Chapter 4
L eaning across the front counter, I swiped through my TikTok “for you” page, being thoroughly entertained. I lifted the last bit of my triple berry smoothie from War On Food and drained it. It was so good I debated on walking around the corner for another one.
As I tossed the droplets left in the plastic cup into the trashcan, the bell above the door of my shop jingled. Glancing up, my breathing slowed to a steady pace. It was my way of preparing myself for the wave of handsomeness that waltzed through the door like he owned the place. Shyheim took slow, calculated steps to close the distance between us. He leaned across the counter, forcing me to breathe in his smoky scent. Today, he sported his off-duty Rosewind Fire uniform looking scrumdeliciumpous. He could use a line-up for sure, but the nigga was still fine as hell.
“Hi, Ms. Island,” he greeted in his husky voice. There was a twinkle in his hazel eyes and a halfhearted smile painted his lips. “How are you?”
I placed both of my elbows on top of the counter and rested my chin in my hands.
“Hi, Heim. I’m fine. How are you?”
My voice came out much harsher than I intended. The jerk of his head indicated he felt the edge too.
“I’m fine,” he mocked in a gruff voice. I cast my gaze away ashamedly. “Are you sure? Sounds like you need a hug or something.”
The heat of his gaze had me turning to give him my eyes. I wished I hadn’t because the look he gave me made the cadence of my heart pick up double time.
“Do you need a hug, Ms. Island?”
I shook my head quickly. The thought of being in his arms again was terrifying. I would rather chew nails than be sucked into the hardest… sexiest… most comfortable chest I’d ever been cuddled into.
“No, I need pizza.”
He eyed me suspiciously.
“I typically eat pretty clean, but once a week, I allow myself a cheat day. I’m having pizza when I get off.”
He chuckled. “Hm. She gets cranky when she needs the hard stuff. Got it.” He nodded his head then tapped his fingers on top of the counter. He seemed super relaxed in my presence. His eyes drifted around the shop in mild interest. “Your shelves stay empty, ain’t it?”
“Ha, they do. It’s a blessing to be well sought after. Which reminds me of why you’re here.”
I hopped off my stool and headed straight to the back. When I returned, I had the custom products I’d spent the last two weeks cultivating for Princess Shy Shy.
“Here you go. How’s it been going?”
He accepted the box then began digging through it. My eyes were drawn to the lion tattoo on his hand and the way it snaked up his wrist. I was curious to know if it made it all the way to his shoulder. There was this edge to Shyheim that said not to try him. I was sure he could knock the living daylights out of a nigga with those fists. Not to mention, the veins in them looked so fucking sexy.
Thankfully, he began talking, which distracted me from obsessing over his perfect skin.
“Everything has been good. That other stuff has made a difference as long as we keep her skin moisturized. She’s finally sleeping through the night.”
An orb of warmth bubbled into my chest hearing him talk about his daughter. There was always this tenderness and underlying wave of awe whenever he spoke of her.
“I am happy to hear that. I feel like this set will soak in deep enough to trigger the healing process.”
He nodded his head as he finished his analysis. “I’m looking forward to it. You’ve got a good thing going here, Izzy.”
I swallowed the emotion that wanted to explode out of me.
“Thank you,” I whispered then distracted myself with straightening some business cards on the counter.
“You know what I was thinking about the other night?”
I paused briefly to give him my attention.
“Do you remember that time me and Jayce put those rubber spiders in your bed?”
For the first time in a while, I burst into laughter that included a snort. I slapped a hand over my mouth in embarrassment.
“Y’all should’ve been sent to jail for the torture y’all would put me through.”
He chuckled deeply, and something about the sound had my shoulders easing down my spine. I tilted my head to the side, allowing myself to relax.
“Yeah, fucking with you was fun as hell. Did you ever get over your fear of bugs?”
I shook my head adamantly. “Hell no. I still hate them to this day. I’ll turn into Michael Myers on a bug in a heartbeat.”
We shared a laugh that transmuted the energy in the room to something golden and warm. My eyes drifted to his uniform, and I decided to ask him about it.
“So, you’re a firefighter, huh?”
He nodded shyly. “Oh yeah. You know I always did love to play with fire.”
He straightened his posture by standing to his full height and pushed his shoulders back then said,
“You’re looking at Lieutenant Troy of the 88 th station.”
