Page 44 of Tempted

“No, but I swear I haven’t touched her.”

“I know, son.”

She pats my cheek and sits behind herdesk.

“What about our little arrangement?” Sheasks.

I reach into my pocket and give her enoughmoney to cover Raven’s pay for the next two weeks. After that, wedon’t have to sneak around, so I can take care of her directly.

“Might not be much longer. She mentionedsomething about art school.”

“I see. Good for her.”

“Don’t say anything to Nita. I need to talkto her myself.”

“Got it, baby boy.”

“Okay, see ya. And thanks for callingme.”

“No problem.”

Before I walk through the door, she callsafter me.

“She’ll be good for you, Gage.”

Yeah. I think so, too.I scan thediner but don’t see her. I remember the last time she wanted to getaway, she ran out the back door. Sure enough, I find her outside onher phone. Her back is to me, so she doesn’t see me. She doesn’thear me either because she doesn’t turn around.

“Thanks, Chris…I promise you did the rightthing…I can’t talk now, but I’ll explain everything…Okay…I’ll callyou later…’bye.”

“The fuck you need to talk to him for?”

She drops her phone and almost jumps a mile.She turns angrily and starts going off on me in Spanish. I smileand let her rant. She’s so cute when she’s mad. I pick up her phoneand just watch her.

“Ugh!”

“You done?” I ask.

“Stopsneaking up on me.”

“What’s going on?”

“The sheriff…he spoke to Chris after he lefthere.”

“And?”

“Chris told him he followed us outside but hefound me alone and we left together,” she explains.

“Huh…didn’t expect that.”

“Despite what you think, he does care aboutme.”

“He can care all he wants to as long as heknows you’re mine.”

“Stop. Look…I want to tell him aboutJanet. It would ease his mind.”

“Fine. I’ll forward you the picture if youwant.”

I hand her the phone and she slides it intoher back pocket. She looks around carefully then wraps her armsaround my waist. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Her touchis like nothing I’ve ever experienced. No matter my mood, itaffects me in just the perfect way.