Apparently she was now into these buff, better bodybuilding through chemistry looking men. A whole revolving door of them. Although this one, Rey could probably take on a lot more easily than the blond himbo from the day before. This older guy was around the same height as Rey. Carried himself like military. Still kept himself in good shape, but his glory days were long behind.
Rey turned his key and prepared to follow. Today must be his lucky day at last.
The bitch was heading into town.
Cadmus muttered dire curses under his breath. If Jordy had led him on another wild goose chase, what he did to her in the car last night was going to feel like a tickle fest. He had rushed out of the house once he had taken her call, after her fifth or sixth attempt. He didn’t even remember to grab the tranq darts, a fact which he only realized after he had already neared the exit he needed.
Cadmus’ knuckles whitened on the steering wheel of his car, wishing that he was squeezing her throat instead. Last night while they were out on that fool errand, there had been an intruder—or several —in his rental accommodations. His magickal charms had alerted him, although they hadn’t the strength to keep out the intruders. He had set them up when he had first arrived, and was reeling from the effects of that magickal malaise that had ailed him. But he hadn’t maintained them since.
It was more evidence that he had been getting sloppier, no doubt the residual effects of the magickal malady, and perhaps from being around Billy Bob and this girl. It would seem that incompetence was contagious after all.
Cadmus tamped down the other possibility for this recent inability to adhere his usual high standards for performance. He refused to admit that Micah was getting to him. No, he was going to have to shore up the defenses at the rental, and make sure that the root cellar was completely cleared out of anything incriminating. Just in case.
The intruders could have been merely looking for cash, or valuables. He narrowed his eyes. They could have been associates of Billy Bob’s, whether that dolt was a knowing or an unwitting accomplice. Even though nothing of value was taken. But then, Billy Bob wouldn’t know what a Waterman fountain pen was anyway. He’d just assume it was a pen that leaked. However, Billy Bob was just enough of a fool to divulge what could be a possible source for all the items he had been “disposing of” recently.
Whoever it was, if they had discovered what was in the root cellar, they didn’t call law enforcement. Which further suggested that they weren’t on the up and up themselves.
And they didn’t seem to find his stash of magickal ingredients, which was secreted in the areas that Jordy had shown him in the rental.
Okay, so the girl did have some usefulness still. So maybe, just maybe, she would never get these ingredients used on her.
He smirked to himself, thinking of how Resting Witch Face would piss in her pants if she saw these ingredients now, resting on the front seat beside him in the rental car like a prized passenger. That is, if Resting Witch Face even recognized what they were, in between her tarot cards featuring costumed cats and lavender dreamcatcher patchouli nightmare of a store.
And in the extreme unlikely chance that she did, she would definitely not have had the knowledge, experience, skill, let alone the daring, to be able to use them. Few people did. It was how Cadmus had risen through the ranks of the Merciless. It was about as dark as one could go, short of killing one’s own flesh and blood and using their remains for magick.
Cadmus almost pitied the person he was going to use them on.
Chapter Forty-Eight
“Fierce!”
Col knew that was a high compliment on his appearance from Aylwyn, as the auburn haired Waryeor walked into the living room, fully dressed for his dinner date with Katie Cooper.
The blond Waryeor looked him up and down. “I may order up some Hugo Boss myself now.”
“I’m surprised you do not already have some already.” Barric growled. “Do they not make dresses?”
Aylwyn threw his head back with a hearty laugh. “In the event they make large sized flowery ones, I shall be sure to order a dozen for you, mine Brodher.”
Barric’s answering rumble was part laughter, part threat but Tybalt rose to his feet with a stern look on his beautiful features, quelling any outbreak of violence between the two males. Merek had not yet returned from the Faire where it had been his turn to patrol. Miller Armstrong was on his way to pick up the two children. And Simon, the male who had been caring for them all was now walking into the room behind Col, looking very much like a proud parent.
He was also the next to speak, with his phone in hand.
“Just got a text from Miller—he’s going to drop Katie off at a lingerie shop in town to buy what she needs for toni—.”
Aylwyn and Barric started to hoot and holler, and even Col had to grin. Aylwyn, Barric and Merek had learned about lingerie during their frequent nights of wenching. It was a surprise gift wrap, a momentary delay that well presented a delight. Lingerie was most certainly one of the modern garments that Col found greatly to his liking. He was already looking forward to seeing what Katie Cooper purchased….and removing it from her perfect body.
“Mayhap you wouldst meet her at the lingerie shoppe? She might well welcome the chance to try on various sets for your perusal,” Barric suggested. His leer revealed that he was imagining a lingerie show featuring Katie Cooper, even as he spoke.
“I shall do so,” Col decided, after resisting the urge to render the large male unconscious, and therefore unable to imagine Katie Cooper with or without lingerie. “After I first find certain blooms to please her with.”
“Showing up with flowers is always a good idea,” Simon chimed in. “Or so I’ve heard.”
Col remembered how Katie’s face had lit up when he had presented her with a bouquet of Calla lilies. It had been worth the effort to locate a floral merchant who had them in stock, as they had been difficult to find. They apparently were not as common as other flowers — much like his Lily. Yes, she deserved whatever it would take to hunt down a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers, blooms that bore the special name she had asked him to use in private.
