Page 19 of Secrets in Salem: Part One

Rain pummels my face, hard drops stinging my skin as I practically sprint through the streets. I search for shelter so I can call Mom and tell her I'm running a little late. Swiping at my eyes, I scan my surroundings before spotting a different overhang. My feet are dashing toward it before my brain can even catch up.

As soon as I'm protected from the majority of the asshole weather, my shoulders sag and a sigh heaves from deep inside my lungs. Dropping my bags, I grumble, "Fucking A. Of course I'd get caught in a storm in just a cardigan. Load of good that did to protect me. Teaches you to go out unprepared, you giant dumbass."

Deep, masculine laughter surprises me, and I squeak some ungodly sound that I’ll be embarrassed about later. I twist around on the spot, my eyes landing on two men huddled in the shadows. I almost find myself falling ass over tit a second time today when I completely forget about the bags on the floor and my foot catches the handle of one. Luckily, I’m in the company of speedy fellows, the two of them rushing to grab a hand each and pull me upright just in time.

"Woah, thanks," I tell them breathlessly, stepping away from the bags with their help. "Seriously, my day is sucking harder than a hooker the later it gets."

"One of those days, huh?" one of them asks, his words laced with amusement.

With all the grace of a hippo, I start kicking the bags, shuffling them toward the wall so they're out of the way. I snort at the strangers before muttering, "Yeah, you could say that. Lady luck is out to get me. Either that or karma is seriously ass fucking me today. At any rate, this day is just getting worse and worse. I’m surprised I haven’t been shit on by a bird yet."

“Isn’t that supposed to be lucky?” one of the guys asks, only making me snort again.

I wipe my face with a damp sleeve and shove my dark hair away from my eyes. When I look up at the strangers, ready to tell them that getting crapped on by a bird is far from lucky, my mouth dries and falls open with an audible pop. Apparently, today is the day where I embarrass myself in front of extremely handsome men. Wonderful.

Before me are two of the most gorgeous men I've ever seen, right up there with Micah. The man on the right has blond hair made darker by the rain, but no less light in natural color. Eyes like emeralds watch me with an intensity that would make me squirm had I not already begun to shiver from the cold. His toned arms are crossed over his impressive chest, biceps bulging just the right amount. Dressed in dark jeans and a fitted long-sleeved black shirt, he looks positively delicious. His full lips twitch, drawing my attention to the stubble that coats his sharp jaw, even as his eyes bore into me with a smug look I don’t much care for.

Next to him is a man wider with muscles, his shoulders and arms perfectly defined in the dark blue shirt he wears. His forearms are lined with veins and hard muscle, on display thanks to the gray sleeveless and hooded vest he wears over his shirt. Dark hair sits on his head, though nowhere near as dark as mine. Perhaps a brunette? I can’t really tell the exact shade under the shadowed awning. His eyes appear a deep brown, kindness entwined with amusement dancing in their depths.

That look alone is enough to remind me that I'm standing here like a total weirdo as I ogle the two. I blink quickly, clear my throat, and look away.

"Sorry," I mutter, shaking my head. "Yeah, one of those, uh, days."

"It happens," the blond tells me, his voice as smooth as the finest whiskey. It sends a shiver down my spine, making me realize thereissuch a thing as falling in love with a voice. Damn. He briefly smiles, and I almost melt there and then. The same fluttering in my belly picks up speed, exactly like it did when Micah smiled at me. What are the chances?

"Got far to go? Not sure if the weather is going to let up any time soon," the dark-haired guy comments as he turns his head to face the storm. The concern in his words sounds genuine enough for me to believe, though it’s surprising he’s concerned at all. His voice is different to his friend’s, gravelly and deep. And what do you know, it sends another shiver dancing down my spine. So what if my vagina perks up too? It’s not like she’s getting much action lately.

I clear my throat and wrap my arms around my middle, hoping to draw warmth from... somewhere. "Uh, yeah, a little ways to go. I'll be fine, though. Bit of rain never hurt anyone, right?"

Offering them a smile, I pick up my bags with one hand while the other tries to pull my wet cardigan over my head like that'll help stave off the rain. Rolling my eyes at my own stupidity, I gift them one more awkward smile before saying, "Best get it over and done with. Nice meeting you."

Just as I'm about to make a mad dash through the rain, a gentle hand stops me. Long, incredibly warm fingers wrap around my bicep, and I find myself stopping immediately, turning to the dark-haired man who's smiling at me softly. Oh, that smile could melt icebergs. I’m pretty sure I swoon. The blond stands not too far behind him, his intense gaze running over my body before he averts his eyes like he didn’t mean to look as much as he did and is now pissed at himself. Weird.

I raise my eyebrows in question, giving the brunette a confused smile in return. He removes his hand, much to my confused dismay, and says, "Do you want a lift home? I wouldn't normally offer since we’re strangers, but given that it's lashing down with rain and you're only in a cardigan that's already soaked, I thought I'd at least ask."

Mixed feelings assault me. I'm touched by the kindness of his very tempting offer, but he's right. I don't know them. It's a little strange, especially given that there isn't a soul around to witness me leaving with two guys I just met while keeping out of the storm. Mom always taught me never to speak to strangers let alone willingly jumping into their car. Why are they even out in the storm if they have a car they could be sitting in?

Looking out at the rain and then back at the guys, I catch the brunette's gaze, eyes soft and face completely open. Genuine concern sparks in his eyes, and I feel my will power weakening. The blond eyes me carefully once more before his lips tip up in a small semblance of a smile. It’s strained, but he’s making the effort at least.

I'm no idiot. I know looks can be deceiving, but I also pride myself on being an excellent judge of character. It's why I have very few friends. I have no idea how, but I seem to find the bad apples in the bunch with a fair amount of ease. Though the two make me a little guarded, I don't feel as though I'm in any danger with them. It settles the decision for me, and I nod. "That would actually be really great. Thanks."

A stunning smile breaks out over the brunette's face, and my breath hitches. My heart hiccups in my chest, and I can feel my cheeks growing warm despite the shiver my body makes due to the cold seeping into my skin. Where did these guys come from? And why are hotties just popping up like daisies in a town that rarely gets new additions to the population?

"Let's get you home and out of the rain. Name's Bishop. This is Aleric," the brunette says, gesturing a thumb toward the blond.

He holds his hand out for me to take, so I slip my smaller one into his and shake. The heat from his palm seeps into mine, warming it instantly. It borders on almost too warm, but there's a certain comfort to it. Staring at his hand, I find myself mumbling, "Willow. My name's Willow."

Bishop shakes our hands, and my eyes snap up to his, finding those friendly brown eyes watching me. "Well, it's a pleasure, Willow. Come on. Car is in the parking lot just across the road. We'll have to run for it."

I groan before I can stop myself, my eyes darting back to the miserable weather. "Rain sucks."

Bishop laughs while Aleric snorts, and I pathetically grin over at them both.

"I'll get the car. You stay here, and I'll pull up near the curb so you have less of a distance to run," Bishop says, backing away and pulling the hood of his vest over his head.

My shoulders sag with relief, and I clap a hand over my chest and dramatically proclaim, "My hero! Thank you."

He shakes his head with a smile then darts into the rain, running toward the parking lot. It leaves Aleric and I alone, so I turn to him and smile. "I hope I'm not putting you both out of your way. I really can walk, even if it'll make me as miserable as a cat having a bath."

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