Charlotte
Chapter 1
As the elderly lady approaches the counter, I greet her with a warm smile. “Did you find what you needed, Stella?”
Stella is a sweet woman with dark, salt-and-pepper hair, a short but stocky build, and gorgeous brown skin. Her accent tells me she’s Spanish. I love to hear her talk about books, especially when she gets excited. Her accent gets thicker and sometimes she slips into speaking Spanish and doesn’t even notice. It reminds me of Ricky from that old TV show, I Love Lucy .
“Yes, I certainly did. The hero’s ice cream antics in the mafia book had me giggling.”
With a sheepish grin, I ask, “Have you read the book about the mayonnaise?”
Stella’s laughter grows louder.
“At your age, I would have been ashamed to read these, but I’ve outgrown caring about the opinions of others.”
Stella has been coming to the bookstore for months, and we’ve become quick friends. Even with the age gap between us, I love her company. She’s a feisty little woman who’s funny. Time seems to fly by when we are chatting.
“We frequently have author signings here on weekends. The lady who wrote the mayonnaise book was here for a signing recently. We really try to focus on and promote indie authors. We find some real hidden gems that way.”
“Meeting her would have been wonderful, but my grandson usually drops me off and picks me up.”
“I’d be happy to give you a ride home, if you’d like.”
The bell on the front door dings as I turn my head. An incredibly sexy Hispanic man wearing an expensive suit swaggers in as if he owns the place. He has short, black hair that’s shaved close to his head, with the sides worn even shorter. With his sharp, chiseled features, he looks like a model on the cover of GQ magazine. As our gazes lock, it sends goose bumps scattering down my spine. There’s a cold, dead look in his eyes. I’m not sure if I’m more terrified or turned on.
Is it fucked up that I’m aroused by it?
“Abuela Stella, are you all set?” His voice comes out raspy, and the hair on the back of my neck stands up.
With a smile, she replies in Spanish , “Sí, estoy lista.” Yes, I’m ready.
“Your grandmother and I had a chat; I’ll happily drive her to and from the book signings in the future.”
The man looks at me and tilts his head as if trying to figure me out. “She doesn’t need a stranger to do anything for her.” He turns to his grandmother, dismissing me.
Wow, how fucking rude. What an asshole. He may be good-looking, but his personality is awful.
While he’s talking to Stella, I take this opportunity to study him a little closer. His tattoos are escaping the suit and covering his hands and neck. Standing at six feet or more, he’s tan and well-built.
Just looking at him makes my panties damp. When I turn around, the man is standing at the counter and looking down at my hand with his jaw ticking and his eyebrows scrunched. It’s almost as if he’s staring at my engagement ring and is angry. That’s insane, because why would me wearing an engagement ring affect him either way? I don’t even know him.
“Abuela, I have meetings. We need to go.”
“Jefe, you are not my boss. Don’t rush me,” she admonishes.
His eyes fall to the floor. “My apologies.”
My heart warms at the respect he shows for his grandmother. He’s obviously a powerful man, and to submit to his grandmother that way shows how much he loves her.
Stella’s face breaks into a smile. “I know, my grandson is a very busy man. Let me just tell my friend goodbye.”
Their connection and love for one another is so obvious. When the man looks at Stella, his eyes sparkle and soften. He looks at her with warmth.
Stella has become a regular customer in the bookstore.
“I will be back when I’ve finished these. If you come across anything you think I might like, let me know.”
The grandson’s eyes stay on me as he walks behind his grandmother. Goose bumps erupt over my entire body. I’ve never reacted to a man this way before. My panties are drenched, and my heart is thumping. The dream I had last night must be what’s causing my reaction.
I was so aroused by the dream, and it was the weirdest thing. I thought I had gone to bed naked, but I woke up with my panties drenched and sticky. All I could remember from the dream was the intense arousal that jolted me awake. Now, it doesn’t take much for me to become drenched. I need relief but won’t touch myself to achieve it. My body feels like it’s in a constant state of heat. Could I go to my fiancé and get relief? Probably, but I cringe at the thought of him touching me.
Nothing about Eric arouses me, which is not the way it should be. He’s an overly spoiled rich man who acts like he’s a frat boy.
My friend Tillie, who assists me in the store, approaches me with an eye roll. “He was undressing you with his eyes.”
Shocked by my friend’s tone of disgust, I realize that she’s right. I’m engaged, so I shouldn’t be looking at other men the way I just looked at him. Feelings of shame send heat to my cheeks.
“Imagine your father finding out you were staring at someone like that. What would he say?”
“Tillie, why are you so upset by who I’m checking out?”
“You’re a hypocrite, Charlotte. You condemn cheaters, but you’re about to cheat on your fiancé.”
“What the fuck, Tillie? The guy just came to pick up his grandmother. I’ve never even spoken to him before. I’m not cheating on anyone, and I’ve done nothing wrong. You can go home now. I’ll close the store up on my own.”
“You two could melt the paint off the walls with the chemistry between you, but whatever.” She huffs and turns to leave.
Despite being best friends since high school, Tillie has become argumentative and critical of me recently.
She storms out, slamming the door, and I sigh in relief at finally being alone.
After closing the shop, I opt to make amends with my friend rather than to go to my fiancé, Eric’s house. Our connection has always been weak, but we’ve become especially distant lately. There’s a political connection between his father and mine. It’s really not much more than a business deal. The attraction’s missing, and I’m constantly resisting his advances. He wants me to trade my small house on the edge of town for his grand mansion, but the prospect fills me with dread. I rarely stay overnight because it doesn’t feel like home, plus, he expects sex. No matter how many times I tell him I want to wait until we are married, he still pressures me.
Everything in my life feels out of control right now. My bookstore is my only source of happiness. Things are falling apart between me, my father, Tillie, and Eric, and I don’t know what to do. It feels like the walls are closing in on me as we get closer to the wedding.
Unable to leave the situation with Tillie alone for the night, I head towards her apartment to apologize for our little tussle. I don’t want to lose my friend over something so silly.