Shadows of the Past (9 page)

“I think she likes you
.” Fallon winked. “She doesn’t do that for everyone. Though, she should have for Clint. He enjoyed the pain a little too well.”

“I thought they all said he behaved,” Hayden frowned.

“Oh, he did, but he still enjoyed the pain.”

* * * *

Zack ducked into Edenton’s Best Diner. He still couldn’t believe that bitch threw him out. He slumped into a booth.

A
pretty redhead with dark makeup walked over. Her eyes were narrowed, but her mouth was curved into a fake smile. “Afternoon. What can I get you?”

With a smirk, he glanced back down, and flipped through the menu. He ordered a burger with fries
. The second he was done, she stalked off. He half wondered what she’d heard because he could feel her anger and hate bubbling from deep within.

Chaos was already sweeping through Edenton, and Zack couldn’t be happier with the way
things were spinning out of control.

The chimes rang, but he didn’t bother to look back. He could feel the anxiety
pouring off of Stacey as she hurried over and fell into the booth across from him.

“Why?” she
whined. “Why did you make me do it? You ruined my life.”

“Make you?” Zack scoffed. “Make you?
That’s a strong accusation, and not at all how it went down, sweetheart. I opened that dark little part of you that wants all the best things. Your desire was already there, if anything I freed you to do what you wish. You wanted a taste of something better than your shitty little domestic life.”

“You’re a piece of work,” she sputtered.

“And you’re a lousy lay.”

She
gasped, her hand flying to her mouth before she shot out of the booth and ran out the door. So much dark emotion flowed off of her, it was a feast. Stacey climbed into her minivan and tore out of the parking lot.

Scalding liquid splashed down his face, shoulders and into his lap. He screeched as his attention snapped up to the waitress who wore a
scowl. “Get. Out. Now.”

“Come on, I was just having a little fun,” he quipped
and tried to push her into a frenzy. His will bounced off some sort of ward.

One brow rose as she lifted the second coffee pot.
“And I’ll have a little more when I dump this pot all over you if you don’t get your ass out of that booth and out of the café now.”

A big heavyse
t man came lumbering out. “Now, Delilah, don’t waste your breath on this asshole. I’ll get rid of him.” He wrapped a meaty fist in Zack’s jacket and dragged him out the booth and then shoved him out the door. Zack stumbled and landed on his ass hard. Again, he tried to push his will into the cook and couldn’t get past his defenses.

Zack
stared up at them in disbelief. That was twice he was thrown out. What in the Abyss was going on with people? Usually he was welcomed with open arms, much like Stacey. He needed to find out why so many people seemed to be immune to his finer talents. Something was keeping him from twisting their darker emotions until they broke through.

“Want some help?” Hayden’s voice startled Amethyst as she opened the back of her Jeep.

She found him stepping off the
trail between their houses. “Uh, sure.” A little smile lifted her lips as she tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced away. “What are you doing here?”

He nodded to the
path behind him, and she saw the house beyond. “I saw you pull up and thought I could give you a hand.”

“Oh, well thanks.”

Hayden motioned toward her groceries. “Besides, this way, you only have to make one trip.”

“
I appreciate it.” She grabbed half the bags and let him take the rest as she hurried up the stairs. He made her nervous and she didn’t look back when she said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” His tone was o
pen and honest.

Amethyst took a deep breath and set her
bags on the counter to begin putting things away. “Are you always this nice to everyone? Or is it just because we’re both Fae?” Or is it something more? But she wouldn’t let that last question leave her mouth. She was afraid of the answer, even more of her response.

Hayden snorted. “A few people will tell you I’m an ass, probably most of them.” He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I’m not always the easiest person to get along with, but I treat everyone fairly.”

That really wasn’t an answer. She turned to him with narrowed eyes and was about to ask a question.

“I’ll be honest
, Amethyst. You are a beautiful young woman, and I want to get to know you. Not because you’re fae, though that does appeal to me.”

Her face fell. She didn’t know how to take that. So she stood there staring at him. Part of her was scared, but the other part wanted to climb him like a jungle gym and play.

The fear won out. Blushing, she blurted out, “I’m not ready for a relationship, or any naked playtime just now. So, if that’s all you’re interested in, you should probably go.”

One corner of his plump, juicy
mouthy turned up, “I know that, but are you writing off making new friends?”

That felt like a knife twisting
in her chest even if he was agreeing to her terms. He probably had just written anything more than the darned “f” word off for good, but she just needed a little time. Of course, if she complained she would just look like an idiot.

