by Beverly Rae
The women wobbled on their feet, almost losing balance before they slinked away. Where they’d been confident and sexy before, now they acted like schoolgirls caught smoking in the restroom. Hilly couldn’t shake the impression that he’d done something to them. But what?
The man’s gaze locked on to her again and narrowed. “What are you doing here, sweetie?”
At last, Hilly’s feet obeyed her and she backed away from his advance. “Nothin’.”
His eyes changed from deep black to a strange gray that seemed to shimmer. But how? Was he a warlock? A real magician? Hilly wished Meg had come with her to the park. She might have been able to sense what he was.
“I don’t believe you.” Dark, silky hair fell forward as he bent toward her. “Don’t you know it’s rude to spy on people?”
Hilly stuck out her chin, determined to not let him make her cower. After all, he was the one who should hang his head in shame.
“I wasn’t spying.” Did he really think he could turn this around on her? Like hell he would!
His sly look chilled her to the bone. “Well, never mind. The ladies and I were just playing a game.”
“A game? Yeah, right. Don’t insult my intelligence.”
The dark gray of his eyes lightened to a metallic silver-blue. “Hmm. You have quite the vocabulary for a child your age.”
Hilly inhaled, only now remembering her present form. But it was too late to change. Instead, she threw back her shoulders, determined to bluff her way through the encounter. “My mommy says that I’m precoshun.”
“You mean precocious.” He moved close enough for her to see the fresh stubble lining his strong jaw. “I bet you are. Tell me, child. Why aren’t you with your mommy?”
“Because.” The way he’d said the word child sent a flash of panic through her. Did he know she wasn’t really a child? “My mommy’s over there.” She thrust out her arm, indicating the park beyond the bushes. “Sitting on the bench.”
“Do you want to call her?”
Hilly swallowed, met those strange eyes again, then glanced away, unable to bear looking at them for too long. “Y-yes.”
“Then go ahead. You don’t need to be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”
“I’m not a-scared,” again using Emma Grace’s words.
He reached out but she stood her ground, refusing to let him see how he’d unnerved her. Besides, she couldn’t help but wonder how his touch would feel. Would his touch be as electric as the energy drifting off his body? The temperature around them rose, causing beads of sweat to form across her forehead. He, on the other hand, looked cool and collected.
Hilly couldn’t stop the shivers his stark appraisal gave her. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”
He laughed, a full, hearty sound ringing out, and she had to force a smile from showing on her face. He had a likeable air about him, one that tempted her to know him better, even though his black clothes, strange eyes and intense expression gave a sense of darkness surrounding him.
“You’re something else, you know that? A real treasure in a tiny package.” He arched an eyebrow. “Or are you really so small?”
Once again, she had the terrifying impression that he knew what she was. Hilly’s mouth opened, preparing to say something to make him forget his suspicions.
“Hilly? Where are you?”
They both looked to the greenery behind her. Blocking Emma Grace from getting scratched as they pushed through the bushes, Allie led the way into the clearing, then stopped. She looked from Hilly to the man, then back to her sister.
Chapter Two
“Hilly, are you all right?” Bright blue eyes, the same color as both little girls’, glared at Tanner. “Who are you and what are you doing with Hilly?”
He noted how tightly the beautiful blonde gripped the small girl’s hand as she reached for her daughter’s twin. Or at least the girl who appeared to be her child’s twin.
“Your, um, daughter got lost and I was trying to find out what her name was. So twins, huh?” He hated obvious questions, but sometimes stating the obvious was the quickest way to get an honest answer.
“That’s right.” The mother blinked as though trying to think clearly. She turned to Hilly. “Sweetie, you know you’re supposed to stay where I can see you.” Bringing her attention back to him, she narrowed her eyes but continued talking to Hilly. “And you know what I’ve told you about talking to strangers.”
Hilly’s own ocean-colored eyes flashed, and he could see the struggle within her to stay calm. But was she a little girl upset at her mother’s disapproval? Or was there another reason for her distress? At last she hung her head and answered in a tiny voice. “I’m sorry, Mommy.”
