Macyntire & Hough (A Paranormal Romance) (The Macyntire & Hough Saga)

by Franklin Kendrick

  “Very nice,” he muttered. He started reading the book description. “Let’s see what we’ve got here...”

  Instead of a synopsis of the book where it used to be, Tadin found a large list of quotes from book critics, other authors, and a few websites with very provocative names. He raised a brow as he read.

  “‘This book shattered me. It was so raw and sensual, I couldn’t put it down!’”

  Tadin did put the book down, almost flinging it onto the bedspread.

  Ugh! He felt dirty just reading the blurbs! What kind of book was this? He never saw Shelley reading any of those before bed. Where had they come from?

  Suddenly a funny thought popped into his mind. He carefully re-examined the sensual paperback and found tape on the inside edges of the cover.

  “Hmm,” he said and put the book back on the shelf. The next one he picked up had the same tape marks on the inside cover.

  “That sneak!” he said with a wry smile. “She hides the book covers!”

  That was very clever. When he thought she was reading a classic, she was reading trashy books before bed.

  Well, he decided, to each their own. At least this gives me some insight into Shelley’s escapist tastes...

  He flipped the book to a random middle page. He did this in high school when he had to write reports and needed a quote. He stopped, opened the page, and read.

  He only read a few paragraphs before putting the book down in disgust. What was this stuff? People were tied up, men were dominating women!

  Sorry, he thought. I may be a man, but I have no intention of dominating Shelley.

  That sounded so inappropriate! Was she really attracted to that sort of thing?

  He didn’t want to know. There would never come a time where bondage would be a topic of conversation. He couldn’t imagine bringing Shelley up to her room and handcuffing her to the bed.

  A shudder rippled through him.

  Nope, that idea was definitely out. It was decades since he’d exercised his romantic side, but he couldn’t imagine that would make much of a difference. All he had to do was let his guard down.

  That’s why you’re so sarcastic with Shelley, he thought. Are you really ready to drop all the masks and truly be yourself around her?

  “You have to be,” he clenched his jaw. “And soon.”

  Did there always have to be a rush when it came to women? If he didn’t make his mark on Shelley, any number of demons could snatch her away and he’d never see her again.

  What a vicious cycle.

  He returned the book to the shelf and sat on the edge of the bed.

  Nope, he rolled his eyes. Nothing useful in these books.

  He heard a key unlocking the front door. Shelley was home.

  “Hello?” she called.

  He got up and walked into the kitchen.

  Shelley was busy stacking books on the countertop. Most were second-hand paperbacks.

  “What’s this?” Tadin asked.

  “Books for the shop,” she replied. Her hair was all messy and her face sweat-stained. “I have to go through them after dinner and price them out.” She sighed and put her hands on her hips.

  Tadin studied her in a way he never had before. He noticed the way her bangs fell along the side of her forehead, the soft light on her jaw line. He even allowed himself a few seconds to take note of how fitting her jeans were. Even in her frazzled state, she was beautiful.

  He tried to act normal, but he was nervous. He was actually going to ask her out!

  Shelley opened a cupboard and groaned.

  “I forgot to buy groceries!”

  Suddenly it hit him. He knew what to do — it would be perfect.

  “That’s okay,” he rested against the table. “I was actually thinking we could go out tonight.”

  Shelley stopped and turned to him, an amused smile on her face.

  “Did I really just hear you say what I thought you said?”

  “If you heard me say, ‘Let’s go out to dinner,’ then yes,” he grinned.

  Shelley laughed and brought a hand to her mouth. Tadin was confused.

  “Why are you laughing?” he asked.

  “Because, for a second I thought you were serious.”

  He fixed her with a blank stare. Of course, he expected some disbelief on her part. The only time he left the apartment with her was when they hung the gallery’s sign on the sidewalk. That was a rare exception.

  “You’re really serious?” she asked, a pleading look in her eyes.

  He nodded.

  “Oh my gosh!” she grabbed him by the shoulders. “We’re actually going out to eat? Me and you?”

  He laughed. Shelley was too amusing when she was excited!

  “You make it sound like you’re looking forward to it?” he teased.

  Suddenly she released him.

  “But, you can’t eat. I mean, what are you going to do? Just watch me eat?”

  He shrugged.

  “I’ll do whatever,” he said. This wasn’t enough for Shelley. She paced back and forth in the kitchen, rambling.

  “It’ll look weird if I’m the only one eating anything. Do you know how much we’ll be judged? You know I already feel like I get judged enough when I go out to eat with Claire and Lisa, but if I’m the only one eating...well, I dunno! People might think you get some kind of thrill from watching me eat, or worse — they might think you have an eating disorder!”

  “Or they might think the truth, which is, I am just not hungry.”

  He got up and took her hands in his.

  “Stop worrying so much. You always do, and that’s not the point of me going out to eat with you.”

  She raised an eyebrow.

  “What is the point of going out to eat with me?” she asked. “Especially since you literally cannot eat anything?”

  “The point is,” he stepped closer until they were face to face, “I want to go out with you so I can get to get to know you better. There are so many stigmas between us — one of those being that I don’t like to do anything adventurous.”

