Chapter 1
Elizabeth was busy in the back of the shop, specifically in the history section, filing away books about soldiers killed in war. This was one of her favorite spots in her store. She would always find herself stuck here, while her customers were busy with their heads in a book too, to read about the different histories all around the world. It would surprise most people the amount of useless information she knew. A person could learn a lot from the past. Elizabeth liked being in her quiet bookstore surrounded by pages with all the adventures she could possibly want right at her fingertips.
This was her dream to be surrounded
by the thousands of amazing stories from all corners of the world. And to be the creator of her very own business. This made her happy in a way where she didn't feel pressured for anything or feel like she was lacking anything in life. That is what she kept telling herself anyway, yet in the back of her mind there was always something begging her to strip naked and dance under the moon like the young freedom fighting women of long ago, begging for her to let her control go and be Free. Yet she always would find herself between the pages of some paranormal romance novel late at night instead of having a man between her legs. Fantasy was easier than reality.
Picking the last book off the cart's flat surface and placing it on the shelf, Elizabeth then pushed the cart to where it belonged in front of the shop and went to sit behind the counter. Her stool swiveled and had a yellow cushion that was extra fluffy to sit on and soft to the touch. She had gotten it from a yard sale a few years back, since then it had become her favorite thing. She gave it a quick swirl with a giggle. Then setting her elbows on the counter top, she opened the book she'd been reading to a new page. Her friend Jen would have probably make some quick joke about her choice in reading material being nothing more than a really sad porn soap opera, she'd much rather be living that kind of life than reading it. Jen's choice of reading was actually interesting. Elizabeth didn't carry many items on the topic, but it was becoming more sought out after in popularity.
Jen had come into her bookstore two summer's ago looking for books on a spiritual journey that spoke of twin souls being split before birth and then being reunited to bring purpose to the soul's lifetime. She would talk sometimes for hours about these books. Honestly the whole thing sounded more like fairytale rather than truth. The theory had been around for more than forty years after the Great Virus that struck the Earth bringing everyone to a sudden panic about what would happen to their souls if everyone on earth were to die from the virus? The virus came and went killing billions of people in the four years it held its grasp on the people all over the world.
Science and good old Darwin theory won the upper hand in the end. People held on to their fear though. Some people becoming complete hermits inside their homes refusing to leave, the other people adapted to their new norm. And then the need to repopulate came but no one wanted to just be with just anyone, everyone wanted to be with the One. People formed groups-that were basically churches-for this wild chase for the other half of their soul.
Elizabeth honestly didn't know much about it outside of what Jen had told her and maybe a few other things she had heard about it. She knew it was called a Twin-flame and each person held half of the whole soul. It was supposed to be fate that the pair would come together to do a greater good for the world. There were rumors that the souls could identify their other half by the sudden sensation of being filled with light inside out. The whole thing sound more like a fairytale. Jen, however, didn't think it was a fairytale. She had truly wanted to believe that out there some where was a person with the other half of her soul. So, Jen had been able to strike a friendship with Elizabeth and convince her keep those type of books in stock. Surprisingly, the books did quite well and Elizabeth was having to order newer books and restock the older ones more often than she thought, since she at first believed that she wouldn't be able to sell any of the books at all.
The bookstore was quiet most days with a good amount of foot traffic in and out regularly. She rarely got extremely busy, but was never without regulars and new customers. It kept her busy enough and paid her bills more than enough. Nothing crazy. She had a library program that allowed her regulars to be able to read before buying or just to read endlessly without ever buying. It was a big hit when she introduced it and had helped keep the lights on ever since. Life couldn't be more satisfying.
The bells on the front door chimed letting Elizabeth know that there was someone coming into the store. Her eyes lifted from the page and they didn't get far before she saw a set of bare buns facing her. She froze. What? Making her eyes travel further up the nice tan body, lean waist connected to broad shoulders and a head full of warm shaggy brown hair. He's naked. There was not a stitch covering him up from her wondering gaze.
