Breaking the Rules

by Tinthia Clemant

  Peg chuckled. “Drinking and partying sounds like fun to me.”

  “This isn’t funny, Peg. Shannon will never find someone like Justin again.”

  “I hope not,” Shannon replied.

  Dee tapped the table with her finger. “Listen, Shannon, I know you don’t believe in God, so I suggest you pray to whoever or whatever you worship. Pray to the trees or a rock for all I care but do not tell Justin you want a divorce. You will be making the biggest mistake of your life.”

  “Back to my suggestion,” Peg said. “What you need is a hot guy to help smooth the ragged edges. Believe me when I tell you it works.”

  Shannon and Dee turned their eyes on Peg. “Do tell?” Shannon asked.

  Waving away the question with a flip of her hand, Peg said, “Some other time. Right now we’re discussing you.” Peg nudged Dee. “Do you think he’ll do it?”

  “Leave him, and me, out of this. An affair is against the church’s rules.”

  “Screw the rules. Guys do it, so why can’t we?” Peg was a woman on a mission. “Pretend for a moment we ask him. Do you think he’ll do it?”

  “If a woman is breathing, he’ll sleep with her. However, he has his own rules, and hooking up with Shannon would be breaking the top two. Besides, Shannon is no match for him. She’ll get trampled.” Dee picked up the dishes and slid from the booth.

  A quick glance at the front door put a scowl on Dee’s face, and she demanded they drop the entire conversation. She then carried the dishes over to the server’s station where they landed with a crash.

  Peg looked at the entrance and clapped her hands like a child at Disneyland. “This is great. You’ll get to finally meet him.”

  Dee returned to the booth and pointed at Peg. “This has gone too far, so stop it.”

  “You’re a poop.”

  “Who are you talking about?”

  Shannon tried to stand, but Dee forced her to stay seated.

  “We’re not talking about anybody.” Dee grabbed her bag. “Shan, promise me you won’t do anything until we’ve talked about this some more.”

  “I promise. Now tell me who you’re talking about.” Shannon half-stood and rested a knee on the seat. “Dee, move. You’re blocking my…oh, my.” The guy shaking hands with Jimbo was vaguely familiar, but his head was angled, so she couldn’t get a good look at his face. However, she liked what she could see. He wasn’t as tall as Jimbo, maybe Justin’s six-foot height, and he had broad shoulders, and an ass worthy of grabbing. “Who is he?”

  While he talked, Mr. Hotty ran his hand through his straight, dirty-blond hair. A stray piece fell over his forehead, and a thrill raced through her body as she imagined that very strand hanging over her as he drilled her.

  Jimbo leaned across the counter and said something, to which Mr. Hotty laughed, releasing rolling waves that made their way across the room and into her blood. She couldn’t see the color of his eyes but enjoyed the way he rubbed at the scruff on his chin before he spoke, a gesture that elicited a bellow of laughter from the owner of the Beans. She’d be able to endure anything Justin dished out if she had this guy to run to. Maybe an affair wasn’t such a bad idea... Or, a one-night fling? The tanned, defined arms extending out from the rolled-up sleeves looked quite capable of holding her against a door, wall, tree…anything sturdy—even a dumpster would work.

  Jimbo pointed toward their booth, and Mr. Hotty settled on her a pair of the bluest eyes she’d ever seen and suddenly a vision of a snowy afternoon opened up in her brain. She was in the car with Chad while Justin walked around the property with the developer who’d built the massive house where they now lived. “No, no, no. Absolutely not.” She sat and folded her arms. “I can’t believe you two thought I would sleep with Adam St. John.”

  “I didn’t—it was Peg’s idea,” Dee said. “Anyway, I’m leaving before Miss Blabbermouth makes things worse. I’ll call you tonight.”

  Dee walked away. Shannon rose, and Peg joined her. St. John met Dee and gave her a peck on the cheek. It was obvious from the way Dee was waving her hands at the door she was trying to get him back outside. And from the way he was shaking his head, he wasn’t having any part of it. He nodded toward the table and hooked his hand under her elbow.

