by Jaid Black
Erica waved happily at Janna as she headed for the door with her caped dance partner. It looked like Erica’s birthday was going to end with a bang. Definitely.
Fine. Good for both her friends. She’d come to this party to be with them and they were gone. Right now Janna would give anything to go to bed—alone—and have some catch-up sleep. Unfortunately, that just wasn’t going to happen.
She thought she saw Paul dressed as a pirate and debated heading for the food table and out of sight. Paul had been less than understanding when she told him she had work that would take her out of the country for several weeks. Things hadn’t been going so well before that—she’d been much too busy to try to work on their potential relationship. Anyhow. She wasn’t sure who had dumped who, but they were definitely not even remotely a couple anymore.
Janna glanced at her watch and sighed. She could stay about another half hour, but what was the point? She might just as well get her work over with and then go back home. You couldn’t connect with people in thirty minutes when your mind was mulling over how to talk to a potential new recruit. A potential new witch recruit, at that.
All Fred had told her was that they had to sign on the guy. And that he was a witch. Could guys even be witches? It didn’t matter. You didn’t argue with the vice-president of your ad agency.
“So now I have to pretend to be interested in all this stupid black magic mumbo jumbo,” Janna muttered.
When you lived in Salem you heard more than enough about witches. Janna was sick of hearing about them. If only Salem really had gotten rid of them when the town had the chance!
Well, might as well get work over with. It was close enough to their appointment. Janna went to the kitchen, called a cab, and headed for the door. The place was so crowded by now that she couldn’t even find Lori to thank her before she left.
She almost fell over an old woman as she went down the stairs. The woman mumbled something about love. Love was hers? Janna couldn’t see too well in the sudden darkness, but the woman was probably some poor crazy street person who made no sense at all.
Janna walked a little faster toward the cab. Poor crazy woman or not, there had been something just a little creepy about that encounter. You just never knew what might happen.
“Look for the truth inside!” The woman suddenly yelled after her, quite clearly.
“Inside what, for heaven’s sake?” Janna scowled and turned her attention to the cabdriver. “Oh no, I didn’t mean you. I need to get to—“ She looked at the address she’d scribbled down— “Derby Street.”
Wonderful. She’d hang out with the witch-hunting tourists for Halloween. It figured that Treadwell Grimes would have his shop there. Just why he would want to see her there at this ungodly hour was beyond her.
For a moment she thought about whether he planned to hit her on the head and have his evil way with her. Oh yeah. She should be so lucky. No one had bothered to have their evil way with her in far too long. Besides, more practically, nearly everyone in her agency knew where she was heading for tonight. She was perfectly safe.
Janna massaged her forehead. If she’d just had a little more time, she’d have done some proper research on this guy. Fred had shoved this assignment at her the second she’d been stupid enough to walk in the office door. She should’ve just waited until tomorrow to show up at work.
At least she knew something about the business that wanted to use this Grimes person. She could talk up what a great company they’d be to work for and how very, very solvent this corporation was. Even witches must care about money.
She felt her eyes shutting. No. She couldn’t go to sleep. It wasn’t that far…
* * * * *
He slicked his hair back with one hand, hating the betraying gesture. He wanted to impress her. She had no idea who he was or what she’d come to mean to him, but he was going to change all that. Had to change all that. He’d never wanted to impress any woman in his life. He’d never needed to.
He pushed his creation into the oven and turned the dial. Usually he enjoyed cooking, but not tonight.
This was a fine time to get nervous.
“C’mon. You’re fucking charming. Every woman you’ve ever met has told you that. Charm her, you idiot.”
Wonderful. Now he was talking to himself.
Suddenly his skin prickled. That must mean she was near.
Hastily he flicked off most of the lights. They needed to start in the dark.
* * * * *
What evil spirit have you familiarity with?
None.
Have you made no contract with the devil?
No.
“You sure this is where you want to go, ma’am?”
She woke up with a start, feeling panicky. Oh, no. Now she was nodding off in strange places, having nightmares and still not getting any rest. She’d been having some awful dreams lately.
Janna resolved to finish up this business and get home fast while a few brain cells still functioned. When she was home, in her own bed, the nightmares would stop. Probably.
Then the driver’s question registered. She stared out of the cab and looked up. Janna could see why the driver sounded hesitant. The tiny shop was dark except for what looked like a candle in the upper floor’s dormer window.
“This is the address.” Janna glanced at the paper again to make sure. “Would you do me a favor and wait until someone lets me in before you leave?”
Would it be just too perfect if the guy had gone home and forgotten all about her? Janna smothered a nervous giggle. Maybe he’d gone trick-or-treating. It was almost disappointing when she knocked on the door and heard a muffled voice call “Coming!”
She waved the cab driver on. As the taxi drove away she waited, listening to the sounds of footsteps clattering down the stairs. At last the door opened. A large presence loomed at the entrance. Janna opened her mouth to say hello and found herself pushed against the door.
