Page 11 of Sparks Will Fly

“So, you ready to tell me why you kidnapped me now?”

I laughed while lifting myself on the counter.

“I already told you I didn’t kidnap you. I removed you from my business, which I have every right to do. There are no rules on where I can tow your car. I don’t normally invite people into my home, but I thought it was a good way to show you I only have good intentions.” I stroked the hair on my chin admiring her when something else popped into my mind. “You sleep too hard.”

She shrugged. “I was tired.”

“Of causing mischief I hope. The bashing online has to stop. It’s clear to me you haven’t done your research on me, but I admire your dedication. So, I want to make you a deal.”

She eased her can of Cheerwine on the counter, eyeing me suspiciously.

“What kind of deal? You into some freaky shit or something.” She began looking around the room as if someone else was going to appear out of thin air and tie her up.

“No,” I replied plainly. “Now that you have my full attention, I want you to tell me why I shouldn’t tear down that community center.”

I was really just pushing her buttons because I honestly had no intention of doing that, but she’d already made up her mind about me. Might as well drag this out as long as I could. It was going to make that apology I was owed so much better.

Her mouth moved in small circles as she began to chew slower. “I can show you better than I can tell you.”

I smiled. “I’m okay with that. How about tomorrow?”

She sliced into the last bit of her steak then scarfed it down like a savage and not a lady.

“Okay, tomorrow it is.”

Walking closer to her, I extended a hand across the counter.

“But in the meantime, you have to stop posting about my business online and no more protesting out front. Deal?”

She eyed my hand for longer than I’d liked, but eventually, she placed hers in mine. It set my soul on fire in a new way. Her skin was supple and soft despite her hard demeanor.

“Fine. Deal.” She scrapped the last of the mashed potatoes off her plate then sat back rubbing her full belly. “Now that that’s settled, am I free to leave?”

I nodded. “Of course. It was never my intention to hold you hostage.”

She leaned into the counter with her hand tucked under her chin.

“Hmm. Well, can I have dessert first?”

I waved to the fridge. “Sure. See what’s inside.”

Leaving the kitchen behind, I returned to the living room to finish my unwinding for the evening. I was barely comfortable before she came and plopped down beside me with a bag of Tru Fruit strawberries.

“Those are my favorite.” I frowned.

She shrugged. “You didn’t say anything was off limits.”

In the next instant, she snatched up my abandoned joint and sparked it.

My frown deepened. “What about your asthma?”

“Oh, I lied.”

“Wow, and you were worried about me being the bad person.”

“Hey, I don’t know you. For all I know, this shit was laced with fent or something.”

“Well, if you think so lowly of me, then why are you still here?”

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