The attractive mother reached out to smooth Hilly’s hair. Hilly jerked out of her reach and shot him another glare.
Not bothering to smother a grin at Hilly’s impudence, he offered his hand to the mother. “I’m Tanner Cage. I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I may have frightened your little girl. And your name is…?”
“Allie Halloran.” She scanned him, taking him in with a piercing look before finally accepting his hand. “This is my other daughter, Emma Grace.”
He bent lower and wiggled his fingers at the enchanting girl. Her crooked smile touched his heart with one look. “Hi, Emma Grace. Such a very pretty name for a very pretty girl.”
His amusement shot up when Hilly stepped toward Emma Grace, placing her body protectively closer to the little girl. Straightening, he adopted his best put-them-at-ease expression. “Then this is Hilly Halloran?”
“Yes.”
Liar, liar. He nodded, taking the momentary lapse in the conversation to study the mother as she’d studied him. “They’re lovely children. But why wouldn’t they be when their mother is so beautiful?”
Allie blushed, then flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Do you think so? I mean, thank you.”
He noted the way she preened under his flattery. This one likes attention.
“Mommy, this man was—”
“Quiet, Hilly.” He almost laughed at Hilly’s stunned expression. He’d bet not many people had ever told Hilly to zip it.
“I’m afraid Hilly found me entertaining a couple of my friends.”
“Entertaining? I don’t understand.” Allie glanced at Hilly who crossed her arms, acting every inch the picture of a sulking child. Nonetheless, an air of maturity surrounded her.
“It doesn’t matter. They’re gone now.” Once again, he winked at Hilly who threw him yet another dagger-style glare.
Tanner studied the children. They not only looked the same, they looked exactly the same. It was as though one girl had been made from the mold of the other.
Still, differences did exist. He narrowed his eyes, taking in the way Emma Grace held on to her mother’s hand, her body half-hidden behind her mother’s. Hilly, however, stood straight and tall, side by side with her mother, an equal in every sense of the word. Was she the confident twin to her shy sister?
“I hope Hilly didn’t bother you.” Allie glanced around as though hunting for clues. “Whatever you were doing.”
Tanner pulled his hair back to tie it into a ponytail. “No, of course not. She was no problem at all.”
Hilly’s snort surprised him.
“Hilly! That’s not very polite.” Allie fisted her hands on her hips. “Please apologize to Mr. Cage.”
Tanner couldn’t remember when he’d had more fun. Seeing Hilly’s mouth drop open at Allie’s command made him want to roll on the ground with laughter. Instead, he waved off the apology before Hilly could start. “No, no. It’s okay.”
“No, she really needs to apologize. After all, I want my children to learn manners.”
He saw the fury in Hilly’s eyes before she gritted out the words. “I’m sorry.”
Kneeling in front of her, he took her hand, cupping it between his two, and felt the tension in her body. “No problem. After all, everyone makes mistakes.”
/> A strong sensation swept through him as though the touch of her hand had made every nerve inside him come alive. His pulse raced, and his heart thudded in his chest. Taken aback, he stared into her blue eyes and saw that she’d felt something, too. Outwardly, she was a young girl with the innocence of a child. But within? Something else hid beneath the surface. Something or someone much older.
Child, my ass. He’d been right from the moment he’d seen her. Hilly was no child, no matter what she looked like. But then what was she? A demon in disguise? An angel sent by his father to check on him? Or something else? Maybe a shape-shifter? He studied her again. Yeah, he’d bet his father’s wings Hilly was a shape-shifter.
Hilly yanked her hand away from him and scooted to Allie’s side. “Mommy, I want to go home.”
“Good idea. Um, goodbye, Mr. Cage. It was nice meeting you.” Allie spun on her heel, gathering both girls to her, then pushed through the green barrier to the playground.
He called after her. “I hope we see each other again. Except next time, let’s not meet behind the bushes.” They were gone before he finished speaking.