A very warm mouth covered hers and took advantage of her opened mouth to press a very agile tongue inside. Oh my God! Janna pushed against some very broad shoulders in a sudden panic. They were in public, for heavens' sake, right on the front steps of his store. Anyone could walk by and see them. This was a bad idea. Probably. On the other hand, that tongue was very persuasive. She knew she shouldn't, but she felt herself relaxing into that unknown body and mouth. The mouth and tongue seemed to have no intention of ever stopping.
Before long she found herself returning that kiss. She didn't even know what her partner looked like, but she could tell he was strong and tall and, oh yes, an excellent kisser. Stunned, Janna realized she'd gone from pushing at his shoulders to clutching them. She felt warm. Really warm. Maybe she'd been without a guy a little too long, maybe that mouth was a little too good, but she didn't care. This mystery shadow-man's kiss was lethal.
His leg expertly nudged her own legs wider and then she could feel just how glad he was to see her. Janna knew she had to stop. This could be dangerous. This was way too much.
Hmmm. He felt like way too much. She was insane. She was in lust. It was long and strong and—
She rubbed herself against that fascinating cock. Janna heard herself making an appreciative noise deep in her throat. She didn't want to stop. She wasn't sure she could stop.
A light switched on by the door.
“Oh.” He leaned against the door.
Oh? That’s all he could say? Then Janna’s eyes adjusted to the light.
Oh.
Oh wow. Oh blessed Jesus wow.
Fred hadn’t bothered to mention this guy was gorgeous. Tall, long black hair to his shoulders with blue eyes for a contrast to his otherwise dark good looks. He might be a little young. She hoped he wasn’t under twenty-five, though he might be. Oh well. She had no prejudices against younger men. Not in the least. She bet this one had lots of stamina.
He had a killer smile too.
Fred had proven he was an advertising genius once again. This guy would m
ake a camera sit up and sing to all those potential customers out there.
Or maybe she was dreaming a very good dream this time.
“Well, uh, hello,” Janna managed. “You know, I didn’t quite realize until you grabbed me what you meant when you said you were coming.”
That ought to get his attention. Oh yeah. After trying to gobble up the man’s mouth, what could be a more sophisticated line than that?
His smile broadened from welcoming to what looked like genuinely amused. He had a dimple. Just one. On his left cheek. Yum, yum, yum.
“I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else. No matter. Greetings.” He stepped back as if to get a good look at her. “I’m very happy to meet you at last, Janis.”
All those warm, tingly feelings dissipated. Poof! Janna scowled. “I’m not Janis.” She hadn’t been Janis since she was about five and announced that Janna was what she wanted to be called instead. Janis was so ordinary.
Even worse, this clod couldn’t know that had been her name. He’d just forgotten her real one. First he’d thought she was someone else and then he mixed up her name!
“Whatever you prefer.” She could almost see his mental shrug.
“I prefer my name, thank you, Treadwell.”
“Ted.”
“Oh? Well, I suppose I have to go with whatever you prefer—“ Janna bit her lip. She had to get a grip. No matter how much she loved to win an argument, she was supposed to be charming. She was supposed to talk him into signing onto the team.
Janna tried smiling back instead. That was a start. People had told her she had a cute smile. Right now she would have preferred a come-hither smile or a sex-bomb smile but she had to make do with what she had.
She thought about her outfit and mentally groaned. When she had first grabbed the long black T-shirt and tights and decided to dress as a witch, she figured she could get away with it for a night that combined a costume party and a business appointment with a witch. Now she wondered if maybe it was a little too short or that it looked too baggy or…
“I didn’t expect you to look so good.” The guy’s voice was wonderful. He had this lovely deep rumble of a voice. “If you don’t mind me mentioning how good your legs look in that attire.”
Should she mind? Probably. This was business after all. Instead Janna smiled again and decided not to say anything.
Right. Business. “This is short notice for me, Ted, but I do have some reasons I’ve put together on why you might want to become a spokesman for Charms Unlimited.” Janna launched into her pitch.
Ted shook his head. “No.”
“No?” She almost squeaked out the words. She'd come all the way out here on Halloween for heaven's sake and she didn't even have a chance to try to sell this guy?
"I mean I don't want to talk business this minute." He beckoned her further inside. "You need to sit down and relax a minute. Have something to drink. You look tired enough to fall down."
"Oh." Janna realized they were still standing in the entrance to his shop. Perhaps she had been a little abrupt. Janna knew she needed to get herself together. She needed to impress this guy. Why did she feel all off balance tonight? Other than being kissed senseless, of course.
“I don’t really need anything more to drink. I just left a party. Between the drinks there and jetlag I’m already in bad shape.”
“I see. In that case, come here and hold my hand.”
He held out his hand and, a little stunned, Janna put her hand in his. Then he began to lead her through the dark hall and up the stairs.
“I think I’ve blown a fuse or something worse,” the man told her. “Only half the place seems to want to let me use electricity. I fiddled with the fuse box but nothing responded. I need to guide you upstairs. The steps are old and steep and I don’t want you to fall.”
His hand was strong and big and very touchable. Why should she care why she got to hold it? No. No, she should care. This guy showed every indication of being a sex maniac.
But it was such a nice hand. And there were so many other, um, nice things about him. Besides, he was right. The stairs were steep. Once or twice she had to hang on to that hand for balance.
