Cupid's Target

by J. T. Schultz

  "Hello."

  His eyes caressed her face and her cheeks warmed further. Only now she knew it was from his studious gaze. “Was I interrupting another brilliant thought for a window?"

  I wish! I was thinking about kissing you. “I was actually looking to see if security was around, so I could run over and get a coffee from the shop across the street."

  "I have a key and would love to go with you. I insist. I don't know if I want you walking outside this late at night by yourself."

  Points for the hottie, that was sweet. “Wow! You fix girls up on dates and play hero. Who knew, Mr. Cupid?"

  He frowned, and then his face broke into a smile and his features relaxed. “You were being sarcastic?"

  Smiling at him she nodded. “I was."

  "I'm not used to women with a sense of humor.” He paused and darted a look to her lips, then brought his dark brown eyes to hers. “It's a great change."

  Stop looking at my lips if you're not going to kiss me! His honesty was refreshing. You could always find a reason to kiss him. What should she say to that? Flirt idiot! You remember how right? “Well you're a fun change, too.” A really sexy change. “Let's go for that coffee and maybe I can be inspired."

  "After your inspiration last night and the record sales today, allow me to get the coffees.” His voice was low. The smooth timber of it tickled over her spine and teased her clit. Her thong dampened and it was a sick twist of fate that a man this good-looking could turn her on, without a touch to her body. Someone is laughing over this somewhere.

  "That would be great, I need my second wind."

  He studied her again and looked concerned. “You're tired?"

  "A little, the air will be good.” She giggled. “Okay, the air and caffeine.” She hesitated then broadened her smile. Here goes nothing. “The company is inspiring alone."

  The worry on his face washed away, and she was rewarded with another dimpled smile. “At worse, if you are still lacking in inspiration, maybe I can help you?"

  She lifted her brows. You could kiss me. “Just maybe."

  * * * *

  Zane had no clue what was running through his head as he and Charity crossed the street. For once he didn't stop and try to analyze it. He just went and had fun. The amazing woman with him was that. Her color was not so flushed and her fatigue not as evident when they returned to the store. He unlocked the door and pulled it open for her. She walked through, which gave him a great view of her ass. He wasn't strong enough for this. Tonight, he didn't want to think about setting her up. He wanted to enjoy being with her. “So now what?"

  She sipped her coffee. Her dark eyes gleamed over the white plastic lid. “I was going to head down to the prop room and see what I can come up with."

  "I haven't been down there in years. Sometimes when I was younger, my grandfather would take me down there if I got too restless in the toy department.” He hadn't thought about that in years.

  Sipping her coffee again, she then lowered the cup and smiled. “I could bring you down there. I'm sure my boss won't mind.” She started to walk over to the elevator.

  She's adorable. “No, I don't think he will.” He fell in step next to her and rested his hand at the small of her back as they made their way over to the elevator.

  Charity was an interesting creature, and he had to admit the pieces of the puzzle didn't fit. He had found out from his mom she had insisted on paying for her own clothes today. Seeing the ones she had on had to push on the four hundred dollar side, he wondered how much she had spent on the ones in the bags. He knew she didn't make that much money, yet her apartment building was upscale, and he'd found out from Mr. Samson they were owned. So she didn't rent. She was funny, smart and down to earth. The pieces didn't fit. All the women he knew that lived upscale and wore designer clothes thought the meaning of giving was cutting a check. They never donated time. Every morning, the woman that just stepped on the elevator with him hurried home with breakfast for a lonely widower.

  "Are you all right?” Charity softly asked as the elevator doors opened to the basement.

  He held the door and stepped off behind her, then stopped. She stopped as well and looked at him. “I was just thinking how you go out of your way for people. You live in a really nice building. I didn't realize I was paying you enough to live there."

  "You aren't.” Her eyes widened in shock. “What I mean—"

  Zane laughed. Again, the sound seemed strange to his ears, though it felt good. “Is this where you ask for a raise?"