Tanner laughed loudly, sending the nearby birds into flight. “Damn, but that was fun. More fun than I’ve had in years.” Peeking through the foliage, he watched the trio hurry out of the park.
I’ll find Hilly again, and next time I’ll make sure she’s in her real body.
“He’s a player.” Hilly placed three broken cookies into a Sweet Nothings Bakery box, then swept the crumbs off the counter. A little boy wailed from the corner of the bakery until his mother offered him a taste of her cupcake. “For the record, Allie Halloran, I did not appreciate being bossed around. Even if I was in the body of a child at the time.”
“Sorry, but I was just playing my part. Besides, I enjoyed being the boss of you for once.” Allie skirted away as Hilly pivoted toward her. “Tanner might be a player, but he’s one heck of a handsome player. Don’t try to say you didn’t notice, either. I saw the way you looked at him.”
“Mmm. Really?” Meg, the middle Tristan sister, moved the box of cookies to the back counter, then waved her hand over the box. A pale blue mist settled over the broken pieces and they began to move together to form complete, unbroken cookies.
“Don’t get started again, Allie. Plus, for your information, Meg, a player is still a player, no matter how handsome he is. That just makes him an egotistical player.”
“Ooh, so you do think he’s hot.” Meg grinned, cookie crumbs stuck to the corners of her mouth.
“I didn’t say that. Stop putting words in my mouth and cookies in yours. Chance will have to send you to a fat farm if you don’t watch out.”
“Ouch. Damn, big sister, you don’t have to get mean. I’m only playing with you.” Meg sported a phony pout that fooled no one, much less her older sister.
“Don’t you two have better things to do? Like going through the inventory? I think we’re running out of napkins.”
“No, we’re not. I checked them— Ow! Why’d you hit me, Allie?” Meg rubbed her arm where her younger sister had slapped her.
“She knows we have plenty of napkins, silly. Can’t you see we’re taking the joke too far and she’s trying to get rid of us?” Allie scooted her grumbling sister away from Hilly and toward the storage room at the rear of the building. “We’ll be back in a minute. You know, after you’ve had time to fantasize about the man in the bushes.”
“You two better get out of my sight, or I’ll—” But her sisters were gone before Hilly could finish the threat. She mumbled a choice word under her breath, then counted to ten to keep from screaming. If only they’d stop teasing her. Or better yet, if only his wicked grin and incredible eyes would stop invading her dreams!
Hilly moved toward the window to gaze out at Main Street. Traffic moved briskly while friends and neighbors strolled by enjoying the warm summer day. But her mind wouldn’t stay on the pretty scene. Instead, she did as Allie had prompted her to do. She sighed and thought about Tanner.
Zoning in on the men passing by her, she noted how many she knew. Tanner had to be a businessman traveling through Cottageville. Would he stay? Doubtful. A man like him wouldn’t settle down in a small town. Not that the town couldn’t already boast a few handsome men. Her brothers-in-law, Tom Halloran and Dr. Chance Dannigan, for instance. But Tanner seemed worldlier than the others. Worldly and… What was the word she searched for? Immoral? She frowned, not liking her description of him.
He’d realized she wasn’t Emma Grace’s twin. In fact, he’d known she wasn’t a child at all. She recalled his stark appraisal and once again relived the tingle of electricity that had surrounded him. Then why hadn’t he come straight out and accused her? Besides, how had he known? She’d matched her niece perfectly from the curled eyelashes down to the slight outward turn of her feet.
Sensing a customer entering behind her, Hilly spun around and forced a smile to her face. “Welcome to Sweet Nothings. May I help you?”
How she’d managed to say the entire greeting she’d never know. From the second she’d pivoted to face him, she’d lost her train of thought. Her mouth must’ve switched over to autopilot.
“Hi to you, too, Hilly Tristan.”
Hilly swallowed, afraid her mouth would lose functioning power, too. “Oh!” The “it’s you” that almost followed her exclamation managed to stay silent.
