Sensual Sweets Box Set: Demon Paranormal Romance

Chapter 2

2

The two friends had their fine lunch at the fine restaurant, and then went their separate ways to their separate work places. Bob had to retrace his steps past the sweet shop, and though he was running late he allowed himself a short pause in front of the candy store. He still didn’t see anyone but the door was wide open, tempting him to enter and be amazed. His watch, however, demanded his more immediate attention, though he promised himself he’d return another time, maybe tomorrow, and have a quick look around. Hell, maybe this strange curiosity would subside by the end of the afternoon and he’d forget the whole place entirely.

Bob returned there after work that same day, and his stay wasn’t short. He couldn’t get it out of his mind all afternoon, and by the time the clock read five he was nearly mad from his curiosity. Bob shot out of work, unusual of late because of the wife problems, and made straight for the place. The door was still propped open, but the store was no longer empty. Instead through the entrance he could see an elderly gentleman with thinning, brushed-back hair serving a customer, a young woman. She had a pile of stuff on the counter, but they appeared to be talking about more than just the sweets and food.

He eased himself inside and quickly turned right so he wouldn’t interrupt their conversation. The man turned to him for a moment and gave a wink that made Bob feel both nervous and right at home. He’d hoped to come in and go out unnoticed, but the guy behind the counter had such a bright smile and the place matched the stranger’s sunny disposition. Besides, there was so much variety in the store that Bob was tempted not to believe what he saw.

By the time he was done in the aisles it was later than he expected and the woman at the counter was gone. There was just the old man who smiled at him when he came out of the last row of stuffed shelves.

“Find something you like?” the man asked him. His voice was like a sweet, honey-filled song that romanced young lovers. Bob wasn’t the romantic type, not anymore, but he didn’t find the man’s tone sickening. It reminded him of all the fun times he’d had with Tiffany, his wife.

“Um, I’m not really into sweet things,” Bob admitted. He wished he could just run out of there and go home, but there was something about the man’s lazy posture that invited conversation. “I was just, um-”

“Just looking for your wife?” the guy finished for him.

“Y-yeah, how did you know?” The employee nodded at Bob’s left hand.

“Your ring told me about the wife, and if you’re not in here for yourself then it must be for her.”

“That’s some pretty good guessing,” Bob complimented as he sidled up to the counter. The old man closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Guessing has nothing to do with it. You just have to pay attention to the wants and needs of those around you, and then go about providing it.”

“I guess-” Bob got a playful warning look from the old man, so he changed his wording. “So you’ve been at this a long time?”

“Yep.” The stranger’s eyes wandered around the building and its many goodies. “Opened up shop so many years ago that I can’t remember, and been bringing a smile to so many faces that I can hardly remember them all.”

“With how popular my friend told me this place was, I’d be surprised if you could remember anyone’s,” Bob joked. The stranger, who he now assumed was Mr. Eres, smiled.

“Well, they’re all important to me, and I’ve got a memory that serves me well. But enough about me, young man, what can I get for your pretty Misses?”

“How do you know she’s pretty?” Bob challenged him. He was surprised when the old man’s smile slipped off his face.

“That bad of troubles?” Eres asked him. Bob winced at the gentle question because it was so spot on and personal.

“Well, um, it’s complicated.” He didn’t want to get into the details, and was grateful when Eres nodded his head.

“I’ve heard that word used a lot these last few years. Let me tell you something about love.” Eres leaned over the counter and Bob met him halfway. “Love’s complicated. You have to know what you want before you can learn what the lady wants.”

“I don’t follow you,” Bob replied with a shake of his head. Now he was starting to understand why the woman was standing here talking with the old man earlier. Eres was a purveyor of romantic advice. The idea was laughable on its face, since this little old man hardly looked like any cupid he’d ever seen.

“Love, affection, attention. These are parts of a romantic relationship, but everyone wants more of one than the others,” Eres told him. He looked Bob up and down. “Now take you, for example. I can see you’re more of the physical type. You jog when you can and avoid sweets because they’d ruin your diet.”

“How’d you know I jogged?” Bob was a little unnerved by this man’s powers of perception. Eres’ eyes wandered down and Bob followed the other’s gaze to his wrist. He wore a watch on his left wrist.

“You have a fine tan there, son. From your clothes I imagine you wouldn’t work outside, so you must play outside as often as you can get.”

“I’m impressed,” Bob complimented the man. Everything was so simple when Eres explained his observations, but a normal person couldn’t have deduced such complicated reasonings from common details. “You should become a police officer or detective.” Eres bowed his head and smiled.

“I thank you for the compliment, but I find I’m needed here. You, for example, are in great need of my help.” Eres furrowed his brow and tapped a scrawny finger against his chin. “Now let’s see. Physically active, unhappy marriage, wife who likes sweets.” His eyes glance over to Bob. “What is your wife’s favorite sweet?”

“Chocolate. She’d consume a whole plate of the stuff if it was put in front of her.” It never lasted long in their house. Eres slowly nodded his head and muttered to himself.

“Yes, this should work. Just the thing to put the pieces back together.” Bob watched with curiosity as the man knelt down and glanced over his assortment of treats beneath the counter. The doors in the rear were opened, and through the glass Bob saw Eres pick up a plate of half a dozen chocolate cupcakes. Then Eres popped back up with the plate and set that down on the counter. “This is just what you need. I guarantee your misses won’t be able to resist having just one of these, but it could be interesting if she eats them all.”

“I don’t think even she could finish them all in one sitting,” Bob replied. They weren’t the small party cupcakes. These were as round as tea saucers and slathered with chocolate icing. “But I wasn’t really planning on buying anything-” Eres didn’t pay attention to him because he was too busy putting the cupcakes into a styrofoam container. “Sir, I said I didn’t want to buy anything.”

“No need to buy, these are on the house,” Eres assured him. In a second the plate was empty and he pushed the closed container toward Bob. Then Eres clasped his hands together on top of the counter and smiled at his non-paying customer. “And tell your misses I hope she enjoys them.”

“You’re…you’re just giving them to me?” Bob asked him. Eres gave a firm nod. “Well, I don’t know what to say-”

“A simple thank you and a quick scamper out of here will do. After all, it’s getting awfully late,” Eres told him. Bob paused and glanced down at his watch. His eyes shot wide open. It was already a half hour past dinner, and he still had a few minutes drive home. “Oh crap, Tiffany is going to chew me out.”

“Give her the cupcakes and I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised,” Eres spoke up. Bob didn’t think that would sooth the savage beast that his wife had become, but he was willing to try any free remedy.

“Thanks for the cupcakes, and I’ll be sure to come back and tell you how she liked them.” Bob grabbed the box and hurried out of the store. Eres stepped up to the door and watched the unhappy man hurry away down the street. There was a small, knowing smile on his lips.