“It’s about time you came by to see me. It’s not like we’ve got tons of family these days.” Aunt Mae was my mother’s twin sister, but she was more of a mother to me than her sister had ever been. They had the same reddish blond hair and the same big green eyes, which I’d inherited, But whereas my own dear mother couldn’t be bothered with parenthood, Mae had stepped up and been my rock whenever I needed her.

Aunt Mae was also, shall we say, quirky. Today, for instance, when I walked into her shop, Voodoo Does It Right, she was wearing a leopard print dress that scraped against the floor as she made her way towards me in heels much too high for a woman in her fifties. A silk leopard scarf was tied around curly, waist length hair and she wore rings on every finger. Typical Mae.

“Aunt Mae, I’ve been home for a few days, not a few weeks. I have a whole house to set up. And repair.” But instead of doing that, I was here in her voodoo shop, paying a courtesy visit. I needed incense and candles.

“Let’s go in the back, I’ll do a reading, see what’s making your aura so red.” Mae flapped her thin, muscular arms under the wide sleeves of her dress, waving me back.

“Sorry, Mae, no time. I stopped in to say hi and pick up some incense, maybe a few candles.”

“Say no more!” She grabbed one of her baskets of bones and began to fill it with a lot more than incense and candles. “How was the trip down from Chicago? I can’t believe you drove all that way by yourself. Thank the spirits you arrived safe and unharmed. Just as I knew you would.”

“I don’t need sage, Aunt Mae.”

“Hush up, girl. How else will we cleanse your new home? Did living up north steal all your brain cells?”

“It stole something alright, that’s why I came back here. Now I’ll let you cleanse my place or whatever, if you promise to stop talking about Chicago.” I knew she was proud of me, and that’s why she never stopped talking about it, but I was trying to put that all behind me.

“Can’t do that, honey. You did some big things up there, Vivi, and I’m proud of you, no matter what those assholes tried to pull. Embrace the good and toss out the bad, that’s the key to a happy life. Oh, and put this candle beside your bath, it’ll help you relax.” The basket was so full I was starting to think Mae was trying to make a commission off me.

“Okay, Mae, that’s enough. I don’t think I need more than this right now.” I held my hands over the basket to stop her from putting anything else inside it. “Enough, old woman, or I’ll lock you up in my attic.”

“Go right ahead, I’ve always wanted to be the crazy lady locked in the attic. I’ll run around naked and terrify your guests just like Jane Eyre!” She clapped her hands giddily, and I just shook my head.

“You’re well on your way, don’t worry.”

“I’m not. But I am so glad to see your face, Vivi. So beautiful and my goodness, if I had that body I’d be giving it away every night.” She swirled her hips in a motion I wish I could say I’d never seen, but that would be a lie. “Too bad you’ve apparently saved it for a rainy day?”

“I’ve been home for four days, Mae. Four days.”

“Plenty of time to let a young fella get a sniff of your knickers, dear.” She shook her head and slowly placed all the items in two small bags, which had to have been a clown bags given how tiny they looked. “The spirits say you need to get laid. You’re too stiff, too uptight. That’s why you’re having trouble writing.”

Okay…what? No one knew that book four was giving me problems. No one. I knew there was no such thing as “spirits”, though I didn’t have the heart to tell Mae as much. But her prediction was kind of freaky.

“Who said I was having trouble writing?” She gave me that look, the one that had gotten me to confess to every single bad thing I’d ever done as a kid. “Okay fine, I am having trouble. But I don’t think sex is the answer.” Men were a distraction I didn’t need. When I saw a handsome one like Nash, I took a mental picture and put it in the old fantasy bank for when I needed a good bean flicking.

“No one said you had to be bothered. Give in to the physical pleasure for an hour, and then go on about your life. You could do yoga, I suppose, but you’ve always been too jumpy for that. Just get laid, Vivi.”

Sex advice from my aunt never got old. No matter how old she got. “Got it, Mae. I’ll get laid because my aunty told me to.”

“Laid on what?”

I groaned, because I knew that voice. “Norah, are you here to get my aunt to do a love spell for you?” I turned, fully expecting to only see the little girl. Instead she stood beside her father, her tiny hand dwarfed by his, looking like a miniature version of him. Except where he scowled, she beamed a smile at me.

“Not a love spell, but Aunt Mae has the best candles!” She dashed over to the new display and stuck her nose in each jar. “What’s getting laid?”

I laughed and shot a look at Nash, who still looked pissed and ready to bolt. “It’s another thing you don’t need to know about until you’re older.”

“Not fair!”

“Totally, but it is what it is, kiddo. Enjoy being a kid.” I didn’t know much about children, but I do remember being in a hurry to grow up. Until I realized what it meant to actually be an adult.

“But everyone gets to tell a kid what to do.” She pouted and shot a wicked glare at Nash that made me grin.

“Well that is one of the best parts of being an adult, but you only get to be a kid for like eighteen years, and you’ll be an adult for way longer than that. Think about the oldest person you know, they’ve been an adult for thirty or forty or even fifty years.”

