The Shucker's Booktique

by J. C. McKenzie

  Willa froze, half bent with an arm stretched out to a pile of books, heart hammering in her chest. She didn’t know what to say. What could she say? Maybe she hadn’t misread anything after all. He looked at her like he wanted to devour her, and a deeply repressed part of her moaned from within, because she wanted him too.

  “It means,” Lon continued, taking a step forward, “that we’re two consenting adults. No mom, no sisters, no ignorant ex here to judge or get in our way. You’re a grown woman, Willa. You make your own choices.”

  She dropped her hand and straightened. When she met the intensity in Lon’s face, she almost looked away again, but something about his expression, the way his body angled forward, his brows pinched in, his eyes blazed—something about him dared her not to. She squared her shoulders and stared back.

  “It’s up to you,” he said.

  “Up to me?” she repeated, unsure of the words. What did she want to say? What did she want to do? Oh, heck. She knew what she wanted to do He stood about four feet away. But wants and needs were two different things, right?

  “I want nothing more than to kiss those plump lips of yours until you’re begging me to throw you on that pile of books and show you what a real man can do. But I’m not doing a damn thing unless you want me to. You make the move, Willa. You decide.” He put his hands on his hips and waited.

  The air sucked out of Willa’s lungs. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears and her palms started to sweat. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted to…oh my! Her body ached for his touch but her stupid brain, her stupid, stupid brain wouldn’t stop parroting that she shouldn’t be doing this, that she couldn’t be. And in her aunt’s book store, no less!

  “I think we should find out what happened to my aunt,” she said.

  Lon’s full lips thinned into a straight line. “Fine,” he replied. Then something changed. His mouth quirked and his body almost vibrated with energy, as if he gained some unseen power or insight. “Let’s keep looking,” he said.

  She nodded and went back to sorting—bills, bills, bills, bank statement, bank statement, bills. All the while, she sensed Lon’s body moving around the room, as if her own was hyper-aware of his.

  “Why don’t we get to know each other in a different way?” Lon’s deep rumbling voice broke the silence.

  She glanced at him, not daring to meet his powerful gaze. “What do you mean?”

  “Why don’t you get some of that weight off your shoulders? Tell me more about your overbearing mom and ass of an ex.”

  “How did you—”

  “Know your ex was an ass?” he finished for her. “He voluntarily left you. That’s obvious.”

  “No, not George. How’d you know my mom was overbearing?”

  “I’m Jenny’s friend, remember? She told me about her sister-in-law and crazy nieces.”

  “Oh!”

  “She never mentioned you, though. Never talked about you. I wonder why.”

  “Oh.” Willa’s heart stopped thudding in her chest and sank a little. Aunt Jenny never spoke of her? Why not? Of all her family members, Willa had been the closest to her aunt. Before he died, her father used to call them “two peas in a pod,” despite the statement infuriating her mother.

  “Willa, I’m sure she had her reasons. She didn’t speak often about your family, and when she did, her voice filled with anger and hurt, all at the same time. She only let a few things slip. I suspected there was more to the story.” His gaze softened. “She must’ve kept you separate in her words and her heart from the rest of your clan.”

  Willa nodded and tried to ignore the sting in her eyes.

  “Let’s talk about something that makes you angry, not sad. Tell me about your mother.”

  “Hah!” Willa choked. She sniffed and wiped her nose with her sleeve. “She’s always hated me, and I’ve never figured out why.”

  ****

  Lon listened intently as Willa talked about her terrible family. Her energy had been weighed down by her pain, and he hoped talking about it would free her in some way. At first she’d been hesitant to open up, but after a few deep breaths and a few words, she relaxed and vented with passion. The energy around her vibrated, and the tension in her shoulders eased, as if the weight Lon had mentioned truly had been lifted. With each word, Willa appeared happier and calmer. With each word, Lon got angrier and angrier and wanted to smash something with his fist.

