Chapter Six
Spike
I tried to stay focused.
Truly.
Honestly.
Also impossible.
All day I kept glancing over to the wall. I’d washed off the cum and scrubbed it clean, but I was sure customers could tell. Smell it in the air. See it all over my face. The Cheshire cat grin I couldn’t hide. Yeah, forgetting wasn’t at all in the realm of possibilities.
My ass was sore.
In all the best ways.
So yeah, forgetting Bookstore Dude and his magical cock wasn’t likely to happen. And to think, I hadn’t even seen it. Part of me felt that was a deficiency that needed to be rectified. Part of me swore I’d never seen him again.
Yeah, and part of me was laughing at all of it. Of course I’d find a way to see him again. And if groveling was required to have a repeat, I was okay with that. Or I could goad him again. That’d been quite successful.
Kendra was my last customer of the day. The story she gave me was convoluted, but her estranged father was trying to buy his way back into her life after a prolonged absence and had bought her a Kawasaki. She thought it was cute, but wanted to trade it in for a Harley.
Her brother was furious about all of this and wanted her to sell the motorcycle immediately and never ride one again. Since she was twenty-one, she didn’t have to listen to Noel. Where did I fit in? She wanted me to spruce up the bike and sell it for her. Taking a commission, of course.
I had no qualms about that. She’d be responsible for coming up with the difference in price or, if she bought an old bike in need of repairs, paying for me to do the work. Any way I looked at it, I did well.
As I met the glare of a furious Noel, I reconsidered how much money I’d be making versus the hassle involved. His coloring was identical to his sister’s and Bookstore Dude’s. Blond hair, blue eyes. Only he was about six inches shorter than me. About Dickens’s height.
Wrong thought.
Kendra was tall. As tall as her brother, only she wore boots with a heel, so she topped him by an inch. That just seemed to piss him off more.
“If you could just sell the Kawasaki, that would be great.”
Noel’s contribution.
“And find me a Harley,”
Kendra added.
He fixed his glare on his sister. “I told you, that’s not happening. Do you understand how dangerous these machines are? Aunt Lucille used to refer to riders as organ donors. Do you know what that means?”
Kendra rolled her eyes. “Aunt Lucille is ancient. Things are much safer now.”
“Be respectful. She was a trauma nurse for thirty years. She knows of what she speaks.”
I rolled my eyes. “Kendra and I signed the paperwork earlier today. Unless you can prove she’s not capable of making her own decisions, it’s a done deal.”
“She has seven days to withdraw from the contract.”
“That’s right.”
I scratched my cheek. “She has the right. Not you. She’s of legal age. Checked her ID.”
And had run a check to ensure she was the legal owner of the Kawasaki. She was.
“I’m going to make you regret this.”
Noel’s tone was low and menacing.
Kinda hot.
“Do your best.”
I exuded a confidence I didn’t feel. Kendra and Noel were Mission City born and bred. They could both do a lot to damage a newcomer’s reputation.
Kendra’s blue eyes flashed. “We have a contract. I expect you to email me when you’ve worked out all the options. I’m buying a Harley.”
She glared at her brother, daring him to argue.
He stepped right into her personal space. “Over my dead body.”
“Done.”
Her expression was positively gleeful as she flounced out of my store. Somehow she timed it perfectly, and as the bus pulled up to the stop, she gave a little wave.
The driver was only too happy to have such a lovely woman wearing all leather step into his vehicle.
Well, if the goofy grin on his face was any indication.
“Brat.”
Half muttered, half cursed.
I held in the laugh. I nearly managed to hold in the smile, but the corners of my mouth twitched.
He glared. Yet something in those blue eyes flared as well. He cocked his head and looked me up and down. Finally, when our gazes clashed again, his eyebrow rose.
Yeah, me too. But you don’t do it for me. I only want Bookstore Dude.
As if reading me correctly, he nodded. “I’m happy you’re here, because we always need company, but I’m pissed as hell that you’re helping my sister. Anything I can do to dissuade you?”
“I was debating putting out a rainbow flag. Too obvious?”
Another cock of the head. “Mission City is moving towards progressive, but you’re still in the Bible Belt of the Fraser Valley. Some are welcoming, some tolerate, some are hostile.”
He glanced around the shop. “No idea how your clientele would feel. You out?”
A rather personal question. But one I didn’t mind answering. “I’m not in. I just don’t advertise.”
I scratched my nose. “You?”
“Yeah. I run a marketing firm and work for several local businesses. Some chose me because they want to be seen as more inclusive. I don’t mind being the poster boy if it makes Mission City more welcoming.”
He eyed me again. “We don’t have a club or anything, but a few of us keep in touch. You looking? I might be able to introduce—”
I cleared my throat. Better to disabuse him of the notion straight away. “I’m, uh, not as I seem.”
This time his entire brow rose. “I wasn’t judging.”
“And I might’ve met someone.”
Are you nuts? Bookstore Dude is a dud. You’ll never make a relationship work with him.
Maybe not. But I was sure going to make an effort.
My gaze must’ve strayed as we spoke because he looked right at the shared wall. He considered, then he smiled. “I’ve been hoping Dickens might meet someone.”