“Whow! Yeah, that’s true.”

“Right?” I grinned because this girl was a captive audience. It really was too bad she was too young for my books; she’d be a great beta reader. “So enjoy having someone else do your laundry and pay your bills. It doesn’t last nearly long enough.” We both turned and looked at Nash. “Batting your eyelashes and pouting is only gonna work for so long on this guy.” Norah giggled and we both gave Nash big puppy dog eyes.

“Well, aren’t you two just the sweetest?” Mae grinned at the little girl before she turned her gaze to Nash. “Good to see you, Nash. You’re looking well.”

“So are you, Ms. Mae. Pretty as a picture.”

“You charmer,” she said with a blush. “You must be pleased that someone you know bought the house beside yours,” she said to him, blatantly fishing for information.

“Mae, he has better things to do than worry about me.” Really, what in the hell was I thinking moving back here? I love Mae, but she would never stop meddling. Not that I want her to, not completely anyway, but just a bit less interference would be good. “Now, can you ring me up so I can get back home?”

“No one has seen you, Vivi. Stop around and say hi to folks first.” Mae wore her determined face but I wasn’t as easy to sway these days.

“I will. When I have time, but for now, I need to get back home.” I could hear her grumbling as I made my way towards the door, but any hope I had of making a clean getaway was halted by Mae’s angry voice.

“Stop right there, girl. I’m disappointed in both of you. This is your hometown, dammit. Have some pride.”

“I do.” I insisted at the same time Nash did.

She sighed and shook her head. “Good. Then you can both be a part of my Solstice Celebration ceremony, and I’m not taking no for an answer. We’ll practice twice beforehand and I’ll let you know when and where.” She grabbed Norah’s hand and took her around to the different candle displays. “I have just the thing to inspire your next great piece of drama!”

Things were awkward now that it was just me and Nash. I didn’t know why he was so unhappy to see me, but I knew enough to keep my distance. “See you around, Nash.”

“Wait, Vivi. It’s uh, good to see you.”

I barked out a laugh. “Try again, Nash.”

“It is, really. I was just surprised to see you and then…all of you.” He motioned towards my chest. “It was a lot to take in.”

I grinned. “Thanks, Nash. You were a lot to take in too.” I pushed past him and grabbed the door to leave.

“Vivi, maybe you can come by for dinner and we can catch up, since we’re neighbors.”

“And friends, at one time anyway.”

He smiled, and the pulsing between my thighs said ‘yeah right’ to the whole friends pretense. I’d been attracted to Nash since I knew why I should be. The crush came later, but the want had been there since forever.

“Friends. I could use another friend.”

I shrugged. “I don’t really do friends these days, but since our friendship predates that decree, I’m in.”

“Good.” He sounded relieved and a bit puzzled at my cryptic remark. “You look good, Vivi.”

“Yeah, Nash, you look good too.” So good that I planned to go home, run a warm bubble bath and lose myself in fantasies of that body. For at least an hour. “See ya.” When I got out onto the street and saw all the people milling about, I thought maybe Aunt Mae was right.

It was time to let the people of Belle Musique know that Viviana was back. A new and improved version.

Stronger. More confident. And just a tad bit horny.

“Dad said you’re invited for dinner, and that you have to accept.” Norah stood at the bottom of the back staircase, looking up at me nervously. Her ponytail had fallen to one side and her knees were covered in grass, but she looked adorable in her pink gingham one piece short set.

“Oh, yeah?” She nodded and crossed her scrawny arms over her chest in a move that matched my own. “What are you having?”

Her lips twitched at my question. “Steak with mac & cheese. I love mac & cheese, but I hate broccoli and dad says I have to eat it. Even though we’re having a guest.” Why was broccoli so universally hated by youngsters?

“Really? I love broccoli so much I mix it with my mac.”

“That’s gross. You’re a weirdo.”

“Thanks. Come on in while I save my work.”

“What are you writing?”

“A story about two people who want nothing to do with love, but can’t stay away from each other, so they fall in love anyway.” That was the bare bones of the story, and dull enough for eight-year-old ears.

“That doesn’t sound too bad. Why wouldn’t they want to fall in love? It sounds wonderful.” I couldn’t help the smile that touched my lips at her words, spoken so innocently. So naively.

“Because by the time you’re my age, there are things that happen that hurt, and some people would rather avoid it than experience that hurt again.”

She nodded, gravely serious. “I fell off my bike once and I never want to do that again.” Smart girl.

“Exactly. Do you and your dad like cream soda?”

“I never had it before,” she said as she walked up to me in the kitchen, peeking around my hips. “What’s it taste like?”

“Perfect thing to help wash down broccoli,” I told her, grabbing her hand in my free one as we walked to the blue plantation house that was a near replica of my own.

“I don’t believe you, Vivi.” She turned the knob and held the door open. “You really eat broccoli?”

“Yep. My favorite is with steak and noodles from my favorite Chinese restaurant in Chicago. But now I have to learn how to make it myself.”

