by Beverly Rae
“Except maybe the little fact that I’m a witch. Somehow I think more than a few guys would find that a hard pill to swallow. Why do you think I never get emotionally involved?”
She reached out for Meg’s hand. “Damn. I’m sorry. I know it’s rough for you, too. It’s just that—”
“It’s just that you think Tom is special, right? That he’s the one?” Meg added air quotes to the words the one.
The image of Tom standing outside his club, a bewildered expression on his face, hit Allie hard, turning the emptiness in her stomach into a knot of anguish. “I don’t think so. I know so.”
“And you’d know this from your vast experience?” Meg chuckled, then quieted at Allie’s hurt look.
“Whether he was my first or my thousandth, I’d know it. Just like Hilly said Mom knew the first minute she met Dad.”
Meg tilted her head, her eyes wide with surprise. “Wow. You’ve really got it bad.”
Allie fought back another tear and turned her attention to the street. She had it bad all right. As bad as it could get.
Meg’s tone softened, filled with more compassion than Allie had ever heard from her play-it-easy sister. “Then I guess we’d better figure this thing out, huh?”
Allie’s heart thumped against her chest and she grabbed Meg’s hands. “Really? Will you let me go see him?”
Meg shook her head. “No. We can’t. Not until you learn to control yourself.”
The joy she’d felt a moment ago vanished. “Meg, please. I know I can handle it. I just have to remember not to touch him. Or to let him touch me.”
Meg’s gaze shifted toward the front window. “I sure hope you’re right, because he’s coming this way.”
Chapter Seven
Allie whirled around to find Tom heading straight for her. Delight filled her, covering her face with a grin she couldn’t have restrained if she’d tried. He was even better looking than she remembered. And his green eyes, oh, how they sparkled, pulling her in as though they’d thrown a lasso around her. His smile matched hers and the stubble on his strong jaw added to his overall masculine charisma.
“Tom.”
“Hey, Allie.”
He reached out and she had no choice but to reach out as well, forgetting her vow to not touch him. Meg, thankfully—or not?—stepped between them.
“Well lookie-lookie who’s here.” Meg clasped Tom’s hand and shook it, forcing his attention away from Allie. “Long time no see. How’s the club business going?”
“Oh, uh, it’s fine. You must be Meg.”
“I must be.” Meg held his hand a little longer than Allie liked. But at least she seemed to be warming up to him.
Tom glanced around the bakery, taking in the numerous men hanging around. “I guess the bakery business isn’t doing so badly either.” He swallowed, then drew his body straighter. “I’ve been wrestling with how to handle this. But, although I’m embarrassed about what went down—about how I passed out—I wanted to apologize to you. To both of you. I don’t know what was wrong with me. I went to the doctor the next day but he couldn’t find anything wrong.”
“Don’t worry about it. Allie and I understand. People bite off more than they can handle.” Meg pretended to down a shot of booze.
“She’s right, Tom. Although not about drinking too much.” Allie glared at her sister. “Believe me. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” She couldn’t help but let her gaze slip to his crotch, then back to those mesmerizing eyes of his.
His relief brought out his dimples. “Good. Great. I’m glad you understand.”
“Yeah. Great.” Yes, everything about him was great. Allie drank him in, loving the easy way he wore his jeans and cotton shirt. She tried to sidestep around Meg, but her sister was too quick and blocked her path again.
“Mr. Halloran.”
Allie cringed as Hilly moved up behind Tom, making him pivot around, putting his back to her. She glowered at her oldest sister, but Hilly ignored her. Why couldn’t he have come when her sisters weren’t around? Yet she had to concede. When were they not around?
“Ms. Tristan. It’s Hilly, correct?”
Tom offered his hand to Hilly, who merely arched her eyebrow and crossed her arms. “That’s right.”
Tom glanced at Meg, then shot Allie a grin that told her to relax. Not that she could. Relaxing with him around was asking too much. Her nerves were a jumbled mess and the only cure for her jumbled nerves was to touch this delicious man.
