Tempted

“Yeah…I explained everything,” I tell her.

Raven looks from me to Millie.

“You knew?”

“He asked for my help. My friend Nita…that’s his aunt. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for that boy and his family.”

She’s right. Nita and Millie have been best friends forever. She’s practically a member of the family.

“Raven, give us a minute, will you?” I ask.

She nods and closes the door behind her.

“She all right?”

“Yeah, she’s good.”

“Still go

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

“I know, son.”

She pats my cheek and sits behind her desk.

“What about our little arrangement?” She asks.

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

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

“I see. Good for her.”

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

“Got it, baby boy.”

“Okay, see ya. And thanks for calling me.”

“No problem.”

Before I walk through the door, she calls after me.

“She’ll be good for you, Gage.”

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

“Thanks, Chris…I promise you did the right thing…I can’t talk now, but I’ll explain everything…Okay…I’ll call you 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 smile and let her rant. She’s so cute when she’s mad. I pick up her phone and just watch her.

“Ugh!”

“You done?” I ask.

“Stop sneaking up on me.”

“What’s going on?”

“The sheriff…he spoke to Chris after he left here.”

“And?”

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

“Huh…didn’t expect that.”

“Despite what you think, he does care about me.”

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

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

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

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

“Thank you.”

I lift her face toward me and kiss her forehead. “Ron will take you home later. I’ll pick you up at your place.”

“’Kay.”

She buries her face in my chest, inhales deeply, then moans and releases her breath slowly.

“Me encanta tu aroma.”

I don’t need to speak Spanish to understand what she said. She’s always smelling me. She smiles and saunters off back into the diner.

Two weeks. Let the countdown begin.

CHAPTER 10

***Raven***

Ed Sheeran’s voice sounds from my phone just as I’m going through the door. A text from Lo

L: Forgot to give Mr. Gle

Sure, I have nothing better to do. She’s lucky he just lives next door. I grab the envelope on the table and send a quick reply.

R: Ok.

As I approach the Bimmer, the passenger door opens and I stick my head inside. Baby Jesus in the manger. I swear this man gets sexier every time I see him. I realize I’m staring when he smirks and motions for me to get in.

“Uh…gotta run next door for a sec and see the landlord.”

“Okay.”

I close the door and he drives alongside me, stopping in front of Mr. Gle

“Yes?”

Ugh…the man reeks of beer and B.O. His tank top is struggling to cover his belly, and his boxer shorts look like they’re about to rip at any minute. He looks me up and down as he scratches the bald area at the top of his head.

“Hi. Lo

He takes the envelope and gives me a creepy smile. A chill runs through my body and everything in me is screaming “RUN”.

“You’re the sister. I’ve seen you around.”

“Yes.”

“Come on in. Let me get you the receipt.”

“I’ll just wait here, thanks.”

He smiles at me like I said exactly what he wanted to hear. Weird. He’s weird and he seriously creeps me out.

“Nonsense. Come in.” He waves me inside.

I look back at the car, knowing Gage is right there if I need him. I step inside carefully and push the door but don’t close it.

“Come on. It’s right in here.”

Why won’t he just go get it? I don’t need to follow him. Shit. He disappears and when he returns, he’s holding a piece of paper and the creepy smile has multiplied by a hundred. I swallow hard.

“Well, young lady. The rent’s coming up a bit short this month, but I’m sure we can work something out.”

What the hell? He sounds like some guy from a bad porno. “What? What do you mean?”

“I mean that I’m willing to accept...other forms of payment.”

Gross. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I’m leaving.” He grabs my wrist as I’m walking away and pulls me toward him. “Let go of me!”

“Oh, wonderful! Lo

Lo