And did her gaze wonder, it had been a while since she'd seen a man naked. She wasn't a virgin in anyway nor innocent, but men didn't flock themselves at her on a daily basis. Plus, she didn't really want a man for any reason even for sex. The puddle starting between her legs would argue with that right now. She wanted him to turn around. She wanted to see his face. She desperately wanted him to walk over to her and lock his lips on hers. A man like that could just walk right over to her and take her on the counter. Her mouth came open slightly, surprised by her own thoughts. That's not usually the type of thing she would think about anybody she's ever met. She certainly never thought that about any man she's been with up to this point in her life.
This stranger-man shouldn't be in her store without any clothes. She shouldn't be just staring at him without shame either. Coloring at her cheeks, Elizabeth closes her mouth and frowns. Where the heck was his clothes? How was this man just wondering around downtown Evansville? Her heart sped up not sure what her next steps should be. He hadn't made a movement yet seeming to have rested his head against the door. Taking a breath, she waited. Her wait would be worth whatever he had to say, because she felt as if she had waited a lifetime already to hear his voice.
******
Quick inside, shut the door. His fingers find all the right knobs needed to lock the the door he had just come through. Thank the Moon Goddess that this shop didn't have giant windows like the rest of the shops on the block. He could look through the small window at the top of the door and there wasn't anything barging through. Leaning his forehead against the coolness of the door, his heart slowly came to a rest. Now that he was calming down, more importantly his wolf was calmer, and it was sniffing. The wolf liked what he smelled. His inner beast could smell something important that only could mean one thing. Suddenly, he realized he wasn't alone. He also become very aware that he wasn't wearing any clothing. There was a small draft coming from the store's AC, still set for summer's heat even though September was coming to an end.
Taking a moment longer than he probably should have, he turned on his heels. The motion was a fluid spin, while also making sure to place a hand over his family jewels as his spin brought him facing forward to inspect his host. "Hello, I'm sorry to inconvenience you, but would it be possible to borrow a phone?" He says after a moment's rest making sure to keep his voice polite and friendly given the circumstances.
His words were only to be met by a very upset frown. He couldn't tell if her frown was extremely pissed or if she was still mostly surprised to see a naked man in front of her. Why didn't it cross his mind that an open door meant the store was open? A little late to be wondering that now because he was very naked. The woman's face started to get a little red in her cheeks. And the air became heavy and thick to suck into the lungs, damn he'd pissed her off. That'd be a definite first before he'd even gotten to see what color underwear she was wearing. His guts flipped with excitement from the thought because his harry sidekick wanted want was under the panties a little too eagerly.
"I'm surprised you didn't ask for a pair of pants since you seem to have forgotten yours." She replied briskly pinching her lips to probably to stop herself from saying something more. Her lips weren't big and filled like most of the women he'd come into contact with in his line of work. They were natural. The bottom rounder than the top and was begging to be licked. More like demanding, his wolf offered making its presence known loudly. He didn't know if she noticed that his attention was very much focused on her mouth, because her expression changed. Staying careful to not look directly at him. He could smell the unease coming from her. She was completely uncomfortable with him being in front of her naked, but there was the faint sweet musk of... arousal? The wolf all but smiled in the mind's eye.
"I'm sorry, that may have sounded rude. It's not my place to judge someone. I don't know what happened to your pants. It's not like you are actually going to walk in broad daylight without pants." She now seemed like she was no longer angry at him and more worried about if she had offended him. Her hands quickly reach to nervously flip her dirty blonde hair behind her back before folding them under her very pleasing swell of breasts. And he was still naked, facing her, in the open. Honestly, he could very easily take quick control over her without her being able to defend herself and she was sounding worried about what may have happened to his pants.
It was endearing for her to care about someone other than herself and to keep a sense of humor about it. She made him want to genuinely laugh, that wasn't something most people could do at all. Again, another thing he was not used to from the women he was around. Those women always more focused on what he could bring them and not at all what he might actually want. He didn't so much as chuckle. Not wanting to make her think he was laughing at the situation not taking it seriously, instead of it being simply because he found his comfort in her presence in his current state to be a little amusing.
