Chapter Ten #2
Turning away, he went to work, grabbing out the rest of the books and placing them neatly on their display racks. The author just stared, her gaze traveling down his leathers, over his tight ass and back up again, lingering on the moth tattoo on his neck.
“Well.” She inhaled and smiled at me. “You’re a lucky bookstore lady.”
Shrugging in an excited gesture, she went back over to her stall and fiddled with her books. I’d read all of them and had told her so earlier, where we’d chatted for over an hour. She was a talented writer and I was excited to work with her. However, I didn’t want her to get too close to Moth.
“I could have a new career.” Moth slunk over and ran a hand over a pretty special edition. “What do you think?”
Swallowing, I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Don’t get too cocky, no one has seen what you look like under that helmet.”
“Neither had you.” He came nearer. “But you still grabbed me like you wanted it.”
I coughed and held out my hands, trying to deflect what he’d said. “That was before I knew that you actually wanted to kill me. That’s all changed now.”
“Really?” The word was almost a deep purr. A fucking purr.
Clenching my teeth, I went to the table, careful to step around him, and rearranged the books he’d just put out, even though he’d done a fine job. I had to take control of the situation before I was on my knees, panting and begging for him to slide his cock into my mouth… no! Fucking hell.
“It’s hot in here,” I said to distract myself.
He was still, the helmet looking in my direction. His chuckle rumbled as he stepped close again, reaching past me to grab the wristband that was on the table.
“I better go and scope the place out, just in case your ex turns up.”
His chest brushed my tit and I gasped, jumping back and knocking into the banner behind me. It rocked, but hero that Moth was, he grabbed it just before it crashed down onto my book display.
“Are you jumpy because of me?” he muttered, “or worried about him?”
Waving a hand in dismissal, I turned away, ignoring the game that he was clearly starting to play. He had my nerves on edge. That, added to the threat of my stalker, made me a ticking time bomb, ready to explode.
“Alia!” Another friend approached as the doors opened and the readers started to flock in.
Throwing my arms around the only other independent bookstore owner in town, I hugged her tightly.
She pulled away slightly, frowning at me. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m just a little rattled. Nervous for today, that’s all.” I couldn’t tell her the truth, we weren’t that close. We’d only spoken about books, stock and how we’d wished we could write stories.
A woman approached and squealed when she saw my Sarah J Maas books. My friend glared playfully before waving a quick goodbye and going back to her own stall. It had been a bidding war for the latest books and I’d managed to get a limited number of copies.
“I can’t believe how cheap it is,” the customer said, “I’ve seen people selling them for two hundred.”
“I know, it’s so wrong.” I picked up a bag to pack her order, pausing when she started to grab up other special editions.
“I’m going to need a bigger bag.” She laughed as I rung up her order and packed it, glancing up occasionally to check for Moth or Brandon.
Another reader approached, her eyes widening. “Can I have two?”
She was pointing at the Sarah books enthusiastically. I’d put up a sign for one copy per customer only, but she was choosing to ignore that. If she got angry, there was a high chance she could start something. I needed Moth to ward off any negativity. He would be a good distraction.
Swallowing, I shook my head, indicating the sign.
“I love that you’re selling dark romance!” Luckily, she was quickly distracted. “Where’s your store?”
Handing my first customer her bag, I smiled. She smiled back, glancing at the other reader, as if she was also waiting for my answer.
“Oh, here…” I handed them both a card. “…I’m in town. Please come and see me. I’ll be hosting multiple events and there’s different sections of the store set up with a wide range of genres.”
Both of them exclaimed in excitement and my spirits were lifted. Fuck yeah, I was living the dream. Their joy eased the darkness that had settled over me and a ray of sunlight… was blocked out by Moth as he came to stand between the pair.
“I’ve checked everywhere,” he said in his deep husky voice, “and it seems to be safe so far. There’s not many exits, so…”
He trailed off when I widened my eyes so hard, I almost popped one out. I fake smiled and glanced at the two women, who were staring up at Moth, also wide eyed.
“Oh!” he exclaimed. “Hello, ladies. I hope you enjoy your purchases.”
They giggled and walked away, talking to one another as they stared back at Moth. His frame was much taller and broader than I remembered. I totally understood why the ladies were taking notice, hadn’t I been desperate enough to touch him?
