Page 45 of Secret Spark

“Yumola.” Sadie held out the bottle. “I brought wine-flavored wine. I don’t know anything about wine, but the woman at the store recommended this.”

Joan accepted it and read the label for the young cabernet. “This will pair nicely. I’ve got some of Mark’s strawberry ice cream for dessert. It’s fantastic, so save room.”

“I will definitely save room for dessert.” Sadie’s direct stare left no doubt which dessert she was craving more. “Can I have the grand tour?”

“Um, sure.” Joan set the wine down. Inviting anyone into her home was a rare occurrence, let alone showing them around. Opening up her private sanctuary.

Sadie’s eyes widened at the shelves of books and art pieces, the original abstract paintings on the walls. “Wow. This is a lot fancier than I was expecting.”

“I have fancy taste,” Joan joked.And sticky fingers.

The bronze Migano horse statuette glowed in the late-day sunlight as if to back that up.

They moved past the mid-century modern gray couch. Sadie looked out the sliding glass doors. In the near distance, the cityscape surrounded Friendship Park. Sunshine dappled through the trees onto the green grass.

She pointed at the park and said, “Do you stand here imagining your food truck down there?”

“I haven’t, but now I will.” Joan considered the view. She gestured to one of the buildings with retail space available at street level. “Sadie’s Café could go there. I could park Hot and Cold across from it at the edge of the park.”

“Now you’re talking.”

She couldn’t resist running her fingers down Sadie’s back. Yep, definitely no bra under the wavy material.

Sadie turned and wound her arms around Joan’s neck. “I love how you keep talking about my café. You even call it Sadie’s Café. It feels validating. Like my dream is valid.”

“Because it is.” Now Joan couldn’t resist skimming her palms across Sadie’s slim hips.

They kissed, deep and open-mouthed. Joan licked inside Sadie’s sweet mouth. Her heartbeat pounded and her blood began to boil. Literally. This attraction burned way too strong.

She slid one hand across Sadie’s lower back and pulled the other off her body. Then she flicked a few tiny sparks off her fingers to get rid of some of the building fire.

Sadie ran her hands down Joan’s sides, pressing her chest into Joan.

Joan shook off more sparks behind Sadie’s back.

“Mmm.” Sadie nibbled on Joan’s lower lip. “The appetizer is scrumptious.”

“We’re never gonna get to dinner at this rate,” Joan teased.

“I can’t help it. You draw me to you like…whoa. I’m powerless, like a Villain fighting against you.”

That was one way to douse her fire. Joan eased back. “I don’t want you to feel powerless.”

“I don’t mean it in a bad way,” Sadie said. “It’s just…y’know…how you are.”

A bright flare of irritation replaced the fire bubbling inside. “Anyone who considers themselves heroic wouldn’t use their powers on someone not expecting or deserving it. I would never do that to you.”

Sadie blinked, then gave a small smile. “Of course not. I think my mind’s making more out of my jelly knees when it’s just normal I’m-hot-for-you jelly knees.”

“I get it. I’m feeling it, too.”

“Let’s continue the tour.” Sadie claimed her hand and tugged. One capture a Villain wouldn’t try to evade.

She stopped outside the bedroom and peeked in. Joan had done a thorough inspection to make sure there weren’t any piles of cash or extra Spark apparel in any of the dresser drawers or the closet. Sadie struck her as the sort of woman who’d spend the night and grab a piece of her lover’s clothing to wear the next morning.

They passed the bathroom, then Joan halted near the second bedroom. “That’s my office,” she said. “It’s locked and off-limits. Sorry.”

“Ooh, what do you have in your office?” Sadie made quote fingers with her free hand. “Free weights? Gym equipment?”

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