"If you have something to cover, I would be very grateful to you once again." He very slowly moved forward taking in that he had bookshelves all around him, and ignored her previous comment. He couldn't come up with a clever enough reason for him to be here in this, bookstore, without a stitch of clothing on like a regular human. Not that he was human at all. His observations took in that there were painted clouds and hanging cotton clouds all around the walls and ceiling, also spotting the glittery stars among the hanging clouds somehow making the whole thing blend together. Dreamy. He grabs a chapter book off of a wire rack close to the door. Opening it to a random page, he then spreads the pages over his manhood, which he could tell she was trying very hard not to glance at. Actually, she was fidgety behind the counter. Probably unsure how to react to the very awkward moment.
He could understand the feeling, although his wolf was pacing with a very intense feeling of need for relief. Being extremely impatient with being ignored the right to have such relief. The faster he could get away from this situation the better. Brother, I need your help, he mentally sent the message with an impression of his location through the pack-line. All he could do was hope his brother got the message and would be able to find him, because he wasn't completely sure where he was either. He inched a little closer to the counter, where he could see her better. There was a digital register with a book open in front of it, he couldn't see the words yet , but he wanted to know what she was reading.
******
"Oh um uh," Stunned, Elizabeth quickly took off her sweater jacket. It covered all the way to almost her knees, so she hoped it would cover him much better than the book he was currently holding over his... She averted her eyes, noticing her gaze had started to linger a little longer than she meant to at the book and she already wanted it to slip so she could see what she was missing underneath. Instead, she handed him her cream colored sweater. He took it slowly as he got closer to the counter. Without removing the book from the desired hidden area, the very gentlemen-like man quickly wrapped the jacket around his middle.
"Thank you, I would like to buy this book, and buy this sweater. And pay for a phone call." His voice wasn't gruff and the way he talked made it seem like he most definitely did not come from living on the streets. Only making it more odd for him to be in her shop wearing nothing but his birthday suit. And now he was offering to buy the book, her jacket and pay for a phone call, even though he didn't have a wallet. Maybe he was just a crazy.
"You don't have to pay for a phone call. I have a cell phone right here." Her voice staying low and somehow was breathy.
She reached underneath the counter getting her phone then handed it to him, reaching forward enough that he didn't have to come any closer to her than he was. First, she didn't know that if he touched her if she would be very upset about it and secondly if he wasn't a friendly guy he could do some serious damage. He didn't look weak at all. He wasn't the rough around the edges type, one could tell he had a softer elegant side, but something about him was still very intimidating. He was tall and broad shouldered, and held his self at his entire height.
The man took her phone, smiled, and then dialed a number into the phone. He nodded and turned away walking towards the front door. Elizabeth wasn't scared of him like she should be. Nor was she worried he would run off with her phone like most people in this city would do. She felt drawn to him. She wanted to spend her time getting to know him. He made her feel comfortable in this impossibly comfortable situation. She was just starting to really admire the way he walked, when she had to quickly advert her eyes because he was coming straight towards her with a charming smile on his lips. It didn't take long for him to make his call.
"I appreciate your kindness. I will try not to take anymore of your time. My ride will be here in just a few moments." He murmured stopping right at the counter. The charming smile staying on his face showing no teeth, but still making her heart pick up its pace just a little from being too close. Or was it because she was able to inspect his muscular body up close now. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he would be leaving so soon. The thought crossed her mind the same moment he reached out to hand back her cell phone. Their fingertips brushed and to her there was energy that passed between the exchange. He heart skipped a beat, had she just imagined that little jolt of electricity? But she didn't want to be melodramatic, her imagination could be interesting sometimes. Quickly, she tucked the phone back under the counter and then smoothed out a bump in her hair. It was a little odd he could have someone here so fast too, at a such a short notice.
"No problem. You seem to be having a bad day." He smiled at her while nodding his head. She liked the way he smiled. It was welcoming. "So, would you like to explain why you don't have pants on? Or maybe give me a name. I'm not sure how long you're going to be staying, but um I do have a store to run. Having a strange half naked man standing in the middle will look very bizarre to my usual customers." She returns his smile with one of her own, striving to put as much teasing warmth into her words as she could.
