The store was always a pain to get into. They made you go through a metal detector. What did they have to steal? An awful lot if she was truthful with herself. Half the store was dedicated to food and household supplies like cleaning, toilet tissue, and even things like shampoo. The other half of the store carried big-ticket items like the biggest and newest televisions and computers. One stop shopping.
When she passed the, you might be an armed robber check, she headed towards the cereal aisle. She was single and slightly depressed, cereal was a must in her cabinets.
She was standing with a box in her hands when a cart slammed into her. One thought overpowered the others attacking her mind.
If the bitch wasn’t so fat I wouldn’t have hit her.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
The man apologizing looked to be in his thirties with a nice smile and lying eyes.
“No, I think I’m fine.”
“Too bad, some pain may have made you stop eating.”
“That’s a relief. Again, I’m sorry.” He took his cart and hurried off.
“Dearie are you sure you’re fine?” An elderly lady asked her.
“Yes, thanks for asking.” She felt a little better having the older female care.
“When will these young women learn that you have to be thin to get a man? If my mom raised her, she’d be thin and trim and have a man to defend her honor.”
The woman ran her hand down her very thin frame, tossed Ava a smile and walked off.
“It’s her fault she got hit. I swear stores should have weight limits.” One woman whispered to the other before they walked away.
Is it my fault, am I to blame? Images of her childhood resurfaced. She was the last one to be picked in dodge ball.
She hated that stupid game. The running wasn’t the problem, the throwing wasn’t a problem either. The kids made fun of her said she was too easy to hit cause she was wide.
That’s why the cart hit her because she was wide. That was her fault. If she was trim like the older woman, then this wouldn’t have happened. My fault, it’s all my fault. She walked through the store no longer wanting anything. People like her didn’t deserve to eat. They didn’t deserve to live. I’m just taking up oxygen that someone young, pretty, and skinny could be using. Why am I here? I’m a freak. Not just a freak I’m the fat freak.
She deserved to be hurt. She dashed at the tears running down her face. The cart was left in the middle of the aisle as she made her way back to her car. She was leaving. Why was she alive, she couldn’t remember? The thoughts that people would have never said out loud chased her out the store.
She climbed into the back seat curling up as depression attacked her. She deserved this. Her body rocked back and forth as she went down memory lane remembering how she had been hurt or degraded. Her shoulders slumped. She did deserve to be treated like a freak.
The world would be better without her. She nodded her head in agreement with herself.
It was the loud knock against the window that made her jump and took her out of her mental spiral.
“What do you want?” Her voice shook. Did someone come after her to put her out of her misery? Should she cry or plead for mercy? Did she need to accept that her fate finally found her?
Another knock on her window disturbed her new thoughts. “Can I help you?”
She finally looked out the window to see a tall man who must have put the ‘gor’ in to gorgeous.
“CrazyPsychoB?”
No way! That can’t be Nobody’s Prince. He’s gorgeous. She curled back into a ball. He was too gorgeous for her. A man like that could have any woman.
“Cray don’t make me break the window.” There was a determined look on his face as his hand hovered outside the glass.
“My name is not Cray, and the door is unlocked.”
He opened the door and slid in next to her, making her pull her knees up. She sniffled knowing that every bit of makeup she was wearing was ruined.
“What’s your name?”
There was no way she was telling him her name. She’d be on Facebook and Twitter as the PsychoB he found crying and shaking in the car.
“My name is Locke.”
“Locke? That’s a different name.”
“My brother’s name is Key.”
She smiled, she couldn’t help it. His voice was droll, and his eyes flashed with humor when he said his brother’s name. That’s when she realized she couldn’t hear his thoughts. Not just his thought’s but anyone’s thoughts.
Her hand went to her head. Her kill me now thoughts were subsiding the more her body relaxed in relief. Was he an anchor? She spent too much time with Troy if she was thinking that.
“Sorry, you found me like this. I am kind of a mess.” She really wanted to check her face. She looked like a raccoon she just knew it. The mascara said it was waterproof, but why should it be? Everything else was messed up. The pink gloss on her lips was probably gone. Her beautiful shirt was rumpled.
“It was nice of you to agree to meet me. I understand that you have to leave.”
“Where am I going?” Confusion flashed in his eyes.
“I was giving you an out. You know, so you can leave without feeling bad.” Her voice was calm as her heart raced. Since she couldn’t read his mind she had no idea what he was thinking.
“You just assumed for me?”
“No! I…” She had assumed for him, but only because she was used to reading minds. Most men would be thinking how to get away from the crazy fat bitch. “Do you want a way out?”
“No. I want a cup of coffee with the beautiful woman in front of me.”
Where the hell was her checkbook? She didn’t care if he was just being nice, she was about to make him rich.
“I can’t go out looking like this.”
He stared at her. He didn’t know what to say, she almost wanted to laugh. She rooted around until she found her purse opening it, she pulled out her compact to look at the mirror.
