Chapter Fifteen

Violet was standing at the counter, trying to muster the energy to grab the Swiffer so she could tackle the afternoon chores, when the bells over the door signaled the arrival of a customer.

"Welcome to Shelf Help," she said as she turned around. "Oh. Hey."

Archer stood just inside, his gaze skimming the space, a slow smile forming. "This is cute as fuck."

She laughed because cute coming out of his mouth was actually cute.

"Thanks."

"You own it?"

"I do, yes. I own the whole building," she told him as he moved deeper into the store, his eyes skimming the books on the tables and shelves. "It's my backup plan."

He turned to look at her. "It's a very smart investment."

"Yeah. It pays the bills. If you're thinkin' about openin' a bookstore in a small town, I might suggest you consider anything else."

Archer laughed. "But you're doin' what you love, huh?"

"That I am." She turned, following him with her eyes as he continued to check out the place.

"Holy fuck."

"What?" She stepped out from behind the counter.

"These are impressive. Who did them?"

He was referring to the murals she'd painted at the back of the store. "That would be me."

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Wow. Simon said you were smart and beautiful, but he didn't mention you had talent, too."

The comment warmed her from the inside. She wasn't sure Simon really said that, but to think he might have made her feel good.

"He's got it bad," Archer said, turning to face her for the first time. "I mean, bad."

"Got what bad?" she asked, slightly confused.

Archer's dirty blond eyebrow snapped up.

"Oh." She felt the blush rising on her neck.

"I should warn you, he's gonna go ape shit when he realizes I came over here."

Violet frowned.

"I'm harmless, I promise."

Although the man looked like he could crush a boulder in his enormous fist, Violet believed him. There was something sweet underneath that hulking exterior.

The bells jingled loudly, followed by, "They're already talkin' about him, Vi."

Violet swallowed, grinning as she waited for Spencer to see the him he was likely referring to. You couldn't really miss the guy unless you weren't paying attention.

"Sue was tellin'—oh, shit." Spencer stopped—walking and talking—when Archer stepped forward, coming into view.

She was mesmerized by the way the two men stared at each other. It was like the whole store held its breath.

"Uh … Spencer, this is Archer Halligan. Archer, this is one of my best friends, Spencer Elliott."

Violet wanted to tell Spencer to close his mouth, but she didn't want to embarrass him. He was staring at Archer like he'd never seen another human being before.

Archer wasn't doing much better, although he did manage a few steps toward Spencer, holding out his hand. "Hello, best friend of Violet Anderson."

"One of them," Spencer corrected, reaching out a hand.

Violet was tempted to look away. To be standing there felt oddly like an invasion of privacy.

"What is it you do, Spencer?" Archer asked when he finally released Spencer's hand.

"Realtor."

"Really?"

He nodded.

Spencer Elliott speechless. That didn't happen often.

Maybe she should pull up a chair. This was one of the best things she'd witnessed in a while.

When Archer and Spencer finally left, Violet spent the rest of the day counting down the minutes until she could close the store. She didn't even wait until four, opting to close the doors a few minutes early because she was antsy, restless. Eager.

She couldn't remember ever doing that before. She loved her store, loved working there, loved interacting with her town. Aside from her cats and her family, nothing made her happier.

Until Simon Jennings rocked her freaking world.

By spanking her.

He actually spanked her.

What was more disbelieving was how much she liked it. It wasn't like the first night they were together when he spanked her right before he fucked her. That had been a heat-of-the-moment thing. Yeah, she had liked it then, too. But today… There was something filthy about the way he'd bent her over, pulled down her panties, and spanked her ass.

Crazy as it was, she wanted him to do it again.

"I'm losin' my mind," she told Harry and Hermione as she filled their bowls and got them fresh water.

She'd read plenty of erotic romances that involved spanking scenes, and yeah, they could sometimes cause a tingle. But she never imagined she would find herself in that position. In fact, she found herself daydreaming about the dirtiest, filthiest things that Simon might do to her and she was anxiously anticipating everything.

A knock sounded on her door. She glanced at the clock and frowned. It was only four-thirty, and Simon said he wasn't coming over until five.

Harry trotted to the front door, tail wagging. In another life, she would swear he'd been a dog.

"Hey," she said when she opened the door to find Simon on the other side.

He held up a plastic bag. "I know I'm early."

