Fire and Temptation

by Melanie Shawn

  He brought out predatory instincts in her that she never even knew she had. It was more than a little disconcerting. Her head was shaking back and forth in horror as she forced herself to keep her eyes, lips, and tongue to herself.

  If he noticed her strange behavior, he didn’t mention it. They drove down the mountain in total silence. In an attempt to recover from her ridiculous impulse, she instead focused on the majestic scenery before them.

  Growing up, Shayne had always gravitated toward nature. Things like sunrises, sunsets, ocean, and mountains were visible reminders to her that whatever problems she had and however big they seemed, they were insignificant in the grand scheme of things. She’d continued to hold those things in high regard as her career took off. They kept her grounded and balanced. Two things she wished she felt now.

  “It’s so beautiful,” she spoke in quiet reverence.

  Shayne was so captivated by the yellow, orange, blue, and purple lighting up the clouds that she didn’t notice the sharp right turn until it was too late to brace herself. That resulted in her sliding a few inches to the left. Just like when she’d slipped by the boulder, Evan’s arm was there to brace her. He reached across her body, and she was immediately secured.

  And just like that a hero-worshipping-swoon blossomed in her before she could stop it. It was becoming quite a theme.

  “Are you okay?”

  She kept her focus forward and nodded her head, not trusting herself to form one word or even look in his direction.

  He removed his arm, and the second it was gone, disappointment sank into her at the loss of contact.

  The silence that had been comfortable between them on the hike now seemed stifling. Her mind was driving her crazy as it imagined all the things she wanted to do with her hands, lips, and mouth.

  Not able to take it anymore, she said, “You don’t talk a lot, do you?”

  Then, taking a walk on the wild side, she glanced in his direction for a clue as to what he might be feeling or thinking. She came up short.

  “I do.” His expression was unreadable, but she did notice his hands tighten on the steering wheel. “When I have something to say.”

  “Most people I meet have a lot to say.” More times than she could count she’d had to pretend to be interested in what someone was saying. The opposite was true with Evan. She had to pretend not to be interested in him, and he wasn’t saying anything.

  “Or maybe, the people you meet just like to hear themselves talk.”

  Her heart jumped for joy that he was actually speaking in full sentences. The entire hike he hadn’t strung more than five words together.

  Hoping to continue this dialogue, she quickly agreed, “That’s true.”

  Then her mind went blank. She couldn’t think of one clever or even not so clever thing to follow up with. She was the Beethoven of Conversations. She was the Queen B of Banter. But around Brawny Man she could barely form a thought.

  After several moments of unsettling silence, she blurted out, “I met your cousin yesterday. Deanna. She’s amazing.”

  He grinned, and Shayne noticed that his shoulders relaxed slightly. “She is.”

  Family was not a sore subject with him. Or at least Deanna wasn’t. Good to know. She made a mental note.

  “She said that you have three brothers and one of them is a firefighter here.”

  “Yep. Eli.”

  She waited a few seconds for him to elaborate. He didn’t. She thought about trying to come up with another follow-up but decided to take him at his word. If he had something to say, he would. So instead of pushing a conversation he apparently didn’t want to have, she settled back into her seat.

  “Do you have brothers or sisters?” he asked, shocking her more than the ending of Sixth Sense had.

  The question made her heart pound and not for the reason it usually did. In the five years that she’d been in the public eye, she couldn’t count the number of times that she’d been asked about her family. She’d never answered honestly. She made no secret of the fact that she grew up in foster care, but she’d never told anyone about Benji. The only people that knew about him were Nolan and Ruby.

  “I have a brother, but I haven’t seen him in eighteen years.” Her voice shook as she made the personal admission.

  Evan glanced over at her, and she saw genuine concern in his eyes, but he didn’t push her for more answers, which would’ve made her shut down. He didn’t ask her if she was okay, which would’ve made her cover up what she was really feeling. He didn’t say anything, and for some strange reason, that made her want to tell him more.

