Chapter Four
Alia
The bell above the door rang, jolting me to look up from where I was wiping a table. My natural instinct was to check every time I heard it, just in case Brandon decided to break his restraining order.
A man came in with his young child, glancing around until he spotted the kids’ corner on the right.
“Good morning,” he greeted, waving as his daughter went to search for a book. “This place is so charming. Who’s the owner?”
Smiling, I held the spray bottle and rag in front of me. “I’m the owner. We're still not completely ready, but we're getting there.”
He glanced around, admiring the place before returning to his daughter. I had just reached the counter at the back when the door went again and I turned to check.
My heart shot into my throat as the man in a helmet strode in, heading straight through the center of the store towards me. I chucked the spray bottle and rag over the counter, cringing when it clattered on the floor loudly. Embarrassing.
I resisted the urge to fluff my hair as he came closer, his oily scent reaching me before he did.
“Moth.” My voice squeaked as he came to a stop in front of me, his leather clad arms by his side.
Nodding, he replied gruffly. “Alia.”
“How do you know who I am?” I muttered, waving when the man and his daughter retreated, leaving quicker than I would've hoped. “Shit.”
“He's probably put off by the company you keep.” Looking around, he breathed heavily in his helmet. “Nice place here.”
“Answer my question!” I frowned as he looked down at me. “And why won't you take off that helmet? It's really frustrating not seeing your face.”
A fizz of something started in my belly and slipped between my legs. He stepped closer, towering above me.
“I thought you'd like the mystery.” Reaching out a hand, he stroked my cheek. “I remember you being a naughty girl.”
My body froze, and I grabbed his wrist, holding it steady. He didn't fight me, instead he let his muscles go soft.
“Tell me how you know me,” I snapped, “or leave me the fuck alone. Those days are gone, I-I...” Pushing his arm away, I sucked air into my lungs.
“It's better this way.” He leaned over me, one arm stretched out.
I put my hands between us, only for him to pull away clutching the leather jacket. He’d retrieved it from the counter behind me.
Turning, Moth started to stride away.
I held my hand to my chest to calm my breathing.?”I’m grateful to you for rescuing me.”
He went still mid-stride, one of his thick boots almost on its toes. “Just stay safe.”
“But I need to know who you are,” I whispered, “I can't stop thinking about you.”
He spun so fast, I tried to reverse as he came to me, his whole weight pressing me into the counter. He flipped his visor up and stared at me with his piercing brown eyes.
“You're playing with dynamite,” he hissed, the mint of his breath washing over me, “and I'm not interested.”
His hips moved slightly, telling me a different story. I clung to the counter behind me, my breath held and my heart racing. Okay, I hated being stalked by my ex, but why was my fucking pussy pulsing at Moth's body pressed against mine? Without my consent.
“Okay,” I released a breath, “I get the message.”
My hips moved forward of their own accord, bumping into his hard erection. He inhaled deeply, staring into my eyes and reaching for me. Before his fingers came into contact, he ripped himself away and marched out of the store, not looking back once.
My chest heaved and blood rushed in my ears.
Picking up my phone, I scrolled through my numbers, searching for one person I could confide in.
Except, I'd left my old friends behind a few years ago, my last remaining friend abandoning me when I'd got involved with Brandon and wouldn't listen to her reason.
I had no one. And Moth frightened me, even if his heat was still imprinted on my body.
Turning to the counter, I stepped behind it and stared at the door. When I was a young teen, I'd had several friends, and often showed off, bragging about my perfect family life. When I'd turned thirteen, things had changed… Dramatically. The memories threatened, clawing at my mind.
The bell above the door rang and I jerked, so lost in thought I hadn't noticed my friendly delivery driver. He had several boxes loaded in his arms as he struggled through the door. I rushed out from behind the counter, ready to help.
“I've got it!” he called, placing them on a coffee table in the fantasy section.
Going back to the food counter, I switched on the machine and quickly made up his coffee order, instantly feeling at ease.
“How are you today?” he asked, leaning on the counter. “Is Sarah in those boxes?”
His wink was friendly as I grinned. “Hopefully! They told me that they'd dispatched a few days ago. I'm so excited.”
My whole demeanor changed as he took the takeaway cup, thanking me with a nod. His energy had always been friendly and welcoming, far from what I was used to with Brandon and now Moth. He was a guy I should've been attracted to, should've wanted to get with.
“Well…” He gestured to the boxes. “…let's see them.”
Grabbing up a knife, I almost skipped around the counter and went to the boxes, immediately ripping right through the cardboard and opening the bad boys.
“Yes!” I exclaimed, picking up one of the bubble wrapped hardbacks and undoing it.
“You handle that like a newborn baby.” Josh leaned back against the small wooden railing that lined the walkway into the shop.
Laughing, I looked at him sideways. “This is precious cargo. These bad boys are limited edition hardbacks. Look at the sprayed edges.” Holding up Sarah's latest book, I wiggled it. “See. Pretty.”
“Like you,” he muttered under his breath.
“Pardon?” I pretended I didn't hear him as my heart skipped a beat.
Shaking his head, Josh grinned. “Nothing. I better get going. Enjoy the books, they’re very pretty and thanks for the coffee.”
Waving goodbye, I kept my gaze down, my cheeks heating from his compliment. He'd often flirted, but I'd never taken him seriously. Maybe he'd build up the courage to ask me out one day… and I would accept, because he was the type of stability I needed in my life.
“Alia!” Gracie screeched, blending in with the sound of the bell above the door. “Is that it?”
She was beside me before I could blink, her arms outstretched and fingers wiggling in excitement. I handed the book to her, thrilled from the excitement we shared. The rectangle paper block elicited a squeak and I jumped, glaring playfully at the teen.
“Okay, okay,” I said, “is it everything you imagined?”
Hugging the book to her chest, she nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “Absolutely. Thank you!”
Putting a hand on her shoulder, I squeezed it. “Thank your mom, she was the one who paid for it and she encouraged you to read. She's awesome.”
Ever since I'd opened, Gracie had dragged her mother into the store every Saturday. Her mom had been happy that they both had something to do together.
“Anyway,” I went on, “I spoke to her yesterday and she's agreed to let you work a couple of hours on a Saturday, if you still wanted.”
Jumping up and down, she squeaked, once again. A couple of her long braids flicked my arm and I laughed, putting my hands on her shoulders to calm her.
“Okay, less of the squeaking,” I said kindly, “now go home and tell your mom you have your book and a small job.”
She grabbed me in a hug and I patted her back awkwardly.
Once she'd let go, she was gone, like a whirlwind.
She'd been struggling with school and her mom had tried everything to get her help.
Now that she had somewhere to come after school, her mother had a good bargaining tool to get her to do her work.
Although, glancing up at the clock, I shook my head. She'd left during lunch to come and get her book, the little minx. At least she'd managed to stay at school for the morning. The excitement of a new book would've had me skipping school too.
Sitting down in one of the chairs, I stared around the store. It had been a crazy morning and there were still several hours of the day. All I had to do was get through it without thinking about Moth and his huge erection.