  As they walked in her direction, Shannon held her lip between her teeth and gripped Peg’s forearm. St. John had a deliberate way of walking, not quite a swagger but a movement that said he was confident in himself. His eyes held her in place. If she’d wanted to look away, she wouldn’t have been able to, his pull that strong. But who said she wanted to look away? Sure, the guy was a land-grabber, but he certainly had a way of getting the old heart pumping and the juices flowing, especially to her groin.

  “You’re drooling,” Peg chided.

  “I am not.” Shannon released Peg. “I admit he’s smoking hot, but he’s still Adam St. John.” She met Peg’s satisfied-looking grin. “He’s a jerk, and I already have one of those, thank you very much.”

  Peg gave Shannon a hip bump. “Never believe gossip, especially Dee’s gossip. Adam’s a sweetheart. Besides, I’m not suggesting you fall in love. Just use him when things at home get out of whack. Think about it. I’ll be right back.” She added a pat to Shannon’s shoulder and joined Dee and St. John.

  Shannon sat with her back to the trio. In a matter of seconds, she’d officially meet Wexford’s developer extraordinaire. Even if she did sleep with him, which she shouldn’t…wouldn’t...what did they have in common? She was a hedge witch, and him… well, to him, the only good tree was one in the shape of a two-by-four. But then again, if he was as good in bed as he looked like he might be, there wouldn’t be a need for conversation. No, she sighed, she couldn’t sleep with him, and besides, he probably had a tiny penis. That was why he built such huge houses; he used them to compensate for his pitiful manhood.

  By the time she’d chased her thoughts like a dog chasing its tail, the trio had moved to the table’s edge, continuing their exchange above her head: Peg asked St. John if he was dating anyone, and Dee told Peg to stop and insisted they didn’t have time for chitchat. St. John stated he hadn’t met their friend, and Dee doubly insisted he and she needed to leave.

  While they talked, Shannon kept her eyes on the inky liquid in her mug. She tried to calm her frantic heart rhythm by counting her breaths, but St. John’s scent distracted her. A tanned, strong-looking hand extended under her eyes, and she sucked in her breath. He had a great hand. Rugged looking. Not too big. Fingers perfectly shaped for delivering mind-blowing pleasure.

  “We haven’t met. I’m Adam St. John, but most people call me St. John.”

  His voice, smooth and fluid like melted chocolate, flowed under her skin and into her core.

  She opened her water and let her eyes follow the length of his arm up to his face where she met a lopsided grin that reached the corners of his eyes, the weathered skin crinkling along the edges. In another life, he’d have owned a pirate ship. And she would have gladly been his wench.

  She placed her hand in his and jolted at the charge that shot through her, understanding perfectly why so many women fell to their knees when they met him.

  Dee shoved St. John. “Okay, you’ve met Shannon. Let’s go.”

  St. John kept hold of Shannon’s hand. “What’s the hurry? If nobody has to leave, I’d like some coffee.”

  “Fine with me,” Peg said and reclaimed her seat. “Adam, Dee’s sitting next to me, so you sit next to Shannon.”

  Dee flashed Peg a look that said she’d deal with Peg later, to which Peg shrugged and smiled.

  “Fine,” Dee said. “One cup, but St. John, you sit here.” Dee tugged on St. John’s arm, trying to direct him into her spot.

  St. John claimed the end of Shannon’s side of the booth. “Too slow, Denise, and relax. I’m not going to eat the poor woman.” He turned his attention to Shannon and grinned again. “At least not right now.”

  Shannon met his eyes. She imagined she was wearing a
seductive hint of a smile, alluring and coquettish. Unfortunately, the muscles around her mouth announced her lips were open too wide. She was saved from further looking like a fool when Dee’s arm shot across the table. “Okay, stop the bus. Back off, St. John. Shannon’s married.”

  Peg pulled at Dee’s back pocket. “You’re making a scene.”

  St. John didn’t seem to hear Dee because he remained facing Shannon. “Who’s your husband? I might know him.”

  Shannon’s lower lip disappeared between her teeth. She couldn’t answer. She was too busy drinking in his aroma. White musk, cedar, a hint of pine. Earthy and intoxicating. And body melting. She felt like a marshmallow suddenly dropped into a mug of steaming hot chocolate.