  She giggled and shook her streaked hair. “No, I do okay for money. Taking this job was never about that.” She tilted her head for him to follow and started walking towards the prop room. Right about now, he would've followed her to the end of the earth.

  She turned the knob, and they walked into the room. She flipped on the light. “So if it's not about the money,” curiosity made him ask, “what's it about?"

  She smiled. She had great teeth and an incredible smile. His gaze again was on her lips. If only he could find an excuse or a reason to kiss her. “The challenge. I mean window dressing isn't rocket science, and I think that's what I like about it."

  He chuckled and followed her as she started down an aisle of shelves that were stacked with props from days gone by. Hell, decades gone by. “And you know a lot about rocket science, right?"

  She stopped in the aisle and set her coffee down on a shelf. “Actually, I do."

  Stepping closer and grinning as he sat his coffee next to hers. “What, you worked at NASA before this?” He had to tease her. He loved her smile. It was becoming an addiction to see it.

  She laughed. “Not quite. I turned them down after I graduated from MIT. I didn't want to work with my parents."

  Zane blinked. He took in the expression on her face. “My god, you're serious?"

  She winced and stepped back, he saw the protruding box only seconds before her shoulder bumped it and shook the entire shelf. She rubbed her shoulder as a white feather fluttered down and landed on the floor between them. The door to the storage room slammed shut. She startled and jumped. The movement closed the distance between them. Zane glanced to the feather and put his arms out to prevent her from falling. His hands rested on her hips. It looked like one of his father's wing feathers. He glanced up to see where it could have come from and a box of Christmas decorations loomed above them.

  He couldn't believe what he saw dangling out of the box, hanging off some red garland. “Mistletoe.” He breathed in surprise and looked to Charity. She pulled her eyes from the feather on the floor and glanced up. Her softly lined eyes met his. “So it is.” Her voice a whisper, her gaze shot a glance to his lips then lifted.

  This was his chance. His hands tightened his hold on her hips and he debated. He lowered his head toward her. Her breath caught and her lashes fluttered closed. She was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

  His lips touched hers and melted into the softness of them. She gasped slightly and heat flamed his body. Her lips parted, and his tongue slid across her full bottom lip. Her hands rested softly against his chest. The touch alone heated the flesh through his clothes and stiffened his cock. He pulled her closer and his tongue entered her mouth. She moaned softy against it and brought her tongue up to meet his.

  Zane explored her mouth as her tongue mated with his. His head grew light and he became intoxicated. He could get used to kisses like this. The thought was sobering and he pulled his lips from hers. He wasn't supposed to be kissing her. He was supposed to be setting her up. Her lashes flung open and her lips, swollen from their kiss, parted.

  He released his hold on her. “I should go.” He didn't want to, but if he stayed he wasn't sure what would happen. “I'll see you tomorrow."

  She looked slightly dazed but nodded. He grabbed his coffee from the shelf where he'd set it, opened the door, and hurried out of the room. The door shut behind him, and for a split second, he resented Eric. He was about to hand him the most incredible w
oman, and he just knew he would break her heart.

  He couldn't think about it. He took a sip of the coffee and headed to the elevator. The coffee burned. But it didn't erase the most amazing kiss from his lips.

  Chapter Five

  "Our son is an idiot!” Lusty wailed and rolled her eyes. She slammed the candy dish down on the heart shaped coffee table that was a looking glass of sorts. It helped them see into the love matches they worked on. Moments ago, it had given a glimpse of their son kissing Charity—then running. “I take that back.” His suddenly hostile wife added as she rose from the white sofa. “He is an Ivy-league-educated idiot. What possessed him to run out of the room like he was on fire?"

  He looked to his wife who was staring out the window. Her arms were folded and her displeasure more than apparent. Lovell sighed and stole a cinnamon heart candy from the dish. “I set it up perfectly! I even had the mistletoe hanging above them. He kissed her, and from what I could tell they were both enjoying it. I think I lost a feather in the process.” He glanced to his wings for inspection.