“Can I try it?”

“Sure.” I admired a kid who wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted.

“Try what?” Nash’s voice sounded right behind me, so close I was afraid to turn around.

“Chinese beef and broccoli.”

“Yep. Your daughter has volunteered to be my guinea pig.”

“I get another cream soda?”

I laughed. “What if you don’t like it?”

“Oh. Okay, then I’ll wait for dinner.” Norah darted off and that left me all alone with her father, whose clean masculine scent was wrapping around me like a lover’s caress. My knees were clenched tight even though I still refused to turn around.

“Hey, Vivi.” Nash’s breath fanned my earlobe and my neck, and I tried I couldn’t suppress the shiver his deep voice and nearness caused.

“Hey, Nash.” My voice had pitched low, and I knew one of us had to put a stop to this. And it had to be me. I took two steps away and braced myself before turning. “I brought cream soda.” Holding up the four-pack like a dork, I flashed a smile because, holy hell, he hadn’t buttoned up his shirt yet and all I could see was hard, tanned skin and a hint of a tattoo. Or two.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice so gravelly he had to clear his throat. “Thanks, Vivi. You look…nice.” His mouth said nice, but his eyes said I looked like he wanted to do dirty things to me with his mouth. His cock.

“Thanks. So what kind of work gives you a body like that?”

Nash had a man’s laugh, low and kind of rusty like he didn’t use it often. “I have a woodworking business. Well, furniture-making, mostly, but I still do the occasional piece of art.”

He was being modest, but genuinely so. “This table is a work of art. The detailed work around the side is incredible. Gothic, even.”

“Thanks. It was one of the first pieces I did in my workshop here on the property. I used it as part of my portfolio.”

“And the bookshelves too? Some of the detailing is the same.” Did that sound creepy? It probably did, which was the second reason I didn’t date. Toxic levels of awkwardness.

“Yep. What about you, Vivi, what’s this I hear about inappropriate books?” His smile said he was joking, and even though I was relieved, I didn’t worry about it because I wasn’t ashamed of what I’d accomplished.

“Inappropriate for an eight-year-old, yes. But adult women seem to find it entertaining enough. Men too, if my emails are to be believed. I love when readers email me to tell me how they recreated a scene from my book or how just reading it to their partner led to hot sex.”

He choked on absolutely nothing, which was fun to watch for a minute. But then he turned an alarming shade of red, I grabbed a beer from the fridge and shoved it at him.

“Thanks,” he said, finally. “People really say that to you?”

“They do.”

“Wow. Maybe I need to read some of your stuff.”

The thought of Nash reading my work and getting off on it had me clenching my thighs for the second time since I arrived.

“And maybe I’ll give you a few signed copies. If you’re good.”

“I’m always good, Vivi.” He turned and I felt like all my teenage dreams had come true, watching The Nash Boudreaux Show. He bent low to pull veggies from the crisper and I stared at the fine roundness of his ass, the long sculpted muscles of his thighs when he slowly stood up. That strip of exposed skin at his back when he reached above the fridge for a griddle, sent my tongue wagging like a dog in the wind. “Did you hear me?”

I blinked to clear all the erotic images flashing in my mind and looked up into Nash’s smirking face. “Sorry, I was busy checking you out.”

“I noticed. Mae said you had some trouble in Chicago?”

“Yep, nothing that would follow me if that’s what you’re worried about. Some friends and I created this business, well really, a model, and made it successful in two cities. I got appendicitis and they sold the company while I was having it removed, without my permission or signature. It took five long years, but we finally resolved it.”

“You’re not happy with the resolution?”

Hell, no, I wasn’t, and I shook my head way too energetically. “I wanted revenge, but money is a decent consolation prize.” At least my friends’ betrayal it didn’t hurt as much anymore, and I wasn’t nearly as angry telling the story this time around. “It allowed me to start writing so, I can’t complain.”

Nash moved around the kitchen gracefully, like a dancer who knew his every cue, every step and turn. It was a thrilling show. “That’s really good, Vivi. You just missed your daddy. He left for another of those fishing vacations.”

“I saw him before he left. Made him take a few jars of coconut oil with him for his skin.” The old man would let the sun turn his skin to ash if it meant a good catch in the water.

Dinner was a quick and easy affair, but very tasty. Steamed broccoli with thick cuts of juicy steak and super cheesy mac just as promised.

“That was yummy, Dad. Thank you.”

“Yeah, it was delicious, Nash. You can be my personal chef.”

“What’s the pay?”

I shrugged. “You get to eat what you make. Think of the money you’ll save on groceries.”

“Vivi likes carrot chips Dad.” Norah rolled her eyes.

That made me laugh. “They were delicious, maybe open your mind a bit.”

“Make them for me so I can decide for myself.” Was it wrong and anti-feminist to be turned on by his bossy words?

Because I was, and suddenly a whole new crop of fantasies reared up and I couldn’t wait to get back to Sweeter Nothings.