“Here we are,” he said, cheerfully. He lit another red candle and placed it on the kitchen counter. It added a bit more light to the candle in the window.
Janna blinked. He lived up over his shop. The small living room had candlelight to see by. She couldn’t decide if the flickering shadows looked romantic or eerie. Or both.
She looked around at the room. There were bookcases stuffed with books. There was a large poster that showed a chart of the constellations. There was a map of early Salem. There were pots of plants at the windows. This all seemed pretty normal. Sex maniacs probably didn’t have places that looked this normal.
She sniffed. Sex maniacs probably didn’t have houses that smelled like something delicious was baking. Somehow soothed, Janna sat down on a very old couch. Suddenly, a small black kitten leaped into her lap. It batted at her hair with one paw. Unwillingly charmed, Janna laughed.
“That’s Hecate,” Ted told her. “Someone left her on my doorstep last month. After some food and a few visits to the vet, she’s feeling much happier nowadays.”
He rescued cats. He must be a nice guy, right? He might have saved a black cat named Hecate, of course, and he might call himself a witch, but he had done a nice thing.
“Let me fix you some tea.” He moved to the small kitchenette in the corner. “I guarantee you’ll feel better after some.”
She watched, dreamily, as he put a kettle on the small, old-fashioned stove. He took a tin down from an open cupboard. The man was a neat freak. He had no doors on those kitchen cupboards and everything looked incredibly tidy on the shelves.
She watched him mix something in the teacup as he poured the hot water. When he brought it to her, she sniffed it. “This isn’t tea.” What was he doing to her drink? The man might be gorgeous but she wasn’t a complete idiot.
“Chamomile,” he answered.
“What’s that?” Janna had a dim memory of her grandmother talking about chamomile. If Grandma took it, how bad could it be? Still—
His dimple came and went.
“It’ll calm you down. I can tell you’re tense.” He could tell she wasn’t reassured.
“It’s just a plant. You can use it for medicinal purposes,” he told her. “I’ll drink some first if you want, Janna.”
He wasn’t going to make her feel stupid. She held out the cup and he held her hand as he sipped.
She took both the cup and her hand back, suddenly realizing how intimate it felt to sip from the same cup. Everything he did felt a little too intimate right now. Or not intimate enough. Janna sipped anyhow.
She had to remember he’d expected someone else when he kissed her senseless. Someone he must know pretty well. She had to remember this was business.
Ted smiled at her as she sipped and Janna could feel her body go on instant alert. That smile was so charming. She wasn’t feeling like this was business at all.
“How long have you lived in Salem?” he asked her.
“Forever. I went to college and all but then I came back. I have no reason to be so attached to the place but I must be. I’m even willing to commute to work as long as I can live here.” She could small talk with the best of them. “How about you?”
“Oh, I moved here recently.”
“Why? Oh, yeah. You’re a witch. Witches probably love Salem.” Janna put her teacup down and shrugged. “Though that makes no sense at all. People were killed here for being witches. Even worse, they weren’t witches at all. That’s Salem’s big claim to fame and it’s just stupid.”
Ted frowned but his voice remained calm. “When you sell books on mysticism and Magick, then being located in Salem makes sense. It’s good publicity. And I’m afraid I need to argue with you about a few things. Intolerance isn’t stupid and that was what the Witch Trials are known for. I’m not strict
ly speaking, a witch, though I do practice Wicca when it seems right. And some of the people involved in the trial may well have been witches.” Ted held up fingers of his hand and ticked off the points, one for each finger, as he spoke.
Janna could feel her adrenaline kick in as she sat up. “If you read the transcripts of those trials and, believe me, if you’ve lived in Salem all your life you have to read them at least once, you’d know not one accused person there was a witch. Even the ones who confessed were obviously crazy.” She kind of liked arguing with this guy, even if she had no interest in the subject.
“I didn’t say they were the witches.” A timer dinged suddenly and Ted got up. “I have some just-baked cinnamon buns. Care for any?”
Well, she’d like a certain kind of buns but that didn’t look like anything she’d get tonight. Janna nodded, just to get a good look at those other buns that walked over to get the food out of the oven.
"It's hot." He broke off a small piece and, juggling it, brought it to her. "Try some first."
She blew on the piece.
“What do you mean? Who were the witches?” She took a bite of a delicious sticky bun.
“Their judges.”
Janna swallowed the bun down a little too quickly and began to choke. “Where did you get that idea from, Ted?”
“My family history. I have a respected ancestor who was part of the trial and who passed his witchcraft down through the generations. He went along with everyone else in town for fear he might be found out himself.” Ted handed her a napkin. “We never talked about it much in our family. But when I moved here I felt like I ought to make amends. I’m just not sure how.”
Such a nice body and such a weak mind. Janna could cry over the waste. She wanted to open her mouth and blast him. Or be businesslike. Instead she said, in a dreamy voice that was unlike her own, “You are so gorgeous.”
Janna blushed. She hadn’t done that in a long time. Why in heaven’s name had she suddenly decided to blurt that out, even if it was the truth? And what was the man going to say after that? This was going to be embarrassing.