by Deanna Chase
“Brian,” Cara whined. “When are you going to ask me to dance?”
Brian took a full step back, needing to put space between them. The memory of being pushed toward marrying her was far too fresh. The last thing he wanted to do was put his arms around her. Not when he needed to cross the dance floor and send Rex packing. But he couldn’t turn Cara down and then immediately ask someone else to dance without looking like a grade A jackass. Suppressing a sigh, he held out his hand. “Care to dance, Cara?”
She beamed. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He didn’t answer her, because the truth was, he wouldn’t have asked if it weren’t for Shannon and Rex. Brian grabbed one of her hands and tugged her out onto the dance floor.
“That’s better,” she said, smiling up at him. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
Right, we definitely are, he thought as he twirled her around in the direction of Shannon and Rex.
“Whoa. Who knew you were such a Fred Astaire?” Falling right into step with him, her eyes gleamed with excitement. “Did you take dance lessons as a kid or something?”
“Or something,” he said, gliding her backward, not really wanting to talk about his training. His mother had been on Broadway before she’d met his father and all but forced her kids to study the arts. He’d gone for music and dance in his formative years. At the time, he’d been resentful of the jazz, ballet, and contemporary classes because he’d wanted to spend all his time with the cool kids in the hip hop classes and play the electric guitar. Instead, while he was allowed to take those classes, he’d spent a lot more time playing the piano and performing in jazz numbers the school produced. Looking back, he was grateful for the experience. It taught him a lot, even if he’d never really been interested in the performance life. Blowing Shannon’s mind with his moves would be enough… if he ever got her back in his arms.
“Well, when it’s our turn, we’ll knock their socks off.” She did some sort of complicated foot work, combined with a hip shimmy that screamed she’d had years of training, too.
“There isn’t going to be an ‘our turn,’ Cara,” he said gruffly and then unceremoniously walked away from her to tap on Rex’s shoulder.
“Hey, Brian. What’s up?” his friend said with an easy smile.
“Mind if I cut in?” He winked at Shannon, who was standing beside Rex with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Um, sure.” He glanced at Shannon. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Brian raised an eyebrow, challenging her to say no. If she really didn’t want to dance with him, he’d walk away, but he’d make it his mission to have her in his arms the next night. He could see the hesitation in her expression, but before she could reject him, he offered her his hand. “Let’s show them how it’s done.”
Interest sparked in her whiskey-colored eyes and he knew he had her. Grinning, he stepped forward, placed one hand on her hip, and tugged on the other one, pulling her into his body.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she whispered in his ear. “Your date over there looks a little put out.”
Brian didn’t even glance back at Cara before he said, “She’s not the one I want to hold against me for the rest of the night.”
Shannon snorted out a laugh. “And I am?”
He stared down at her, his gaze intense on hers. “Shannon, if I had my way, I’d take you back to my place and plaster myself against your curvy body and stay that way for forty-eight hours. But since I know you’ll roll your eyes and tell me I missed my chance, I’ll just have to settle for dancing.”
She frowned at him and glanced over his shoulder. “If this is how you treat your dates, I’m not sure you deserve six weeks of my time.”
Her words made him feel as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head. Is that really what she thought of him? Of course she did. Why wouldn’t she? Cara had been his date after all. They’d shown up together, sat together, and even danced just a moment ago. Why would Shannon think any differently? “She’s just a family friend, Shan. Trust me. There’s nothing there. Our parents are in business together.”
“I see.” Her frown disappeared, but the slight suspicion in her tone was still noticeable.
“You don’t believe me.” It was statement, not a question.
“Can you blame me? I don’t have the best track record with men.”
“I don’t have the best track record with women either, so I completely understand,” he said. “But I think if we both let our guards down a little, we just might find something worth the effort.”
He was rewarded with a tiny smile as she asked, “Oh, like what?”
“Like this.” He raised her hand and twirled her around just once before pulling her back into his embrace as he wrapped his arms around her. He bent his head, bringing his lips right to hers so they were less than an inch apart.
Shannon’s breathing hitched as she stared at his lips.
The desire to claim her was right there at the surface. All he could think about was tasting her again, owning her with his kiss. But something told him this had to be her choice. She’d already made it clear she didn’t really trust him, and he didn’t want to send her running. Instead, he placed a tiny bit of pressure on her lower back and whispered, “Shannon, kiss me.”
There was no hesitation. She pressed up on her tiptoes, and when her soft lips brushed over his, Brian clutched her tighter, waiting. And when her tongue touched his, he was gone. He buried one hand in her thick red hair and gave her everything he had.
Chapter Three
Shannon sat at a table in the back of Incantation Café. She’d just got done teaching her yoga class and was staring into her lukewarm mocha as she let out a breathy sigh. Good gracious. Could Brian dance or what? She didn’t think she’d ever been twirled quite like that before. And she could still feel Brian’s lips on hers more than twelve hours later. Holy hell. That kiss had been everything. Her fingers and toes had even started tingling.
“Uh-oh. Sounds like trouble,” a familiar female voice said.
