Riding Red (Fairytale Shifter #1)(16)

Ruby





I look out the front window of the bakery, the once kid-filled streets are now empty as I flip the sign on the door to signal that we’re closed. Disappointment and agitation roll through me; I haven't seen Dominic all day.

I was sad when I woke up this morning and didn't find him in bed with me. I’d thought maybe I’d had too much to drink last night and just had had one of my very detailed dreams about him again.

That was until I looked in the mirror when I was getting ready for work and saw the hickey on clear display for all the world to see. With my fair complexion I knew no amount of makeup was going to cover up that mark. For some reason the thought of covering it up didn’t sit well with me. I found myself touching the mark all day. Each time I did, a ping of desire would shoot through my body.

Now I’m just pissed. He’s been standing outside my bakery every day for three weeks, and the day after he face plants into my crotch he disappears?

What’s worse is my body doesn’t care at the moment. If he walked in the door right now, I’d probably climb him like a tree and beg him to do it again, not caring that he slipped out on me in the middle of the night and avoided me all day.

I had no idea it could be like that. He made me feel like I was the best thing he’d ever touched. That he was starved for me. That he’d never get enough of me, but clearly he did.

Sighing, I make my way back behind the counter and start closing down the displays while Gwen handles the kitchen, trying to play catch up after she was late this morning.

A few minutes later she comes strolling in from the kitchen with a basket full of Halloween cookies in hand.

“I don’t think we’re getting any more kids,” I say, nodding to the front window. Main Street has cleared out. The kids did a walk in while wearing their costumes earlier today. I’d heard someone say the kids were going to the neighboring town to trick or treat this year because of the full moon, which didn't make any sense to me, but that seemed to happen to me a lot around here. I didn’t think I’d have to deal with a language barrier moving from Northern California to Colorado, but it seems I do.

She nods, agreeing with me. “Cute little nuggets probably won't even get to trick or treat with the way the weather is looking.”

The dark clouds have been rolling in all day and finally look like they are about to let loose. “Probably right. At least they got to do the shops.”

It was cute watching all the kids, dressed up and walking up and down Main Street with their parents. Even some of the moms and dads dressed up with them. It made me long to have my own family. Dominic flashes through my mind, making my body heat.

“What with the basket then?” I ask, trying to keep my mind off him. I take off my apron, folding it up and putting it under the counter.

“It’s a delivery,” she says simply, like we do those around here.

“We don’t do deliveries.”

“Well, the old bakery did, so I just thought…” She bites her lip like I might be upset, but a delivery means someone local is making the order, and I’ll take all the local customers I can get.

“It’s fine. Do you have an address?”

Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to me.

“I’m really sorry about this.” I see the worry in her eyes over something that isn't that big a deal.

“It’s fine. Not like I have anything better to do tonight. Speaking of, shouldn’t you be heading out of town? I thought that was your plan.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I do have somewhere I need to be.” She grabs a hold of me, pulling me into a tight hug. “He’d never hurt you, never you,” she whispers into my ear. She doesn’t have to say his name for me to know who she’s talking about.

She pulls away, heading out the front door. I follow behind her, relocking it. It starts to rain as Gwen darts across the street.

I pick up the basket from the counter and place it in the kitchen, and I hurry upstairs to get my purse and car keys. Stopping, I grab my red hooded cape to protect me from the rain. I can use it shield the basket too. Slipping it on over my shoulders, I tie it around my neck before pulling the hood up.

I make my way back downstairs and grab the basket. I head out the backdoor, securing it before I slip into my car. I enter the address into my GPS, and I see the house isn’t far away, but it looks like it’s off the beaten path. It’s all alone in the woods, so maybe it’s just a house with a lot of land. Maybe they are having a Halloween party or something.

I pull out onto a now completely empty Main Street, and the rain starts to pour as I hit the country highway, making it hard to see. It causes the drive to be longer than it should. The rain eases off when I finally hit the turn off. I’m sure it will start up again any second, so maybe I can do the delivery before I get poured on.

I make the turn, going from a paved, smooth surface to a rough, gravel path. Before I can react, my tires slip. The ditch grabs my back wheel, pulling me off the driveway. I grip the wheel and try to push the accelerator, but my car’s tires are pretty puny, and they just kick up the muddy water while spinning in place.

“Well, shit.”

I can see the house with my headlights, and it only looks to be about a mile away, sitting at the end of the road, nestled in front of a bunch of trees. Looking around, I notice everything is surrounded by trees; I’m completely in the woods. I grab my purse and utter a few choice words when I see I don’t have any service on my phone. I don’t have much of a choice, so to the house it is. Even if it’s down the long scary gravel road surrounded by a dark forest.