What the hell? Who was the woman in the mirror? She raised her hand to touch her face. That was her hand, and this was her face. It didn’t make sense. Dark brown eyes stared back at her. They looked like a decadent chocolate sauce. Pink skin that never tanned covered her face. It was tight and clear. The bob that she swore was out of style gracefully caressed her chin. Her makeup looked like it was done by an artist. Who was this woman?
“I’d like coffee.”
“Then it’s settled.” He got out, then stretched his hand for her to take.
She took it getting out the car with a nervous pat to her shirt. They walked hand in hand across the parking lot to the coffee shop next to the big box store. A thousand conversation starters went through her head. She was still too confused at having skin to skin contact with someone who was overwhelming her mind and not making her want to throw up at his sleazy thoughts.
“My name is Ava,” she told him as they walked through the door to the coffee shop.
“Do you want me to order for you or should we both go to the counter?”
“Both?”
He led her to the counter, there were two people in front of them. She took the time to look at the menu. They had sandwiches. She hadn’t eaten all day too worried about meeting him. She would wait till she got home. That’s when her stomach chose to state its displeasure.
“Can I take your orders?” The barista asked them. She gave them a cute smile.
Ava gasped when she realized whatever the barista was thinking she couldn’t hear it.
“I’ll take a large coffee and a roast beef panini,” Locke ordered.
“I want an iced chai tea latte.”
“Will that be all?”
“What kind of sandwich do you want Ava?” He asked her before she could say that was all.
His raised eyebrow said he heard her stomach growling.
“I’ll take a chicken panini.”
The barista rung them up and gave them a number.
“They will call you when the foods done.” She made their drinks and went on to the next customer.
“Thank you.” Ava was used to paying for her own… everything.
She was on a date, a normal one where she didn’t hear voices in her head. A smile tilted her lips at the thought. Locke smiled back his green eyes roaming her with an appreciative look.
He couldn’t really appreciate her curves, could he? It’s no lie, she was concerned about the way she looked or was slightly insecure. Oh hell, why should she lie to herself? She was insecure, some days were worse than others. It didn’t help that she knew what people were thinking. Although, she didn’t need to be psychic because they went out of their way to whisper it just loud enough for her to overhear. So yes, she was insecure. Then there were the days she didn’t give a fuck, she loved who she was and her curves. This hadn’t been one of those days.
“Order 124 is up!”
“I’ll be right back.”
She nodded taking her time to enjoy him as he walked across the floor. He was beautiful, his green eyes reminded her of that thin strip of color in a rainbow, they were so bright. He was tall and packed with muscle. The kind that drew the eye and the libido without making you think terminator. One night of touching him wouldn’t be enough, but it would have to do.
“I’ve never had one of these before.” He handed her, her tea.
“It’s an ice chai tea. It has milk, water, and tea in it. Do you want to try some?” She held it out for him.
He took a sip and then wrinkled his nose making her laugh.
“It doesn’t look like you’re going to be a convert.”
“I don’t think I’m a big fan of milk, especially what they used in there.”
“Aww, it’s almond milk. I consider it an acquired taste.” She grinned wide. The tension that she was feeling was gone. There was a feeling that Locke gave off that made it easy to want to talk to him. “I’m surprised you answered my ad.”
“Why?”
Now she was stumbling again. How did she tell him that someone as hot as he was didn’t need an online dating service? One look around the room told her that many of the women not only noticed him but were plotting a chance to talk to him.
“I want to say that men as nice looking as you don’t use services like that. I guess it’s a little bigoted to say that.” Her cheeks heated.
“Maybe we use those services to meet females like you. I don’t think I would have met you walking down a street.”
He was right about that. She was the kind that kept her head down and didn’t stop until she got where she was going. She knew she wasn’t the only one who did that.
“Can we start again?”
He nodded and gave her a smile. She was off balance. Not used to being alone with the thoughts in her head.
“Hi, I’m Ava White aka CrazyPsychoB.” She stuck her hand out.
He took it giving it a firm shake before he allowed his thumb to caress the inside of her wrist. It took everything she had not to gasp. It felt like a flame, one that consumed her as it warmed her went through her wrist.
“Hi, I’m Locke Gayl aka Nobody’s Prince.”
“I think I want to challenge that, but I’ll wait until I get to know you. What made you respond to me.”
“Ven.”
“Huh?”
“Ven, he’s one of the people I live with. He stole my phone and was going to send you a message about how big my dick was…”
Her eyes got wide and the laugh she was choking on came out. “Was he right?”
“Right?”
“Is your dick big?”
His face took on a darker look. That’s when she realized his face had a slightly gray cast to it. It should have made her think he was sick, but it looked natural on him. He sort of reminded her of the tin man, if the tin man was tall, gorgeous and built like a brick house. Yep, she did start singing that 70s hit Brick House by the Commodores.
When he stuttered, she realized he was blushing. This beautiful man was blushing. She was all in.
“I’m waiting,” she teased.
“Yes, it is an appropriate size.”