Shannon glanced up to see Hope—formerly known as Luna—Scott standing over her table. Her honey blond hair had been pulled back into a neat bun and she was wearing yoga pants and a polo shirt with the A Touch of Magic logo, indicating she was likely on a break from work.
“Mind if I join you?” Hope asked, her big green eyes full of sympathy.
“Sure. Why not.” Shannon waved a hand at the chair across from her.
Hope didn’t say anything for a moment while she sipped her chai tea latte. She leaned one arm on the table and studied Shannon in that quiet way of hers, making Shannon squirm a little.
“Just say it,” Shannon said, shaking her head. She knew the other woman had something on her mind, and waiting for her to finally spit it out was akin to torture. Shannon wasn’t one to keep her opinions to herself, and she much appreciated when her friends just spoke their minds.
Hope placed her cup on the table and tilted her head to one side, studying Shannon. “You’re sitting here wondering what to do about Brian, aren’t you?”
Shannon choked out a laugh. “What gave it away? The fact that I bolted out of the wedding reception right after he laid that kiss on me or the dopey look on my face every time someone asks me about him?”
“You don’t have a dopey look now,” Hope said with a half shrug.
“No? Just irritation then?”
She chuckled. “That’s closer. But when you sighed right before I sat down, you definitely had that I’m-in-so-much-trouble vibe going on. Want to talk about it?”
“What’s there to say? He’s hot as hell, emotionally unavailable, and likely to dump me the moment I let him catch me. He’s every mistake I’ve ever made, and I still can’t help myself from being excited about tonight’s date. Not to mention, he brought that pixie of a blonde to Yvette’s wedding, and she was not happy with him after we played tonsil hockey on the dance floor. I do not want to get in the middle of some
thing. I don’t do drama.”
Hope tore off a piece of her croissant and said, “Sounds like you have plenty to say on the subject.”
Shannon scowled at her. “You’re not being helpful.”
“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just obvious to me that you like him. What’s so wrong with taking a chance and seeing where it goes?”
Because I’ll get my heart broken… again, Shannon thought. But instead of voicing her truth she said, “I don’t want to get emotionally invested in someone who clearly isn’t interested in the long-term. It’s a waste of time.”
Hope nodded. “Sure. I can see that. But you have that six-week bet going on, so you might as well enjoy it, right?” Her lips curved up into a sly smile. “There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun with Mr. Hotter Than Hell.”
Oh, there was plenty wrong with having fun with him. She’d be paying for it in six weeks when he went his way and she went hers. Still, Hope’s words sent a zing of anticipation straight up her spine. Oh, son of the devil. There was no way she was going to make it through the rest of the summer without ripping his clothes off. “You know what, Hope Scott?”
“What?”
“I think I liked you better when you kept most of your opinions to yourself.”
“Liar,” Hope said, laughing. “You love me just the way I am.”
“That’s true,” Shannon said with a shrug. The two of them had bonded pretty quickly since Shannon could relate to Hope feeling like an outsider in Keating Hollow. Hope hadn’t grown up in the magical town, and even though she now knew she was related to the Townsend sisters, they were still working on building those relationships. And Shannon had been the bad girl in high school who was caught skipping classes and hanging out with the wrong crowd from the coast. She’d never figured out how to make friends with the other girls in town. Her relationship with her parents had always been strained. The one person she’d felt closest to, her grandmother, had died her junior year in high school, and after that it was easier to keep everyone at arm’s length.
Hope finished off her croissant and said, “I’m just saying that Brian seems like a cool guy. If I were you, I’d consider giving him a chance.”
“Do I have competition now?” a man with a gravelly voice asked as he walked up to the table.
Shannon glanced up at the tall man, taking in his blond hair and light eyes. He was gorgeous in a clean-cut, all-American type way. He had always reminded Shannon of the star-quarterback type, only he was actually a classically trained pianist who’d been kind of a big deal until he retired from the concert circuit the year before.
“Nope. Not even close.” Hope jumped out of her chair and planted a kiss on his lips. “Don’t think you can get rid of me that easily.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He winked at her and slipped an arm around her waist as they both turned to look down at Shannon.
She looked past the love birds and nodded at Levi, Hope’s brother. He’d followed Chad into the café and stood a few feet back with his hands in his pockets. The sixteen-year-old kid wore dark denim jeans that were ripped in the knees and a vintage Stones T-shirt. Shannon couldn’t help but approve of his fashion choices. It was a solid look for the lanky teenager.
Levi nodded back. “Hey, Shannon.”
“Hey, yourself.” Shannon waved a hand at the chair Hope had just vacated. “Have a seat.”
He slipped into Hope’s chair and glanced at Chad. “Can you get me a mocha?”
“Sure, kid.” Chad tugged Hope with him over to the café’s counter where they bent their heads together, talking while Hanna Pelsh waited on the man in line ahead of them.
Shannon turned her attention to Levi. “How’s Keating Hollow treating you?”
Levi was new in town, having only started living with Hope that summer when she’d given him a place to stay after he’d been kicked out of their biological father’s house. Since then she’d gotten legal custody of him, so he was there to stay. “Not bad. I’m taking some online classes until school starts this fall, and in the meantime, I’m helping Chad at his music store, running the register a few days a week while he gives private lessons.”
