Page 4 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

Erie got up and walked to her huge storefront window and examined my store. Once it appeared she saw what she needed to, Erie came and sat back down and smiled.

“I’ve been here for three years, and this is my first time meeting you. How come?” she inquired with her brow raised in curiosity.

“I usually send my assistant over here for food, but for some reason, I felt like getting out of the store today. In addition to that, I keep to myself, and I allow myself to be seen or unseen when I choose to.”

Erie nodded respectfully. Silence greeted both of us while we focused on the game and made strategic moves across the board.

“You’re very beautiful. You could be doing just about anything right now. Why sit here and entertain an old man?”

Erie blushed shyly.

“You’re an old man? I hadn’t noticed,” she joked, staring deeply in my eyes.

There went that feeling again in my dress slacks. Erie had my nose wide open. I never talked this much, but there wassomething about Erie that inspired me to reveal some parts of myself to her.

“Where's your accent from?” she probed before taking my queen.

“I'm Sicilian.”

“Oh, I thought you were Italian,” Erie added.

“Nope. Sicily is its own little country, but in the village we’re from, we speak Italian. My parents were one of the few black families there. They said it was love at first sight.” A dry chuckle escaped me.

I left that confession there because I wasn't in the mood to take a dark trip down memory lane. My parents were a sore topic for me. They were no longer here, and it still fucked with me until this day. I must have zoned out because the feeling of warmth and fingertips trailed up my arm. My eyes instantly connected with Erie's eyes.

“You zoned out on me. It feels like my conversation made the moment kind of heavy. You don’t have to share anything that makes you uncomfortable. We can keep the conversation light for now, like our first date together or night together. I’m not opposed to you having my full attention, Janeiro.”

I laced my fingers between hers. “Bold and daring. You’re my kind of woman, Bella,” I asserted truthfully.

Erie laughed. “I'll take that compliment. One thing you will learn about me, Janeiro, is that I say what I feel. The need to sugarcoat shit is overrated and makes life shorter than it already is.”

I leaned over the table so only Erie could hear my reply. “I share your sentiment so much that the next time you trail those silky fingers of yours up my arm, you better be prepared for the tongue lashing I’ll give that little kitty of yours.”

I kissed the top of her hand and let it go. She sat back in her seat with the spirit of arousal outlining her features and posture.We stared each other down. Her breaths gradually returned to normal, but I could see the light sheen of perspiration on her top lip.

“Janeiro, there’s nothing little about my kitty, and you damn sure don’t need to threaten me with a good time,” her silly self expressed as she danced in her seat.

My shoulders rose and fell as I chortled from her reply. When my phone pinged to alert me it was time to make a move, I instantly regretted not being able to converse longer with her.

“I have to go out of town and pick up my new fabric. I’ll be here next Monday at the same time.”

The solemn look that wiped away her beautiful smile tugged at my heart. I didn’t want to leave her either, but there were vermin I had to deal with.

“I understand. It was nice meeting you, Janeiro. Don’t be a stranger,” she stated sweetly and walked back to her place behind the counter.

Londen paid us no mind as she helped a customer. Gently, I caressed the side of her face. I didn't want this moment to end. I could fall so hard for her. From here on out, Ms. Erie would have all my attention.

The jukebox switched songs, and the sweet vocals of Etta James’s “A Sunday Kind of Love” flowed between us.

Erie gently held my chin with her finger and sang a few lines of the lyrics to me. Damn, this woman had vocals that could rival the original singer herself. In this short visit, Erie had already put a dent in the icebox around my heart. She was full of surprises, and I wanted to keep unwrapping her until I couldn’t anymore. I tore my eyes from her mouth and observed her beautiful face and features.

It was evident that she would be my reckoning. Erie knew it too. That was why she cast me a sly smirk. That woman was too sexy for her own good.

“I look forward to seeing you Monday, handsome.”

I bore her a huge grin. Erie gave me a nickname. I never had one besides . . . I let my thoughts trail off before I took that awful trip down memory lane. Nope, not today. Today was filled with hope, and not even my past could ruin it. I kissed her hand again. Erie gave me a bashful grin.

It was past time to let her go, but I didn’t want to. Nevertheless, I had to. I released her hand and tapped the top of her counter space. I walked backward to the exit without breaking our eye contact. Erie blew me a kiss. I caught it quickly. I wanted all her kisses, even the air kisses. Once this job was done, I’d get my way.

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