  Her mom sounded like a horrendous woman who resented Willa since childbirth. Didn’t keep any photos of her, never praised her, never seemed to give a shit about this remarkable woman in front of him. Her ex was no better. Treated her like a personal slave and when he got bored, looked for a new horse to break in.

  Willa flashed him a smile and continued to stack the boxes. Some of his rage seeped from his bones and he smiled back. Had he really said he’d show her what a real man could do? What an idiot! If only she knew his true nature. He shook his head and his mood darkened again. No, she could never find out. She’d never accept him if she discovered his identity, and even if she did...even if she did, there was no way he’d give up his freedom, his love for the sea, his abandonment of all pretenses, and the ability to flow with the currents and his brothers.

  Still…still, he found himself inexplicably drawn to the woman. He wanted to dive into her depths instead of the thrashing ocean outside.

  They’d sorted most of the paperwork, and had only the books left. Their pages probably didn’t contain the answers to Jenny’s disappearance, but Willa and Lon kept working anyway. He didn’t want this night to end, and from the way Willa’s determined brows furrowed as she continued to talk, she didn’t want to stop either.

  With the storm raging outside and rain pelting the glass, he still had some time to spend with her. He watched as she moved around the room and bit back the desire to go to her. He said it was her move and he’d meant it.

  Willa needed a little self-empowerment, true, but she already had the strength there, just simmering beneath the surface. He’d love to explore every inch of her body and roll around her gold and purple aura as it twirled with his.

  “And you know what?” Willa asked, suddenly standing right before him.

  “What?” he asked, surprised he hadn’t noticed her approach or that she stood within inches, close enough to grab and kiss.

  “You were right,” she said.

  “Of course!” He ducked his head down a bit. “But just so we’re clear, what was I right about?”

  “There’s no one else in this room but us, and we’re two consenting adults.”

  Shock raced through Lon’s body as Willa reached up, clutched his head by his hair and dragged his mouth down to hers.

  ****

  Oh god! His lips felt so good. Like she’d imagined, like she’d dreamt about—full and soft, yet firm and wicked. His arms closed around her, pulling her into the strength of his body. When he sucked her bottom lip, a shiver of pleasure radiated from her core. His tongue slipped into her mouth and caressed her own. So good! She’d never experienced such an explosive kiss. Willa moaned and gripped him harder, her mouth opening wider to taste more, and his tongue answered back.

  His hands slid down her back to clutch her bum and he pressed his groin against hers. His erection dug into her. She wanted to rip his pants off and feel the smoothness of his skin. To hell with her mom. Her sisters. George. To hell with them all. She never got what she wanted and she’d be damned if she’d miss out on this. Even if it was just physical. Even if it was only for tonight and this strange, yet handsome drifting insurance salesman disappeared.

  She didn’t care. She wanted him.

  He ran his hands down her sides, brushing her breasts, before gripping her hips. Waves of heat coursed through her body at his touch.

  She’d never lusted after a man like this before, never wanted something so physical. Yet, the moment she stared into those storm-gray eyes, she could think of no one else. She’d felt lost when he disappeared into the night
. So silly! This was just a man. Just a man that she wanted inside her, right now.

  Lon snuck his hands up her shirt, his fingers smooth icicles against her skin. She jerked, and then relaxed as the coolness soaked into her body like trickles of rain. Her skin ached for more, and when he slipped her shirt off, only momentarily breaking contact from her lips, she knew she’d get it. Heat burned through her body, and her panties grew moist from desire.

  Show you what a real man can do, he’d said.

  Yes, please!

  Every point of contact between her skin and his vibrated with energy, sending searing tingles up her limbs and through her body. She couldn’t get enough. She moved her hands down to grasp his waistband and glanced behind her. Nowhere comfortable to go, no bed handy, but who cared? There was a clear spot to lie down a few steps away. She tugged on his jeans and pulled him in that direction. Lon chuckled against her mouth, then he trailed kisses down her neck to her collarbone. He placed his hands on her hips and let her guide him. He’d probably let her do whatever she wanted.