“I’m happy to officially meet Allie’s sisters.” Tom slipped over to the counter to ostensibly study the various pastries and baked items. “I don’t know how you three manage to stay so slim. If I had this good stuff around me all day, I’d weigh three hundred pounds.”
“What can we do for you, Mr. Halloran?”
Allie had never felt like tearing anyone’s hair out before, but Hilly was pushing it. Why did she have to act so mean to him? Unless, of course, she was trying to run him off. Instead of giving in to her darker side, Allie took a deep breath and prayed he wouldn’t take offense.
“I told Allie—” his smile warmed her from her toes to her head, “—that I’ve always meant to drop by and check out the bakery, so I decided today was as good as any.”
“That was sweet of him. Wasn’t it, Hilly?” Allie swept behind the counter. “Would you like to try something? I’m very fond of the Red Velvet Dream cupcakes.”
He met her eyes and took her bait. “Yeah, I would. Everything looks amazing. And the smell is nearly driving me crazy. How about I try a few different items? You know, to get a real taste of everything you have to offer.” He paused on the word you just long enough to send a pleasing tingle along her spine.
“I thought you’d already gotten a taste.” Meg giggled, slapping her hand over her mouth when Hilly narrowed her eyes at her.
His direct appraisal sent heat racing into Allie’s cheeks. Blushing was one thing, but the craving spiraling outward from her core was another. Still, if she didn’t touch him…
“Of course, Mr. Halloran. In fact, Allie, why don’t you put several of our bestselling items in a takeout box? Then he can take it with him and enjoy them at home.” Hilly thrust a carton toward her, her tone an unmistakable order. “On the house, of course.”
Allie took the carton and began loading it with everything from cupcakes to croissants. In the process, she made a point of stepping on her sister’s toe. Hilly yelped, then muttered a curse word under her breath.
Tom, however, appeared not to notice her sister’s cry and took the box from Allie, letting his fingers graze hers. An electric current, familiar and tantalizing, flashed, leaving tiny wisps of yearning. “That’s really nice of you. But I think I’m going to have a seat and enjoy these here. They look so good—” he gaze fell squarely on Allie, “—that I can’t wait any longer.”
Taking along a fistful of napkins, he shot her sisters a grin and walked over to the table in the middle of the store.
Hilly turned her back to him and took Allie’s hand. “Do not, I repeat, do not go over there. I don’t want to cause a scene by throwing him out, but if I have to, I will.”
Allie hid the excitement building inside her. “Of course you can’t throw him out. What would the other customers think? Besides, he’s not doing anything wrong.”
“Just be sure you don’t do anything wrong, Allison Tristan.”
“Come on, Hilly. Relax. It’s not like he’s going to jump her bones right here in our bakery.” Meg winked at Allie. “He’s harmless.”
“He’s hardly harmless. But I’m not worried about him jumping her bones.”
“Seriously, I do have some control over my, uh, condition, you know.” Did her sister really have so little trust in her? Yet after what happened at the club, could she trust herself?
Hilly’s expression was anything but supportive. “Maybe so. But you stay away from him. Let him eat a couple of doughnuts, make gooey eyes at you, then leave. This—” she poi
nted at Tom, then at Allie, “—whatever it is, has to end today. One way or another. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Meg laughed and hugged Allie. “Don’t worry, little sister. Her bark is much worse than her bite. Unless she changes into a Doberman, that is.”
“Don’t give her any ideas,” muttered Allie. Yet her irritation dissipated in the second she raised her head to find Tom smiling at her. He’d come to see her at the bakery when he knew he’d run into her sisters. That had to mean something.
Keeping one eye on Tom and his all-too obvious slow and deliberate consumption of a jelly doughnut, Allie did her best to appear busy. First she wiped the counter clean. Then she pretended to notice a friend passing by and rushed to the window closest to Tom. She waved at an unknown young woman who lifted her hand in a half wave although her features were marred with bewilderment.