“I shall leave now,” he announced.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Aylwyn called out.
“Don’t do anything he would do.” Barric added.
Tybalt merely said quietly, “Ever keep in your thoughts that by honoring your Destine, you honor She Who Grants Abundance.”
Col crossed his arms quickly, thumping his chest. “As you say, so shall it be, Vixar.”
Simon was the last with parting words. “Remember, be yourself.” He pushed his glasses back up, and herded Col out. “Now go, an awesome woman awaits you!”
Col couldn’t agree more.
Undercover Frills on Main was a fairly large shop, given that all it sold was lingerie and related items. It was located near the beginnings of Main Street, which wasn’t densely trafficked. At this time of day, there were very few people walking around. It seemed to be a store that people planned a visit around, as opposed to casually happening upon on the way to a restaurant or one of the other businesses in the busier sections of Gardendale.
The single story building was abutted on either side by driveways, one offering parking in the back. The storefront was fairly wide, with three window displays that were tasteful, featuring delicate lace frippery atop manikins that could pass as contemporary glass sculpture. Light colored velvet curtains shielded the patrons of the store from the prying eyes of passersby.
Miller had dropped off Lily curbside with a jaunty wave and his hopes for a pleasant evening. With the twins strapped in the back seat, she insisted that she just hop out, without his having to open the door for her. He had raised an eyebrow as she seemed to momentarily struggle with the large shopping bag containing the beautiful dress and matching shoes that she couldn’t wait to change into, but he understood.
Lily was almost buzzing with excitement as she raced the few st
eps from the curb to the store entrance. She had never been to a lingerie shop before, not even to the one in the mall where she knew Lucie frequented all the time. Her basic underwear came five in a pack from Walmart, and her bras from the next aisle over. The one with the signs announcing clearance sales. TraceyAnn was right, the beautiful dress that Rika had selected for her deserved far better than discount undies that had seen better days, and selected because of the price and not for the pattern printed on it.
Once she reached the door, though, she stopped short, spotting a sign against the glass that read “closed”. But was it? It was still light out, and Rika had said that she would call ahead. She was expected. Lily tried to peer in through the windows, but no dice. The drapes were in the way.
Miller had already taken off in Lily’s car, so she was a bit —make that a lot —screwed if the shop wasn’t open. She had been counting on using the store’s phone to get a car service after she was fully dressed, to take her to the restaurant where she would be meeting Col.
Col! His name energized her. Their first real date! That got her moving again.
She tried the handle anyway, and found that it turned easily. Lily walked in, and then went no further. She gasped.
The interior was more jaw dropping than she could have possibly imagined. If she had known lingerie stores were like this, she would have made a point of visiting them with Lucie, although to be fair, Lucie had never described anything like this.
What Lily could see in front of her looked like five different showcases housed on the ground floor, for five different kinds of personalities. Lily had never thought of underwear as being anything but basic clothes that only needed to fit, be clean, and —thanks to TraceyAnn—avoid the cardinal sin of visibility. She had never really considered underwear as something that could be curated, or appreciated for its own design.
Each showcase resembled a dressing parlor with its own distinct, almost theatrical, lighting and design, all tied to a theme. Throughout each parlor were racks of bras, corsets, lacy bottoms and stockings, which made up that particular collection, with its private try-on area for clients, complete with a large decorative screen and huge floor to ceiling mirror. Chairs that fit each theme studded the parlor, perhaps for the friends of the person trying on the lingerie. Certainly each set made her want to do her own version of dress up, and with lingerie like this, it was a shame to keep it hidden.
Lily wondered what Col would be like here, if he would enjoy watching a private fashion show. Her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, the idea of displaying herself in some of the items that were within view. Some were bare wisps of fabric, artfully put together, but definitely not anything that she had ever had on her body before. Or on sale at Walmart.
And now that she thought of it, each time they had been together, there hadn’t been any planning. It just happened, like it was meant to be. Even in the dinner that he had hijacked from Aylwyn, she had first been surprised to see Col, and then even more surprised by how she felt about him afterwards. Lily had begged him to take it slow, but now she was the one who had difficulty putting on the brakes.
This was the first time that she was actually expecting to see him, be with him. And the talk they had to have, where she would finally come clean, would make her feel more exposed than wearing any of the tiny little flutters of lace displayed on a padded hanger.
For the moment, though, she would push aside thinking of the conversation that they would have over dinner, when they were finally alone together, and not…doing the other things that precluded talking. Right now, it was about picking out beautifully displayed and doubtlessly expensive underwear ….
Her heart warmed again at how it was truly wonderful of Rika to send her here, with an open tab that Simon would be taking care of. Lily continued taking in the sheer opulence of the store. Even the carpet beneath her feet was a thick, plush pile that made her every step a whisper, further adding to the feeling of secret assignations, rendezvous with lovers in the dark. She noted how each parlor could also be curtained off for even more privacy, and she remembered now how TraceyAnn had mentioned that boudoir photography was done here as well by appointment. It was easy to see that, with the five sets in front of her. And for all she knew, there might be more in the back. But just with the ones in view, it was fun playing Which Theme is That? Followed by, What Should I Look at First?