There was at least one poll out there that said women look at a man’s dick first. She was an eyes kind of woman. Right now, she was wishing she had listened to the poll. Locke was sitting down and she couldn’t see what they were talking about unless she went to her knees. A vivid fantasy of going to her knees, disappearing under the table to get a better look crossed her mind. The heat that she felt burning her cheeks told her she was taking a trip through the gutter. Still, it would be an adventure.
“I’m not used to females looking at me like that.” His voice was low, husky with several hints of desire in it.
“Like what?” She licked her lips. She was suddenly dry and in need of a drink. Her hand reached for her ice chai taking a hasty sip to cover the need that was in her voice.
“Like you want to touch me.”
Oh God did she ever. This might be the only chance she ever got to be with a guy like him. One that set her mind at ease and made her blood boil with desire. She took a bite of her panini, but it tasted like rubber. All she wanted to taste now was him.
“I can’t imagine no one wanting you. I’d love to make up for their stupidity.” Wait! She screamed at herself, you don’t know him. Maybe he’s charming and then whack your dead.
“You haven’t eaten, let me take you to dinner.”
Serial killers don’t ask you to dinner, right? She was about to find out.
Chapter Five
“This doesn’t look like a restaurant.” There were six men on the large wide porch. They were casually standing about. Ava’s stomach dropped as she watched them. They were tall with dark hair and their muscles had muscles. In some ways, they looked like Locke. She was stupid, trusting a man whose thoughts she couldn’t hear. Now he brought her home to be a party favor between him and his friends. Her hands desperately fumbled with her phone when a woman walked out.
The window in the car was up, and the AC was humming away. She couldn’t hear what the woman was saying. Her hand was on her hip and she was scolding them. One by one, they walked in after casting one last glance at the car. The last man stopped and kissed her until she melted against his chest. Then she pushed away and stuck a finger out indicating the door. He laughed and went inside.
She gave a huff and waved at them to get out. Was she the house Madam? Ava didn’t think so, she hoped not.
“That’s Mira, the male who kissed her is her mate, Tristan. He’s also our doctor.”
That made her feel a little better. If he was a doctor he wouldn’t want to pass her around, right? She never realized how much she relied on her psychic ability until it wasn’t there.
“Ready?”
“I am.” Locke got out of the car and was at her door before she could pull the handle. He was fast for a man so tall with muscles. He took her hand and led her to the steps. The killer butterflies in her stomach calmed becoming the regular ones that made her think something special was happening.
“Hi, I’m Mira.”
“Mira, this is Ava.”
“Hi.” Mira reached out and took her hand. Ava waited for the wash of Mira’s thoughts to flow over her now that they were skin to skin. There was nothing but blessed calmness. She both loved and hated this.
“Sorry about the guys. They wanted to be the first to get a glimpse of the hottie that Locke was bringing home.”
Ava raised a brow at her, she couldn’t help it. Now that her panic attack was over, and her mind was numb, she could say there were days she thought she was hot. On others, she fell victim to the images in the latest magazines that said all women underweight were the hottest people on the planet.
“Oh honey, you’ll learn that these guys like big, thick beautiful women who can take a pounding and an umm… sizeable man.”
Her cheeks heated up with twin flames. It brought back the conversation on the size of Locke
’s cock. Her eyes found his zipper, her wayward tongue came out before she could stop it. Damn, she felt like a dog in heat because the dick in question was growing and growing… oh my.
Mira laughed and then took her hand pulling her up the steps and into the foyer that led to the living room.
“Have a seat dinner will be here soon. Normally we would cook, but we found this restaurant that caters for certain clients. The way these guys eat we fit the bill. I’ll warn you there will be a huge selection of steaks cooked in every way possible. I made them add pasta and vegetables. The guys are not big on the last one. There will be a huge green salad as well as different sides. We have enough food for an army so please eat as much as you want, I insist.”
“Thanks.” She looked around at the green eyes staring back at her. There was only one pair that was blue. He was obviously the youngest in the room.
“The youngster with the blue eyes is Ven. He is the one that found your profile online.”
She blushed; it was never meant for kids.
“The male holding Mira is Tristan. He’s the doctor I was telling you about. The rest are in my unit. Cade is the leader. Key is my brother. Then there is Kayden and Taris.”
They each stood and said hi when they were introduced.
The knock at the front door interrupted them.
“Foods here,” Ven said as he and Key went to get it.
“Let’s go to the kitchen.”
She took Locke’s hand, wondering what she was doing here. This wasn’t what she signed up for. Even if she were suddenly normal, that had to be one of the most overused words in the dictionary. Even if she won the lottery and was now normal, she knew nothing about having a relationship.
Locke was someone’s fantasy man. Hell, he was her fantasy in living color, but that didn’t help when she got tongue-tied around him.
The table was covered in food when they entered. One delicious smell warred with another. Mira was right the steaks were practically falling off the serving platters. Everyone was chatting and passing around large platters of food. When the first one came to her, she took a spoonful of the broccoli and tried to pass it on.
“You don’t like broccoli?” Locke asked her.
The Wolf & The Psychic: BBW Alien Paranormal Romance (Werewolves & Mates Book 2) Page 3