  Willa’s head tipped back and a soft moan escaped her lips as Lon’s mouth moved to her breast. She stepped back again, now determined to feel all this man had to offer, take whatever he gave. Her heel caught on something and she staggered. With her weight unbalanced, she flailed her arms out and groped to catch on to something, but there was only Lon. She clutched at his damp shirt. Lon jerked back, but it was too late. They toppled over in a heavy heap.

  Her back slammed against the hardwood panels. Lon somehow snaked an arm underneath to break some of her fall. Her head barely tapped the ground, but an instant throb started at the base of her skull. Lon’s other arm braced against the floor while he dipped his head between her breasts and breathed deeply; in and out, in and out. His forearm must be killing him.

  Then his body started to shake. His shoulders trembled, and his breathing hitched. Crap! How badly did he hurt himself? Then she heard it, a deep rumble over the thunder outside.

  He was laughing.

  ****

  Lon’s forehead pressed against Willa’s breast as he chuckled. “I hoped to be a bit more graceful. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Willa giggled and squirmed a bit under his hold. “And that was my fault. I tripped on something.”

  “Do you make a habit of flailing around?”

  “Only since I met you.” She pushed up a bit and he scrambled to get out of the way so she could sit up. They studied one another before breaking out into silly grins. At least that’s how his felt.

  “It was that book.” Willa pointed to something at his feet.

  “Stupid book,” he said as he watched Willa dive for it. He reached for her but snatched his hand back.

  “Look at this thing,” she said as unnatural enthusiasm filled her gaze. “It’s ancient!”

  Lon didn’t need to look. He’d caught a glimpse of its gnarled leather binding when she lifted it onto her lap. The twisted energy radiated from the old parchment papers and slithered across his skin. A shiver ran up Lon’s spine like a herd of horses and his skin prickled. Fuck! That blasted book. Jenny’d promised to get rid of it. How had he not sensed its vile presence earlier?

  He drew in a breath. He’d been distracted by a beautiful woman. His heartbeat slowed and almost stopped.

  Willa used her shirt sleeve to brush off the dust and then read out the title. “The Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures.”

  Her voice echoed in the large room as if announcing his death sentence. In a way, she was. That book marked the end of his time with her. He didn’t think she’d be so open minded and accepting as Jenny, especially when his tongue had been in her mouth. Especially after she’d opened her heart, and he’d kept his secrets.

  His chest hollowed out, as if the heart normally beating there simply disappeared. That kiss…that kiss changed everything for him. The way their auras combined and swirled together…overwhelming perfection. He hadn’t wanted the kiss to end. Still didn’t.

  “Oh look!” Willa exclaimed, and thumped his arm. The girl packed a bit of a punch. “She’s marked a few pages.”

  His brain felt like a shriveled apple core behind his eyes. He sucked a deep breath in and stood up. “Oh yeah?” he asked, going for nonchalant, but his voice sounded empty to his ears. Willa didn’t notice. The book had its own power and drew her in. The same power that would sap his energy and drain him if he held it for too long.

  Willa’s beautiful amber eyes glanced at him, full of light and excitement before going back to read the old pages. She flipped open the heavy cover. A small dust cloud floated up from the pages. The thing remained dirty no matter how many times Jenny had wiped it clean. Its words, once spoken, would ring true to the reader.

  Lon squeezed his eyes shut and dreaded the moment he knew fast approached. The moment he’d have to leave, the moment she’d demand it. He’d go, too. Willa’s strength had grown in the short time he’d known her and he would never do anything to crush it. Not at this crucial moment in her self-empowerment. She deserved that.

  His heart thudded in his chest, and his muscles tensed more with each flip of the page. If only he could teleport himself back into the ocean right now.

  Just grab the book! Throw it away and get one last kiss. Lon shook his head at his own thoughts and waited. He couldn’t risk touching the book.

  “Look! This one’s got your name on it.” Willa beamed up at him. Her soft chestnut hair framed her freckled face. “She must’ve wanted to show it to you.”

