Page 14 of Sparks Will Fly

I opted for silence instead of allowing him access to my mind. In truth, I was even beginning to question why I was giving him such a hard time. There was compassion and understanding in Romani. It was clear by his presence here when he could be doing anything else in the world right now. A fine, successful man like him had to have a bad bitch on standby or an invitation to some exclusive black-tie gala in his email.

I waved him off. “Get back to work. Time’s a ticking.”

The deep rumble of his chuckle had me searching for something to do with my hands. The desire to be in his skin was growing with each beat of my heart. His aura was magnetic and hard to resist. I was thinking of how I needed to stay far away, when suddenly, his hands were on my waist.

“What else can I do for you?” His voice caressed my skin in a loving way.

I spun around to free myself but only ended up trapped against the table and his solid frame. My heart raced trying to free itself.

“Back the fuck up, and give me fifty feet.”

His smile further hypnotized me.

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

His fingers gently brushed against my hardened nipples. I sucked in a sharp breath. He used a finger to trace the outline of my cheek.

“You’re so pretty when you’re not talking.”

I pinned him in place with a glare.

“Whatever. Could you move please?”

I pushed against his chest, but he didn’t budge an inch.

“Why you so eager to go against me? Since the first time you laid eyes on me, all you’ve wanted to do was fight me.” He paused, looking into my soul with confidence and curiosity. Like nothing he saw in the depths of me could keep him from exploring. “Is it because you feel what I do? Something undeniable and insatiable? Something with the potential to be beautiful?”

My mouth opened and closed as I tried to formulate a response. Nothing would come to mind. Was it true I was fighting what I felt and not the sale of the center? I thought I’d found the words to say when my name being called snatched me from the secret place he transported me to.

He finally allowed me to move as I walked to meet April. The cutest and sweetest five year old I knew.

“Hey, girl,” I greeted her as I bent down for a high five. She smacked my hand with a giggle. “How was school this week?”

“It was good. I had a spelling test, and I got an A.”

“Ouu, that’s my girl. You’re the smartest girl in any room.”

I stood up to look at her hair. The braids I’d put in two weeks ago were still going strong. She was missing a few beads on some braids, and her scalp could use some TLC.

“Hey, Lovie. I’m going to hoop.” Brent’s voice called out from the door. He stood there with a head full of long curly hair, a sweatsuit, and slides. I knew his sneakers were in the duffle bag on his shoulder.

“Okay. You know she’s good with me.”

“Fasho. Have fun stink.” He waved to his little sister before disappearing down the hall. I turned to April with a grin.

“Should we start on your nails?”

She nodded excitedly. I led her over to one of the seats and busied myself with warming up some water for her pedicure. When I came back with a basin of water, I saw April had tangled Romani in her web. He was helping her pick out a color, and it was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. Literally, my ovaries were begging to recreate this moment but with his baby.

I rushed to pour the water inside the tub and turned it on. The little jets always made April giggle because she was so ticklish. Today was no different. That little sound always made these Saturday mornings worth it.

“Oh, Aisley is here with the rubber bands. I’ll be right back,” Romani informed me before heading out the door.

I stared out the door long after he was gone. I hadn’t come into this situation with the intention of catching any feelings. The more time I was around him the more impossible it became.

My mind raced to a thousand different places as I massaged April’s feet. I glanced up when I heard shuffling, but it was my next little client. A seven-year-old girl named Porter that I’d known since she was a newborn. Her sixteen-year-old sister Porsche came in to speak before disappearing into the gym to probably watch Brent play basketball. I saw the puppy love blossoming there.

“Hey, boo,” I spoke to Porter.

---