I moved my gaze to observe my reflection in the lovingly restored mirror. My chocolate brown hair was piled on top of my head, wisps hanging down here and there. My hand touched the spot on my cheek where a small scar hid underneath my makeup. I decided I looked like the old me, with slightly tanned skin and a heart shaped face. My eyes are what I think are my best feature, jade green and maybe a smidge too big for my face, making me look too innocent for my liking, although it did help when I was younger. I'm only 5'5 and naturally petite, which is why I'm always wearing 6-inch heels. My body is lean, but with a larger ass than I would like and smaller breasts than I want. I work freaking hard to keep my figure trim, and if I even look at a cupcake I swear my ass grows. I snapped myself out of my self-perusal when I realized I hadn't even explored the most important part. The closet.
I clapped my hands with glee as I opened double doors into an amazing walk in wardrobe, with white carpet and an amazing purple rug running to the end of the room. A chaise lounger sat in the middle of the room, and there was even glass cases for my handbags! My bathroom was just as impressive, white tiles ran along the floor and halfway up the walls, met with soft blue paint. A Chandelier (yes chandelier) dangled atop the claw foot tub, which was in the middle of the room, a white footstool beside it. I had two huge sinks and mirrors, with cabinets underneath them more than able to house all of my beauty products. To the left of the sinks was a shower big enough to sleep in. I retrieved my phone out of my bag and dialed.
"Amy, you have outdone yourself, I'm speechless, the house is everything I could have wanted and more, you're a genius!" I said as soon as she picked up.
"I know, I know, my taste is impeccable. I knew you'd like it." She stated modestly.
"Like is an understatement. You seriously need to undertake a career in interior design. Or mind reading, considering this is exactly what I wanted."
"Well I can't exactly pursue a career in the physic realm, considering I am opening a business and the edge of nowhere with my best friend." She told me dryly.
I laughed. "Okay, well I need to unpack, just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate this, can't wait till you get here, love you."
"You're welcome girl, see you tomorrow!!" She chirped, ringing off.
I made my way back to my car on cloud nine and started the herculean task of unpacking. My Mercedes was full to the brim, even with a lot of my stuff being sent ahead. What could I say? I'm a girl, and a buyer. I have a lot of shit. I opened my trunk, inspecting the sheer volume of bags for a second before trying to gather as many as I could into my arms.
"Need some help?" A deep voice asked from behind me.
"Holy fuck!" I dropped all of my bags, nearly jumping out of my Manolos.
I began to glare at the owner of the deep voice that scared the bejesus out of me but stopped short. In front of me was a picture of pure male perfection. Well maybe not so pure. Tall, like really tall, I only came up to his shoulders and I was in 6 inch heels. Rippling muscles threatened to rip the arms of his t-shirt, and tattoos covered every inch of those impressive arms. His face was chiseled like a Greek Gods, with a square jaw and cheekbones to die for. Midnight black hair brushed his sharp jaw, he looked like Chris Hemsworth's identical twin, well his dangerous black haired identical twin. A familiar intensity wafted off him, an air of menace in the way he held himself. Uh oh, this one was trouble, like serious trouble, the kind I swore off a year ago.
The hunk brought his hands up like I was pointing a gun at him, a grin highlighting his too kissable mouth, very kissable in fact. How could I guy who looked like he could bench press a car while making Vin Diesel cry have lips like that? I bet he could do some things with those lips, wait … shut up ovaries!
"Whoa darlin, didn't mean to scare you, just saw you with an arm full of bags and those are dangerous looking shoes to be carrying that amount of stuff on." He explained gazing down at my (fabulous) shoes. His gaze traveled up my jean clad legs to my top which I now decided showed way too much of my modest chest. He finished at my eyes and we stared at each other. His gaze was hungry, and very male. I was mesmerized for a moment and felt an ache between my thighs, I snapped myself out of it. Quickly. I didn't need a man in my life, and definitely not a man like this.
"Well thanks for your concern but I'm very capable of unpacking my car, by myself, and for your information I could run a marathon in these shoes." I replied sharply.
A full on grin lit up Thor's evil twins face, and he looked down at various bags strewn between us then back up at me.
"It'll be much faster if I help, I'm not the kind of man to leave a woman in need, I'm also a sucker for an accent." He flirted. His voice was rough and threatened to make me spontaneously combust.
I really hoped he couldn't see my nipples through my shirt. The man was some kind of crazy sex wizard. He stepped forward, and I slammed back into my car. My heart pounded at my rib cage, anxiety replacing the lust I was feeling moments ago. He noticed my reaction and immediately stopped in his tracks, a frown marred his beautiful face.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He told me carefully, eyes connecting with mine.
"Thank you for the offer but I don't need any help, and if you don't mind I have a lot to do." My voice shook as I dismissed him.
He continued to frown at me, I felt uncomfortable under his dark gaze. This guy was intense.
"Okay then if you're sure. I'm Cade by the way. I'll be seeing you round." He promised.
Not if I see you first.
He paused for a moment eyes still locked with mine before he turned, strutting (okay maybe not strutting but how can a man move his ass like that without strutting. I swear he's a wizard) over to a black SUV across the road before I could reply. It's only then I noticed the cut, one that was far too familiar. It had different insignia on the back. A skeleton, riding a Harley brandishing a sword. The top rocker read: ‘Sons of Templars MC'. I braced myself against my car once again, struggling to stay up. My breathing was shallow as I tried to chase away the horrible memories I had of men wearing vests just like that one. You're fine Gwen, he didn't hurt you, no one's going to hurt you. I took a second to pull myself together before I began to pick up my bags scattered along the ground. I squinted up to see Cade was sitting in his truck having witnessed my whole meltdown. I quickly peered down again and heard his truck drive off.
I was my store the next day, trying to sort through all my merchandise, humming to myself, delightfully content. Apart from my little incident with ‘Cade', yesterday was a great day. I managed to get all my unpacking done and spend a wonderful night in my beautiful new home. I smiled to myself, thinking of how settled in I felt already. My speakers played Bob Dylan his voice weaving through the air, contributing to my feeling of zen. I looked up when the little bell over the doors rang, Amy leaned against the frame with a huge smile painted on her face.
"Jesus fuck Gwen, I think I may like it here. I just went to grab us coffees from next door." Gesturing with the two takeaway cups in her hands, "And there was the most fuckable looking men sitting having coffee, I swear I almost came. What I would do to be those coffee cups … " She trailed off, sounding breathy.
"It's good to something in this town is to your liking Amy." I stated sarcastically.
She set the coffees down and hugged me, enveloping me in a cloud of Chanel no 5.
"I'm glad to be here Gwennie, anything to help you get back to your old self." Her eyes glistened.
"No, we are not having sad or depressing thoughts in my wonderful new store, or our wonderful new home for that matter," I decided. "We are starting fresh and there will be no mention the dickwad, evil prick, okay?"
"Sounds good to me girl, now lets get this place sorted, go home get changed and go see if we can find somewhere to get a half decent cocktail." Amy replied.
I gave her a blinding smile. This was why she was my best friend.
"Don't you think we are a bit too dressed up?" I questioned Amy, looking down at my outfit self-consciously. I had a tight printed Prada skirt on with a white blouse that showed way too much cleavage and Amy's black strappy Manolos.
"Bite your tongue Gwen Alexandra," Amy scolded. "There is no such thing as being overdressed. Ever. You are not changing who you are just because we're not on our little island anymore, now lets go." She swatted my bum, strutting past me to the door.