  Without thinking it through, or taking into consideration the fact that the man beside her may not even care, she opened her mouth and words poured out. “We lived with my grandmother until she passed away. Benji was one, and I was six at the time. We became wards of the state and were separated. For years, I didn’t know what happened to him, but then I found out that he was adopted shortly after we went into the system. It was a closed adoption. My plan had always been to find him once he turned eighteen but he’s nineteen now, and I still haven’t.”

  Saying things that she’d never been able to tell, even Ruby or Nolan, was surprisingly freeing. It made her feel lighter, much like removing the weighted backpack had.

  For several seconds he didn’t respond but then he asked, “Why haven’t you found him?”

  Tears filled her bottom lids and a nervous laugh escaped her as anxiety bubbled up in her like a washing machine filled with dishwashing detergent. “I don’t even know if he knows he’s adopted. If he does, would he even want anything to do with his biological family. And if so, how would he feel about that family consisting only of me.

  “My life is a circus. What kind of a person would subject someone to that? I don’t want to force myself into someone’s life that might not even know I exist or have any desire to.”

  “The circus that is around you is not you. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their lives.”

  In her opinion, words were cheap. Actions were what mattered. Sticks and stones and all that. Anyone could say anything, but the only thing that ever affected her was what they did. But Evan’s words were different. They mattered. They held weight and made her feel special. Important. Seen. His words hit her right in the solar plexus, and the wind was knocked out of her for the second time that day.

  Breathe. She heard his voice in her head. Slow, deep breaths.

  Her cheek tingled with awareness, the way it did when someone was watching her. She sliced her eyes to the left where she saw that Evan was concentrated on the road ahead of them. It was the strangest thing.

  As they drove back into town, she inhaled through her nose and exhaled through her mouth, just like on the mountain. This was the first time someone had honest to god taken her breath away. As her gaze cut back to Evan…she had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last.

  Chapter 11

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  “Bishop.” Evan stood in the reception area of Pine Auto Shop and raised his voice several decibels when he saw the elderly woman’s wrinkled face scrunch as she turned her head so that her ear was facing him. “Evan Bishop. I’m here to pick up my truck.”

  “Eh?” The woman made an indistinguishable sound as her slender, fragile looking arms rested on the glass countertop and she leaned across it.

  “I got a message that my truck is ready. The Ford F150. I’m Evan Bishop.” He was basically screaming now.

  “Speak up,” she instructed harshly. “Stop mumbling.”

  This wasn’t getting him anywhere. He was picking up a pen to write his information down when one of the brother’s that owned the shop walked in from the garage, wiping his hands with a cloth.

  “Hey man,” Josh greeted Evan before sliding behind the counter and pointing to his ear as he over exaggerated his mouth to the woman beside him. “Your hearing aid, Nonna. Turn up your hearing aid.”

  She muttered beneath her breath as she lifted her hand
up to her ear and started fiddling with the mechanism she had in it.

  “Can you hear me?” Josh asked after she lowered her arm.

  “Of course I can hear you.” Her accent was thick and sounded Greek. “I can hear just fine. Some people just mumble.”

  The comment was aimed directly at Evan.

  Josh ignored her observation and introduced, or tried to introduce, her. “Evan this is my grandmother—”

  “Just call me Nonna, everyone calls me Nonna,” she interrupted her grandson.

  He smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  This tiny, frail-appearing woman who looked to be in her nineties, radiated what his grandfather called chutzpa. Because of his size and resting “death stare” face, many people were intimidated by him, but not her. She had no issue reprimanding him for a perceived shortcoming. Evan loved it.

  “I’ve got this, Nonna,” Josh said as he began typing on the computer. “Thanks for covering the front.”

  “I gotta keep busy, you know that.”

  “Yes. I do.” Josh’s answer had Evan thinking that her keeping busy might keep him busy as well.

  She patted her grandson’s hand. “I’ll check on the rags I put in the dryer. Nice meeting you, Evan.”