“I’m glad you remember me.” Tanner Cage reached out to take her hand and lead her to the counter. He scoured the length of her, pausing to linger on her breasts before moving to her lips, then on to her eyes.
Hilly sucked in a breath, fighting against the conflicting urges to either run or kiss him. She went on guard, working to control the tension tightening her neck.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Besides, how did he know she was Hilly and not Meg? “You surprised me, is all.”
Stiffly, she sidestepped him, seeking the safety behind the counter. Should she acknowledge that they’d met before? But how without giving up her secret? She wasn’t positive he knew the truth, so why admit it? She told herself to take charge of her nerves and change the subject.
“May I help you? Would you like to try our new melt-in-your-mouth apple cinnamon muffins? Or maybe a warm and gooey chocolate éclair? Tell me. What do you crave?” She froze, aware how the normal questions to her customers suddenly sounded sensual.
His silver-blue eyes colored to a smoky gray. “I don’t want anything you’ve baked. What I want, what I crave…is you.”
Hilly’s legs went weak, and she had to grip the edge of the counter to stay upright. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
His smile filled with warmth as well as a hint of danger. “You weren’t difficult to find, you know. Your bakery, your sisters…and especially you…are well-known in town. Although I never expected to find someone like you. I guess dreams do come true.” Turning away from her, he gave her the time she needed to regroup.
His hair, pulled back in a ponytail, glistened with blue-black highlights under the fluorescent lights. Dressed in a black silk shirt and slacks as he’d been dressed in the park, he looked as though he was ready for the grand opening of a nightclub rather than the bright daylight of a modest bakery. His silk shirt clung like a second skin in all the right places, highlighting the broad shoulders, then caressing his body down to the slim waist, drawing her attention even lower.
Think, Hilly. Say something. “We’ve been in business a long time. Besides, everyone knows everyone else in a small town.” Someone must’ve pointed her out to him.
She took a couple of deep breaths. So far he hadn’t mentioned Hilly the child, so maybe he hadn’t suspected after all. More than likely, her imagination had gone off kilter. She breathed easier, determined to treat him like any other customer.
“Are you new in town? Or just passing through?” She cringed and hoped she didn’t sound interested.
“Neither one.”
What did he mean by that? She
was about to ask when he turned to face the opposite wall and studied the photographs of her sisters and her deceased parents.
“They died when you were still a child. Then you were a child raising children.”
She gasped. “How do you know they aren’t alive? How do you know about my life?”
When he faced her, she could see the pity and understanding in his expression. He shrugged, but she didn’t believe the nonchalance in the movement. “I guess someone must’ve mentioned it.”
He was in front of her in the blink of an eye and leaning over the counter, his face intoxicatingly close to hers. Startled, Hilly lurched away, pressing her back against the other counter. “I think you know a lot about me. More than any townsperson would tell you.”
His smile lingered before he finally spoke. “Yes, I do, Hilly Tristan.”
She didn’t know if it was his cocky attitude or the alarm twisting her gut, but she suddenly found herself ready to stand her ground. “I’m not sure I like that.”
Again, he moved faster than any human could and came behind the counter. Hilly’s heart thundered in her chest. Was he a warlock? Yet she didn’t sense a magical presence like the one Meg possessed.
He inched closer, putting his face next to hers, his breath tickling the lobe of her ear. “I can tell you what you’d like.” He skimmed his hand along her arm, making every nerve ending come alive. “Would you like to know what that is?”
Hilly eased away from him, afraid to let him touch her a moment longer. If she did, she’d lose her ability to break free. At the very least, she’d lose control of her body. His touch sent shivers of excitement racing through her. Unable to move any faster, she edged to the other end of the counter and offered a weak smile to the mother leaving with her child.
“I’d like you to go.” She let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d held.
“Aw, come on, Hilly. I realize you’re not very experienced in these things, but I’m sure I could teach you.” His dark eyes held her as he whispered, his voice husky with desire. “The things I could teach you would blow your mind.”