“
No.” She sighed. “Just friends then?”

“That’s right.”

“Good.” she turned back around, and tried not to be disappointed. If it wasn’t for that fact that she still felt guilty for Carl’s death, even though her rational brain knew she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be such a chicken about exploring something with the gorgeous sheriff.

Just the way her magic responded to him made her curious, and a little frightened.
She hadn’t meant to completely heal his piercings, and he hadn’t even noticed the needle breaking through skin or cartilage. Usually, it took more concentration to completely block the pain. With him, she just naturally blocked it without even trying.

It was strangely comforting
to have him moving around her little kitchen with her, like he belonged in her space. She put the fresh fruits in a bowl and when she turned around, he was right there looking down at her with a soft smile. Time froze for a moment, and they both watched, waiting.

Now her body responded, just like it
had as she stood over him while piercing his ear. Chemistry was brewing between them, and she wasn’t so broken after all.

H
e took a step back and a deep breath. His lids slid to half-mast as his nostrils flared.

“Sorry,”
Hayden murmured. “I need to go change before I head over to the bar. I’ll see you a little later.” His eyes were darkened with desire, but he moved around the counter to the door.

“Oh, well thanks. I appreciate the help
,” but not him leaving.

He looked back at her with a wolfish grin.
She felt his lust, and that only cranked hers up a few more notches. She was wet and achy and could only stand there as she watched him walk out the door.

Maybe I should rethink my menu.
She just wasn’t sure if her guilt over Carl wouldn’t sneak up on her at the wrong moment.

N
o matter how delicious he might be, she was fasting, and she needed to remember that, at least until she could sort out her own feelings about what had happened with Carl.

She glanced at the clock. There was still time for a swim.

Unlike her brother, she didn’t turn scaly like a siren, and she didn’t grow gills or anything freaky. Not that they were freaky looking, even in their siren forms. They were hauntingly beautiful in every form.

Thankfully,
Amethyst just breathed through her pores under water. At least that’s what Mathis told her. She couldn’t do glamour, but she could soothe just about anything or anyone. She could heal better than most other fae and that was strictly raw ability. In order to heal herself, she had to siphon certain emotions from someone else.

She was stronger and faster than most humans, but not most fae, and
she was certainly nowhere near Hayden’s league. There was more coiled power in his little finger than her whole body. His energy still hummed through her from the night before. Every time they touched, their magic mingled, and she craved more, but she was still afraid. Maybe Paavo could make her understand, or Mathis. He was better at explaining things anyway.

She hurried down
the stairs, and looked around. Hayden was gone. Fallon and Brody weren’t back yet. Grinning, she just about skipped down the short trail and stepped onto the little dock. It was more of a place to toss her clothes, than for a boat.

* * * *

Instead of heading home, Hayden took a walk in the forest behind their houses. It took everything he had in him to walk away from Amethyst after their gazes locked and her scent had intensified. He wanted to chase, but knew she would bolt. Whatever happened in her past still haunted her. He wanted to chase away her fear, but he wasn’t sure how.

He was
already a good distance from Brody’s dock when he heard the crunch of gravel on the path. He turned and saw her hair from where he stood, and ducked into the brush. He didn’t want to startle her, but he was curious what she was doing out there.

His breath caught as she pulled her shirt over her head and her high, full breasts bounced free. She hooked her thumbs in her skirt and slipped it off, leaving her bare. He was painfully hard from just a glimpse
of her luscious curves in the distance. The little nymph might just kill him if she got any closer.

She dove into the water. Well, that answered his question. He wanted to smack himself. That should have b
een obvious. Of course, lake plus nymph equals swim. He should have figured that out. Now it was too late to let her know he was watching without coming off like a pervert, which he now was because he couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she swam closer.

Amethyst
seemed at home in the water and free of any inhibitions as she swam. He knew he wore a genuine smile as he watched her move gracefully through the lake.

She finally came to the surface and floated on
to her back. Her hair splayed out in the water and the sun brought out all the varied shades of purple. Her eyes were closed, her lashes fanned out against her cheeks. Her little tongue swept across her plump lips.

He tried to look away, but his eyes caught on her breasts and her tight little nipples. She had a barbell through each. He wanted to tug ever so slightly to
learn what sound she would make.

Oh shit, where did that
thought come from?
Piercings had never been a turn on.