  “You too, ma’am.” He dipped his head.

  As she shuffled to the back Josh mouthed sorry while the invoice began printing out. “I bet you’re happy to finally get your truck back.”

  “Yeah.”

  He was, but he had to admit that he was going to miss his little blue hatchback.

  It was uncomfortable and borderline dangerous to drive, but it held memories. The only time that he and Shayne had spent alone, they’d spent in that car.

  It had been nine days since they’d gone on their hike. He’d seen Shayne every day since, but none of the time they’d spent together had been one-on-one. They’d had lunch and dinner together several times, but they were two in a large group. There were always so many people around.

  Besides a little small talk and a few epic eye locks, they’d had no interaction. Yet, when she was in a room, he couldn’t concentrate on anything else. His awareness of her was on a molecular level. And his acute observation hadn’t done him any favors.

  Evan had seen how kind and generous she was with her assistant and everyone working on the production. He’d seen how hard she worked behind the scenes in her role as a producer, which he hadn’t even known she was until Kyle told him. He’d seen how genuine and real she was with her fans. He’d seen how much she demanded of herself and how she worked tirelessly to solve any problem that arose. No matter what issue she was presented with, she handled it with grace and charm.

  What had started for Evan as a strange, unexplainable attraction had developed into something more. Something that he didn’t dare think about or name. Something that he feared had the power to unravel him. He did everything he could to fight it but it seemed he was helpless to stop it.

  “Here you go.” Josh handed Evan the printout.

  Evan skimmed the sheet detailing all of the parts ordered and repairs completed. Josh had kept him up to date on all the work being done so none of it was a surprise. He picked up the pen to sign it when he heard the bell that hung above the door to the reception area ding.

  “Hi.” The timid voice was barely audible over the soft rock that was playing in the small space.

  Evan’s lips turned up, thinking about what Nonna would have to say about the volume of the new customer’s voice when he noticed that it was Audrey. She stepped up next to him holding a white paper bag with the Brewed Awakenings logo on it. The café was just across the street.

  “Hey,” both men greeted her.

  A slight blush rose on her cheeks as she smiled at the two men. He’d only known the sister duo for a month but it was obvious the two women couldn’t be more different both physically and in personality. Everything about Vivien was bold, from her vibrant red hair and electric blue eyes to her quick wit and no filter communication style. Audrey was much more subdued. From her chestnut brown hair, golden amber eyes to her soft-spoken, borderline shy demeanor.

  She handed the bag she was holding to Josh. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks. What’s this?” Josh reached across the counter and took the bag from her. The paper crinkled as he opened it and inhaled deeply. “Smells delicious.”

  “They’re chocolate croissants,” she explained.

  “Oh, my favorite,” Josh enthused as his head fell back. “You guys were out when I came by this morning.”

  “I know.” She shrugged her left shoulder as the pigment on her cheeks darkened to a deeper shade of crimson. “That’s why I made another batch.”

  As she spoke, Josh was already lifting the pastry out. He took a bite then moaned as he declared, “Mmm, so good.”

  Out of the corner of his eye Evan could see Audrey inhale a shaky breath.

  Josh and Audrey’s conversation was innocent enough, however, the energy between them was not. He felt like he was a spectator in a flirting match. The only reason he hadn’t excused himself yet was because he still needed to pay and get the keys to his truck.

  After finishing the bite Josh reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Thanks so much for this. How much do I owe you?”

  “Oh, no. Nothing.” Audrey shook her head and lifted her hands in protest before waving one at both men. “I better get back. Bye.”

  “See you later.” There was a wistfulness in Josh’s goodbye.

  “Bye,” Evan said, feeling very much like a third wheel in that exchange.

  The bell chimed as Audrey pulled the door open and rushed out into the morning like she was making a break for freedom.

  Evan looked back and was not at all surprised when he saw the same look on Josh’s face that he’d seen many times before. He was a goner.

  “I heard the bell.” Nonna announced as she came around the corner.