“Allie.”
Hilly’s growl of warning had Allie hurrying back to the counter. But not before she circled Tom’s table to pick up the napkins he’d purposely dropped on the floor. Flushed simply from being close to him, she dumped the napkins into the trash can behind the counter and pointedly ignored the heat from Hilly’s glare.
“You’re not fooling anyone. I told you to stay away from him and I meant it.”
“Gee, Hilly, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Like hell you don’t.” Meg skimmed her way around the two women. “Not that I blame you one bit. He’s a hot one.” A swat from Hilly had Meg scooting toward the ringing telephone at the end of the counter. “Sweet Nothings Bakery. What may I serve you?”
“Allie, you’d better be careful. He doesn’t need any encouragement from you.” Hilly pointed her finger at her, making her feel six years old again.
“Hilly, it’s for you.”
“I’m busy. Take a message.”
Hilly was about to launch into yet another warning, but Meg was insistent. “It’s that distributor you’ve been trying to reach.”
“Oh, my word. Talk about bad timing. Meg, we have to take this call in the office. I’ll need you to get on the other phone for a conference with him. You, Miss Allie, know what you’re supposed to do and especially what you’re not supposed to do. Got it? Do you promise you’ll behave this time?” Hilly placed her finger closer, getting within an inch of Allie’s nose.
Allie nodded her promise—although she mentally crossed her fingers—and breathed a sigh of relief. Thanks to the phone call, she wouldn’t have to suffer through another of Hilly’s lectures, not to mention the fact that the call got them out of the room.
She watched her sisters rush down the hallway to the office. Trying not to run, she hurried over to Tom’s table and slid into the chair beside him.
“Wow. Your sisters are harder to get past than two junkyard dogs.” His grin softened the words. “Not that I’m calling them names or anything.”
“I know. But it’s just because they love me.”
“I didn’t say I blamed them. After all, they’re guarding someone extraordinary.” He covered the hand she’d placed on the table. Warmth spread through her, ratcheting up her already growing yearning. She closed her eyes and concentrated on keeping the succubus hunger at bay.
“Allie, look at me.”
She couldn’t resist him and opened her eyes to find his emerald ones searching her. “Yes?”
“I’m not sure what happened at the club.” He paused as though trying to find the right words. “But I do know that it was something I’ve never experienced before.”
“I’m sure it was.” She wanted to bite her tongue at her slip. Surely he wasn’t talking about his passing out. “Uh, I mean, it was terrific for me, too.”
“You’re amazing, do you know that? You’re smart, beautiful and funny, too.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ve met plenty of other smart, beautiful and funny girls. Although probably not with their own pair of junkyard dogs.”
“Like I said. Funny.”
Tom’s laugh echoed in the small shop, drawing the closer attention of the other patrons and making her all too aware of where they were. She checked the hallway, unsure of how long the conference call would take.
“Thanks, but I’ve got to tell you the truth.” Her heart ached, but she had to do it. For Tom’s sake. At least until she gained more control of her hunger.
He grew serious, followed her gaze to the hallway and back. “Okay. So tell me the truth. Wait. Are you trying to tell me you’re not interested?”
“Oh, hell, no!”
His dimples made an appearance, then disappeared. “Then that’s great, isn’t it? But I’m still not getting it.”
Allie took a deep breath and made the plunge. “I don’t think we can see each other. Not for a while anyway.”
“But why not? You just said you were interested.” He winced. “Is it because I passed out? Allie, I swear, that was a freak occurrence that won’t be repeated.”
“No. That wasn’t your fault. It doesn’t have anything to do with that.”
“Then why? Because of your sisters?”
“Well, partly.”
“But don’t you think once they realize I’m not out to hurt you, they’ll ease up?”
As if he could ever hurt her. At least not in the way she could hurt him. Allie smiled, then removed her hand from his, although she ached to smooth the frown lines on his forehead. “No, it’s not that exactly. It’s hard to explain, but I’ve, uh, I’ve got a condition. A physical condition.”
