Her Shadows His Secrets Read online

  “Perfect, I also need to work on getting a job here. Will you keep your ear to the ground for me?”

  “No need, come work at the market. We need some extra help. I know it’s not ideal, but we could use it!” She gets giddy over this idea.

  “Your bosses are hiring?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Huh?”

  “I own the grocery store. It was my grandpa’s, and he left it to Theo and me, but Theo moved, so I took it over.”

  “Really, Brenda, thank you. I’m a fast learner. I appreciate it.”

  “No need to thank me. Just be there tomorrow morning at eleven, and we will start your training.”

  “Deal.” We shake hands, then spend a couple more hours chatting before we call it a night.

  Maybe Cherry Hill will be even better than I anticipated.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THEO

  PRESENT

  I hate it here. The moment I drove past the city limits sign, I was reminded why I left. I always told my friends and family that Cherry Hill is a place people go to get old and die. I’ve already had ten people stop me while running errands in town to tell me about all the things I’ve missed while being gone, none of it meaning a single thing to me. No thanks.

  I’ve been here for almost a week, and it feels like it’s already been a month. This one-month assignment is most likely going to seem never ending at this rate. My week was eventful, to say the least. I could have castrated my sister’s ex-boyfriend, but that would have ended with me in the sheriff’s chair. No thanks. Breaking his nose with the butt of my gun will just have to be enough. But if he comes back around, I won’t hesitate to do worse. My sister is a pain in the ass, but she’s a fucking saint and didn’t deserve to be played by a liar with a family.

  When she confided that his wife showed up at her place of work and told her all about his secret life, my blood boiled. I’ve always had a short temper, a thirst to lay hands on anyone who does wrong to good people. But my temper isn’t the only aspect of my personality. I demand control, need to feel like I’m always in charge and ten steps ahead of everyone.

  This is also why women are just a quick fix and not a permanent deal. At least they all know it before sliding into bed with me. I feel like this is cliché. Most men today live by this philosophy. I’m part of a living, breathing breed that sees women for one thing and one thing only—fuck toys.

  My mother would be proud.

  Not.

  Finished with my work day, I make my way into the grocery store, needing to pick up a few things and check in on my sister. She owns this store—well, we both did, but I gave her my share when I left Cherry Hill. Hopping out, I lock the truck and head in. A few locals say hi and share pleasantries, while I try to short stop as many conversations as possible. Rounding the corner, I bump into someone, and at the same time I curse, “shit,” under my breath, the person I ran into begins apologizing profusely.

  “Oh no, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to run into you. I’m sorry. Gah, I’m just a klutz. I’m sorry.” How many times can a woman apologize in one breath? Our eyes finally lock when I place my hand on her chin and lift it.

  “Don’t worry about it, gorgeous,” I tell her, and I swear when her green eyes meet my brown ones, I nearly lose my footing. This woman is fucking breathtaking, and I don’t say that about women. Her eyes are a vibrant green, her long dirty-blonde hair contrasting with them perfectly, and her body, though hidden behind the store’s uniform polo, cannot be disguised. She’s thick, curvy, her body winding and dipping like it was sculpted for a hungry man, and fuck me, I’m starving.

  There has never been a woman with a body like hers that I’ve salivated over. But a thousand and one thoughts about seeing her naked run through my head.

  Focus.

  “Um, sorry?” Her eyes are doe-like. God, she seems like she would submit easily. I guess I’ll need to find out… and soon.

  “You heard me. No worries. You can make it up to me another way, beautiful.” I wink at her, and something shifts in her gaze. It’s no longer soft and timid. She looks… pained.

  “I have to get back to work. I’m sorry about running into you. Have a nice day.”

  I tell her to stop, but she doesn’t. Instead, she picks up her pace.

  “Hey! What are you doing here?” My sisters voice interrupts me, ending my pursuit. I’ll catch up to her another time. It’s a mission of mine.

  “I need some food for my place. This is a grocery store,” I respond cockily. She slaps my shoulder.