The one nearest to her was something very French and historical, bringing to mind Madame de Pompadour and the silk finery and art objects befitting the famous mistress of the King of France, complete with a mint green satin covered chaise longue.
Next to it was very Classic Hollywood Glamour, or maybe even Burlesque, complete with a fluffy white Boa artfully draped over an art deco chaise longue, and plenty of satin ribbed waist cinchers and corsetry. The carpet was leopard spotted, and the overall palette featured a great deal of powder pink, white, and gold.
A third would appeal to the more adventurous bedroom type, with its glossy black walls, red accents and objects that she couldn’t even begin to speculate on how to use. It made her blush even to look at it. Lily had to smile to herself. Her forays into the woods with Col were a whole different sort of adventurous!
The fourth had an Arabian Nights theme, with golden carvings, plush cushions, and elaborate wood latticework on the walls. The rich damask silks and the soft glow of the lit lanterns made it very inviting.
The last was the one that Lily personally gravitated too. It was perhaps the least elaborate, with an airy, sporty feel to it. Despite the store’s name, it appeared to have the least amount of frills. It could be a reaction to the medieval clothes and accessories that surrounded Lily each day, or it simply was the way she saw herself. She wasn’t very fussy or high maintenance. She was just your ordinary, average girl sleeping with someone who could turn into a ginormous wolf, running from a drug dealing ex. See? No frills.
And still no sign of anyone.
Light, ambient music flowed in the background, with a round counter in the center of the shop, featuring various accessories for sale in the glass case built into it, on top. It was also where Lily supposed transactions were made and purchases were wrapped up. As she walked around the counter, she spotted what could only be an elaborate but small dog bed that was camouflaged from the front. She wondered where the dog was, but was distracted by the sounds of someone moving in the back.
“Hello?” Lily called out tentatively. A woman in her late 40s or 50s came out, wearing a black dress, pearls and patent leather pumps. Her black hair was swept back into a chic bun, and her cats eye glasses had two long beaded strands that connected on the back of her neck.
Her bright red lipstick accentuated a tense smile. Her eyes were flittering about, and she was blinking rapidly.
“I am so sorry for the delay. You are Katie Cooper, I take it?” Her voice was cultured, but tight.
“Yes. I understand that Rika —”
“Yes, yes, arrangements have been made for your private shopping appointment,” the salesperson said in a rush. Her voice was unnaturally loud, as if she were onstage and needed to be heard in the back of the audience. Her eyes kept sliding to the side, like she’d explode if they made eye contact.
Something was off. But then again, maybe this was what chi-chi lingerie stores were like. After all, Lily had never been to one, let alone a private shopping appointment. Since she had been to Gardendale, her life had been a whole series of firsts.
But she wouldn’t expect the salesperson to act so oddly. Maybe she was just annoyed that she had to stay late for this private appointment? But wait, that didn’t make sense either. Didn’t salespeople work on commission at fancy places like this?
Still, Lily needed at the very least to be able to change into the beautiful new dress and shoes somewhere. She had the shopping bag awkwardly clutched in one hand, and the corners of the shoe box banging against the fabric of her Medieval kirtle each time she moved. It couldn’t be all that difficult to
pick out a strapless bra and matching panty that would avoid the dreaded VPL, even if the salesperson was acting like her own underwear was giving her electric shocks. Or something.
She had a little over an hour before she was supposed to be at the restaurant, so maybe it was a good thing that the salesperson was so twitchy. Lily didn’t mind making this a fast trip and getting to the restaurant early.
“OK,” Lily said, setting down her shopping bag. “How does this work?”
“Ah, yes.” Miss Twitchy blinked some more. “The store’s all yours while you look and try on anything you want. Normally I’d talk with you about what your preferences are and make some suggestions, or if you’d like to look at the various collections on your own first, that’s certainly your prerogative as well.” Miss Twitchy’s eyes kept flying to the sides, and Lily couldn’t help but start feeling jumpy also. If she wasn’t already feeling kinda nervous about tonight, she was making up for it big time. Maybe the sooner she could get what she came for, the sooner she’d get to the restaurant. Where there was a bar. With the drink that she was starting to need.
“You know what?” Lily watched Miss Twitchy’s head swivel towards her. “Maybe if I show you the dress, it’ll be fastest if you pick out what would work with it.”
“Oh!” Her eyes flew wide open. “I am—excuse me, I am so sorry. Of course. Why don’t I take a look, and then maybe you can also look around, see what else you would like.”
Lily would have been tempted, except now she was anxious to leave. It was like every instinct she had was screaming at her to go, totally belying the ambiance of the shop.
She must really be a lot more nervous about tonight than she thought.
“Ah, the dress is beautiful, yes.” The saleswoman said. She looked to Lily like someone in the middle of a horror movie, running from a leather-masked killer in the house, only to stop and admire the clothing another character was wearing. Miss Twitchy plucked at the straps of the dress, holding it up, and darted a glance at Lily’s shape.
Col: His Destined Mate Page 34