Black - Storm of Attraction: Willowdale, #1

Storm of Attraction

The Willowdale Series

Copyright 2016 by Lily Black. All rights reserved.

First Print Edition: January 2017

Red Adept Publishing, LLC

104 Bugenfield Court

Garner, NC 27529

http://RedAdeptPublishing.com/

Cover and Formatting: Streetlight Graphics

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual personsliving or deadis entirely coincidental.

To my sweet husband, who has shown unfailing faith in me and pushed me to stretch and grow in all the directions I needed to, and also for my son, who was happy to be my punching bag in many a womens self-defense seminar, and to my daughter, who is my biggest fan

Chapter One

I f only all of lifes problems could be solved by kicking butts or hiding in a book. Alexa was good at both of those. Or she usually was. Today, it would take some deep breaths to feel confident in anything.

She usually loved working two jobs and felt her two selves balanced each other out. She shifted from mild-mannered librarian by day to high-kicking black belt instructor by night. But sometimes, coming from a fiasco at her day joblike double-shifting for a sick coworker then spilling the books for the library sale all over the parking lotcould make punching a second time card challenging. Thankfully, it was Friday, and she was on her way to a meeting for all black belt instructors at Crouching Tiger. So she could brighten her day and that of all the other black belts with one quick stop for an icy treat. Black belt buddies plus Crazy Pops equaled win, because the people at Crouching Tiger were like her family, and together they could handle anything.

The gourmet Popsicles were made right there in Willowdale and were a huge favorite with all the locals. Rumor had it that Phyllis, the owner and grande dame who ran Crazy Pops Gourmet Popsicles, enchanted each and every pop so that wishing on the stick would grant the wisher whatever their heart most desired. Of course it was nonsense, but Alexa had found that if she was having a rotten day, she could always trust a quick stop at Crazy Pops to turn her day around.

The door of Crazy Pops Gourmet Popsicles chimed as she pulled it open. She enjoyed how the heels of her black boots thumped on the floor and the way her skirt swirled around her legs as she strode to the counter. No sense in making a bad day worse by being a mouse about it. She smiled at the girl running the register. Alexa managed the older teen programs at the library, and the girl often attended. Hello, Mandy. Whats the special today?

Youre in luck! Mandy answered, giving Alexa a big smile. Today, we have two specialsthe spiced pumpkin Ms. Phyllis has brought back for fall, and we also have just a few key lime pops!

Alexas stomach dropped into her boots then rolled over and puked. She knew of only one person who had the kind of pull needed to persuade Ms. Phyllis to make key lime popsher spring treatin October. But maybe she was wrong. She was having a bad day for luck, and yes, it was Friday, but at least it wasnt the thirteenth. Key Lime? Thats unusual. Any special reason that ones available today?

Mandy giggled. Oh, Id call him a special reason, all right. She tossed her purple hair back and glanced toward Ms. Phylliss office at the back of the store. Her tone was filled with pride. Drew Cosimo is putting in a big order. He plans to serve hundreds of Crazy Pops at the grand opening of his new She stopped mid-sentence, her mouth still open as her brain finally registered whom she was bragging to.

It took a real effort of will, but Alexa kept her smile firmly fixed in place. At the grand opening of his new mixed martial arts school? Thats a great idea. Bravo to Ms. Phyllis for being able to snag an order like that.

Mandy just stared at her. The poor girl was only sixteen, and as her purple-streaked hair and sweet round face testified, she was far from having all of lifes challenges worked out. She snapped her jaw shut. Youll still order here? Youll still buy your Crazy Pops from us?

Alexa laughed, the sound only a little rueful. Where else would I buy them, Mandy? You guys are the only ones! Mandy didnt look reassured, so Alexa spoke in a rush. Never mind. Of course Ill still pick up my pops. Lets see I know Master Hays likes the cookies and cream, and of course well need a couple of brownie pops. As she carried on giving her order, Alexa acted cool, calm, and at ease. But inside, her emotions were swirling like a tropical storm well on its way to hurricane status.

Drew was there, right at that moment! She had to hurry and get out of there, and she needed to appear totally calm as she did it. No way was he going to see her running away. It was bad enough that their little rivalry was front-page news, so much so that apparently Mandy thought she would march off in a huff just because Ms. Phyllis was filling an order for Drew.

I think that will be it. Alexa had ordered enough pops to feed a small army of black belt instructors. Can I get the pops wrapped up so they wont melt on the way to the dojo?

Mandy made one last scribble on her order pad. Sure, let me grab an insulated bag, and well get you all set. Her purple hair disappeared behind the counter as she rummaged around.

Alexa was left looking straight through the open door into the small back room. Ms. Phyllis was seated at a table with her planner and an order book open in front of her. Sitting across from her, with his long legs stretched out and a charming smile showing off his dimple, was Drew Cosimo.

He was just as handsome as ever, damn him. Broad shoulders tapered to a lean torso, giving him an air of easy grace, like a warrior prince whod stepped straight out of the latest swoon-worthy movie. Hed inherited his granddads dark Italian looks, so it was no wonder shed fallen hard when he walked into her life five years ago. Tall, dark, and handsome, Drew was every college girls fantasy. Even knowing what he was, she couldnt help letting her eyes linger on the way his firm, masculine jaw was softened by the gentle smile on his lips.

A memory of those lips fluttered in the back of her mind, but she squashed it instantly. Too bad she couldnt squash the blush as easily.

As if feeling her eyes on him, Drew stirred and glanced toward Alexa.

She gasped and snatched up the flavor chart to hide her face. Mother of Pearl, this was embarrassing. Had he seen her face? And what did she think she was doing, hiding behind a Crazy Pops menu like a lovesick schoolgirl? The Freudians would have a field day with that.