  “No shit, smartass. I just meant it’s the middle of the day. Why aren’t you working?” I look back at the woman’s retreating form, her hips swaying temptingly.

  “I am working. Trust me. Don’t worry about me. Who is that, by the way?”

  “That’s Hanna, JD’s granddaughter.”

  “Oh. I heard about his passing. How’s the town holding up?”

  “Sad.” She crosses her arms. “But Hanna’s story is brutal.”

  “And how do you know her story? Breakroom chatter?”

  “No, she and I have been hanging out this week. I’ve been taking her shopping, showing her around, and today is her first day working.” She nods in Hanna’s direction, and something overtakes me.

  The man training her puts his hand on her back. It’s low. Way too low. But why the fuck would I care? She’s a conquest for me while here; that’s all. But seeing her smile shyly, tuck her hair behind her ear, and let him touch her? Yeah, I don’t like that.

  “Easy, tiger, you look like you’re trying to melt off Jesse’s flesh. What’s your deal?”

  I finally look back at my sister, and her brows furrow.

  “Oh hell no. Damn it, Theo, you are not going to use her like one of your fuck buddies. She’s a sweet girl; she doesn’t need another blow to her life. You are a bomb that could implode it. Find a new one-night Betty, and leave Hanna alone. Got it?”

  “I didn’t say I wanted her,” I lie through my teeth. I really shouldn’t want her. But here we are.

  “Good. Besides, I’m taking her out to Dean’s Bar and Grill tonight, and I invited her a guy. I’m trying to set her up.”

  My head whips back to Brenda, unwillingly tearing my eyes away from Hanna. “With who?” I try to say with finesse, an uncaring façade.

  “Jesse’s brother Anthony. He’s recently single, and I think they would hit it off.”

  “I thought he was married.”

  “He was, but they got divorced after his wife was caught sleeping with the pastor.”

  “Goddamn it. Could this town be any more fucking cliché? Anyway. How you holding up? The other day was rough.” She starts to move, fixing items in the aisle, avoiding eye contact.

  “I don’t know. I’m still really hurt. I just want to forget about him and move on.” Her voice cracks. There are tears in her eyes, but I don’t acknowledge them. She and I are yin and yang, but the one thing we could say makes us similar is our lack of emotional expression. It’s not really our thing. Especially not mine.

  “He was a dick, sis. Come on now.”

  “I know, but can we not do this here? Or like… ever again? I just want to act like he never happened.” She wipes at her errant tears before turning on me. “Finish your shopping. I got some paperwork to get to. See you Sunday at family dinner.” She hugs me, catching me off guard, and by the time I realize it’s a hug, she moves, leaving me there to watch her walk off.

  I wait a minute, debating what to do, but if I know anything about Brenda, it would be to leave her alone when she needs it. And now, more than ever, she needs it. That guy must have really meant something to her.

  I grab the rest of my items and head to the register, looking around me to see if I can spot Hanna, but she isn’t up at the front. I in no way want any type of relationship other than a physical one. It’s like pursuing a one-night stand; you see something you like, that you’re physically drawn to, crave them, entertain them, buy them a drink, and then you share a flood of orgasms. This is no different. I want to use her body and bring her pleasure while selfishly taking mine. I guess I know where I will be going tonight.

  Dean’s.

  It’s busy tonight, the dirt parking lot filled, and the grass banks along the highway are also lined with cars. I walked here, seeing as this place is less than a mile from my home. That’s the thing about this town—basically everything is within walking distance unless you are way on the outskirts.

  When I step in, the loud country music blares, people hollering their conversations, drunk people whooping and making scenes, and it’s like redneck heaven. Sad that this is the highlight of nightlife here in town. In New York, everywhere is a happening place; there is so much to do. How pathetic is it here?

  I spot the table I need and make my way straight there. I can only see her back, but I can tell right now that her outfit was picked out by my sister. Legs—her legs are long, tan, and beautiful. My cock is going hard just watching her from across this bar. She’s wearing over-the-knee black boots, a long T-shirt-like dress, and her hair is down her back and curly.

