Charmed Spirits

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Chapter 5

  Matt rubbed his palms on his jeans and tried to slow his heart rate. It wasn’t as if this was his and Jordan’s first date. No, they’d dated plenty of times in the past. That was the thing though. The past. They weren’t teenagers anymore running on hormones and sneaking around after curfew.

  He didn’t know this Jordan, the independent city girl with the grace of confidence. He could still see, though, where she frayed at the edges, particularly whenever Stacey or Prescott happened to be in her presence. He wanted to know more about her. Her hopes, dreams, fears…everything. Right now, it felt as though he were basing his attraction solely on memories. Though he’d had almost a month to get past her defenses, it was only the beginning.

  And Jor didn’t know anything about him. Not really. She knew the surface, what other people knew, but he wanted her to know more. He didn’t know if she could deal with what he turned into every month…and in two nights, he’d have to lie.

  He hated lying

  Sadly, though, he was becoming very good at it. Just ask his brothers.

  Matt sat in his Chevy outside Jordan’s home and tried to put on that smooth confidence that so many said he possessed. It sure didn’t feel like he had any at the moment. When she’d come back to town, he’d promised himself he wouldn’t fall for her again…as if he’d ever lost those feelings.

  When Prescott had said the afternoon before that he was going to tear down the old Marlow place, Matt thought he’d died on the spot…again. If he really was dead; he wasn’t quite sure on that point.

  What was he going to do if they tore down the place? If he wasn’t in that house at sunset on the evening of the full moon, and the four nights surrounding it, he thought he might be lost forever. Without the house…he might not be found.

  And didn’t he sound like a pansy? God, something was definitely wrong with him. They were just going on a date. A date that could lead to sweaty, good things if he had anything to say about it.

  God…that kiss. He hadn’t planned on it. He’d been so wrapped up in his emotions that Jordan’s warm little body next to him had made him want more…more than just whatever time she’d give him. He’d placed his mouth against hers but couldn’t move the last fraction of space. Thankfully, she’d kissed him back.

  So warm.

  Wet.

  Matt shook his head. It wouldn’t be good to show up with an erection at her doorstep. She might take one look down and slam the door in his face. Or worse, find a potion in her spell book to make it fall off or turn green or something. He’d had enough of her potions for a lifetime. He might have loved her once, if not still, but he couldn’t be part of her magic. It had destroyed his life. He could watch her from afar and appreciate it, knowing it was a deep and integral part of her, but he couldn’t be part of it.

  Not again.

  Matt got out of the Chevy, adjusted his dick so the zipper didn’t dig in quite as much, and started to her door. He clenched his fists and shook his head. Why the hell was he so nervous? He was acting like a fucking teenager.

  As he raised his fist to knock, the door swung open, and he almost choked. Dear. God. She was breathtaking. She wore dark jeans that made her long legs look edible, legs that would look even better wrapped around his waist. He moved so his cock wouldn’t have a zipper tattoo. Her black boots went up to her knees, but she didn’t have those spiky heels that she sometimes wore. Good, because he didn’t want her to fall on the almost icy sidewalks. She wore a bright red top with that swoop neck thing that made him want to lick the curve and down to the valley of her breasts. She’d put on a leather jacket, and Matt wanted to take her against the wall.

  Hard.

  His cock sliding into her pussy, her nails digging into his back…

  “Matt? Are you okay? You just groaned.” Jordan placed her hand on his arm, and he swore he saw sparks.

  He swallowed and nodded. “I’m great. You just look fucking amazing.” Smooth, Romeo.

  She blushed and kissed him softly on the mouth. He wrapped his arms around her so his hands settled in the small of her back and pulled her closer. He didn’t deepen the kiss—he didn’t want to rush her—but he did lengthen it. God…her taste. Like sweet berries and lilac. He could drown in it and be a happy man.

  She moaned, and he pulled back.

  “Wow,” she whispered.

  He kissed her nose and smiled. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

  She looked up at him, her hazel eyes imploring. “Should we be doing this?”

  “Yes.” He didn’t hesitate. It might—no, would—end horribly when she left and he had to watch her go. But he wanted whatever time they had.

  “Okay.” She smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and led the way to his truck.

  They piled in and sat for a second. “So, I suck at this apparently. Where do you want to go?”

  She laughed, and he joined her. “You didn’t plan our first date?” She batted her eyelashes, and he ran his thumb down her jaw. He loved it when her breath caught, and her pupils widened. So responsive, his Jordan.

  When he could speak, he cleared his throat. “This is Holiday, Jordan. I could take you down to the lake so we could neck or we can go to my place. The movie theater doesn’t play its movie until Friday, so you’re stuck with my boring plans.”

  She shook her head, her long sable locks falling around her face. He tucked a strand behind her ear, so soft.

  “I keep forgetting how small this town is.”

  “It’s not your big city, that’s for sure.”

  She gave him a wry look. “Don’t go playing lonesome cowboy with me, Matt Cooper. I know all your tricks.”

  He held up his hands in mock surrender. “That wasn’t a line, darlin’.” Much. “Why don’t you pick the place? I’ve been everywhere a hundred times.”

