Page 39 of Hot to Trot

Brent snatched his hand away from his wife's tush. "Oh, so you are."

Scarlet slid off the stool and headed away from the two lovebirds. They could have their moment together. She would rather not imagine her sister getting it on with Brent. Shudder.

But she could imagine herself getting it on with tall, blond, and tight-assed.

The only silver lining to having to stay in Oak Stand was the judge putting Adam in charge of her case. If she had to perform community service, at least she could do it under him. Or she could do it on top of him.

She was flexible. Literally.

Her dirty thoughts made her giggle.

It was unlikely she would act on anything. Adam was the chief of police, a position he obviously took very seriously. After the kiss in the jail cell, she doubted he would allow temptation to overcome professionalism again. Even if temporarily losing their heads had been mutually pleasurable.

Kissing Adam had accomplished what she'd been searching for. He'd unstuck her. Given her back the piece she thought she'd lost when John had abandoned her. For that, she'd be grateful. And she would try to behave herself.

Trybeing the key word.

CHAPTER TEN

PHOENIX WAS NOT what Scarlet had expected. The large structure that appeared when she drove between the two stone pillars didn't look like a gang rehabilitation facility. It looked like a mountain lodge with its cedar-planked siding, huge wraparound porch, and stacked stone columns. Ornamental grasses softened the stone base upon which the structure was built. An ugly dog waited for her on the porch.

She guessed Banjo was the welcome committee.

Scarlet stepped from the black convertible and pushed her sunglasses atop her head. She'd dressed in her standard uniform for acting classes- snug black pants, black T-shirt, hair pulled into a low ponytail. She was a blank canvas, awaiting the opportunity to morph into whatever character she needed to become. Improv was her favorite. She hoped it would work with her new students.

"Yo," a voice called from her left."You bringing sexy back? Or is this more of a back-in-black sorta thing?"

Scarlet spun and met a smiling face, attached to a startlingly plump physique. "More Black Magic Woman. I'm Scarlet and I'm the new acting coach."

The man smiled and extended a hand. "I'm Georges. I'm a counselor here at Phoenix. One of the first graduates, too."

Scarlet shook his hand. It was slightly sweaty. Like Henry's, but the smile the man gave her was charming. "Nice to meet you, Georges. Now, where am I to go? You know, to work my magic. Or as some call it, community service."

Georges grinned and beckoned her to follow him toward the front door. "Right this way, Black Magic Woman."

The dog rose, stretched and trotted down the steps to greet her. She reached down and scratched him behind the ears and received a sloppy doggy kiss on the back of her hand for her effort. She could see the appeal of the scruffy mutt, and it occurred to her Henry needed his own pet. She'd missed his birthday, so maybe...

The dog lifted his leg and peed on a potted plant next to the drive.

Maybe not.

Scarlet stepped inside the center behind Georges into a large rustic room. Rick and Kate Mendez sat on the leather sectional, drinking lemonade.

"Welcome to Phoenix, Scarlet," Rick said, rising. He gestured for Kate to remain seated when she tried to struggle to her feet. “You want a lemonade?"

"No, thanks. Wow, what a fabulous place," Scarlet breathed, taking in the wagon-wheel chandelier, arched wood ceiling, and huge moose head hanging above a stacked stone fireplace. Fans whirred above and the concrete floor was softened with Navajo rugs and an animal-skin rug, which was enclosed by the sectional.

"We like it." Kate patted the plush leather beside her. “Come sit. We'll talk first and then take you around to meet the staff and the clients.”

Georges disappeared with a salute as Scarlet sat.

“Sounds good. I didn't know what to bring. Back in Manhattan, I teach at a community theater adjacent to the YWCA. We have a stage, props, and sound equipment. I'm afraid this will be a little basic."

"We like basic," Rick said. "This room is our communal room and it's probably the only space big enough for your class. Unless we move the games out of the recreation room."

"This should be fine if you don't mind my moving the sectional a bit." There wasn't much privacy for shy actors, but for the hours she was here it was her job to teach them to become someone other than themselves.

The door opened, interrupting her thoughts.

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