Page 53 of Witchful Thinking
“We have nothing to worry about.” Alex forced a light tone into his words. “We’re not—lovers.”
Yet. That unspoken word remained suspended between them. We’re not lovers yet. Lucy stilled; her pulse kicked under his hand. He dropped his hand away from her. She packed up her tools quickly, rinsing off her cups and discarding the leaves in the trash.
“This is why I don’t read my leaves,” Lucy said. “You stir things up you have no business knowing.”
They were not lovers, yet he wanted them to be soon. If not tonight, by the end of the summer, he’d want to spend time in her company and, if he had the pleasure, in her bed. Being near her felt like bathing on the jetty rock and laying out in sunlight.
He wanted to bathe in her light.
“Lu, you forgot something.”
She spun and faced him; her eyes were guarded. “What?”
He wrapped his hands around her waist, and her body leaned into him. He wanted her as much as the ocean yearned for the shore; it was elemental. He captured her lips with his, bringing her into a deep kiss. She responded with a surprised squeak, which turned into a breathy sigh. His mouth did not become softer as he kissed her. He claimed her. He possessed her with every lick, stroke, and nip of her lip. Her tote dropped from her shoulder, crashing down on the ground. They moved together slowly, until their bodies pressed against the wall. Once they made contact, they bumped together, which jarred them for a moment. Their hands grabbed at each other frantically.
He pinned her gently against the wall, pulling her arms above her head with one hand, while the other felt down her body and brought her leg around him. He caressed her thigh, leaning into her so that they were snug together. They fit, chest to chest, sex to sex. She breathed in shallow, quick gasps as he pressed himself against her. A moan slipped through her lips, electrifying him to keep going.
Alex let her hands go. She wrapped her arms around his neck. His imagination went off into dark, dirty directions. He rested his nose against hers, calming himself down. If he didn’t, he was going to strip her naked right here and have her on the floor. She deserved moonlight and magic, not awkward fumbling in a half-built house. The tea reading repeated in his head. This was a kiss that led to more things. Dangerous things. Things that broke your heart into a thousand pieces. Things that made you wish for forever. How was he going to let her go? Can you give her forever? You can’t even promise her the entire summer. Let her go for now. He let out a breath, then pressed a quick smooch to her lips. Lucy let her leg slide down his body.
Alex reluctantly stepped back away from her.
Lucy leaned down to reclaim her tote bag. Her eyes went over to the mail stack they’d scattered in their haste. She stilled. She picked up a soft mailer package. “I didn’t know you had this.”
Alex briefly explained the mail delivery issue, while Lucy tightly clutched the envelope to her.
“Is it important?” he asked.
She spoke with a quiet firmness. “It might be.”
Chapter Fourteen
The display window of Home and Hearth Hardware Store on Main was filled with seasonal gear to celebrate the heart of summer and camping products, including grills, bug spray, and tarps. Summer was in full effect in the Grove with people strolling the sidewalks in bright pastel clothing and shorts. The bell on the front door chimed as Alex and Horatio entered and walked toward the back of the store. Alex clutched Lucy’s list in his hand as his sneakers squeaked against the wood floor. The shrill grind of metal being shaped into a key invaded his thoughts. He practically jumped out of his scales. What are you doing here? He should’ve gone across the street, knocked on Lucy’s door, and kissed her senseless again. She seemed as spooked as he was once they kissed. No. They didn’t just kiss. They damn near knocked down the walls. The counter area of the store was crowded with a key tree, a key-cutting machine, and a wall of paint chips. The kiss only confirmed he needed this house ready for the open house in August.
Horatio pointed toward the wide wall of outdoor power tools.
“I have to check on this tubing. Are you good on your own?”
This cottage was his responsibility.
“I’m good.” Alex gave Horatio a thumbs-up. He blinked and Horatio seemed to disappear down the narrow aisles filled with home-repair items and tools.
Alex approached the front counter, addressing the older employee. “Excuse me.”
“Is that one of the Dwyer sons?” The man, who had a gray beard and a potbelly and was wearing an old H & H shirt and jeans, looked over the edge of his glasses. His mouth rose into a surprised smile.
“Hi, Mr. Giddings,” Alex greeted the bespectacled older gentleman behind the counter. “How are you?”
Horatio used to work here back in high school, and so Alex had ended up hanging out at the store, pretending he knew the difference between a slotted screwdriver and a stubby screwdriver when shoppers came up to him. Mr. Carl Giddings had let him hang around and had given him the chance to decorate the window display.
“I’m good. Just trying to keep these bones from rattling too much.” Mr. Giddings patted his back, giving Alex a sly grin. “What can I help you with?”
“I don’t know if you know, but I own the Fortunato Cottage.”
A light of understanding flashed on his face. “So, you’re the Funny House owner!”
“I guess so.”
Alex held up the paper list to Mr. Giddings. He felt closer to Lucy just by looking at her handwriting. “I’m looking to get a few paint samples for an accent wall. I also need to find a fabric that is monochromatic or look for a toile de jouy print.”