Page 6 of Cider
Candela grinned. “He mentioned earlier that he needed to talk to you. Something about skates and clothes on the ice?”
I groaned. I forgot about that. My clothes. The rented skates. Now, the zamboni driver had my clothes.
“I see that’s a story you’ll have to share later.” Candela laughed as she left. “Good luck!”
I thumped my head on the counter.
The rest of the day was just as busy. Wednesday’s usually included field trips from the schools in the afternoon skate time. Kids were everywhere. They usually had pocket money from their parents and loved the sweet drinks and popcorn.
It also was the worst day for clean up. That’s why I didn’t see him at first. I was busy scrubbing a table where a kid had left their chewed gum.
“Care for an extra hand?” His voice was deep and from behind me.
My body froze where I was leaning over the table. My fox’s hair moved as she puffed up her chest. I straightened slowly before turning.
He stood right in front of me. There was barely any room between us. His teal eyes darkened as our gazes collided. He was tall, almost as tall as Billy. He wasn’t nearly as muscular, but his body made my mouth water as I moved my eyes down and back up briefly.
His grin was crooked, one of his fangs flashed against the light.
“Hello, Cider. I’m Titus, your mate.”
Chapter 4
Titus leaned against the counter as I prepared him a drink. My fingers tingled from where I’d touched his chest to push him back from being so close. Why did I want him further away?
“So, are you not able to talk? I’m pretty sure my daughter said you talk a mile a minute if given an option.” His voice was intoxicating, that deep accent had to be illegal in some parts of the country. I wanted to close my eyes and just listen.
But, I couldn’t do that. I finished pouring the drink and turned with a saucy smirk.
“Your daughter?” I placed the drink in front of him. “Enjoy the Slippery Sloane.”
It wasn’t for the faint of heart.
“That’s a different name.” He raised his right eyebrow up elegantly as he took a sip. “Mmm. That’s got a kick to it.”
“I like to make drinks after book characters.” My eyes watched his tongue flick out to taste the chili sugar. “I thought vampires couldn’t eat normal food.”
His grin almost made my legs weaken. “My dear, I am an old vampire with refined tastes.” He winked. “You like to read?” Good change of subject.
I found myself leaning against the counter, closer to him. “I love to read. The walls in my room are covered in books. My tablet is almost full with ebooks.” I was getting excited like I usually did when it came to talking about it.
“Yeah? What are some of your favorites?” Titus took another sip of his drink.
“What genre are we talking about?” I laughed just as the shop's door opened with more customers. “Enjoy your drink, Titus.” His name on my lips felt right and distracted me momentarily from the new customers.
An older woman who tended to come in often with her grandkids came up to the counter. The kids loved my virgin Hot Cider Original with popcorn. The grandmother sipped on a Jax’s Nips as I talked with her, carefully avoiding the hot vampire whose eyes I could feel on me the entire time.
“Oh, these nips are delicious.” The grandmother smacked her lips together as she moved to a table with me. “Almost as delicious as your fellow over there.”
I sat in the chair across from her, coughing. “What? My fellow?” I glanced back over to Titus, who tipped his glass at me with a smirk. He’d heard that.
“It’s obvious, deary. I’m old, not blind.” She looked at her grandkids. “You’re doing a great job with this place. Are you online? I can get the kiddos to write a review. If you keep the hottie around, I’m sure we can get thirsty ladies in.” She wiggled her brows at me.
Titus choked, coughing as he thumped his chest behind me. I grinned.
“Yeah. I have a website and I’m on the review sites.” I handed her one of my business cards that I usually had in one of my pockets at all times. “Thanks for the support!”
She and the kids headed out to the rink twenty minutes later. I hadn’t stopped smiling since Titus had come into the shop.
