Chapter 6 #2
She nodded, her smile waning, her grip on the edge of the counter firm, yet I could tell she was trembling. She’d loved the golden retriever with her entire heart and soul. If only I could find a way to love a creature as much as she had with Jesse. “That’s right. He knocked you into the snow.”
“And I loved every second of it.” I gingerly packed the item, folding the tissue paper just so. After sliding the printed box into the logoed bag I’d spent way too much money on, I placed the package across the counter.
“What do I owe you, dear?”
“Not a penny. That’s my gift to you.”
Her eyes lit up as if I’d brought Jesse back into her life if only for a few hours. A single tear slipped down her cheek. “You are such a dear, Fleur. You remind me of my daughter.”
“What a beautiful compliment, Marge. Enjoy the decoration. Remember, every time the sunlight washes color into your home, Jesse will be right there with you.”
“I will.”
As she walked away from the counter, I took a deep breath.
Maybe I’d get a dog at some point. I’d always wanted one.
In fact, that’s all I’d ever wanted as a little girl.
A dog to keep me company. To protect me from the evils of the world.
Every year at Christmas, I’d written a letter to Santa and every year, I was lucky if there was a single present under the tree.
Never a pup, not even a stuffed one. Given my transient lifestyle, I’d been told several times that the request wasn’t possible.
Every time I even thought about Danny, my mind drifted to the past. I’d realized several years before that I resented him for being forced from one home to another as well as everything else.
He’d been a precocious kid, difficult for people to handle. I’d believed he didn’t have a bad bone in his body. Then I’d learned otherwise.
No more lamenting about the past.
“If you keep giving away the merchandise, you’re never going to make a huge profit.”
I gave Ashley a side eye, shrugging. “That’s okay.
As long as I can pay the bills, including the salary for my nosy assistant manager, then I’m happy.
” While the truth, I also didn’t need to be worried about money.
With the grant provided by the Prince family, I’d been able to open the doors with the initial stock items all paid for.
The living expenses had been based on a small trust fund established by my parents.
The funds had allowed me to stay afloat until the business had taken off.
I often wondered if they were smiling down on me from heaven about my use of the money. I’d often wondered why they’d set up the fund without thinking about what would happen if they weren’t able to finish raising their own kids.
Wow. Now I was getting morbid. No more family thoughts.
“By the way. You have a customer who specifically requested you.” I knew her mannerisms far too well. Whatever she was hiding had her close to being giddy.
The last time had been when the town mayor had asked me out in front of everyone. The only trouble was he was old enough to be my father and then some.
“What this time?”
“Just some guy. Let me tell you, one ooh-la-la hot guy.” She fanned her face, even dragging her tongue across her bottom lip for emphasis.
“Some hot guy, huh? Sure.” I’d forgotten all about Mr. Dark and Dangerous until I moved past customers glancing at the new landscaping sketches I’d placed on wire racks that morning.
An unwanted flutter in my stomach was an indication my space had been invaded.
There he was leaning against the wall near the entrance door.
Mr. Dark and Dangerous wore the same angry and brooding expression and had yet to shave, but his hair was once against combed to perfection.
The big difference was that now he was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and a chenille shirt in a vibrant emerald hue that matched the color of his eyes as if both had been painted at the same time.
The shirt was untucked and unbuttoned to his sternum, and I found it nearly impossible to take my eyes off him. He was even wearing a leather jacket with a sherpa lining and thick work boots. Nothing that I would ever have expected after seeing him the day before.
Far sexier than a man of his annoying personality deserved. When I noticed something hanging from the collar, I purposely bit my lower lip until I tasted blood to keep from laughing. Before he caught sight of me, I retreated, heading back to the counter and the drawers behind them.
“Please tell me you know that man,” Ashley asked, her voice decidedly breathless.
“In a manner of speaking and no, you don’t want to. Trust me.” I gave her a knowing look before heading toward him. When I was a few feet away, he finally glanced in my direction. He appeared almost as irritated as he had only hours before, except I noticed a slight crack in his craggy veneer.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say his sneer momentarily turned into a slight smile. As soon as I closed the distance, I lifted the pair of scissors I had in my hand.
His eyes went wild, flashing a combination of uncertainty and admiration. How strange.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Prince. If I’d wanted to kill you, I would have used the hemlock.” He was so tall I was forced onto my toes, leaning into him just enough to grab the price tag he’d forgotten to remove. As soon as I did, I was rewarded with a hint of his aftershave.
Sweet Jesus.
The scent was alluring and primal, a touch of the untamed with smoky tones indicating intense passion on a cold winter’s day.
I was momentarily caught off guard just enough I leaned too far.
Just before I crashed into him, he wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me in place.
Blinking furiously, the warm leather and musk held me captive for two seconds too long.
Exhaling, I managed to finish my task, cutting the string.
Even so, my legs remained numb, requiring me to palm his chest just long enough my entire body was tingling as if plugged into a high circuit of current.
He obviously felt what I was experiencing as well, but he wasn’t happy about it.
“What are you doing?” he said, the timbre low and husky, which was both intimidating and alluring.
I held up the tag, twisting it back and forth. “While I’m glad you decided to take my advice about a jacket, I don’t think you want to announce the new purchase to everyone in town.” I also noticed there was no sign of his cane. Was he embarrassed at needing one?
He gritted his teeth once again, the dominant clench of his jaw a clear indication he wasn’t used to anyone challenging a single aspect of his life, his person, or his world.
Too bad.
