Page 22 of The Aries Alliance
War’s lowered eyes and luscious eyelashes had me wanting to climb him like a pole.
He finally tore his eyes from me and checked his watch.
“Let’s go to the den and start our official work so we’ll be ready before Monday. I’m not going to have you walk in unprepared for battle.”
“Is it that deep?”
For the first time since I arrived, War’s demeanor turned stern.
“Yes, it is. But when we’re done, we can hop in the jacuzzi tub or chill on the deck where I’ll grill out.”
“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
“The only suit you’ll need is your birthday suit.”
My mouth formed a huge “O” as War grinned. He kissed the back of my hand and smiled. “I promise all of this will be worth your while.”
“It better be.”
Never did I expect fighting oppression to get me high, but it did with War by my side.
Dismantling
For the next hour,I connected with an intense, bold woman who matched every bit of my alpha energy. She wanted justice as much as I did, and it turned me on. Her passion also made me want to protect her, much like I would my sister or mother. Control was my middle name, but for the first time in years, a part of my life was unscripted.
Scarlett and I sat side by side on the comfortable brown leather couch in the spacious den of the cottage. She kicked off her nude heels, revealing pretty feet I wanted to lift to my lap and rub before the night ended.
Soft white lights from the side table lamps created a cool vibe that energized me despite the lateness of the night. Live vines filled the room, also relaxing me.
I propped my legal pad on my lap and tapped my pen on it.
“Let’s start by getting into each other’s heads. What are your actual beliefs about what’s going on at EFU? Why do you push so hard against such a resistant system, knowing you may be the sacrificial lamb?”
Scarlett held a miniature bottle of water in both hands and nodded before answering.
“When so many people had been hurt for decades, somebody has to take them down.”
“Why do you think someone hasn’t done it already?”
Scarlett shrugged.
“I dunno. Maybe no one tried. Or they’re scaredy cats. Or maybe dang crabs in a barrel. Maybe they’re like you, sitting their fake asses in offices thinking the system was built for them to thrive.”
I was offended but pushed my displeasure down so Scarlett would continue.
“You know how it is. Give Black folks a little power, then they’re itchin’ to throw another melanated person who calls the system out under the bus. Too many of us are poor stewards of the pioneering efforts of those who came before us.”
“But you’re Harriet Tubman.”
Scarlett stilled.
“It’s funny you say that. I bet she and all the abolitionist ancestors are looking down on our current crop of leaders and frowning. Doggone idiots are modern-day overseers in systems that murder the bodies and spirits of our people. I wish the ghosts of every person who was falsely accused of a crime would come back and haunt the hell out of those cowards. Maybe thenwe’d stop expecting fake promises to manifest.” Scarlett’s chest rose and fell as if she’d run a marathon.
Something about her passion made me want to cover her and lift up her little dress to see how excited she could be if I stimulated her in other ways.
I pushed her water toward her lips, signaling for her to take a sip. She gulped it before resting it in her lap. She turned toward me with downturned eyes.
“I feel really isolated at work, like no one’s trying to follow rules. Pushing against the system feels like the right thing, no, humane thing, to do. And it’s all I know.” She took a deep breath.
