he found out if they were meant to be or not.
“No.” She exhaled. “Someone who’d showed up at my birthday party a week ago. I didn’t know who she was then.”
“She?” His heart dropped to his feet. It couldn’t be, could it?
“Yeah, she said her name was Victoria. Do you know her?”
He hung his head. His worst nightmare just came true. She’d followed him from Texas. He’d never thought she’d find him in Missouri. His gut ached as if someone had punched him over and over.
He swallowed, inhaling deep with quick breaths. “Yes, she’s my ex-girlfriend. She likes to practice witchcraft and claims to be a real witch.”
Beth’s mouth dropped open when he looked at her. “What the fuck? Is she crazy or something?” She stood on the other side of Kelsey as she continued to gape at him. As if it would make the situation any better.
“Yes,” he choked out.
“Do we have to worry about your ex-girlfriend coming after Kelsey?”
Brandon cleared his throat. “She might try to come after both of you.”
“Why?” Kelsey rubbed her temples.
Warning bells went off in his mind. Victoria was there. She obviously wanted to hurt him and the people he cared about. How was he going to explain this? He had no idea how to wrap the crazy situation around his own mind either.
“Our breakup didn’t end well. I think she might try to hurt me and those I care about.”
“This is fucking nuts,” Kelsey muttered.
He helped Kelsey to her feet, catching her before she fell. “Let me give you a ride home.”
Her eyes widened like saucers. “On your motorcycle?” She pointed to his bike parked in front of the building.
Brandon nodded. “I have an extra helmet.”
“I, uh…”
Beth’s green eyes flashed hot enough to burn a hole through him. “She’s not going to ride on your motorcycle. So you can forget about it.”
Kelsey’s cheeks turned red. “I’m afraid of motorcycles.”
“Oh.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Will you make sure she gets home safe, Beth?”
“Of course.” Beth snorted. She locked Kelsey’s arm with hers and walked toward the front door.
He stepped out so they could lock up for the night. The cool spring air hit him, causing goose bumps to prickle his skin. The two women stepped out of the store as he started his bike.
He drove home with thoughts whirling in his mind, mostly about his ex. Could Victoria be the reason Kelsey is now telepathic?
Once he arrived at his house, he parked the bike in the driveway. Chad was right behind him. After going inside, Brandon headed to the fridge and grabbed a Coke. He popped the top and then took a long drink.
“How’s your girlfriend doing?” Chad smirked.
The soda can crumpled in his tightening grip.
“Easy man. You know I’m kidding.”
He downed the rest of his drink and then tossed it into the recycling bin. “Sorry. It’s been a rough day.”
Chad’s brows drew together. “Did your date with Kelsey go that badly?”
&
nbsp; “No, she said Victoria showed up at her bookshop.”
Chad’s face scrunched up, his fists tight at his side. “Are you serious? That dumb bitch had the fucking nerve to show her face here? How the hell did she find us?”
“I’ve no damn clue.” Brandon shrugged.
“Well, we better find out now and fast.”
* * * *
Brandon paced in front of Kelsey’s front steps. What the hell was he doing there? Couldn’t he leave the poor woman alone for a second? No. Not when his ex was now involved. He had to keep her safe. He still didn’t see this ending well.
With a deep breath, he forced himself to ring the doorbell. He counted to about twenty in his mind before the door swung open and Kelsey looked him in the eyes.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. Did you come here for beer again?” She smirked.
He chuckled. “Not if you’re going to drink shots of brandy.”
“Don’t remind me.” She covered her face with hers hands. “No more shots for me.”
“Good.” He smiled.
“You want anything else?” She leaned against the frame of the door and crossed her arms.
Yeah, you in my bed.
“Oh, really?” Amusement flickered in her eyes.
He slapped a hand to his forehead. “I really have to stop doing that.”
“You think?” She chuckled low in her throat.
“Can I come in?”
He studied her eyes, wondering if she’d continue joking around. Jokes were the last thing on his mind right now. Sex maybe, but he wanted to push everything else out of it. Especially his ex-girlfriend, Victoria. If only he’d met Kelsey first. Then maybe his life would have turned out better. At least his love life would have.
“Only if you brought some condoms.” She winked.
He sucked in a breath. She had to be messing with him. He didn’t like being teased about sex. Not cool. The erection pressing against the seam of his jeans proved how much he wanted her in his bed. Hell, he’d take her on the kitchen table if she let him. He wasn’t picky. Going with the flow was in his nature.
“Don’t tease me.” He growled.
She frowned, but held the door open for him.
He entered her living room. “Is Beth here?”