  “She’s married to Justin Baldos. So leave her alone,” Dee said.

  “Baldos?” St. John scratched the gray-and-brown scruff on his chin and seemed to consider the information. “That’s a shame.” He added the last part as if he was disappointed.

  Shannon found her voice. “Why is that?” She had no idea why he thought her marriage to Justin was a shame, but she could offer a few reasons for him to consider, starting with the fact that Justin sucked. She did, however, enjoy thinking St. John might be disappointed to learn she was married. Maybe he’d wanted to play pirate and wench too.

  “He didn’t mean anything,” Dee said. “St. John, weren’t you going to get us more coffee? We have to be in Salem soon.”

  “I have a class too, so please hurry up, Adam,” Peg said. “Make mine an iced hazelnut.”

  “Mine too,” Dee added.

  “And what would you like me to give you, Shannon?”

  “For crying out loud, St. John, stop it,” Dee demanded. “She’ll have the same as us. Now go.”

  “I’m on it.” St. John hopped from the booth, but before walking away, he leaned in close to Shannon’s ear and murmured, “Save my spot.”

  When he pulled away, the hot area of her face rapidly cooled, leaving her wanting more.

  He needn’t worry. She would save him any damn spot he desired.

  Chapter 6

  “Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.”

  Unknown

  Peg kicked Shannon’s foot under the table and nodded in St. John’s direction. “So, what do you think of my idea now?”

  Shannon slid onto the spot St. John had just vacated and leaned out of the booth. She watched the movement of his ass and sighed, wondering if her original theory about the houses he built and his penis size was true.

  “Stop it.”

  She turned and grinned at Dee. “I’m just admiring the view. Who knew St. John was so frigging sexy?”

  “Everyone except you, and he knows it too, but that doesn’t matter. Stay away from him.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re married.”

  “So? You’re the one who said I should have an affair.”

  “No, that was Peg. I’m ordering you to forget any ideas about sleeping with Adam St. John. He’s not for you.”

  “Again, I ask why?”

  “Because he collects women like some men collect baseball cards, and you’ll get hurt.”

  Peg came to St. John’s defense once again. “Dee, you’re overreacting. Adam’s not a bad guy. He might be just what Shannon needs to get her groove back.”

  “She doesn’t need a groove,” Dee said, her face resembling the color of a beet. She wiped at her neck with a napkin. “What she needs is to fix her marriage.”

  Shannon pouted. “Whether I need a groove or not, you’re not acting very nice. I thought you liked him.”

  “I do; he’d give anyone he meets the shirt off his back, but if it’s a woman, he’d take off his pants too. Trust me, Shan, men like him use women and then dispose of them.”

  “Oh, phooey,” Peg chimed in. “I tell you this is a good idea. It’s obvious Adam’s into her, and it’s pretty clear she likes what she sees.”

  “St. John is into any female with a pulse,” Dee said, casting Peg a disdainful look.

  Shannon patted her friend’s hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll be a good girl. Besides, I don’t even like the man.” She saw an opportunity to tease Dee, so she added, “However, if I do get divorced, I’ll toss my thong at him and see where it leads.”

  Dee’s looked up, and her face flushed bright red. “Shannon, stop talking.”

  Shannon giggled. “Why? He’s hot.”

  “Please, close your mouth.”

  “You’re no fun. I wonder if he’s good in bed. Any idea?”

  “Shannon,” Peg said, “listen to Dee and stop.”

  “I’m just saying he looks like he’d be very good.”

  “Shannon, please be quiet,” Dee begged.

  “What? Maybe someday I’ll get to take his face for a test drive.”

  Peg buried her face in her hands, and Dee said, “For the love of God, please stop.”

  “Why?” Shannon asked. A sudden awareness washed over her face. She peered to her left and met eyes the color of a cloudless summer sky.

  St. John grinned at her and sat down. “Anytime you want a test drive, say the word.”

  He raked his hair off his forehead, but the renegade piece returned to hanging over his eyebrow, tempting her to twine it between her fingers and kiss him hard enough to rattle his cocky demeanor.

