Chapter Two #2
We shook hands, again, and I turned to Bailey, who also extended her hand.
“You know, I’m sure it’s not easy being new here.
If you want to grab coffee or a cocktail,” I leaned in, “They’re both served at the same venue.
I gave Traum my cell phone. I’d be happy to tell you all the tips and tricks about Salus Glen. ”
Bailey’s pretty face showed surprise one moment and then pleasure the next. “I would love that.” Together we walked down the narrow hallway and out into the reception.
Raising my hand, I gave them a quick wave. “See you around.”
The couple, standing hand in hand, gave me a quick wave in response. I closed the door behind me and began to trek out of town hall. My fingers were twitching with the urge to start typing. Traum and Bailey had both been everything I’d expected. They were kind and friendly, eager and receptive.
It was almost too good.
Something wasn’t quite right; I just didn’t know what yet. But now the door was open and I was planning on peeking in on the ETA as much as I could.
And, hey, maybe I would acquire a new friend out of the mix too. God knows my grandmother and grandfather thought something was wrong with me for as much time as I sat at home with them.
Pulling my phone back out of my pocket, I moved the indicator back through the recording and began to relisten to the words, focusing on the beginning where Traum had glossed over his own history.
I was so focused on the smooth sound bar that I didn’t notice the soft rumble of the vehicle driven by local widow, Heidi Klausner.
At least, not until someone shouted and I raised my head, realizing that the ancient sedan she always drove around was veering dangerously onto the sidewalk that I was standing on.
All I had time to do was gasp. And then, strong warm hands were gripping me, yanking me to the side, as I twisted and fell out of the way. I closed my eyes, bracing myself to hit the concrete, but all I felt was a soft, quick, expulsion of air against my cheek and a thick warm body underneath me.
It took me a minute to catch up, my thoughts whirling as I pushed my face up.
“Freaking Mrs. Klausner.” Looking further down the street, I saw her bumper as she turned onto her street, completely unaware of the fact that she nearly ran me over.
“Someone seriously needs to take that woman’s driver’s license from her and sink that old jalopy of hers in the freaking bayou while they are at it!
” I was still glaring down the street at where she’d disappeared around the corner.
“Are you alright?”
My heart fell through my belly. I braced a hand against what I now realized was a very large chest and pushed back further.
My knees dropped to the side of his waist and I found myself straddling a man I’d never met before.
His chest rose and fell under my body and I was suddenly, irrationally sad that I’d worn pants today.
Because if I’d been in one of my favorite skirts, I’d have been able to feel even more of his powerful body.
His eyes, which were a rich amber, swept over me. One hand was on my hip now, holding me still, as another rose up to my cheek. “Miss, can you hear me?? Are you alright?”
Something in his voice raised a memory, but it was quickly drowned by the embarrassment of realizing I’d been sitting on this stranger, staring at him like he was my last meal.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Yes, I’m fine.”
His hands dropped immediately, his sharp jaw flexing. “Yes, you are.”
My jaw dropped, a hysterical giggle rising in my chest. “Who are you?”
***
Zaldi
What did she say?
I was staring up at her face, my entire body thrumming with her proximity. In our glamour I could touch people, but still, contact with an incubus never lost its potency, which is why I avoided it as much as possible.
Lucky for us. Or, perhaps, unluckily for us, my hands had fallen to her hips, which were safely covered in clothing. And while the weight of her over my body was delicious, I wasn’t in any danger of accidentally triggering the heat that flesh on flesh would.
But then, I shifted my hips slightly, moving her from her seat upon my lower belly. With her, it wouldn’t matter if we didn’t touch.
I already craved her every second of the day. It was dangerous to get so close. And this…this was far too close.
But yet, still, I didn’t move. I was transfixed now, as she laughed at my little joke. I was never funny. This surely was a fluke, but I was going to soak up every moment of it.
“My name is Zaldi.”
Her head cocked, deep brown hair brushing over her cheekbones as she studied me. After a moment, her eyes narrowed. “You’re new here, and yet, you seem so familiar.”
“How do you know I’m new here?”
“Because, I’m a townie and, even if I’ve been away for a while, I can tell when someone is new here. There’s a vibe, I swear.”
“And the woman who almost ran you over? You know her?”
“Yes, I’m afraid this is not her first near-miss with vehicular manslaughter.”
I frowned at her, then realized that she was still perched over me. “She needs to be talked to.” With a grunt, I lifted her body off of mine and shifted her to the side. Rising to a squat, I clambered up and reached for her arm. Gripping her jacketed elbow, I hauled her up beside me.
To her credit, she moved easily with me, leaning down to brush the dust off her clothes after standing.