Page 4 of Captivated
“You seem to have Luna’s approval,” Morgana muttered. “Six o’clock, then,” she said as the cat began to purr lustily. “And I’ll decide what to do about you.”
“Fair enough.” Nash gave Luna one last long stroke, then strolled out.
Frowning, Morgana leaned down until her eyes were level with the cat’s. “You’d better know what you’re about.”
Luna merely shifted her not-inconsiderable weight and began to wash herself.
***
Morgana didn’t have much time to think about Nash. Because she was a woman who was always at war with her impulsive nature, she would have preferred a quiet hour to mull over how best to deal with him. With her hands and mind busy with a flood of customers, Morgana reminded herself that she would have no trouble handling a cocksure storyteller with puppy-dog eyes.
“Wow.” Mindy, the lavishly built blonde Nash had admired, plopped down on a stool behind the counter. “We haven’t seen a crowd like that since before Christmas.”
“I think we’re going to have full Saturdays throughout the month.”
Grinning, Mindy pulled a stick of gum out of the hip pocket of her snug jumpsuit. “Did you cast a money spell?”
Morgana arranged a glass castle to her liking before responding. “The stars are in an excellent position for business.” She smiled. “Plus the fact that our new window display is fabulous. You can go on home, Mindy. I’ll total out and lock up.”
“I’ll take you up on it.” She slid sinuously off the stool to stretch, then lifted both darkened brows. “My, oh, my... look at this. Tall, tanned, and tasty.”
Morgana glanced over and spotted Nash through the front window. He’d had more luck with parking this time, and was unfolding himself from the front seat of his convertible.
“Down, girl.” Chuckling, Morgana shook her head. “Men like that break hearts without spilling a drop of blood.”
“That’s okay. I haven’t had my heart broken in days. Let’s see...” She took a swift and deadly accuratesurvey. “Six foot, a hundred and sixty gorgeous pounds. The casual type—maybe just a tad intellectual. Likes the outdoors, but doesn’t overdo it. Just a few scattered sun streaks through the hair, and a reasonable tan. Good facial bones—he’ll hold up with age. Then there’s that yummy mouth.”
“Fortunately I know you, and understand you actually do think more of men than you do puppies in a pet-store window.”
With a chuckle, Mindy fluffed her hair. “Oh, I think more of them, all right. A whole lot more.” As the door opened, Mindy shifted position so that her body seemed about to burst out of the jumpsuit. “Hello, handsome. Want to buy a little magic?”
Always ready to accommodate a willing woman, Nash flashed her a grin. “What do you recommend?”
“Well...” The word came out in a long purr to rival one of Luna’s.
“Mindy, Mr. Kirkland isn’t a customer.” Morgana’s voice was mild and amused. There were few things more entertaining than Mindy’s showmanship with an attractive man. “We have a meeting.”
“Maybe next time,” Nash told her.
“Maybe anytime.” Mindy slithered around the counter, shot Nash one last devastating look, then wiggled out the door.
“I bet she boosts your sales,” Nash commented.
“Along with the blood pressure of every male within range. How’s yours?”
He grinned. “Got any oxygen?”
“Sorry. Fresh out.” She gave his arm a friendly pat. “Why don’t you have a seat? I have a few more things to— Damn.”
“Excuse me?”
“Didn’t get the Closed sign up quick enough,” she muttered. Then she beamed a smile as the door opened. “Hello, Mrs. Littleton.”
“Morgana.” The word came out in a long, relieved sigh as a woman Nash judged to be somewhere between sixty and seventy streamed across the room.
The verb seemed apt, he thought. She was built like a cruise ship, sturdy of bow and stern, with colorful scarves wafting around her like flags. Her hair was a bright, improbable red that frizzed cheerfully around a moon-shaped face. Her eyes were heavily outlined in emerald, and her mouth was slicked with deep crimson. She threw out both hands—they were crowded with rings—and gripped Morgana’s.
“I simply couldn’t get here a moment sooner. As it was, I had to scold the young policeman who tried to give me a ticket. Imagine, a boy hardly old enough to shave, lecturing me on the law.” She let out a huff of breath that smelled of peppermint. “Now then, I hope you have a few minutes for me.”