Her fingers trailed up her ribs and back down. He followed the movement with his greedy eyes.
She was completely bare of hair from the neck down, and she was open to his gaze. His mouth watered as he wondered how she sweet she would taste.

Amethyst
was resplendent perfection. She had an hour glass figure with soft curves on a slender frame. She dragged her fingers down and back up to cup her breasts. He was so damned hard that his zipper threatened to leave permanent marks on his cock, but he didn’t dare move, let alone breathe.

He knew it was wrong. She’d probably hate him if she found out.
Fallon would kill him, and Brody would help. Guilt made him try to look away, but desire held his gaze rooted to her.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he winced
. A smile curved her mouth as she turned over to swim away. She climbed out of the water. Like the bastard that he was, he wished he were closer to watch the water bead up and roll down her body.

She turned
in his direction and slowly pulled her clothes on before tossing her hair over her shoulder to walk back to her apartment.

As soon as she was out of sight, he answered his phone that was buzzing for the third time.

* * * *

Amethyst parked behind In 2 Deep. The first thing she noticed was that Hayden’s big SUV was MIA. Her smile fell clean off her face. She had been looking forward to seeing him. A dozen doubts swirled through her head as she smoothed out her skirt and walked inside.

Probably work related. He couldn’t possibly know that I know.

Knowing he watched without a word should have scared the daylights out of her. Instead, it was the hottest thing she
had ever experienced. He’d hidden in the trees, but she felt his eyes on her. She knew he couldn’t make a sound, and he had wanted her. His desire was tangible. She drank it up and taunted him a little. It was dangerous, but he made her feel so incredibly sexy she couldn’t resist giving him a little show.

Feeling lonely, she made her way to Adam and Danika’s table. T
hey were the first ones there. “Hey, where is everyone?”

Adam shrugged
. “Brody and Fallon are probably playing naked shower twister. Darla was running late at work. There was a bad accident, and she had to go into surgery. Jolene is a nurse, and is probably stuck, too. They’ll all be here. Tomahawk said he would be on his way soon.”

If there was an accident, it probably meant Hayden was busy.
That high she’d been feeling drooped.

Danika raised a single brow and turned to Adam
. “Hey babe, can you go get us a drink?”

“Sure, what would you like
, Ame?”

“Surprise me. Just make
sure it’s sinfully fruity.”

“
I can do that.” Adam winked and left them by themselves.

“You were asking about Sheriff Eyeball, weren’t you?” Danika snickered.

“No.” Only because she assumed he would make the list, and she really wasn’t ready for his attention, even if she craved it. Oh, but she did crave it.
Where is he?

“But you were thinking about him.” It was a statement, and it was true.

“Trying not to.” Amethyst wrinkled her nose and shrugged, hoping it was convincing. She was trying, but it was darned near impossible to stop.

Danika leaned closer.
“What happened?”

“Nothing,” but man,
her cheeks were hot, dang near on fire.

Danika
’s brow arched. “You look guilty. I promise not to tell a soul.”

She figured
it wouldn’t hurt to trust Danika, who seemed a little wilder than Darla. Amethyst leaned in to whisper, “I went for a swim, naked. He watched, but he was hiding. He doesn’t know I know, but I kind of got off on it.”

“Oh wow, and you’re cool with it?”

Amethyst nodded.

Danika grinned. “I won’t tell. I think Fallon or Brody would kick his ass. Maybe even Tom after he got all snippy about Simons. Hayden is a good guy
. I’m sure he feels guilty, but I bet he’d do it again.” She glanced around the bar before adding, “He tried really hard not to watch you last night, but he’s actually interested in a woman for the first time that I’ve ever seen.”

“
Doubtful, there are plenty of beautiful women in Edenton. They certainly noticed him last night.” She heaved a sigh. “Besides, I don’t want a man stepping in and taking over. He seems like the in charge type and I am done with that. It’s probably why I like the idea of him watching and not touching.” She had a feeling she would change her tune if he put those big rough hands on her body.

“He won’t take over. You’ll fight back and he’ll give in—most of the time
.” Danika looked over at Adam. “Adam does the same thing, but then he realizes I’m usually right. Hayden is completely captivated by you. The way he watches you is really hot. I’ve never seen him like that.”

She couldn’t argue with that.
“Still, it’s not going to happen. Not right now. Not after the mess I just left. I want to get to know him, make sure he’s genuine.” She hadn’t meant to say that, but she felt he was. It didn’t make her feel any better because she had made too many bad decisions in the past. “He is nice to look at though.”