Tom rested against the back of his chair and yet she knew he hadn’t pulled away from her emotionally. “Really? You look healthy to me. Is it serious?” He leaned forward again, his hands reaching for hers, but she slipped them into her lap. “I’d like to help, if I can.”
“Oh, I’m healthy, all right. I’m not sick. Not in the way you might think.”
“Then tell me, Allie. I’m sure whatever it is, we can figure something out.”
She wanted to kiss him, not to draw anything from him but to give a part of herself to this caring man. In fact, she wanted to give all of herself to him. Not just her body, but her heart as well. Instead, she dipped her head to avoid his gaze. “No, Tom. We can’t. Please, it’s too hard to explain. I mean, if I thought there was even a chance we could be together, then…”
“Then what, Allie? Talk to me. Is it about the sex?” He bent over, putting his head low enough to give her no option except to look at him. “I know we moved really fast, especially since it was your first time, so if you want to slow things down, we can. If all you want to do is hold hands, I’m fine with that. It’ll be harder than hell, but I don’t want you to think you have to do anything.”
Could he have said any sweeter words? She doubted it. But then, he didn’t know the real situation. “Tom, you’re so nice. It’s not that. It’s complicated. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to stick with me.”
Tom took her chin and lifted her head, forcing her to meet his gaze straight on. “Trust me, Allie, the last thing I feel for you is obligated. Do you believe me? Do you believe that we can beat this thing, whatever it is?”
She wanted to believe him, could easily let herself believe him. Maybe if she told him she was a succubus he’d believe her and, even more, he’d help her find the answer. “I do.”
“Then tell me. What’s the problem?”
“Allie, Hilly needs you in the office. She has a question regarding the last delivery, the one that you signed for.”
Allie swiveled to face Meg. “Now? But—”
“Sorry, sis. No buts. And you’d better get back there pronto.”
Tom shook his head at her, then lowered his voice. “Go on. We’ll finish our conversation later. Until then, just trust me, okay?”
She’d resisted the impulse to kiss him from the moment he’d stepped into the shop. Now, however, she gave in. Taking his shirt, she tugged him closer and pressed her lips to his in a quick yet fervent k
iss. “Okay. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t go anywhere.” Allie jumped up and strode past Meg toward the office in the back.
Tom tilted his head and took in the view of Allie’s bottom as she scurried away. Not only did she have a smokin’ hot body, she also had an allure that he couldn’t pin down. Although he wouldn’t have considered himself a player, he’d had his share of women and none of them had captured his attention the way Allie did.
Had he really told her that he’d stick by her no matter what her “condition” was? What if she had herpes? Or a worse disease? He barely knew her, yet he wanted to discover everything about her, including whatever problem she had. Maybe it was like his uncle had told him. Meeting the right woman made everything and anything possible.
“Here’s a dollar.”
Startled out of his reverie, he stared at the bill lying on the table in front of him. Meg slipped into the chair Allie had vacated.
“Gee, thanks. But shouldn’t I be tipping you?”
She chuckled, then moved the money closer to him. “You know the old saying ‘A penny for your thoughts’, right? Well, I figure that after adjusting for inflation, that penny is now worth at least a dollar.”
“Depends on which exchange rate you’re using.” He slid the dollar toward her. “But I’m not sure I’m selling.”
“No problem. I can read what you’re thinking on your face.” She leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “As my dear old grandpa would say, you’re smitten.”
Was he that transparent? But he could see that it was no use to deny it. “Yeah, I am. Tell me, Meg, why don’t you and Hilly want me near her? What have you got against me?”
“We don’t have anything against you. In fact, we think you’re a pretty decent guy.”
“Then what’s up with the guard dog routine?”
“You mean like two junkyard dogs?”
How the hell had she known what he’d said?
“You know what I meant. Or at least I hope you did.”
“Yeah, I do. But that doesn’t change the facts, Tom. Hilly and I would rather you back off from pursuing Allie.”
