Page 40 of Crazy Love

Bill has already stood to let me out as I hang up. Those bloody kids. They need a good scare to set them straight.

“Everything alright with the missus?” Sonny asks over his glass.

“Yeah, she needs my help with something,” I reply, chucking cash on the table. “Thanks for the drink, boys.”

“Nothing happened, but he’s gotta run to her rescue,” Jared mumbles to Sonny, loud enough for me to hear.

“Would you two shut up before I fire you?” Bill demands, gruffly. “Go help your woman, Peaches.”

22

KALI

I hate winter.It’s a little after five p.m. and the sun has almost vanished behind the mountains. Short days. Bitterly cold nights. I’m sick of it already. I’m also sick of banks and forms and constantly worrying whether I can pull off having my own business.

And I’m sick of teenagers adding to that stress.

When I arrive back at my studio, the roller door is up and golden light streams out onto the entryway. I see Anthony inside, singing along to music as he paints the walls again. It should be one of the last coats we have to do.

We.

It takes me a minute to realise the hideous graffiti is gone and my heart swells. Not a mark is on the pristine brick frame. The eaves on the roof look freshly scrubbed. The ground looks like it’s been hosed down with a water blaster.

An hour ago, I forced back tears of frustration and now, as I step instead, I force back tears of a different kind.

Anthony continues to push the roller up and down the wall. He’s removed his shirt once again. Specks of paint are splashed on the side of his pants. It doesn’t appear to bother him, or he hasn’t noticed.

When he turns to add more paint to the roller, he notices me and reaches for the speaker to turn the music down. “Hey, how’d it go at the bank?”

“All sorted,” I whisper, still gazing at him.

Anthony eyes me with caution. “Is everything alright?”

“You cleaned it all up.” My voice is thick with emotion, but I’m too tired to try hiding it. Too overwhelmed by his generosity to put up a shield or pretend his acts of service don’t mean more to me than I let on.

“Well, yeah. I didn’t think it went with the aesthetic.” He flashes a smile, before faltering. “I wanted to do it, so it didn’t stain the paint job underneath. Don’t start again about not needing help. It’s not an issue.”

I stare at him, this beautiful, kind man who makes my knees weak with one look. That admission increases my heart rate and my breaths become loud and deliberate.

Anthony watches me and places the paint roller on the ground. “Kali, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by-”

I don’t think, Imove, striding towards him with purpose. When I’m close enough, I fling my arms around his neck and crash my lips against his.

For a few seconds he stills, out of surprise, or shock, or confusion. I’m not sure. I’m just grateful he doesn’t push me away as I drive my mouth into his so hard it hurts. When I step back from him, his mouth chases mine before he straightens up.

“You kissed me,” he murmurs, his eyes fluttering.

“I did.” Terror, dread, elation – every emotion known to man catapults through me. I dare not move in case I break whatever spell this is.

Anthony’s gaze pierces mine. “I win.”

I open my mouth to object, but it’s swallowed by Anthony’s hungry mouth, devouring me, tasting me. He forces me backwards, my legs nearly giving out as he rushes me and slams me into the solid brick wall. Cold, wet paint licks at my exposed shoulder blades as he crushes his rock-hard body against mine.

There’s no space between us, but still, I want him closer. I grab at him, my nails digging into his flesh as I pull him into me. His tongue ravishes my mouth. The kisses are ferocious sending violent heat to my toes, making them curl.

Anthony pulls back to peer down at me, his eyes glazed as if he’s drugged. He reaches a large hand up around my throat and gently squeezes, a small gasp escaping my mouth.

“You’re going to pay for making me wait this long,” he growls.

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