  Lusty turned to him. Her dark eyes ignited not with desire, but temper. “Perfectly? You call him kissing her ruthlessly and leaving her, perfectly?"

  "Now, Love Kitten—"

  "Don't Love Kitten me. I know you set the mood, but our son is a gorgeous, BMW driving idiot.” She lowered her gaze and for a moment looked like she was going to cry. Lovell damn near panicked. He hated the thought of her crying.

  "What do you want me to do, Lusty?” He got up off the sofa and stepped closer to her.

  Lusty hugged herself and shivered. “I want our son to get Charity."

  Lovell wanted the same thing. “Tell me what you want me to do? My arrows don't work on him. He's a Cupid, he is immune.” Lovell stretched his feathers and noticed a couple fall. There was a sound from the entrance, and he knew Zane was home. “Don't say anything."

  Lusty rolled her eyes like he was asking to pull a rabbit from her hat. Not that Lusty wore hats. She wasn't a ball cap sort of woman. She hated flat hair. She looked to the front foyer as their son walked in. He looked tired. “Hi honey, how was your night?"

  His dark eyes fell to the floor, and he rested his hands on his denim clad hips. “It was okay.” He lifted his gaze to Lovell's. “I hate to say this, but I don't think I'm cut out to be a Cupid. In fact I'm sure that I'm a disgrace to cupid's everywhere. I don't have wings and this first assignment isn't going well."

  He sounded discouraged and stressed. It was a good thing his son didn't have wings. He was still young and if he was to get them he would have to find love for someone. Wings took an understanding woman, but he had no doubt Charity would understand. He sighed. “Why would you say such things?"

  His son blinked at him. “I'm supposed to be finding Charity love and instead.... “He shot a look to his mom. “She looks beautiful and she is so sweet. Did you know that she is actually a rocket scientist?” He closed his eyes and shook his head. He looked again at Lovell, who could see the confusion in his son's eyes. “I think I need someone other than Charity. I can't fix her up with Eric."

  Ah! The words he longed to hear. He exchanged a quick look with his wife and then returned his attention back to his son. “I'm sorry, there is no one else. I want you to work with Charity. It's her or nothing—nothing being your trust fund."

  "Right,” Zane told him and nodded. He slapped his hands against his thighs. He was frustrated.

  "I don't recall saying you had to set her up with Eric. I simply told you to find her love."

  Zane nodded and walked past him. Lovell turned to his son, who paused when he reached the entrance to the hallway. He looked back. “So, I just have to find her love?"

  He nodded. Take a hint Zane. It can be love with you. You can get the girl and a love like you never imagined. “I think you need to sleep on it. Things will look clearer tomorrow. You'll see."

  His son nodded and a slow smile curved across his lips. “Maybe.” He went to turn, then glanced back. “By the way mom, she looks beautiful."

  "Thank you, dear. I'm glad you noticed."

  Zane breathed a weak chuckle. “Yeah, I noticed.” He turned on his heel and crossed into the hallway. “Good night!"

  He disappeared out of sight and Lovell turned to Lusty. “Think he'll get a clue?"

  His frustrated wife snorted in disgust. “Not unless he hits his head really hard."

  Sighing, he glanced to where his son disappeared. Apparently, he would have to interfere again. The question was, how?

  * * * *

  Charity slept horribly. She woke the next morning completely cranky and frustrated beyond words. She had pouted around the house after making Mr. Samson his breakfast. Cleaned the bathroom with a toothbrush and even hauled out her old physics book to play with equations. Nothing worked. She couldn't help but think of Zane. Even going over and playing chess with Mr. Samson hadn't helped. All he could do was talk about Zane. As if she wasn't thinking of the hunky cupid enough. She leaned forward on her sofa and looked at the white feather that had fallen to the floor last night before Zane had kissed her. It was soft and downy. She stared at it on her oak coffee table and sighed. It had been her inspiration for the lingerie window.

  She was curious how Chloe and the other women that worked in the department liked it. It was a little racier than the menswear window, but it was to sell lingerie after all. She hoped it had drawn a good number of customers because the last thing she needed was to have it out with the short skirted blonde demon. Especially in the mood she was in.

