Page 34 of Innocence

“We already have no life.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Angel stood in the doorway of his cabin, watching Mary as she worked on her plan for the class. She was still so stunningly beautiful it took his breath away. It seemed a lifetime ago that he walked into that children’s clothing store, and yet, it wasn’t a lifetime at all. Whatever Matthew and Mama Irene did to slow time for them was working.

The way she’d looked up at him when he spoke to her, it was all so clear.

“Can I help you, sir?”

The voice was like a melody, the sexy purr rolling over his body. She had this sweet, calm tone that sounded as though she were singing, but she wasn’t. It floated over his body coating him in comfort and peace.

Angel turned to see the face that belonged to that voice. She was about five-foot-six, he guessed, from his own six-foot-four height. She had long dark brown hair that fell in waves down her back and the most incredible green eyes he had ever seen. They were rimmed with yellow flecks and what almost looked like lavender. Her thick black lashes fell to her cheeks every time she blinked. She was what most men would describe as plump, but he thought she was perfect. Curves everywhere and places a man could hold onto.

“I, uh, hi. Yes. Yes, I’m looking for baby gifts for my friends’ newborn twins.” He stuttered and couldn’t find his words, not something he was used to.

“Twins! Wow, that’s amazing. How old are they?” she asked. Her smile lit up the room. Straight, perfect white teeth beneath her full lips made him groan inwardly.

“I, uh, maybe…” he stumbled with his words and didn’t know why. She took his breath away. “Sorry, they’re only a week old.” His heart was beating wildly in his chest, and his hands started to sweat.

“Okay, well, most of that will be right here. They weren’t preemies, right?” His face looked confused, and she smiled up at him, her round cheeks pink and smooth. “Were they less than five pounds?”

“Oh. Oh, no, they were really big, in fact. One was like seven pounds and something, and the other was only a few ounces different.”

“Poor Mom,” she said with a smile. “Okay, well, any of the items between these two dividers will do. Do you know what they need?”

He watched her moving, the sway of her hips in her long black skirt. She had on black sandals with shiny stones glued to them, and her toes were the most adorable shade of pink. Her top was a white off-the-shoulder number with lace around the edges, and it highlighted her ample breasts.

“Oh. Sorry, no, I don’t know, but do you accept returns or exchanges?”

“Absolutely!” she said cheerfully. “They can return it within sixty days, and I’ll refund or replace.”

Angel nodded at the woman who casually talked to him. She seemed completely unaffected by him. Women weren’t usually this way. Usually, they fell at his feet and acted like complete fools around him. But this woman, she acted like he was just an average everyday Joe, and he fucking loved it!

“I’m going to get a few things from the back that just came in. I’ll be right back.” She moved through the curtain toward the back room and disappeared.

He could only nod as he watched her move to the back room.

“Sorry,” she said, blushing as she returned to him. “I didn’t mean for that to take so long. I have a few new items that would be perfect. Some sleepers, bibs, t-shirts, and blankets all made especially for twins.” She held up the t-shirts, and both said, ‘I’m the good-looking twin.’

He chuckled as he read the t-shirts and knew that these would be perfect for Lauren and Trak.

“Great, can you wrap them for me? All of it?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and smiling, hoping it would have an effect on her.

“Sure, it will just be a few moments.” Mary moved around the counter and pulled out several beautiful boxes and tissue paper. Carefully folding each item and laying it in the box, she then wrapped it in the most exquisite blue paper with gold and blue ribbons.

Ringing all the tickets, she told him the total, and he handed her a credit card. Swiping the card, she looked up at him.

“Can I see your ID, Mr. Jordan?”

“Sure thing,” he said, “and my friends call me Angel.” She smiled up at him and replied.

“I bet they do.”

A blush. So, she wasn’t unaffected, just mature about her reactions. He liked that. A lot. Alright then, maybe there’s a chance here, Angel boy.

Mary looked at the ID, and he heard her groan.

“Thank you,” she said, handing the ID and card back to him. “If you’ll sign here, you’re all set.”

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