“Really? So you’re more than just muscle?” she asked, chuckling. Levi had spent quite a bit of time helping Chad with the store opening. The heavy lifting had been good for him. He’d noticeably bulked up since he’d arrived in town.
Levi raised his thin arms and flexed. “What do you mean? These guns are magic.”
Shannon cracked up. “You’re the best, kid. How’s the store doing anyway? Has Keating Hollow turned into a music mecca?”
He shrugged. “Not exactly, but Chad seems pleased with how it’s going so far. I, on the other hand, need more hours. Since the store can’t support that yet, I’ve opened up a business doing yard work. Know anyone who needs help weeding and mowing?”
Shannon sat up straighter. She’d lost her yard guy two months ago when he moved south. “Yes. Me. When can you start?”
Levi raised his eyebrows. “You sound desperate.”
“I am desperate. The weeds are taking over, and my front yard is starting to resemble a jungle.”
“This afternoon?”
“Perfect.” She sat back in her chair and smiled. “If it’s a good fit, I’ll hire you for weekly maintenance. Sound good?”
“Sounds perfect.” His smile matched hers. “You’ll be my first customer.”
“If you do a good job, I’ll spread the word at the chocolate shop. So… do a good job, all right?” Shannon knew he would. He was just that kind of kid. Levi hadn’t ever had anything handed to him. He wouldn’t expect this to be either.
“I will. No doubt about it. And if I miss something you want done, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“You’re on.” She reached her hand across the table, offering it to him.
Levi immediately took her hand in his and shook. “It’s a deal.”
“Deal,” she echoed.
“Quittin’ time!” Miss Maple called.
Shannon glanced over and noted the older woman watching her from the doorway of her office. Miss Maple had her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned against the doorjamb. “But it’s only four.”
The older woman’s hazel eyes gleamed with mischief as she said, “But you have a date tonight. Go on. Take your time getting ready. Pamper yourself. You deserve it.”
Shannon rolled her eyes and continued restocking the front case with chocolate covered caramels. “It’s a fake date with Brian. I hardly need to get all prettied up.”
“You can’t fool me, Shannon Ansell. I know how much you’re looking forward to this. Stop acting cool. Not with me.”
Her boss’s words stopped Shannon in her tracks. Miss Maple was the one person in town Shannon trusted enough to actually confide in. And she was right, of course. Shannon was looking forward to the date. She was just trying not to think too hard about that inconvenient truth. “Okay. Fine. You win. I’m definitely not dreading this date. But that doesn’t mean I need to leave work early. It won’t take me that long to get ready. I’ll be home by five-thirty. He is supposed to pick me up at six. That’s just enough time to refresh my make-up and change clothes.”
“Oh, honey.” Miss Maple strode over to Shannon and nudged her aside. “Nope. I won’t have my girl rushing tonight. Go home. Shave your legs. Pull on something that hugs those curves and will make him drool. Do it for me. It’s been ten years since I had a hot date. Let me live vicariously. Okay?”
Shannon giggled at the earnest expression on Miss Maple’s face. “You’re pushing it. You know that, right?”
Miss Maple grinned and pointed to the door. “Go. I’ll close up. But tomorrow I want all the sordid details.”
“You’re a piece of work,” Shannon muttered even as she untied her apron and started striding toward the back room to grab her purse.
“You love me anyway,” Miss Maple called after her.
Shannon couldn’t a
rgue with that. Ever since Shannon started working at A Spoonful of Magic a decade ago, Miss Maple had stepped in to take on the role of her family. She’d been there for Shannon when her mother had threatened to disown her, when her father had an affair with her mother’s best friend and ended up in the tabloids, and when Shannon had broken her leg after tripping off the curb and had been laid up for weeks.
Miss Maple had been there for Shannon in a thousand other small and large ways over the years. She’d even made Shannon the manager of A Spoonful of Magic, the store Miss Maple loved with her whole heart and soul. The fact that Miss Maple trusted Shannon meant the world to her. It was no exaggeration to say that Shannon more often thought of Miss Maple has her mother figure than she did the woman who’d birthed her.
After hanging up her apron, clocking out, and grabbing her handbag, Shannon went back into the front of the store to find her mentor. “Maple?”
“Over here, dear.”
Shannon followed the sound of her voice out into the lobby where she spotted Miss Maple lying on the floor on her back as she studied the underside of one of the tables. “What are you doing?”
“Countering a love spell.” Holding a neutralizing bottle and a white cloth, she reached up and sprayed the area before swiping at something on the underside of the table. “Earth magic. Very rudimentary. I’d guess a student did this.”
“How?”
“It’s a potion mixed with mud which means—”
“It would be tainted with other elements, causing the spell to go haywire,” Shannon finished for her.
“Exactly. I hope whoever sat here last has some strong defense mechanisms, otherwise, someone’s love life is about to go haywire,” Miss Maple finished.
Shannon pursed her lips and tried to remember who’d been in the store that day. No one who’d spent any time at the few tables. It had been a slow day, and most had ordered their sweets and taken off in a hurry. That was probably because of the summer concert down by the river that day. “I wonder how long it’s been there.”