  “How about we grab a bite at the diner and see where it goes from there?”

  “The diner? Where we ate yesterday?”

  “Is there anywhere else to eat around here?”

  He shook his head. “Not unless I cook for you. Which I just might do later on if you’d like.”

  She gave him a warm smile. “That sounds awesome. Too bad we didn’t think of it before hand.”

  “I had to work all day as it was. That’s why I didn’t come help work on the house.” He put the truck in gear and drove down the road to the diner.

  “It’s fine. You don’t have to help every day. It’s already looking completely re-vamped as it is.” She looked out the window, so he couldn’t see her face. “It won’t be long now.”

  He gripped the steering well as he heard what went unsaid. And I’ll be gone. Damn. He was setting himself up for heartbreak, but he didn’t much care. He needed her.

  He parked, and they got out, the wind biting into his skin as he lifted the collar of his coat. Jordan hadn’t waited for him to help her out of the truck, but she did come around and grip his hand.

  Ah, marking her territory. He liked it.

  He pulled her closer, and they entered the diner. Ally waved and went through the door in the back. He followed Jordan to the back corner booth and slid in beside her.

  She raised a brow. “You aren’t going to sit on the other side? Doesn’t it look weird?”

  He shrugged. “So? I want to sit next to my woman.”

  “Your woman?” Her eyes twinkled with mirth.

  “Got a problem with that?”

  “Not really.”

  “Good.”

  “Look at you two,” Ally teased.

  “Nice to see you Ally,” Matt said. “What would you like, Jordan?”

  She gave him a look that reminded him of her temper since she clearly didn’t like being teased. Damn, it was good to be back. “I’d like a Diet Coke and some of that pot roast I smell. It made my stomach rumble as soon as we walked in.”

  Ally nodded. “I swear I could gain ten pounds just smelling it. What about you, Matt?”

  “Same
thing for me but make mine a Coke.”

  “Be back with your drinks.” Ally hurried off and went to another table. That woman worked too hard, and Matt wished there was something he could do about it. Short of handing her money—which she would never accept—he came up with nothing.

  “She’s doing okay, isn’t she?” Jordan asked in a hushed voice.

  Matt shook his head. “I don’t quite know.”

  “Damn, I was afraid of that.”

  “My brothers and I are watching out for her. She and her kids will never go hungry or homeless, but I wish there was a way we could ease her burden.”

  “You’re a good man, Matt Cooper.”

  He kissed her nose and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You’re not too bad yourself, Jordan Cross.”

  “Ah, good to find the two of you here. Together,” Prescott sneered as he walked toward them.

  Fuck, this whole routine was getting old.

  “Prescott.” Matt gave the man a head-tilt. He didn’t want to cause a scene and beat the man to a bloody pulp while the asshat cried for his momma. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” Okay, that sounded a bit sarcastic. Sue him.

  “I just wanted to give you an update on my project.”

  Matt squeezed Jordan’s shoulder as she stiffened. “Yes?”

  Prescott fiddled with his too-shiny tie. “I’ve put the vote on the agenda for the next council meeting. The fate of both houses will be decided then. But don’t get your hopes up. I’m not the only one who wants those monstrosities gone. It’s time we cleaned up our trash.” The bastard turned to Jordan, and Matt wanted to kill him. Slowly. “Sadly, you aren’t able to vote, Jordan, since you aren’t a town member.”

  Matt held both of them back from slapping the smug look from the prick’s face.

  “Actually, Prescott,” Jordan said, “I can vote. I’m the sole owner of my grandmother’s house, which is a historic town property. That gives me the right to vote for my home.”

  As much as Matt was proud of her for standing up for herself, he had to try hard not to put too much emphasis in the fact that she’d called it her home.

  Prescott waved his hand around. “Fine, whatever you want, witch.”

  Matt stood and went nose to nose with the fucker, but Jordan held him back a bit so he wouldn’t actually kill the man.

  “Don’t push me, Matt. You may have some pull because of your name and the fact that my sister has put her delusional hopes on you, but remember, I’m the mayor.”

  “You need to walk away from our table. Now,” Matt growled.

  “Whatever. Just remember your place.” With that, he flounced out of the diner.

  Matt seethed, his blood boiling. “What do you say we take our meals to go?” He looked around the quiet diner as the customers did their best to look like they hadn’t just witnessed the very public scene.

  “Sounds good.”

  “I’ll go pack it up now,” Ally said, anger across her face as well. “Thanks for not hitting him here. But I’ll help hold your coat later if you want.”

  Matt laughed, the tension easing out of him a bit. “Thanks for that.”

  Ally smiled and gave them their bags. “No problem.”

  He paid, leaving a huge tip, and walked to his Chevy, Jordan by his side.

  “Want to eat in my apartment?” he asked after they’d sat in silence for a few minutes.

  “I’d like that. I’ve never seen your place.”

  He shrugged as he pulled out onto the road in the direction of the hardware store. “It’s not much, just a small one-bedroom apartment above my store.”

  “But it’s yours.” Her voice held such awe and pride that he fell just that much more in love with her. Dangerous.

  “I’d like more one day.”