  That doesn’t seem like the timid woman who said sorry a hundred times in a row for simply bumping into me. I wonder how much convincing it took from my sister to get her out of the house and in something like that. I don’t know her, but you can tell by her body language that she isn’t exactly comfortable or in her usual element.

  Walking up to the table, I greet, “Sis, want to introduce me to some of your new friends?” I don’t know any of these women. My sister is constantly making new acquaintances, and I’ve been gone for years. So new faces.

  “Oh hell no. Are you really here? I told you not to ruin girls’ night for me. Why are you that brother? The o
ne who has to always be there?” Brenda groans, taking a sip of her drink.

  “Come on now. Most people would say I don’t ruin parties but better yet make them quite fun.” I look around at the ladies, my eyes landing on Hanna. She is avoiding eye contact, keeping her head down and her hands playing with the condensation on her beer. A woman of great taste. I prefer beer myself.

  “Hanna. Aren’t I a lucky bastard, running into you twice in one day?” I turn my body toward her, and she rolls her eyes.

  “Theo,” Brenda warns.

  “No, Brenda, it’s all right. I can handle it,” she tells my sister, and my brows lift.

  “I love the sound of that. You handling me.”

  “You are something else. How the two of you came from the same DNA is beyond me. You’re an ass.” With that, she turns to grab her bag off the back of the high-top bar stool. “Brenda, ladies, thank you for the invite, but I’m going to head out. Have a good night. I’ll see you girls another time.”

  “No! Hanna, don’t let him scare you off. He’s just like this with everyone.” She glares at me, then softens her features toward Hanna, reaching out for her.

  I take it Brenda told her about me being her brother and Hanna told her about our exchange earlier.

  “No, really, I’m tired, and I have a lot to do tomorrow. I’m working out in the garden, to try to see if I can revive it.”

  “I’ll walk you home,” I tell her.

  “Not a chance,” Brenda says.

  “No thanks. I think I’m good.” Hanna turns to leave.

  “It’s dark out there, baby girl. I don’t want you getting hurt,” I say after her.

  “I’m not a damsel, doorknob.” Doorknob? Did she just call me a doorknob? I smirk, clicking my tongue. I chase after her, giving little goodbyes to my sister and her friends. I came here for one thing, and that thing is hauling ass for the exit.

  “Hold up. Did you just really call me a doorknob?” I grab her elbow, and she yanks it back, turning to face me. Her almost-emerald eyes glimmer in the neon lights, my chest roaring with want.

  “Yes, I did.” She crosses her arms, looking up at my towering frame.

  I match her stance, not missing the way she admires my leather jacket molding to my muscular physique. “How in the hell is that an insult?”

  “How is it not? Who wants to be called a doorknob?” We both stare at one another, my smirk only widening. Finally, she cracks, chuckling at the fact that she called me a goddamn doorknob.

  “Knew I could make you laugh,” I say proudly.

  She starts walking. “No, I was laughing at my own choice of words. But take the credit if it strokes your ego.”

  “Ego? Is that what you think I’m doing here?”

  “No, I think what you’re doing is sick and, quite frankly, cruel. That’s two for two tonight.”

  My mouth curves downward, my brows furrowing. What is she talking about? “I’m sorry?” I prompt, and she turns on me again, this time halting me before I topple over her.

  “Is this some sort of fetish? Or is there a fun little bet where you flirt with the fat girl in town, make her all gooey-eyed, then laugh about it with your buddies? If that’s the case, you can take a flying leap. You and the guy your sister brought who took one look, shared less than one drink, and left because no one likes the big girl.” Turning on her heels again, she takes off. We both look shocked by her admission. She seems like she wouldn’t be the type to share such a vulnerable part of herself.

  I’m stunned silent. Sure, I wouldn’t usually find women like her attractive, but she is different. Call me a prick, but it’s true. I have never been attracted to big women, but she makes it look like a delicacy. How could Anthony not see it? Fuck that guy, Tony. I knew he was trash. It’s no loss for her. He’s a small-town waste of breath with no experience good enough to handle a fucking body like hers.