  She looked as if she were hanging on his every word. He smiled. Having her attention was exciting.

  “I want you to know that I can be adventurous. There are lots of things that you don’t know about me. I bet there are lots of things that I don’t know about you. I’m hoping that going somewhere out of our comfort zone will make us better acquainted. What do you think? Would you like that?”

  Shelley looked like she forgot how to move, then she managed a small nod.

  “I would like that,” she answered. “A lot!”

  “Good,” he gave her hands a squeeze. Her palms were soft and warm against his. “It’s decided. Go get ready. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”

  Chapter Sixteen:

  Saturday - 6:20pm

  Shelley was sure she was dreaming. She kept pinching herself just to make sure she wasn’t imagining things. She was actually going out to dinner with Tadin. Just the idea of being in public with him was something she never allowed herself to wish for. He was too guarded.

  But, here they were, walking hand-in-hand down Middle Street. Just holding his hand sent her spirits soaring. It felt so real. After years of dreaming, her relationship with Tadin was moving in the right direction — towards reality.

  This was the first time she was truly outside the apartment with Tadin. She was giddy with excitement. Everything looked new! She pointed out her favorite places, tugging Tadin along as she gave him commentary about all the places she loved to eat, little book stores she drew inspiration from, and a few places she avoided like the plague. Tadin looked like he enjoyed her enthusiasm.

  He smiled and moved closer to her as they walked. It was a relief to be experiencing something new with him. The new setting — walking around, discovering new things about the city and each other was thrilling.

  “Where do you want to eat?” Tadin asked.

  “I dunno,” she said playfully. Then she
laughed and gave him a sly glance.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “You’re going to think it’s stupid,” she said.

  “Try me,” he said. “You should know by now that you can’t make a statement like that and not explain yourself.”

  She held the tension as long as she could, then released it.

  “I kind of want pizza.”

  “Pizza?” he said. “Your first night on the town with me and you want pizza?” He laughed.

  “That shows how much you know about pizza,” she nudged him. “You’ve never had Joe’s Pizza. His pies are very intense.”

  “If you like it, then let’s go,” he gave her hand a squeeze. “Tonight’s about trying new things, right?”

  “It is,” Shelley led him towards an intersection with a bronze statue in the middle. “But, I thought you couldn’t eat?”

  “That’s true,” he said. “But, you can taste the pizza for me. Maybe you can describe it to me, like in one of your books.”

  This idea was very intimate to her. She blushed and turned away, hoping that her cheeks would return to normal by the time they arrived at the restaurant.

  “I’d like that,” she said, and led him the rest of the way.

  Joe’s Pizza was on the corner of Congress and Forest. Two floors high and made entirely of dark brick and glass, the building had a fancy easel out front that listed the evening’s specials.

  The two of them sat at a booth near the window and the waitress took their drink orders before handing them menus.

  Shelley hadn’t been here in months. This place was a frequent haunt of hers back in school. The aromas of garlic, sauce, and fries brought her back a few years.

  She scanned the menu.

  “What are you getting?” she asked.

  Tadin watched her from the other side of the booth. She peered at him over the top of her menu.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “I’m not sure what I’m in the mood for.”

  “I know what I want,” she placed a finger on her menu. “I want buffalo chicken pizza.”

  Tadin looked surprised.

  “Really? Buffalo chicken pizza?”

  “Mm-hmm.” Her mouth watered just thinking about it. Nobody made spicy pizza like Joe’s.

  “If you say so.”

  He continued looking at his menu. Shelley wondered what his favorite foods were when he was alive.

  “Did you like pizza when you were living?” she asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.

  “It was alright,” he said. “My friends used to get it after football games. Other than that, I really didn’t eat a whole lot of it.”

  “What was your favorite food?” she asked.

  “Lobster,” he grinned.

  “What?” she sat back. “Are you serious?”

  “Yup. Live, Maine lobster.”

  “That’s disgusting!”

  “Why is that disgusting?” He rested his chin in his hand.

  “They look like giant bugs! Lobsters are basically sea spiders.”

  “No, they’re not. They’re delicious.”

  “I bet you cooked them yourself.”

  “Of course,” he smiled devilishly. “That’s the exciting part — dropping them in the boiling water. Fifteen minutes later, voila! Red lobster.”

  “I could never do that,” she swallowed a lump in her throat. The idea of boiling a helpless creature… “Then you have to de-shell them.”

  “I’m a pro at de-shelling,” he rubbed his hands together. “We should get lobster sometime. I can show you my lobster-husking skills.”

  The waitress returned and took their orders. Tadin watched Shelley debate.

  “Are you getting anything?” she asked him.

  “I’m not really hungry,” he teased. “Order whatever you want. I’ll try whatever you get.”

  She blushed and ordered the buffalo pizza. Tadin ordered a red ale and the waitress took their menus.

  After a few moments Tadin looked over at her.

  “So, I have a question for you,” he said. “How much do you remember from the other night?”

  She blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “After the gala.”