His tattoos peeked from his leather jacket and the helmet kept his identity a secret. He was a dark romance hero in the making. In fact, he really did fit the role perfectly… threatening me but also teasing me… the asshole.
“Maybe be a little mindful of the customers,” I said to him, keeping my gaze on the entrance as several women chatted to the scream man.
There were a few male models in different stages of undress and costumes. Most of them wore masks, which completely threw me.
A rush of people engulfed us, and I didn't have a chance to look up, let alone keep an eye out for Brandon.
The men in masks milled around, unassuming as they spoke to readers.
I froze when a model wearing a Purge mask appeared in front of me, just as I stepped around the side of the table to hand someone their heavy bag.
Taking it off me, he inclined his head and walked with the customer, not looking back.
My heartbeat was pounding in my head. I wouldn't know if Brandon was hiding in plain sight, and as much as I was trying to be brave, the idea of him spying on me was scary.
“Have you got any of these left?” Moth, still in his helmet, held up a special edition dark romance. “This is the last one.”
He'd been helping me pack the orders while I'd been serving the customers. I'd never imagined that he would actually work with me, I'd been expecting him to sit back and leave me to it. He was enjoying the selfie requests a little too much, in my opinion, but it wasn't my place to judge.
“Yes, there's five left in that box.” I pointed, hitting his crotch as he moved towards me.
I pulled away, muttering an apology as we glanced at one another. Oh god, my cheeks were on fire and he was, no doubt, cool as anything under the helmet. Why had I agreed to have him help?
As I looked away, he bent down near to my ear and growled inside the helmet. “Don't touch what you can't handle, Sunshine.”
Gulping, I turned back to the customers, who stared at us, eyes twinkling. Oh great, we'd just given them a show. They'd probably be disgusted and…
“I need this vibe,” one woman said, waving a finger between us.
Moth chuckled loudly and turned to retrieve the books he’d enquired about. I ducked my gaze, scanning the other books on the table before my eyes landed on one of my favorite authors.
“Ah,” I said, “here's a good motorcycle club series.”
Grabbing up the book, I fumbled as it dropped again. Of course, like the fucking god in shining leathers he was, Moth scooped it up and handed it to the customer. She blushed brightly as she fanned herself with her free hand.
“You two!” Her excitement was contagious.
Or it would've been. If Moth wasn't my enemy who had threatened to basically end me if I didn't tell him the truth about why I killed his brother. Jeez, no wonder he hated me, his view of that day was so skewed. I would’ve sworn vengeance on someone if I'd believed that they'd killed my brother.
Except, my brother was dead too. And that was probably my fault also.
“Alia?” Moth nudged me out of my thoughts.
“Sorry!” Shaking my head, I concentrated on the three women who had spoken to me. “What was that?”
They looked at one another with grins so wide, they almost split their faces. They genuinely believed that I was so captivated by the biker, I'd gone into a dream world. Couldn’t they see that we were enemies?
The harsh reality was completely unknown to them. Like me, they believed that a man in a helmet or under a mask, would do anything for their woman. Their real husbands would have a task keeping up with their book boyfriends.
“We'll have the whole series please. All of us.” The woman with the brightly colored hair winked at me before looking back at Moth, who started to pack the books for them.
I smiled, the interaction reminding me why I was currently standing in a huge hall with authors and readers and other booksellers. This was my dream, my first love. And I was living it.
“I'll let the author know,” I said, holding out my payment machine so they could swipe their card.
“Oh,” one of them exclaimed, “I love your tattoo.”
Glancing down at my forearm, which was poking out of my denim jacket sleeve, I cringed. Moth came up behind me and looked down, spotting the intricate butterfly with flames as wings. Shit.
He went still beside me, a bag of books held in mid-air. I pulled my sleeve down and took the bag, thanking the customer as I handed it to her. They left, whispering to themselves as they looked back over their shoulders.
“Dude!” A guy in another scream mask approached, his shirt off, “we should do a promo photo for the event. You, me, a couple of the other dudes and your lady.”
“My lady?” Moth’s voice was deadened by his helmet.
He must have been sweating in there, but he hadn't complained once, or bothered to take it off. I was grateful, too scared to see his expression now that he'd seen my tattoo. I'd had it done as soon as I'd turned eighteen… in memory of his brother.
“It would be a great shot for Reverse Harem.” The guy gestured for his friends to come over.