“Fine. Thank you.”
I thought his face would crack from offering a word of gratitude. “What are you doing here? Did you come to check out my hot little store or to chastise me again?”
“I wasn’t chastising you, at least not this morning.” His grin flashed so quickly I almost missed it. Sadly, I resented that he was thoroughly enjoying sparring with me.
Although if I had to admit it, I was as well.
“Yes, you were. You truly believed I was going to hurt you when you were holding your big fat gun on me.”
His eyes skimmed my face, lingering on my lips for a split second too long before falling to my outfit. Instantly, I detected another hint of raw amusement. Who the hell was he to make fun of what I was wearing after yesterday?
“The truth is, Fleur, if I’d thought you were going to even attempt to harm me in any manner, I wouldn’t be here returning your plate and the very special thermos you have no intention of parting with.
” He allowed his eyes to complete the journey, roaming every contour of my body before meeting my gaze once again.
“So you’re aware, also if you’d attempted to…
kill me as you so aptly put it, we’d have a problem.
Although I admit, I wouldn’t mind seeing you try. ”
His words dripped of sarcasm.
Maybe just my imagination, but the once bustling, noisy store was irritatingly silent. Everyone was obviously watching our interaction. Heat slipped across my jaw, rising ever so slowly to my cheeks.
He’d ceremoniously managed to strip the words from my mouth, so we stood glaring at each other while I examined him in the store’s twinkling LED lights.
His hair curled where the ends met the jacket’s collar, causing me to crave to run my fingers through the thick locks.
While his gaze was equally harsh, I was once again mesmerized by the golden flecks that seemed regal instead of natural.
There was no doubt he was the kind of man who knew he could have whatever and whoever he wanted with a snap of his fingers.
That alone irritated me as much as his haughty attitude. “If I tried, I assure you I would have succeeded.”
My ridiculous comment brought a wider smile and obviously he was wondering how I’d make the attempt. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
It dawned on me that he knew my name. I didn’t know whether to be flustered, worried, or impressed. “How did you know my name?”
“I make it a point of learning everything about those intent on killing me.”
The way he said the words was positively terrifying. My face must have given me away because he pointed to the sign by the front door. Owner: Fleur Sebastian. God. I was such an idiot.
“Well, since you know my name, I think it only fair if I know yours.”
He took a deep breath and held it while deciding if I was worthy of learning his first name. “Montgomery.”
“Montgomery Prince. That suits you.” And it did. Rugged around the edges while appropriately sanctimonious.
“Perhaps one day I’ll learn why. However, now isn’t the time.” He handed me the plate and thermos, daring another smirk when I almost dropped the stainless-steel jug.
“Did you enjoy the muffins?” I don’t know why I was bothering to ask.
“They were… edible.”
“Edible. My God. Would it hurt you in the least to give someone a compliment? I mean I didn’t need to bake you muffins at midnight, but I felt compelled to try to smooth the rough edges.”
“You shouldn’t have bothered.”
Wow. He was a jerk. “Don’t worry. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
The man infuriated me, but I also remained flustered. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had flustered me.
He dared inch that hot of body of his closer. In turn, I lifted the scissors. Of course I had no intention of stabbing someone so good looking, but he didn’t need to know that.
His glare was droll, as if I was a gnat barely bothering him. “I’d be careful if I were you.”
“Why is that?”
“Because if you threaten me again, I will pull you over my knee, giving you one long, hard reason never to do so again.”
What had he just said to me?
“What in the hell are you talking about?”
I’ll be damned if his smile wasn’t slow and sly, a telling statement about the thoughts rumbling around in that brain of his. Bastard. “Over my dead body.”
His single eyebrow lift was a dare. My grip on the scissors tightened.
“Fleur. Since Bekka couldn’t get you on the phone, she asked me to remind you about Zoe’s bridal shower. You need to be at Wildwood in two hours.”
I’d had my hard glare positioned on the hateful man with such animosity in my heart that hearing Ashley’s voice became just another irritant. Thankfully, I shook it off. “I remember. Thank you, Ashley.”
“Wildwood?” he asked, as if he was actually interested.
“A bar in town. Not your kind of place, I assure you. Very honky-tonk and filled with men and women who prefer decency over a disregard for the principles of humanity.” Every word slipping from my mouth continued to annoy him, but the flicker of amusement in his eyes continued to fuel a fire that had my core throbbing.
“Principles.”
“Yes, I do have them. Maybe I can teach you about them one day. Thank you for returning my things. Hopefully, we’ll never have to see each other again.”
“Yes, hopefully.”
Why was the deep, throaty sound of his voice so enthralling? Why were my nipples scraping against my sweater?
He hesitated before turning toward the door. When he did, his bum leg seemed to give way and he stumbled forward. Since I did have principles, I reached out immediately, gripping his arm. His wince indicated he was in significant pain.
Which he promptly pulled away. “I can do it.”
Ah, the calm and collected man was capable of feeling an emotion other than anger. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need for you to be sorry. You didn’t make me this way.” He opened the door and while I should simply allow him to walk out the door, I realized he intrigued me.
Certainly more than any other man had in this town. “What happened? With your leg?” Regret washed over me. I just knew he was going to spew another malicious statement about how I should mind my own business.
His hesitation surprised me and the way his shoulders heaved while taking scattered breaths meant his injury was partially to blame for his nasty attitude. Now I felt like a horrible person.
“I was shot.”
“Shot?” Oh, my God.
“Yeah,” he continued. “When someone was trying to kill me.”