Then her dating life. That had been a disaster. Kissing. Ugh. Letting a man touch her? That had been worse. She definitely didn’t want that conversation with him. She’d found porn and tried various types, hoping something, anything, would appeal to her. That’s when she’d discovered what her body responded to. It had been rather humiliating finding out watching a man do certain inappropriate things to a woman made her body come alive.
Savage had discovered those things for himself, or at least, he was discovering them. She still wasn’t certain she wanted to know how far she—or at least her body—was willing to go. Her head screamed no. Well, that wasn’t exactly true either. She was just confused about what she should be feeling. She knew for certain she loved Savage and she wanted to be with him. The rest of it, she still had to work out in her mind. She also knew she couldn’t let him consume her, and he would if she didn’t stand up to him. Fortunately, Seychelle’s nature was simply to go her own way when she wanted. She might be a pleaser, but only to an extent. Then she totally pleased herself.
She was next in line at the counter. “Sabelia, it’s so good to see you. How are you?”
“Doing good. You?” Sabelia’s gaze jumped from Seychelle to Hyde, who was at the back of the store, seemingly not paying attention, his gaze on his phone.
“Great.” Seychelle put the heavy basket on the counter gratefully. “I love this store. Everything about it, especially the way it smells.”
Sabelia smiled, a genuine smile, something Seychelle realized was rare. The smile lit up Sabelia’s pale face. Her thick black hair had been pulled back into a simple ponytail, taming the wild silk and accenting the beauty of her bone structure.
“I love it too. It’s my favorite place to be. I never mind working late hours. Hannah lets me study here. She’s the best boss.” As if it embarrassed her to admit it, Sabelia began to hastily ring up the items in the basket.
“I don’t suppose you’re learning any great hexes you can put on a man to scare the crap out of him?” Seychelle asked, mostly to make her laugh. Hannah would lift an eyebrow and ask her what she was referring to. Sabelia would pretend to consider it. “Maybe give me a few lessons.” She glanced over her shoulder. Sure enough, the snitch, Hyde, was texting away.
“What kind of hex?” Sabelia asked, a smirk on her face, instantly dispelling her previous embarrassment.
“Remote control for certain body parts.” Let Hyde text that one to Savage.
Hyde coughed, and both women immediately acted concerned.
“Would you like a drink? I can get you something very special that will help with that,” Sabelia offered solicitously.
Hyde stepped back until he was pressed against the wall, shaking his head. “No, thanks. I’m good.”
Seychelle’s phone vibrated with alarming force, as if Savage were coming through the very tower to shake it himself. She tried not to laugh. Whatever Hyde was telling him was not going over so well. Between intimidating the prospect with the idea of hexing anyone and needling Savage, she was actually having fun. She took her time pulling her phone from her pocket.
“I don’t have a hex for that yet,” Sabelia said, “but I’ve got a pretty good one involving toads I might consider sharing.”
“Really?” Toads sounded way better than making any mistakes with remote controls. She really wanted to keep Savage’s body parts working. “I’m leaving for a few days but would love to talk when I come back.”
Sabelia nodded. “You got it. Lana’s interested as well. We should get together at her place. No chance of getting interrupted. It would be fun.”
Savage wouldn’t get upset if she was with Lana. It did sound fun, even if she really didn’t learn a thing. Girls’ night.
“I’d love that, Sabelia. Thanks.” She took the gold, glittery bag with the strong handles off the counter. “I’ll be in touch and we can set something up.” She glanced down at her phone.
Hyde thinks you’re a wildcat. I agree with him. Get away from Sabelia and her hexes now. You’re in so much trouble already.
Hyde took the bag from her. She leveled her gaze at him, giving him the stink eye. “You know, you didn’t have to rat me out for every little thing.”
“Actually, I did. If I didn’t tell him, he’d beat the crap out of me. No one wants a beatdown from Savage.”
She eyed him for a long time. “Even so, you were having too much fun with the details.”
He grinned at her. “Yes, I was. Hell, woman, if anyone can give that man trouble, it’s you.” He sounded totally pleased. “You look so angelic, who knew you could kick ass and take names. Did you get everything you need?”
She nodded. “Yes, I think that’s everything.” He dropped the keys to the MINI Cooper into her palm and started toward the driver’s door. “Wait, Hyde. I did forget something. I had another package in the Floating Hat. I set it down on the floor when I was talking to Sabelia and was going to tuck it in the larger bag. She packaged the tea separately for me. It will just take a minute.”
“It won’t. You’ll talk to her for an hour. I’ll get it. You stay right there.”
She wasn’t about to leave her designated spot, not with Shari and Brandon on the loose. “I promise. Right here. I’m knee-deep in concrete.”
It was a beautiful, glorious day. She spread her arms wide and just basked in the coastal afternoon. The sun had come out and the wind had died down, leaving the sea sparkling like a million jewels had spread across the water. She leaned against her car, smiling, happy she’d had a day just to shop. It occurred to her to text Savage and ask him if she had time to visit a couple of the older people she always kept an eye on, but she really wanted to look good for their date, and she was sore, so she definitely wanted to soak in the bathtub.
“You were the singer in the band the other night, the one with the beautiful voice.”
The voice jerked her out of her reverie. It was admiring and a tiny bit familiar. Seychelle straightened and found herself staring into green eyes. It took a minute before she registered where she’d seen him. He was one of the Diamondbacks who sat at the small table near the band when they played. They’d been outside in back when Shari had screamed how Savage belonged to her. The two Diamondbacks had heard everything she’d said.
“Tony Ravard.” He held out his hand. “You have a beautiful voice. The next time you’re singing, my brother Leonardo wants to hear you sing.” He indicated the older man sitting in a pickup truck parked across the street. He looked to be pushing forty. Maybe a little younger. Definitely harder and edgier than Tony, or at least he looked it.
“Seychelle Dubois.” She took his hand. What else was there to do? He seemed sincere enough. He was wearing a vest with his colors on it. Jeans, a tee and his vest. He didn’t look as if he was there for trouble. His older brother wore Diamondback colors as well. He didn’t get out of the truck, for which she was eternally grateful.
“Heard a rumor you were hooked up with Savage from Torpedo Ink? That true?”
She pulled her hand away from his and studied his face. “Why is everyone suddenly so interested in my dating life?”