  Lon pursed his lips before returning her smile, but Willa’s attention had already returned to the old parchment paper. She pulled the blue sticky note from the page, careful not to do any damage. She couldn’t. The book contained its own power and not even fire could harm it, let alone the glue from a piece of stationary.

  “Look at this artwork.” Willa leaned back so he could take in the watery scene. To Willa’s mortal eyes, she’d see an artist’s depiction of the ocean with white, blue and gray wisps playing in the curve of a wave; to Lon the picture moved. Long rolling waves with water sprites dancing in the currents and undertows, squealing with delight.

  “‘Tempest’,” Willa read. “‘A water sprite who can only take human form during storms. Ruled by the God of the Oceans, who has many names. Water sprites are small flows of energy vaguely taking a human shape in miniature. They ride the tides, waves, and undertows of the ocean and feed off the energy from the movement of water. Although they do the bidding of their Sea God, they are relatively harmless unless defending their god or the knowledge of their…’” She gulped. “‘…existence. They have been known to drown fair maidens to delight in their beauty…’” Her voice trailed off, and her shoulders sagged. “Why would Aunt Jenny mark this with your…”

  Willa’s chest rose and fell with each deliberate breath. The book’s energy flowed into her body and understanding shone in her amber gaze. She glanced at his face and then at the storm raging outside, then back again. Thunder rolled and lightning flashed in the dark ink of night. The squeals of his brothers drifted off the ocean and travelled in the wind.

  Her fingers tightened their hold on the book, her back straightened, her muscles tensed. There it was, the fear. Willa’s eyes sought his, round and wide. Her bottom lip trembled and then something else flew through her expression, something dark and angry.

  “You!” She bit out. The one word an accusation and demand at the same time. She clambered to her feet and hauled the book up with her. She looked like an enraged witch ready to read out of her grimoire and curse him to hell.

  Lon did the only thing he could. He spun on his heel and ran.

  ****

  Willa couldn’t believe it. She had trusted this stranger. She’d let him put his hands on her. She’d sucked his face as if he was the last drop of water in a desert. What had come over her? Even now, she wanted to run after him and call him back. The book said relatively harmless, unless protecting their identity. Her aunt
had bookmarked the page and wrote Lon’s name on it. The pieces fell together. Willa had only seen Lon during a storm. His face held that pale, otherworldly appearance, and when she’d seen his expression as the lightning streaked outside, she knew. It took less than a minute for her to realize the truth, and she wanted to scream.

  Willa clutched the book to her chest in Jenny’s study and shrieked into the night. Though drowned out by the thunder, her cry released some of the chaos inside her head. She felt better, more collected. She closed the book and gently placed it on the shelf.

  A water sprite? Really? Had she hit her head harder than she thought? Maybe she’d imagined Lon altogether and she really lay in a coma in some hospital bed somewhere. But that kiss… No, that kiss had touched something deep inside her. Lon was real.

  But a water sprite?

  If…if what the book said was true, if Lon and other supernatural beings existed, did it connect to Aunt Jenny’s disappearance? Did Lon harm her to keep the truth secret?

  No. Despite what she’d just learned about Lon, a part of her still protested, still believed his innocence. But if he didn’t have anything to do with Jenny’s disappearance, why did he run?

  Maybe he ran because he knew she’d feel betrayed.

  Maybe he ran because he didn’t want to face her questions.

  Maybe he ran because he was a guilty son of a bitch. But then…if he was guilty…why didn’t he just make her disappear, too?

  Huh.

  Willa folded her arms over her chest and plunked down to sit on the floor, in the very spot she would’ve made love with Lon. He hadn’t acted guilty of Jenny’s disappearance and if she asked her heart, she knew the thudding piece of muscle would profess his innocence as well. But if he didn’t do it, who did? Willa glanced at the thick book. Lon’s page wasn’t the only one marked with a sticky note.

  Did her aunt disappear because she’d learned the truth about someone else?

  ****

  In her former life, Willa had both Saturday and Sunday off, but with the bookstore having no other employees, she now only got Mondays to herself.