  “It was Audrey. She dropped off chocolate croissants.” Josh lifted one out of the bag and handed it to her.

  She took it from him as she shook her head. “When are you going to ask her out already?”

  “Nonna.” Josh’s voice held an unmistakable warning tone.

  One that Nonna didn’t heed.

  “There’s only one reason that girl is bringing you goodies.” Nonna pointed a crooked finger toward her grandson. “And you’re too pig-headed to do anything about it.”

  Evan held back a grin as he slid the paperwork across countertop along with his credit card. It was nice not being the person on the receiving end of familial meddling.

  “What about you?” She pivoted and her finger was now pointed in Evan’s direction. “Are you as clueless as this one?”

  His reprieve was apparently short-lived. Evan figured he’d take some of the heat off of Josh. “According to my mom, I am.”

  “What is wrong with young people these days?!” Her arms flew up in the air and she waved them as she spoke. “Always looking on your computer and on your telephones. Look up! Love’s right in front of you!”

  She ended her exclamation by pinching Josh’s cheek. Evan had a feeling that if he’d been in reaching distance his cheek would’ve been next.

  Josh didn’t seem at all phased by her outburst or at all surprised by it. He simply leaned down and kissed his grandmother’s forehead. “You’re the only girl I need in my life, Nonna.”

  “Awww.” She sighed as he straightened back up. When he was back at full height she patted the cheek she’d just tweaked. “You’re a good boy.”

  Josh smiled down at her before he reached behind him and handed Evan the keys. “Let me know if you have any other issues.”

  “Will do.”

  As Evan headed out of the shop he heard Josh and his grandmother talking about how good the chocolate croissant was and Evan’s stomach grumbled. Glancing down at his watch he saw that he had thirty minutes before he was due to meet Kyle so he decided to pop by the café for a
caffeine and chocolate croissant fix.

  Evan had been cutting down on his caffeine, since his schedule was so much less demanding now that he was a technical advisor. But after a Shayne-filled night of tossing, turning, and dreaming, he’d woken up this morning more exhausted than when he’d gone to bed.

  During the short walk across the street, Nonna’s advice for the younger generation was hanging in the air. “Look up. Love’s right in front of you.”

  The moment she’d said those words Evan’s mind had flashed back to the first time he’d laid eyes on Shayne. It was like he’d looked up and love was right in front of him. Love.

  That wasn’t something that he took lightly or that he’d ever taken lightly. He wasn’t one of those people that threw that word around.

  It all stemmed from the time he told his Grandpa Doug that he had a girlfriend and that it was serious. His grandfather sat him down and had a talk with him he’d never forget. He’d told him that people think love is something you fall in and out of. He said they treat it like something that can fade, like an old photo. But he said that wasn’t real love. He told Evan that true love was a responsibility. A promise. It was something that should be respected. He said that once you love someone, truly love someone, it’s a life sentence.

  Evan was barely thirteen at the time, but it had stuck with him.

  So, other than his family, he’d expressed that sentiment to only one person. Noelle. And he meant it. He meant it so much that he was going to be at her wedding in a month.

  Which was why it was so disconcerting to him that he’d pictured Shayne when Josh’s grandmother had mentioned love. He was feeling about as balanced as the time Noelle had talked him into roller skating drunk. That night had ended with stitches and a trip to the emergency room, and he didn’t see this ending any better.

  Evan tried his best to put all thoughts of Shayne out of his mind as he stepped inside the coffee shop and got in line. He did his best to think about other things. He took out his phone and answered a few texts from Marco and Oliver.

  By the time he put his phone back in his pocket he’d successfully distracted himself and was not obsessing about Shayne. Then he made the mistake of looking to his left and saw a portrait of her hanging on the wall. He blinked and realized it was Marilyn Monroe. For a split second his mind had tricked him and he’d truly believed it was Shayne. He hadn’t been back to Brewed Awakenings since he’d met Noelle here. He was struck by the uncanny resemblance.