  Finally, I get my ass in gear, moving to catch up. “Hey! Wait a minute.”

  “No, leave me alone. I have nothing to say. It’s not funny, and I already have a laundry list of insecurities and self-degrading thoughts, so I don’t need some small-town dickhead adding to it.”

  “Hanna, I said stop,” I demand, my voice a growl. I’m angry now, wanting to regain the control I always must have. And with her, I don’t just crave it; I am breathing for the sole purpose of having her succumb to it.

  “Listen, I am not in on some bet. I’m not a child. Second, I am honest with what I say. I don’t have time for games.” My front is to her back, my body heat matching the temperature of hers. I arouse her too. I know it, and this little chase has made me want her even more. Her chest is rising and falling; I can see it as I tower over her, her breasts playing peekaboo with me. I can’t wait to take her like this, her lush ass taking my cock as it disappears between the thick creamy cheeks.

  “Then why are you… I don’t know… flirting?”

  She can’t tell? How is she even phrasing that as a question? Isn’t it obvious?

  “I will work on making you lust after your own body a different time. Until then, you’re going to be a good girl and let me walk you home. Got it?”

  Her breath hitches as she hesitates to answer me. She turns her head and looks up at me over her shoulder. “Sure. Okay.”

  Submitting so easily. Fuck this is going to be fun. I have to restrain myself, physically and mentally control my palm from flying forward to smack her ass and get her moving. “Move, greens.”

  She does, slowly at first, most likely making sure she doesn’t fall on her shaky legs. A few moments pass, and she finally speaks, “Why did you call me greens?”

  “Your eyes. They’re the first thing I noticed. They are fucking stunning, Hanna.”

  She tucks her hair behind her ears. “Oh, thank you. People tend to compliment those… on the rare occasion I get one.” She laughs, but it’s fake, because she’s clearly been berated and belittled by so many but doesn’t want to give them power, so in a sense, she takes on the idea of laughing with them.

  I hate her insecurity. Can’t she see it—how that body entices people, her heavy breasts, her round ass, curves that look like something to bite, suck, and brutally grab onto while she takes a good fucking?

  “So you just moved here?” I shift the topic, saving my plans for a different time.

  “Did you know JD Whittington?” she asks.

  “Who didn’t?”

  She snorts. “Yeah, well… me. I’m his granddaughter. He passed away, and I was left his house. So I moved here.”

  “Brenda mentioned that earlier at the store. I’m sorry to hear that. But you didn’t know him?” I knew this, but I decide it’s best to act as though I don’t.

  “No.” I think she’s going to continue, but it clearly isn’t something she wants to talk about with a stranger.

  That’s fair.

  “You like it here so far?”

  “Sure. I mean, I definitely like it better than New York.”

  “Oh really? I live in New York, and I would say the opposite.”

  She laughs softly. “Well, you and I are very different. New York accepts people like you with open arms. I just take up too much space.”

  I make a mental note—that’s the third time she’s talked down on herself.

  “Give it enough time and you’ll start to see what a hole this place is.”

  “Someone sounds bitter. Did this town see your ego was too big, so they stopped feeding it?” She mockingly pouts her lips.

  “No, but who honestly wants to come here when they’re younger than retirement age? You saw this town’s nightlife. Dean’s Bar. Exciting.” Shrugging and wiggling my fingers with heavy sarcasm, I grin when she returns with a roll of her eyes.

  “I don’t know. It’s nice. New York was way too much. No one should like being drowned in seas of people and barely any privacy.”

  “I won’t complain.” I watch her carefully. She’s exquisite, a mystery, and it’s thrilling, the thought of breaking her under my hands, getting her to bend and spill all she is.

  “Welp, here we are. Thanks for the walk. It wasn’t needed but wasn’t the worst. See ya around.” She starts up the driveway, and my feet are planted, surprised at how she isn’t fawning over me or leaving subtle hints to come inside with her.