  “I know what you mean.” Such a wistful tone. That little part of him that made bad decisions wanted to hope she’d give up this notion of leaving and make her home here…with him.

  But he couldn’t force her. She was as independent as any badass chick. Which was why he loved her because she was so different from him, but so his.

  When they arrived and walked upstairs, he led her through the front door, set their food on the counter, and watched her reaction. She surveyed the room, her hands on her hips and a frown on her face.

  “What?” he asked, utterly confused at her reaction.

  “It isn’t what I was expecting.” She sat down on his couch, undid her boots—sexy—and crossed her legs.

  He put their food on the coffee table and sat next to her, loving the way her body settled close to his. “What were you expecting? A bachelor pad?”

  “I don’t know. It was a cross between something art deco and flashy and a locker room.” She smiled wryly and took a bite of her mashed potatoes. He watched her tongue dart out to lick the plastic fork, and he bit back a groan.

  He looked around his home with its browns and soft creams, comfy couches, and pictures of his family on the walls. Not at all what she had imagined. He shrugged. “I like my home. I don’t like clutter, and I’m not a sleaze.” With that, he took a bite of his pot roast. “Oh God, I think I’ve died. They out did themselves this time.”

  Jordan laughed then took another big bite. “Okay, eat first and savor. We can talk later.”

  “Deal.”

  When they were finished, he threw away the containers, grabbed a couple of beers, and sat back on the couch. He took a long pull from his, utterly content to sit in silence with Jordan in his arms. He thought, though, if she didn’t quit rubbing against him like that, he might have to change their positions and see if her skin still tasted like ripe berries.

  Damn erection.

  “You’re warm,” she whispered, her words trailing tingles down his skin.

  “Better to warm you with, my dear,” he teased.

  She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. He put down his beer, did the same to hers, then framed her face in his hands. He pulled back, his breath quickening.

  “I like kissing you,” she moaned, her lips wet, begging for him to nibble—so he did.

  “I like kissing you too.” He sucked in her bottom lip then bit it. She gasped, and he laved the sting. She shifted, and he pulled her onto his lap so her core was right above his dick. When she rolled her hips, he let out a groan.

  “Happy to see me, are you?”

  His cock saluted, and he smiled. “God, yes.” He let his hands trail up her back underneath her shirt, her skin scalding hot against his palms.

  They kissed, licked, and nibbled, their moans loud in his quiet apartment. He held her tighter, and she pulled back.

  “I can’t sleep with you tonight, Matt,” she whispered, a frown on her face.

  Though he wanted to groan, he held back his tongue. “I know, baby. This is only our first date.”

  She smiled. “This time.”

  “This time. But we don’t want to rush. I understand. My cock may explode, but it’ll be okay.”

  She rested her head against his. “I’m sorry I’m such a tease.”

  He pulled her back so he could kiss her softly. “You’re not a tease. You’re a woman who knows what she wants. Don’t worry. There will be plenty of time for this.” He held back a wince at the reminder that they didn’t have much time, but he ignored it. “What do you say we watch an old Hitchcock movie and hide under a blanket?”

  “As long as you keep your hands to yourself.” She winked. “Mostly.”

  “Sounds good to me, baby.” He kissed her nose and got the movie ready. They sat in the dark, wrapped in each other as the first scream pierced the room from the TV. He wouldn’t rush her, but he didn’t want to let go of this. And, frankly, he shouldn’t have to. Maybe it was time to figure out just how to keep his Jordan here to stay. Because if she left, he didn’t know what he was going to do.

  Chapter 6

  “Why is it the smell of crayons always reminds me of school?” Jordan asked as she sorted another section of
half-used crayons into its colored bin for Abby. “I mean, I get the fact that we used them in school, but I used them outside of it as well.”

  They were in Abby’s classroom going through boxes of school supplies to give to the after school art program that Jordan had volunteered to help with. She loved working with the kids, and some of the parents had even started to warm up to her. Jordan would have rather been reading her spell book or working on her house, but Abby had needed her.

  Well, maybe not for the mundane activity of sorting, but the moments where they could just sit and talk to each other were few and far between. Sometimes they just needed some girl time to talk about the men in their lives or, rather, trip over that thin line where they didn’t actually talk about them but merely alluded to them—because Jordan didn’t know what was going on with her and Matt. One minute they were trying to be friends without talking about their past. The next minute they were humping each other on her couch. Not that it wasn’t great humping—because it was. She held back a sigh. Fabulous humping. But she didn’t know if they’d go further than that. She was leaving… wasn’t she?

  “Okay, stop thinking in your head and think aloud,” Abby said as she closed a full plastic container for crayons that were beyond salvaging for her classroom but could be used in the art room and be melted down for different types of art..

  Jordan raised a brow. “I thought the whole point of thinking was to do it in your head. Plus, even if I am thinking aloud, I have to think of it in my head first. Your logic is flawed.” She bit her lip to hold back a smile. God, she loved teasing Abby because the other woman did it right back. Their words weren’t malicious with hidden meanings. Jordan would never harp on Abby’s lack of boyfriend, and Abby would never harp on the fact that Jordan was a witch…unlike the rest of the girls in town.

  Freaking Stacey…