Free Stony Creek Hero [Stony Creek 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Taylor Berke Page A

as usual, Julia leaned back and whispered, “Lizzie, honey, that man looked positively ravenous. This is your café. I say, take charge of that confused little man, sweetie! Didn’t you want to give him something to ‘eat?’” The senior citizen table broke out in hysterical peals of laughter at the immediate blush that was again suffusing poor Lizzie’s face.
    Apparently the blush was contagious as the frank comments by the more experienced table caused everyone within earshot to turn red with discomfort.
    Lizzie just sighed and leaned her head on her hand with a grin. Maddy chose that moment to come out of her shell a bit.
    “So, I guess sometimes all it takes is a change of clothes to catch a huge hunky fish huh? I have a lot to learn,” Maddy said with a chuckle to herself.

Chapter Seven
     
    “May I have your name, sir?”
    The flirty blonde with the artificially inflated bustline smiled invitingly as she addressed Ben. Melanie leaned forward with both of her elbows forcing her already overflowing neckline to indecent proportions while she offered herself up for his viewing pleasure. Ben smiled gently back at the beautiful blonde. Slim, busty, and willing. It was just how he liked his women. Then why weren’t any bells going off in his head or lighting any fires in his pants? Geez, maybe Lizzie was actually a witch who cast spells to ward off other women. She sure had him bewitched because all he could envision were her gorgeous blue eyes, long, rich hair, and natural, soft breasts that made his mouth water.
    “How have you been, Melanie?” Ben answered her politely.
    The simpering woman practically ate him up with her eyes, having had herself a taste of Benjamin Powell last year. She looked like she was practically ready to launch herself over the desktop to participate in a rerun of that episode.
    “I would be doing a whole lot better if you picked me up after work, Mr. Powell,” she answered seductively.
    Ben let out a sigh. He had only enjoyed her body for two or three times but he had lost interest pretty quickly as usual. She was beautiful, but there was nothing else to stimulate his brain or engage him in any other fashion than that of giving his groin a workout. Besides, there had always been another sweet, willing woman to explore. It shocked him that idea was becoming less and less appealing.
    “Ah, ah, you know better than to mix business with pleasure, Melanie.” A much deeper and authoritative voice interrupted their conversation. Melanie lowered her eyes and looked embarrassed at being caught by the bank’s manager but didn’t stop sneaking small peeks at her intended target.
    Trying to pull himself up to his full height in an attempt to appear somewhat intimidating, Mr. Theodore Davis still had to crane his neck all the way up to look at Ben. He had an air of nervousness as he gestured toward his office.
    Ben took a seat, not saying a word. He let his stare stay level on the now perspiring bank manager.
    “Um, what can I do for you, Ben?” Mr. Davis said without preamble.
    Pausing a moment before answering, Ben forced himself to keep his calm mask securely in place. He really just wanted to lean over the desk and punch the pretentious pervert until he was begging for forgiveness. He allowed the nervous banker to sweat it out a moment more to enjoy his intimidation.
    “Well, Theo, I think we both have the privilege of claiming the acquaintance of Ms. Lizzie Carmichael. Yes?”
    “Um, well, yes. You know that I have spoken with her. What about her?” Mr. Davis replied, trying to sound indignant. If possible, he began to give off an even higher level of anxiety as he pushed his papers around on his desk and slid his glasses higher on his pointy nose. He could practically smell the fear pouring off the smaller man’s body. Ben’s face had a very intense expression on it as he leaned forward with one elbow on the arm of the large wooden chair. The sound of the wooden seat creaking