Page 14 of Violet

Who is he? Why does everything about him turn me on? And what the Chameleon is he talking about—Oh! “For the Love of Reading! We have a program this afternoon. I completely forgot.”

I start to stand, which is a slow process that involves me holding onto the desk, but the skunk stops me.

“Hey, hey, there’s no rush! The program doesn’t start for another hour, I’m just here early in case you needed help setting up.” He reaches across the desk and places one large, furry paw on top of my hand. The fabric is soft, and tingles of arousal travel straight down to my core.

Suddenly, I want the skunk. On top of me, beneath me, any way I can have him.

“I’m not a furry!” I cry.

“You’re not a what?” The skunk grins down at me. Though, to be fair, ‘grin’ is the only facial expression he’s got. Then he reaches for his giant head and takes it off.

My mouth goes dry. My heart pounds in my ears. My granny panties... let’s just say I’d rather not think about granny panties at a time like this.

I have to say; the skunk is hot. All tall, dark, and handsome, like some sort of cliche come to life. Black piercing eyes. Brownish-black hair I long to run my fingers through. Perfect, kissable lips. And just the right amount of stubble.

Another wave of desire courses through me, followed by relief. Thank the Chameleon I’m attracted to the man and not the suit. Except, why now? First Liam, and then this skunk.

Is it some sort of spell gone wrong? Or have they finally found me and decided to play a game of cat and mouse before going in for the kill? But then, why would Nole, Liam, and this skunk be involved?

I look around wildly, expecting to spot one of them peeking out from behind a bookshelf. I don’t. All I see are the usual patrons, plus Stacks who’s running around sniffing the carpet.

“Here you are, Violet.” Betty rushes back with my mug of water and hands it to me.

“Thanks, Betty.”

“Violet and Betty.” The skunk smiles. “I’m Colin Stanton-Howe. Cash to my friends. And I can tell you and I are going to be good friends.”

His flirtatious tone sends my heart racing, even as I fight the urge to roll my eyes at the line.

“Cash? That’s a rather odd name,” Betty says, and I silently agree. It also sounds somewhat familiar, but I can’t seem to place it.

Cash shrugs and continues watching me until I start to squirm in my seat. How embarrassing is that?

“Is there anything we can help you with?” Betty asks pointedly.

“Actually, I’m right where I want to be.” Cash winks at me, and his tone is full of innuendo that really shouldn’t be there. Especially not when he could give me away.

“This young man is here for a library program,” I tell Betty. Five points. Take that, Cash the Flirting Skunk.

“Young man?” Cash snorts.

“What?”

“I’m two hundred and... well, I’ve actually lost count.” He shrugs. “I can figure it out, if you’d like. I’m definitely older than you.”

“You’re two hundred?” I gape at him.

“And something. At some point, age stops being important, wouldn’t you agree?”

Before I can shake my head no, Betty nods. “I seldom think about my age,” she says.

I think about mine all the time, I silently add. Between pretending I’m eighty and constantly being aware I’m actually twenty, age has been on the forefront of my mind for close to a year. Not that I can tell either of them that.

“You’re a vampire?” I ask Cash instead.

“Hybrid. Vampire and witch.”

“So... wampitch?”