Vampire’s Dilemma. Penny Ash
slowly stood. He looked at her for a long moment. Then the corner of his perfect Cupid’s bow lips curved upward in a faint smile. “We can discuss it inside. There’s a chair. It’s cooler, too,” he said as he opened the door and held it. He inclined his head toward the dark interior.
Lucy took a deep breath, walking up the two rickety steps and into the shop. As she passed him the warm scent of sandalwood and male musk brushed against her like a caress. Her knees went weak. The sound of him firmly pulling the door shut made her toes tingle.
* * * *
Shel took a deep breath as Lucy passed. He exhaled softly, then shut the door before he hurried around Lucy to pull out the plastic chair he kept for clients. There was something very familiar about her. His stomach fluttered like an inexperienced schoolboy’s.
She sat. The cotton fabric of the dress molded itself around her hips and Shel nearly lost it. For an instant, he was back in New Orleans and the past. A tiny thrill of fear ran through Shel. He shook it off. “Would you like something to drink?” I’d like to drink you.
“Thank you, a diet soda would be nice.” Lucy’s eyes met his. Shel went liquid inside. Isabel looked out of those green eyes at him.
“I’ll be right back.” He stepped into the back room where he kept the charter supplies. He took a drink out and headed back to the woman. Shel caught a glimpse of his reflection in the oven door as he opened the refrigerator. Rolling his eyes at himself, Shel carried the drinks back into the front room. She’s not Isabel, you idiot.
Her fingers brushed his as she took the drink. The shockwave rocked Shel all the way to his toes. Their gaze locked. He fell into the warm green depths of her eyes. Her lips parted in a soft gasp. Shel found himself moving closer, leaning in to kiss her.
The phone behind the counter rang. Shel cursed silently. He never should have given Alex Bell the idea for the damn thing. “Hold that thought,” Shel said as he went around to answer the call.
* * * *
Lucy stood up. She pressed a hand to her face, feeling the heat of her blush. What just happened? Her entire body tingled. To cover her confusion Lucy wandered around the shop pretending to be interested in the fishing poles and tackle. She bypassed the bait cooler in favor of the only two things hanging on the walls. The man’s voice was a soft black velvet murmur in the background. The sound made her dizzy but it wasn’t an unpleasant sensation. Lucy focused on Miss February with her sculpted silicone enhanced nude body and the business license made out to the Bait and Switch Charter Boat Company. She read the name, Sheldon J. Jefferson, owner.
Shel hung up and unplugged the phone line. He watched Lucy wander around the shop for a moment. The way she pulled at him was almost painful. She grimaced at the bait. He chuckled to himself softly, and then cringed when Lucy stopped in front of the porn calendar. He headed toward the door. Shel turned the open sign over so that the closed side faced the parking lot. Maybe he could convince Lucy to spend the evening on the boat. She probably tasted wonderful.
* * * *
“Sheldon?” Lucy raised her eyebrows, looking from the license to the man who was snapping the bolt home on the door beside of her. A small shiver of alarm settled in her stomach.
“Blame my parents.” He smiled. She couldn’t look away. Shel tilted his head slightly. His eyes began to drift shut as he leaned closer. Lucy fought down the urge to giggle. She was not ready for this. This stranger was going to kiss her. And I’m going to let him.
Closing her eyes, Lucy gave in, powerless to stop it. The window beside her shattered. The popping that followed made her jump. She turned toward the broken window. “What…”
Shel grabbed Lucy’s arm, dragging her away from the window. “Someone is shooting at us,” he said. Their eyes met again.
The rattling of the locked front door snapped Shel out of his trance. Lucy was still dazed. “Come on.” He pulled her along, through the back room and out the back door. Behind them, someone kicked in the front door. Shel pulled her behind a nearby palm tree and carefully peeked around.
“Shit. We need to get to the boat.”
“But I can’t,” Lucy squeaked.
Shel gave her an impatient glance. Another spray of bullets kicked up the dirt around the tree. “Yes you can, sweetheart.” He circled Lucy’s waist with his arm forcing her along with him. They ran.
She hesitated when she saw the small boat he headed for. Dammit, we don’t have time for this. “Jump!” Shel gave her a running shove and practically threw Lucy across the gap into the boat before he followed her.
He landed next to Lucy and started the outboard motor.
“Were they trying to kill me? Or you?” Shel tried to think of who could be after him as he steered around the other boats.
Lucy remained silent. Something in her eyes told him she thought the bullets were for her.
Interesting. He let it drop for the moment.
Lucy sat watching him with huge, frightened eyes. Shel tied the little motorboat to the mooring at the back of the old yacht he called home. Without a word, Shel helped her on board. He followed and caught a glimpse of her face. Lucy’s expression, a combination of interest, excitement, and fear, knocked the breath right out of him. Dammit, she could be Isabel’s twin.
To cover his confusion Shel turned Lucy toward the door that led to the main cabin of the yacht. “The salon. We need to talk.” motioned her into the small, comfortable room.
Lucy walked into the cozy little living room.
“Sit,” he said. She did, staring up at him with an expression of guilt. Shel glared at her and crossed his arms over his chest. If he kept them crossed just maybe he wouldn’t strangle her. “Now, let’s start with who wants to kill you.” Lucy looked pale and seasick.
Lucy looked at him wide-eyed. She swallowed hard and looked away. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Shel repeated, with a trace of disbelief in his voice. “Is there a reason someone would want to kill you?”
“Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. At least not…” She refused to look at him.
“Do go on,” Shel said with deep sarcasm. “I’m enthralled.”
“Everything was fine until I bought some things from a nice lady at a garage sale.”
Shel shook his head in disbelief. He didn’t believe in coincidence. “And this is why someone wants to kill you? What the hell did you buy?”
“Just some little trinkets from Russia,” Lucy said quietly. She looked directly at him. Shel’s breath caught. “I think they want the doll.”
“Who are they and why do you think they want this doll?” Shel asked, knowing he was going to have to pull the information out of her in bits and pieces. With a frown, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He should just bite her. He’d know everything then. But he couldn’t, not until he figured out why he kept seeing Isabel in her.
“You’ll think I’m crazy,” Lucy answered in a whisper.
Shel pinched the bridge of his nose, mentally counting to 10. “I won’t think you’re crazy. Why do they, whoever they are, want this doll?”
“The Werewolves. I think it holds some sort of magic amulet or something. I think it’s something the Werewolves here want.” Lucy said it as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world.
Everything stopped. Even his heart. Shel stared at her for several seconds too long. Lucy blushed. “I knew it. You think I’m crazy.” She sighed heavily and lowered her eyes to stare at the floor.
Shel shook his head. “And they would be the Werewolves after you.”
“You’re laughing at me.”
“I’m