Something about the way he said it made it sound like a small feat when I knew it had to be a big deal to rise in the ranks like that.
“Wow. That’s so amazing. Congratulations on your success,” I replied cheerily.
He tucked his lips hiding a smile.
“Thank you, Izzy.” He glanced around my shop and waved an arm. “Looks like you aren’t doing too bad for yourself either.”
My smile was genuine for the first time.
“Yeah, I love what I’ve been able to create and the work I can do.”
“You started with an online store?” he questioned then leaned back on the counter.
I sat up straighter and nodded. “I did. After two years of consistent sales, I decided to expand. This is me stepping out of my comfort zone.”
The air changed when I realized his eyes were focused on me. I didn’t mean to do it, but those droopy hazel eyes sucked me into a vortex of sunshine and melodies I couldn’t escape from.
“Well, it’s working in your favor. Next time I come in here, I’m going to have to look around for myself.”
I licked my lips, still ensnared in his orbit.
“Good. ’Cause it’s been killing me not to say something about the corners of those hands.”
His laugh made the hair on my arms stand at attention. I sighed in relief when he glanced down at his hands.
“I guess I am a little ashy.”
“A little?” I teased him lightheartedly. “Anyways where is Princess Shy Shy?”
He sighed. “She’s at daycare for now.” Glancing down at his watch he admitted, “I’m going to scoop her up when I leave from here.”
I watched his lips while he was distracted. When he turned, I looked away quickly.
“She’s been so much happier since we’ve started using your products. I’m seeing her smile more often, and that makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”
The more he talked, the warmer that orb of glowing light became in my chest. I absentmindedly rubbed at it with the heel of my hand, but it was no use. Nothing snuffed it out.
“I can tell you really love her. She’s lucky to have a father that wouldn’t give up on finding a solution for her eczema. That’s the reason she’s smiling more. She has a great dad looking out for her.”
My words made him pause. His eyes began a slow drag from each of my facial features. A chill ran down my spine when they ended their tour at my lips. Suddenly, I became self-conscious, wondering if they were dry and in need of a coat of lip gloss. I stopped breathing completely when he lifted a hand to my cheek. When he dropped it, there was a tiny lash on the pad of his fingertip.
“Make a wish,” he whispered.
Leaning toward his finger, I allowed my eyes to drift closed. Against my better judgment, I did exactly that by asking to be free of my heartache. I blew a quick breath, blowing the lash into oblivion. When I opened my eyes, a tear slid down my cheek.
Ashamed, I dropped my head and sniffled.
“Sorry,” I murmured.
Suddenly, my head was tipped backward, and I collided with his honeyed gaze.
“Never apologize for feeling. Whatever you wished for will come true,” he affirmed.
“How do you know?” I tucked my trembling bottom lip. I felt an emotional breakdown building underneath the surface of my skin. I had to get away from this man before the floodgates burst open.
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” He tucked one of my locs behind my ear then continued. “They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”
“That’s…”
“Scripture… You’re going to be okay, Izzy.”
The sincerity of his words turned my insides into mush. I snatched away quickly, unable to handle another second under his thrall. Quickly, I wiped my eyes then hopped up.
“I… uh… have some work I need to do.”
Heim nodded, standing to his full height.
“That’s fine. I need to get going anyway. What do I owe you for the goodies?” He opened the box to take a look at the products inside. “Oh, wow you really did make it look like ice cream.”
His mouth fell open temporarily before he gathered himself.
“I said I would.”
I didn’t really leave more room for conversation as I turned to the iPad. I rang up the custom order then read off the total to him. He didn’t bat an eyelash as he passed me his card. I swiped it quickly, all while keeping my focus on the screen. I felt him looking at me but refused to engage. I’d already got too comfortable with him in the little time he was here. I ripped the printed receipt then handed it to him.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. See you around,” I mumbled.
He grunted. “I hope so. Take care, Ms. Island.”
Watching him bop out of my shop sent a pang of regret through me, but there was nothing I could do to stop it. I had to protect myself above all else. I’d already lost two lovers in this lifetime. I would not survive the weight of losing a third. Everything his presence awakened in me was proof he had the power to hurt me. I wouldn’t survive it, so I let him go knowing it was best for us both.