"I'm sorry but I really can't explain anything to you. My ride shouldn't take long. You will be able to continue to operate your.. bookstore. Any sales you may have lost because of my intrusion I will be happy to accommodate for that loss." He smiled again.
Again, he was talking about paying her for somethingw. A knock on the store door stopped her from saying anything else to him. Was the door locked? The man turned around and walked to the door. She heard a small click confirming that her door had been locked. A man that was only a couple inches smaller than the naked-stranger but he looked very similar to the one in her cream sweater, entered her store. They could pass for brothers. The second man was in a business suit with nice shoes, his hair was shorter than his friend's and his nose a little longer. He looked down at the very nice looking watch on his wrist and murmured something. The naked man was starting to look very non-homeless. Both of them started to walk towards her. The second man was scowling at her and she didn't know why.
*******
"Brother, can you please give this woman a sum for her trouble. She was very generous to me and I would like to return the favor." His words must have surprised his brother, because the look he received was not a happy one.
He didn't care what his brother thought. There could have been a law suit against him today or worse the police involved and that would not have looked good for either of them. The lady deserves compensation, she could have lost business. We could have been sued. Give her 1,500. That's enough for the trouble. He finished the thought sternly, not wanting an argument in front of a lady. His brother pulled his wallet out without taking his eyes off of his brother's matching brown eyes, then handed it to him.
"Thank you, Randall. Don't worry I will pay you back. I'm sorry ma'am I didn't get a chance to ask for your name or where the owner of the shop is at. I would be willing to write them a check as well. Because I know that some things are going to be needing to be explained. I will be needing to leave immediately after this." He opened Randall's wallet and quickly counted out the sum he had given him mentally. He had counted on his brother's habit to carry $3-5,000 in cash. Jasper didn't have the best money handling habits. The need to leave was beginning to be almost unbearable, because he knew he appeared to be fucking insane. Charge into a store bare assed, have a ride here within minutes, and now was handing over a large sum of cash with the promise of more. Even he would feel like he was on a hidden reality TV Show. His wolf also wouldn't stop beating into the forefront of his mind. He then tried to hand her the money from his brother's wallet.
"I'm the owner of the shop. Welcome to A Likley Story, where we host the 'Adventures In Bookland Book Club' on Thursday's ages ranging from pre-k to senior citizens. I also offer a library card program for $10 a month or $85 for the year. My name is Elizabeth Jones. I never caught your name either, also the money is not necessary."
Elizabeth, her name made him feel like traditions were meant to be kept. She was so adorable holding out her hand as she introduced herself. Her face was lifted in a polite smile. And even though she was still behind the counter, she had moved closer leaning into the hand that was extended. He sensed that she was calmer than she was before. The floral printed top that she wore naturally showed slight cleavage even as the ruffles hid the eye from the real shape of her breasts. His wolf licked his imaginary lips inside of his head. And then he could feel other parts of his body beginning to warm. With a from he pushed disapproving thoughts towards the wolf inside of him. He did not want that half of his self being loose right now. So instead he reached out and gently grasped her hand to shake it.
"I'm insisting that you take the money. It is the least I can do." He then placed the cash inside of her book, closing it. "Plus, I still owe you for the sweater, book, and phone call." He winked with a smile, because he was still wearing her cream colored sweater -that was slightly see through- and holding the book that had been used to cover his body. Her nose turned pink. She just kept getting sweeter.
"We need to be going, brother. We don't have anymore time for your roguery." Randall grumbled not caring if his bad mood was visible or not.
"Goodbye, Elizabeth." He winked at her one last time. Randall led the way out of the store where he glanced back, as he stepped into the limo, to see a cloud covered blue door. Unbothered with his brother's growing temper, the way he acted sometimes people would think he was the older brother. Closing his eyes to rest for the ride, there was only one thing that he wanted to focus on right now which was the sweet little mouth of a bookstore keeper who lived in the clouds.