He was early. But why didn't he sound happy about it?

She smiled, pushing the screen door open and stepping out of the way. "Couldn't stay away, huh?"

His eyebrows rose as he walked into the house, heading straight for the kitchen.

A little confused by his abruptness, Violet closed the door behind him and followed.

The second she stepped into the kitchen, she found herself in his arms, his mouth crushed to hers.

"I spent the entire day thinkin' about you," he mumbled against her mouth.

Violet grabbed his head, kissing him hard, letting him know she had the same problem. The next thing she knew, they were in her bedroom, the door closing as Simon's hands slid beneath her skirt, squeezing her ass.

"Did Archer come by the store today?" he asked, walking her backward toward the bed.

"Yes."

He groaned, his lips trailing fire across her neck. "Take off your clothes."

She waited until he released her before pulling her shirt over her head.

"Now, Vi," he said hastily. "I need you naked."

There was an intensity to his words she hadn't heard before.

"Is somethin' wrong?" she asked.

Rather than wait, he unhooked the front clasp of her bra and groaned when her breasts spilled free. "Not anymore." He cupped her with both hands. "Fuck, Violet. Fuck."

A ragged moan escaped as he pinched her nipples. Her entire body lit up, a lightning storm charging every nerve ending.

"Are you sure?" she asked, holding his hands, urging him to keep going. Although she was surprised by the roughness of his touch, she liked it. A lot.

"Lose the skirt, Violet," he demanded, his eyes hot as he stared at her.

She unhooked it at the side and allowed the skirt to fall to the floor. He released her breasts so she could remove her panties. When she was naked, she stood tall, feeling the full impact of his approval as he looked at her.

"You are perfect," he hissed, stepping back. "Get on the bed."

Violet wasn't sure if this was a game they were playing, but she went along with it.

"What did you and Archer talk about?" he prompted, adjusting her position once she was on the bed. He forced her knees wide, his finger teasing her clit briefly before he stepped back and started to undress.

"Nothin' really." They hadn't talked about much. And definitely not after Spencer showed up.

When he was naked, Simon crawled onto the bed with her, not giving her nearly enough time to ogle him. He was gorgeous.

"Did you tell him how I spanked your ass?"

"God, no," she said.

"Good."

Violet met his gaze as it dawned on her what was going on.

"Simon Jennings, are you jealous?"

His blue/green/gray eyes met hers. "Abso-fuckin'-lutely."

Before she could get another word out, his mouth crashed down on hers. Violet held on as he shifted her legs wider, his cock thick and heavy between them. While his tongue thrashed against hers, she reached between them, guiding him to where she needed him most.

"Violet … fuck…" Simon hissed as he pushed inside her, sinking in as deep as he could go.

It felt so good. The way he stretched her, the heat of his body enveloping her. He was on top of her, yet somehow, he managed not to crush her, but she wasn't sure how. She could feel every inch of him as he began rocking, sliding in deep, retreating. Deep again. Their mouths remained fused except the few times they came up for air. He never stopped fucking her, never let go as they rode the waves together, climbing, climbing. Higher and higher until the crash was inevitable.

"Come for me, Violet. Come all over my cock."

She cried out as the orgasm ripped through her, shredding her with its intensity.

"That's it, baby. That's it."

Simon didn't stop, fucking her harder and harder. As soon as the waves eased, the build-up began again until she felt as though she was pulled as taut as a bow.

"Who does this pussy belong to?" he growled against her mouth.

"You! Oh, fuck."

"Come for me again. One more time, Vi."

His thrusts became erratic, but Violet held on, the intensity driving her up to the peak one more time.

"Simon! Oh, fuck. Simon!"

As soon as she soared over the edge, he drove in deep, his cock pulsing as he came.

Violet wasn't sure what just happened, but it was something. Something big.

·····

Simon hadn't meant to go all caveman on Violet, but he couldn't help himself.

Between the teasing that morning and the memory of her ass with his handprint, he'd been primed and eager. The tipping point had been Archer talking about how he'd spent the afternoon at the store, getting to know the beautiful bookstore owner.

He'd known his friend was fucking with him. Archer was not the sort of guy who would do anything to sacrifice his friendship with anyone. And since the man preferred the company of men over women, Simon knew he had nothing to worry about.

