by Rose Pressey
With my newly acquired poise, I made a sandwich for Tom, cutting it down the middle. “You sure you can’t stick around long enough to eat?” I wrapped the sandwich carefully, placing it in a bag.
“No, I’d better get started. I’ve got a long trip ahead.”
Tom looked to Rory. “Mind if I kiss her goodbye?”
Rory seemed to tense up, as he eyed Tom up and down. “I’m timing you.” He looked at his watch.
Didn’t I get a say in this matter? They acted as if I wasn’t even standing there.
As if reading my mind, Tom asked, “How about a kiss goodbye?”
I nodded. “I’d like that.”
Tom stepped close and cupped my face with his hands. He tilted his head, then gently placed his mouth on my cheek. His warm lips whispered across my face. He lingered there for several seconds until Rory coughed.
He stepped away and said, “I’ll see you around, Elly.”
Tom walked toward the kitchen door, stopping just before exiting. He smiled, then winked before moving out the kitchen door and out of my life. Just like that, he was gone. Would I ever see him again? Something told me the answer to that question was yes.
I turned to Rory. “There really was nothing going on between us.”
Rory moved closer. “I believe you.”
“You do?”
He didn’t answer my question, instead he said, “You know what’s wrong with you?”
My heart rate increased. He was going to let me have it, and rightfully so, I supposed. My stomach turned, waiting for him to tell me to stay out of his life. Out of nervousness, I studied my shoes. When I looked up again, Rory stood in front of me. My emotions spiked and I swallowed the lump in my throat. Rory’s gaze moved down to my lips. He leaned in, placing his hands above me against the wall. My heart pounded and my insides quivered. The heat from his body encircled me as if I’d stepped into a sauna.
“Not a damn thing.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, pulling me close against his chest. Rory kissed me and I let him.
His kiss was slow and sensual, sending a surge of heat rushing to my feet. With one hand, he stroked the back of my neck and caressed my cheek with the other. In that moment, the world seemed to stand still. With my fingers threaded through his hair, I pressed my chest next to his, feeling his hard muscles against me.
His lips were warm and soft and he sent a tingle down my body—a feeling that left me wanting more. Rory let out a soft moan as he traced his tongue across my bottom lip. When I didn’t think I could handle any more without melting into a puddle at his feet, he lifted his lips from mine. I opened my eyes and met Rory’s gaze.
After the best kiss I’d ever had, I said, “You think that’s funny? You scared me.”
His grin widened, then he laughed. “As a matter of fact, it was kind of funny. The expression on your face was priceless.” His gaze traveled the length of my body, lingering over the cleavage provided by my black v-necked T-shirt.
My heart sped up again. He was going to cause me to need a cardiologist.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
I glanced down at my jeans and sneakers. Obviously, he saw something I didn’t. Kim had been wrong. Apparently, Rory liked my style of dress just fine.
He looked me straight in the eyes. “Elly, since the first day I saw you, I can’t get you out of my head. Even after you told me about the magic and I thought you might be crazy, I didn’t care.”
“Hey!” I couldn’t blame him. The idea of magic spells did sound outlandish.
He chuckled. “All I know is the night we went to the fair and shared ice cream was the best time I’ve ever had. The way your mouth curves to one side when you smile, the way you clench your fists when you’re mad and the way your hazel eyes sparkle. Those are all reasons why I want to know you better.”
“Did you plan that whole talk?”
Rory took my hand and lifted it to his lips. “Nope. It just came out.”
I looked him straight in the eyes. “Since the first day I saw you, I can’t get you out of my head. I don’t know why you came with me after hearing my magic crazy talk, why you put so much ketchup on my hamburgers, or why you shuffle your feet when someone is talking to you. But I know the night at the fair was the best time I’ve ever had. The way your butt looks in jeans, and the way your dimples pop up when you smile doesn’t hurt, either. Those are all reasons why I want to know you better.”
I pulled back so I could get a better look at Rory’s expression and grinned. This still didn’t seem real. The café would remain open and I didn’t have to worry about the messed up magic. No more Kim, and no more crazed women chasing Rory.
A knock sounded on the door, which made me jump. I was certain the spell had worked. Were the women of town back? I peeked out the kitchen window and saw Henry standing at the door.
“Oh, it’s Henry. I told him to stop by anytime for coffee and pie.”
“Looks like you got a customer then.” Rory held the kitchen door open for me.
“You said I could stop by anytime,” Henry said when I opened the door.
“Of course. Why don’t you sit in this booth right here by the window?” I gestured with a sweep of my hand. “I think it’s the best seat in the house.”
Henry shuffled in. He looked Rory up and down while taking off his cap.
“How ya doing?” Rory asked.
“I’m fair to middlin’.” Henry answered with a nod.
“Can I get you something to eat?” I asked.
The smell of whiskey around him had lessened. “I’d love a cup of coffee.”
“I don’t have any pie at the moment, but there are a few muffins left. It may not be as good as Imelda’s, but it’s a close second, I think.”
Henry smiled. “I’d like that.”
I placed the muffin on a plate and turned on the coffeemaker. All of this felt right—serving food and making people happy with magic. This was where I belonged. I may have had to leave Mystic Hollow before discovering it, but now I knew there was nowhere I’d rather be.
I set the muffin in front of Henry. “It’ll be just a minute for the coffee.”
He nodded, picking up his napkin.
When I moved back to the counter where Rory stood, he scooped me up in a hug.
Tilting his head down, he smiled and asked, “So, what do you think? Wanna make a go of it?”
I raised a brow. “It?”
“Uh-huh. Us? You and me?”
Did I ever. But there was one unanswered question.
“Do you accept my magic?”
His fingers wrapped around mine and I felt my anxiety melt away. “Just don’t turn me into a toad.”
“I promise. Unless you eat the wrong burger.”
“Will you spray whipped cream on me?” he asked with a teasing curl of his lip.
Heat rose in my cheeks. “Only if you want me to.”
“I like the sound of that.”
I lifted on my toes and draped my arms around his neck, pressing my lips on his. “So do I,” I murmured against his mouth.
I kissed Rory and the butterflies in my stomach performed acrobatics. But this time, I knew my feelings had nothing to do with magic. Or did they? Maybe it was written in the stars. After all, magic happens.
About Rose Pressey
Rose Pressey enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. She’s always found the paranormal interesting. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.
When she’s not writing about werewolves, vampires, and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties. Yeah, she loves Elvis. She can’t help herself.
Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son and two sassy Chihuahuas.
www.rosepressey.com
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About the Mystic Café Series:No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells (Book 1)
(Book 2)
(Book 3)
