Page 6 of Burn for Me
She headed for the kitchen to grab the wine and glasses.
“Archie came into the shop again today,” she called over her shoulder. “I really don’t know what to do about him anymore. He creeps poor Jazz out, and I’ve got to agree, he makes me pretty uncomfortable too. But I really can’t find it in my heart to ban him from the shop. He’s a paying customer.”
Morgan looked over at Kitty as she came back into the room. “You’re far too soft for your own good. You know that, right?”
Sighing, she couldn’t help but agree with her friend. “I know. But to be fair, he hasn’t done anything untoward. Other than to constantly ask me out for a cup of coffee, he’s done nothing to warrant me banning him. I just wish he’d stop asking me to go out with him. I don’t know how to cut him off without hurting his feelings.”
“Yeah, sorry to break it to you, precious, but this is destined to not end well. There’s no way to avoid hurting his feelings. Wouldn’t it be better to just make it a clean break?”
“Urgh! I know you’re right, but I just can’t. I don’t have it in me.” Pouring them each a glass of wine, Kitty passed one over. “Chin, chin, darling.”
Morgan tapped her glass gently against Kitty’s. “Bottom’s up, babes.” Her smile finally reaching her eyes, she took a big sip. “So, what’s new, newsy, and exciting in your life?”
“I met the hottest guy on the face of planet Earth.”
“What? You sly devil! Why am I only hearing about this now?”
Kitty laughed at her friend.
“Because our lives have been crazy busy? And it only happened yesterday,” she replied.
“I guess you’re right.” Morgan nodded. “So? Spill, girlfriend. Tell me all about McHottie.”
“Oh God, Morgs, I must have come across as the lamest bimbo ever. I got one look at him and my brain stalled. I’m just grateful I wasn’t drooling.” Kitty buried her face in her hands, feeling it heat up.
“You? At a loss for words? Never!” Morgan chuckled. “I would have paid good money to see that.”
“Yup. Me. It was so embarrassing. And now I have to meet up with him again about the recent spate of fires in the area,” she mumbled through her hands.
“Ooh. There’s potential here, methinks.”
Tossing a scatter cushion at Morgan, Kitty reached for her glass, laughing. “Only you would think like that. Now, what are we going to do about food?”
The rest of the evening sped by as they joked around, enjoying each other’s company. But Kitty kept a close eye on her friend. All was not well with Morgan, she suspected. And she didn’t like it. Not one bit.
* * *
The excitement was overwhelming.It was all they could do to contain themselves. Everything was in place for their next target. It wouldn’t take much to get it done, and it would be one less for her to worry about. She would realise how much she loved them when she understood that they were doing all of this for her. There was nothing they wouldn’t do for her. Staring at all the photos on the wall, they smiled.Soon, my love. We’ll be together soon, as we’ve always been meant to be.They stroked a loving hand over the photo nearest to them, their eyes gleaming with madness. The madness that consumed them a little more every day.
Chapter Three
The soundsof Nickelback filled her apartment’s kitchen as Kitty was drying her hands, ringing coming from her handbag. Everything had been put to rights, and she was about to head out the door. She was on her way to drop off cupcakes at Nazareth House.
Kitty loved doing her bit for the inhabitants of the home. An organisation steeped in history, their aim since 1881 was to look after the indigent, elderly, and orphaned children. They offered a comfortable home and nursing to those in need. It warmed her heart to see the enjoyment her cupcakes brought to those who lived there, bringing a little bit of sunshine into their lives.
Finally, she managed to dig her phone out of her bag.
“Hello?”
“Ms Spence, Grayson James. I’m calling to confirm a time and place with you for our meeting this afternoon.”
“Hi, Mr James, yes. I’m just about to leave. I make a delivery to Nazareth House every week and then treat the sisters to breakfast at a lovely little coffee shop down the road from them — the Red Velvet Lounge. How about we meet there around one o’clock?”
“Great. I know of the place. I’ll see you there.”
* * *
The nuns had lefta few minutes earlier, and Kitty called for another cup of coffee as she sat waiting for the sinfully gorgeous Grayson James. She couldn’t remember a time that a man had piqued her interest like he did. It seemed like forever ago since a man had made her skin tingle and her belly flutter.