Yet, he'd felt an undeniable need to claim Violet in the most primal way possible.

"Are you hungry?" he mumbled into her hair before pushing himself up.

"I could eat."

She was still gasping for breath the same way he was, which made him feel like less of an asshole. He hadn't been thinking about anything but plunging inside her so he could claim her. He was already anxious to do it again, but he refused to give in to the impulse until he fed her.

"Come on," he said, rolling off of her and getting to his feet. "Let's get some food in you."

"Mmm. Okay."

Simon peered back to see she was staring at his ass. He liked that she was. It went a long way toward bolstering his ego. He wasn't insecure. Not usually. But he knew how people reacted when they met Archer Halligan. The guy was larger than life and so goddamn charming he could convince an Eskimo to buy imported ice cubes. And yeah, he was a looker. And yeah, Simon was secure enough to admit that.

"What did you get for dinner?" Violet asked a minute later when she joined him in the bathroom.

She was wearing his T-shirt, which came down to mid-thigh. The damn shirt had never looked quite that good on him.

"Texas chili," he told her.

Violet's eyes popped wide. "Nuh-uh."

He chuckled. "Myrna made a small batch at my request."

"Simon Jennings, you should be careful, or I might—" Violet slammed her mouth shut and spun around, leaving him in the bathroom alone.

"You might what?" he prompted when he returned to the bedroom to grab his jeans.

"Nothin'."

He pulled them on, then followed her into the kitchen, where she proceeded to dish up the chili so she could warm it in the microwave.

"I wanna know," he said, not giving an inch. "You might what?"

"Nothing," she said firmly. "It's nothing."

"Then why're you actin' so weird."

"I'm not," she said defensively. "You are."

"I am?"

"Yeah. All jealous and shit."

Because she refused to look at him, Simon stopped her from moving by crowding her against the counter. He placed his hands on the countertop, caging her in.

"I want you to finish that sentence," he said, kissing her neck.

"Trust me, you don't."

"I do," he insisted. "Tell me, Violet."

"Stop, Simon. Seriously."

He took a step back, giving her the space she was requesting, and wondered if he should go. She was clearly pissed, but he wasn't sure what had happened.

"Would you like me to leave?"

Violet spun around. "No." She huffed. "I'd like you to stay, actually."

"You sure?"

She nodded, her eyes wary. "I'm sorry. I was caught up in the moment. I almost said somethin' stupid. It wasn't a big deal."

He watched her. "Then why won't you tell me?"

Violet held his stare for several seconds, and Simon expected her to turn away. She didn't. And she still didn't. He waited her out.

Finally, she rolled her eyes. "Fine. I almost said, you might wanna be careful, or I'll fall in love with you."

The last words came out rapidly a second before she spun around, giving him her back.

"Would that be a bad thing?" he asked, moving closer.

"The worst."

He stopped walking.

She kept talking. "The curse prevents you from fallin' in love with me, Simon. And I'd very much like to live out the rest of my life without fallin' in love with someone who won't love me back."

The curse. Seriously. The woman believed a curse could stop any man worth his salt from falling in love with her. She was out of her mind.

"What if I want you to fall in love with me?" he asked, keeping his voice low as he moved closer, once again crowding her against the cabinets.

"Why? Why would it even matter? The curse—"

Simon placed his palm over her mouth and turned her head so he could meet her gaze over her shoulder.

"The curse got it wrong this time," he told her.

Her eyes widened, and he could see the question in her eyes.

He moved his hand.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I'm already fallin'."

She looked away. "I think that orgasm might be cloudin' your judgment."

He caged her in with his hands on the countertop again. "I'm quite sane if you wanna know the truth."

"Simon…"

He kissed the side of her neck again. "Violet, you are the sassiest, sexiest, most intelligent woman I've ever met."

"You haven't met a lot of women, huh?"

The fact she was teasing was a good sign.

"I happen to know for a fact it's gonna be really hard to go back home," he admitted.

Her body tensed, and he realized what he'd said. He'd all but etched an end date on their time together.

"But until then, I'd like to spend every minute I can with you. If you'll let me."

She nodded, but he knew he'd already put his foot in his mouth.

Worse, he realized he wasn't looking forward to leaving, and he knew it had nothing to do with a story and everything to do with the woman he was falling in love with because, for him, it wasn't a maybe. It was a done deal.