  “I remember you helping me upstairs. Then I remember passing out,” she said.

  “Hmm,” he stroked his chin.

  “What did I do?” she tugged at the corner of her napkin. “Did I throw up or something?”

  “No,” Tadin said. “But, you did say some things that got me thinking. I wasn’t sure if you really meant them or if it was just the alcohol talking.”

  Their food and his drink arrived and she tried to remember what they’d talked about that night.

  At last she laid her hands on the table. “I give up. What did I say? Did I insult you?”

  “Actually, you said that you have strong feelings for me.”

  “Really?” She reached for her silverware. It felt like butterflies were in her stomach. “I said that?”

  Tadin nodded.

  “When you got in bed with Kismit.” His eyes didn’t leave hers. She felt like she was under a microscope. She looked away with a nervous smile. “Did you really mean it?” Tadin pressed.

  “Of course I meant it,” she said. It felt strange to put her feelings out in the open. “Sorry it took me a while,” she started cutting her pizza with the fork and knife. “I’m a little self conscious, I guess.”

  “Why is that?” he leaned forward.

  She stopped and wondered if she should bring up the elephant in the room. In the end, she took the leap.

  “I feel inappropriate talking about my feelings with you because you’re a ghost.”

  He folded his arms.

  “So, it’s the no body thing.”

  “You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it,” she said and took a bite of her pizza. “It’s kind of an obvious obstacle.”

  “I know. But, it didn’t stop me from coming out with you tonight, did it?” She looked up and saw a timid smile on his face. “Admit it. You’re having fun.”

  “Yeah, I’m having fun,” she cut another piece of pizza and speared it with her fork.

  Tadin started laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “You eat your pizza with a fork and knife?”

  She laughed in the middle of her second piece.

  “Yeah? So?”

  “It’s very dainty.”

  “I always use utensils when I go out to eat,” she said.

  “It’s fine. I’m not judging. How does it taste?” He watched her take another bite.

  “You taste the chicken first. It’s not hot starting out,” she said. “It’s really rich. Then the cheese…then the bleu cheese, mixed with the buffalo sauce and crust.” She reached for her glass of water, but Tadin slid his amber beer across the table.

  “Have some of this,” he said.

  She took a sip and washed down the pizza. Her mouth tingled with the buffalo sauce. The carbonated beer intensified the flavor.

  “That’s delicious.” She took another sip.

  “The red ale is my favorite,” he said.

  She felt an intense spark between them. All her longing for romance over the past months was dancing in the air.

  “You’re really serious about giving this relationship a try?” she asked.

  “I sure am,” his smile was warm. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

  “If you want it to work, though, you’re going to have to do more things out in the world with me,” she cut another piece of pizza. “Help out with the gallery, too. It’s boring down there by myself.”

  He meditated on this for a moment.

  “I will do my absolute best,” he said. “Will that work for you?”

  He reached across the table and took her hand. Her heartbeat skipped at the unexpected touch.

  She caught her breath, squeezed his hand, and nodded.

  “That sounds perfect.”


  As they left the restaurant, Shelley felt comfortable, for the first time, having gone out to eat. Tadin had everything to do with settling her nerves. She wasn’t afraid of being stared at. As far as she was concerned, they were the only two people in the entire restaurant. She couldn't stop admiring his eyes and the bright quality they possessed. He coaxed her into fits of laughter with expressions she'd never seen on him. He was so at ease — so himself!

  By the time they arrived home it was very late and she was glad the gallery was closed the next day. Her feet were sore from all the walking. She took off her shoes and padded into the living room.

  “There you are,” she said to Kismit and stroked him before he scampered away into the bedroom. She followed the cat, and Tadin followed her.

  “How was that for a first date?” he asked.

  She went to the closet and took out her pajama pants and a plain t-shirt.

  “It was very exciting,” she said, going to the bathroom to change. When she returned she got straight into bed. “How did you stay so solid all that time?”

  He held up a small, black device that looked like a flip phone.

  “Maris made this for me,” he said.

  “Maris? The paranormal investigator?”

  Tadin nodded and settled into his armchair with a book.

  “You have to invite him out to dinner sometime,” Shelley said. “I never see any of your friends.”

  “He’s my only friend,” Tadin replied. “Besides you, of course. You realize that tonight was the first night in decades that I went out to eat?”

  She nodded and pulled the covers up to her chin.

  “I’m very proud of you,” she said. “I think this is going to be the start of something really good for us.”

  “I’m counting on it.” He turned to his book, but she spoke up again.

  “Can I ask you to do something?”

  He held his page with a finger and looked up.

  “Sure,” he said.

  Shelley hesitated, then asked, “Would you come cuddle with me?”

  She didn’t know how he would react, but was anxious as he set his book down and got to his feet.

  “I suppose I can,” he said and came around to the bed.

  “I’m not drunk this time,” she grinned. Tadin pulled the covers back and got into the bed. Shelley was surprised that he caused an indent in the mattress and pillow as he tried to get comfortable. She went to put her arm around him and accidentally reached through his arm. He jerked away with a spasm of laughter.