  Regaining her composure, she thanked him, adding a cool, “I’ll let you know when I get my driver’s license.”

  “Touché.” St. John tapped his glass to hers. “So, you’re the witch, eh?”

  “Guilty as charged,” she said, giving him a narrowing of her brows. “So you’re the developer who’s leveling the forests of Wexford, eh?”

  St. John raised his glass in a salute. “Guilty as charged.” He drank some coffee and then asked, “What does a witch do for fun in a town like Wexford?”

  She played with a drop of condensation slipping along her glass. “The typical stuff: I turn people into toadstools and howl at the moon.”

  “Any running naked through the woods?”

  “Sometimes.” She licked at her finger, glad that he’d insisted on staying to have coffee. She was enjoying herself very much.

  Dee slammed her hand on the table. “I’m serious, you two. Stop it.”

  “Adam, how’s Sadie?” Peg asked, her hand on Dee’s arm.

  “Not bad for an old girl, still full of piss and vinegar.”

  “Shannon has a Lab too, only Jasper is young. Hey, Shannon, maybe Jasper and Sadie could have a play date someday. I bet Chad would love that.” Peg added a loud, “Ouch,” and scowled at Dee. “That hurt.”

  St. John lowered his glass. “I’d love to come and play with you,” he said to Shannon.

  “Come on, St. John, we’re leaving.” Dee pulled at his shirt sleeve.

  “Wait,” Peg said. “We still haven’t decided what Shannon is doing about the divorce.”

  Dee reacted with, “Why don’t you just tell the whole fucking town?”

  “Dee, it’s okay,” Shannon said. “I don’t mind if Mr. St. John knows.”

  St. John drank some of his coffee, wiped his mouth, and said, “The only people who call me Mister St. John are the ones who owe me money or are suing me, and you don’t fall into either of those categories. Who’s Chad?”

  “My five-year-old. Actually, he’ll be six in two weeks.”

  “Divorce can be tough on young children,” he said, a seriousness passing through his chiseled features.

  “If you go through with this, Shan,” Peg said, “you do know Justin’s never going to let you have custody of Chad.”

  “I know it won’t be easy, but I won’t leave without Chad. If need be, I’ll get help; Jimbo said he has a friend who knows a good divorce lawyer.”

  “That friend would be me.” St. John pulled a pen and business card from his shirt pocket. He wrote a name and phone number on the back of the card, added a second number to the front, and handed it to her. “Call Ma
rty. He’s the best divorce attorney there is. Tell him you know me, and he’ll work for short money.”

  “Thank you, I will.” Shannon flipped the card and read the front. ASJ Development out of Manchester. “I’m still not sure what I’m going to do.”

  St. John nodded. “It’s not easy walking away from a marriage.”

  Dee waded her napkin and threw it at St. John. “You should know; you’ve made it a hobby. We have to go, or we’ll be late.”

  “Right.”

  St. John offered his hand, and Shannon took hold more quickly than the first time and allowed him to guide her from the booth. Dee inserted herself between them, muttering under her breath about them driving her crazy. Peg followed, giggling as she walked.

  At the exit, St. John held the door for the women, and when Shannon passed, he bent close. “When you’re ready for that test drive, my cell number is on the front of the card. I’ll even shave for the occasion.”

  ******

  With the noise of the highway blocked out by the closed truck windows, St. John and Dee rode along Route 111, heading toward his new development in Salem. During the first leg of the trip he busied himself with mentally running through his to-do list. It was halfway into the drive when he returned his thoughts to Shannon and asked his question.

  “What’s Shannon’s story?”

  When Dee didn’t answer, he asked again.

  “I heard you, but I’m not going to answer.”

  “Why not?”

  Dee’s eyebrows rose several inches. “Why not?”

  “Yeah, why not?”

  “You know why not.”

  “Pretend I don’t and enlighten me.”

  “One, because she’s married, and two, because she’s married. Want me to list reasons three and four?”

  “For crying out loud, Denise, you’re acting like an overprotective mother. I asked an innocent question. If I was anyone else, you’d have a hard time keeping your mouth shut.”