  Rising from the sofa, she thought of the other day when she had knocked over the rack and how rude Chloe was then. The woman needed a clue. There was more to life than lingerie and hot men. At the thought of hot men, Zane's handsome face came to mind. She couldn't do this. She needed a distraction. Glancing at the clock on the wall she noticed it was only nine o'clock. She didn't have to be to work for another two hours, but she could always find something to do in the prop storage room.

  She grabbed her coat from the back of the chair and walked to the door. The brass knob was cool to the touch and she glanced again at the feather. There was something about it, but she couldn't put her finger on it. It wasn't like a bird feather, it was too soft, but what would it be from?

  She quickly made her way to the department store and smiled as the security guard let her in. He was letting out customers and she hurried past. She paused in the aisle, between ladies wear and menswear. The giant heart box pyramid was gone. She slowly walked over to Dora at the perfume counter. “Hi Dora."

  Her round face lit up when she saw Charity. “Wow! If it isn't the woman of the day.” She cringed slightly then laughed. “And yesterday."

  "The woman of the day?” She looked back to the missing pyramid then returned her attention on Dora. “Where is the display?” I know it was there last night; I had taken the loose boxes for the lingerie window.

  "Gone! We sold them like you wouldn't believe. We had to get a stock person to get the ones from the display window you did last night."

  "You sold every last box including the ones in the window?"

  Dora laughed and started arranging the perfume bottles. “Yeah, it was a crazy day here at the store. Menswear sold out of the boxers you had in there, and I guess lingerie is just in chaos from the surge of customers all day. That doll-looking bitch, Chloe, could only complain that she was short staffed."

  "Hello ladies.” Eric's voice greeted.

  Dora rolled her eyes and shot her a look. “Let me know if you need anything, Charity.” She turned away without a sideways glance to Eric.

  I wonder what that's about. She looked at Eric.

  His smile broadened. “Not only is she gorgeous, she is a brilliant window dresser.” He pulled her into a hug.

  Charity was stunned, but it was short lived as she pulled out of Eric's hug. “Eric, how are you?"

  "Incredible, the store is incredible and my sales are through the roof.” Hi
s eyes took in her fitted shirt and ran down her fitted jeans, then slowly back up to her face. “And seeing you makes everything better. I didn't realize you had such a great body."

  Oh! Brother, cheesy lines at large. Everyone take cover. She smiled. “Thank you,” and waited for her cheeks to burn from blushing, but it never came.

  He glanced at his watch. “You're early."

  "Yeah, I wanted to do a couple things before my shift.” Like see Zane, not that it's any of your business.

  "Oh, well when you get some time later this week can you swing by and see me? I'd like to talk to you for a few."

  "Sure."

  He ran his gaze over her again and grinned. “You are incredible. We should go out sometime.” He gave her another hug, turned and walked away.

  "He is such a jerk.” Dora whispered.

  Turning her gaze to the full figured perfume girl she furrowed her brows. “You think so?"

  "Oh yeah, I heard from one of the girls in jewelry that he treats a woman like a white glove and spares no expense when they go out."

  She blinked. “Wow, you've got to hate that.” She didn't mean to be sarcastic, but Charity wasn't used to guys like that. The guys she had dated in the past knew she made good money and had still always managed to get her to pay.

  "Well, it's good until he fully expects you to put out and give up services for money spent."

  She stepped closer to the counter. Her eyes widened, and she lifted a pretty bottle and sniffed it. She met Dora's eyes. “You mean he treats you like a queen and expects sex in return?"

  Glancing around, she leaned in closer. “If the woman doesn't, he asks her out again and takes her to a more expensive restaurant, and then has her pay."

  Oh my god, he is a jerk in Armani. “I used to think he was good looking."

  "Knowing that really takes from it, doesn't it?"

  Charity studied the bottle of perfume. “I won't be going out with him anytime soon, that's for sure.” She sat the bottle back down on its little mirrored tray.