“Guidry.” The grocer nodded a greeting. The hard, tight expression on his face indicated he wasn’t happy to see the man.
“I come by to pay my bill for the month, but I’d like to do a bit of shopping for the tavern first,” Guidry said. DeLille shrugged and stepped behind a curtain that probably hid storage space.
The new man went down one of the two aisles.
Grace stood at the end of that aisle, reaching for a can on a high shelf.
“Turn around, Grace,” Luc urged silently.
Guidry was looking at the items on the side shelves as he walked. Just as he neared the end of those shelves, Grace retrieved the can and stepped back, colliding with Guidry.
“Watch where you’re going, little lady, or are you looking for a little fun?” The man leered suggestively.
Luc hovered nearby. Guidry was dangerous, at least to someone smaller than he. Grace was a tall woman, and the tavern owner only topped her by an inch.
She turned, giving Guidry a scathing glance. Emotions battled to rule her. Luc sensed anger, frustration and … fear?
She couldn’t know Guidry, or that he was dangerous. How was it she feared him?
“Sir, it is you who should look where you are going. I could not possibly have seen you to avoid you, since my back was turned. You, on the other hand, should have been able to see me the moment you entered the aisle. Were I the sort of woman inclined to ‘look for a little fun’ as you put it, I would certainly not look for it with anyone as full of himself as you. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Good girl, Grace. Never show a man your fear.
She tried to move past him, but Guidry stuck out his arm, grabbing her around the waist and swinging her close to his body.
“Unhand me.” Grace slapped him hard with her empty palm.
Luc felt her heart race as a lurch of fear gained the upper hand.
The tavern owner just smiled. “You don’t want me to do that.” He cooed. “Looks to me like you need a man to help you understand what’s important.”
Anger sprang like a wolf.Get your hands off her.
The urge swelled to pummel the man into a smear of blood and dirt. Luc gathered spectral strength to do just that.
Before he could act, Grace’s body stiffened, and her expression became icy cold. Death stabbed from her eyes. “Are you suggesting that you are the man for that job?”
Fight or flight has become fight.
Luc leashed his power, waiting to see what Grace would do. Her emotions were high—fear, anger, confusion—but none of that showed.
“I could be.” Guidry put his free hand on her hip. “But a woman like you needs to be a whole lot more accommodating, if you want a man like me.”
The leash began to fray.
“Perhaps you did not understand me,” Grace sneered. “I would not have you, if you came trussed like a turkey on a gold platter and tied in red satin ribbons. You are an, ignorant, puffed-up piece of slime out to exploit anyone you imagine might be stupid enough to swallow the bul…baloney you spout. Now, Let. Go. Of. Me.”
“Sure, I will,” He grinned. “Just as soon as I get a taste of you.” He bent to put his lips on hers. Luc focused all his power to send the man flying.
Grace clocked Guidry with the can she held.
He fell like a rock. The force of Luc’s energy slid him all the way down the aisle to impact his head on the checkout counter.
“Oh, dear.” Grace covered her mouth with her free palm. Luc noted the smile she was trying to hide.
DeLille stepped out from behind the curtain. “What’s going on here?”
Grace walked up to the counter. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to cause any problems. That man,” she pointed to Guidry. “Accosted me and refused to let go of me.”