“Oh, we’re not—”
He held up his hand. “I’d never say anything.”
He ran a hand through his hair.
Much as Dickens had earlier.
“I hope it works out, because you both deserve happiness. Do I wish you weren’t enabling my sister? Sure. Can I stop the two of you? Obviously not.”
He gave one last look around my store and exited. I watched him check the road. When it was clear, he strode across to his nice shiny SUV. Within moments, he pulled out and disappeared.
Well, that was interesting.
I wasn’t sure which piqued my interest more—his offer to set me up, or my swift refusal because I felt like I already had someone in my life. I’d keep Noel’s offer in my back pocket. If Bookstore Dude turned out to be an epic failure, I could always call Uptight Dude for… What? He offered to hook me up. No, introduce me. I warned him I wasn’t what most people expected. Did he understand that meant I liked being dominated? Liked taking it up the ass?
Who cares?
True. If Uptight Dude could set me up, who was I to turn down the offer? Even better if I could find someone I was compatible with.
You’re compatible with Dickens.
True. Convincing him of that was a whole new ballgame.
The wall clock showed it was noon. I could afford to close up shop for a half hour. I’d see if Dickens wanted to let me buy him lunch. Maybe we could eat it together.
Yeah, right. Dream on.
Well, I had to try something. Sitting here stewing wasn’t going to get me very far. I stalked to the sink and scrubbed my hands until they were almost raw. Took a few minutes, but eventually I was able to scour off most of the grease. I was pretty sure Dickens rarely lifted the hood of his pretty Prius. Probably had a mechanic on standby for all the grubby work.
I removed the leather thong holding my hair and put it on the edge of the sink. Then I combed my hair until it looked decent. I didn’t have Noel’s preppy look, but I cleaned up decently. Hopefully he’ll notice the effort. Locking the front door behind me after having secured the gate, I headed next door. The sunlight glared on the front window so I couldn’t see inside.
Just do it already.
I cleared my throat and opened the door with as much confidence as I could put into the action, given I felt absolutely none internally.
The door gave way and a light tinkle of bells rang out.
I cringed.
On the right was an arrangement of overstuffed chairs, one of them holding an older woman with gray hair. She glanced my way with kind eyes. She held up her finger, and I waited.
After a moment, she removed one earphone and beckoned me closer.
Hmm. I advanced, bent over…and jumped.
A cat had poked its head up from the woman’s lap. It regarded me for a moment, clearly decided I was no threat to the old lady or himself…herself…and resumed its nap.
“I’m Miss Edna. You can call me Miss Edna.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She glared.
“Sorry, yes, Miss Edna.”
“Now, I’m happy to see you’ve come calling.”
How did she know? Was I wearing a sign? I’d debated bringing flowers but figured Dickens wouldn’t be impressed. Was I wrong about that? Before I could respond, she continued.
“Now, she’s a fragile one these days. Comes across as fine, but I know he broke her heart.”
At my questioning glance, she clarified, “Her ex-husband. He’s a good man, but he’s too broody for her. She needs someone upbeat and fun.”
She gave me the once-over. “Can you be fun?”
“Well, I can be funny.”
Whether by telling witty jokes or self-deprecating humor was a toss up. I offered a smile. “But, Miss Edna, Sunshine isn’t my type. At least I assume you’re talking about Sunshine.”
Her elegantly plucked eyebrow quirked.
Wait for it…
She grinned. Actually grinned.
Almost disconcerting after the dour expression when discussing Sunshine’s ex-husband.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
I didn’t know her well enough to know if a swear word was out of character for her or just her everyday speak. “I hope not, Miss Edna. I’d like to see you ascend when you die.”
Her look of dubiousness told stories. Either she didn’t believe, or she believed she was already damned and it was therefore too late. Toss up at this point.
“Miss Edna, I’m glad to see you’ve met our newest resident in town.”
Sunshine appeared behind me, and I noted the door she’d obviously just come through. Interesting she left her elderly customer to mind the store.
“He’s calling on Dickens.”
I sensed no censure from Miss Edna. Only mild curiosity. I glanced at her. Okay, major curiosity.
“Well, Dickens is meeting with Raven right now to get those books signed. Major miracle he was able to get it done for you.”
Miss Edna waved her imperious hand in the air. “I knew he could. Or you could.”
“All on him.”
Sunshine bestowed a warm smile upon me. “You’re welcome to wait. He just ran over to Abbotsford. Should be back in twenty minutes.”
I managed a smile. “No, thank you. I need to be getting back.”
Her gaze intensified.
Those pale-blue orbs saw right through me. So transparent. Them and me.
She shrugged. “I’ll let him know you were here.”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t. Seems silly, you know?”
“Young man, anyone who comes calling deserves to be heard. If Sunshine doesn’t tell him, I will.”
Ah, well, at least I’d been warned. “I’m going to Tim Horton’s. Would either of you like something?”
Both women shook their heads.
I bobbed my own and left as quickly as I could.
Your goose is cooked.
Maybe not.
What did you expect?
That he’d be there.
And now?
Time to grab a sandwich and head back to see if I could find an acceptable Harley for Kendra.