Page 33 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
Despite what I told him, I didn’t drive home. I drove to a nearby park. It was close to a taco spot that was usually busy during the summer. Often, I would see a long line when I arrived. The last time I was there, I watched a woman runto her car and take off. No one else reacted, so I assumed she was a regular nutcase. But I loved the park just beyond the taco spot.
I parked my car and headed for the trail to the pond. The sun was finally setting, and there weren’t many people around, but a few souls still lingered. I stood by the water, watching the birds floating across its surface.
“I thought you were going home.” Raymond stepped next to me.
Though his presence shocked me, I kept my composure and continued watching the birds. “Why are you following me?”
“Maybe I was worried about you. You said you needed to shop but only got honey and candy. Then, you said you’re going home, but you’re here, alone and looking out at the water like you’re fighting back tears. Be honest with yourself and with me. What’s going on?”
“I do not look like I’m fighting back tears.” I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Hey, that’s my observation. Something is clearly bothering you. What is it?”
“We can’t do that again.”
“Do what? Grocery shop?” He shrugged. “It’s not that big of a deal. People buy food every day.”
“You know what I’m talking about. The—” I lowered my voice. “Sex.”
“For a woman who wants to be in control, you sure are worried a lot about what others will think of you. No one in this park knows us. Why are you whispering as if it’s breaking news you need to protect?”
“You know what? I’m done. Don’t follow me.” I stepped away from him.
He grabbed my hand. “Don’t do that. Don’t walk away from me like that, Jericha.”
“What do you want, Raymond?” I looked down at his hand. “Why are you stopping me?”
“I want you to loosen up,” he said, clearly frustrated.
“Loosen up?” I laughed. “I’m trying to be professional. What do I need to loosen up for?”
“Jericha, we have a temporary partnership. In a few months, we won’t be working together anymore. Maybe what happened between us isn’t professional, but I don’t care.” His hand slipped from my wrist to my waist. “I want more of you. And if you think I can go back to just being your partner at work after what happened last night, you’re insane.”
“I’m not trying to be with anyone right now,” I blurted out.
“Hey, I’m not asking for a relationship.” His hand flexed against my waist. “We’re grown, attracted to each other, and obviously, there is chemistry between us.”
“Are you trying to coerce me?” I looked down at his hand and then back at his face.
“Not at all.” He leaned closer, and the last rays of the sun touched his eyes, making them glow. “I’m just telling you how I feel. If you disagree, I’ll respect that.”
“You say that but…” I looked down at his arm, which he slid further around me. “You’re pulling me closer to you.”
“Yes, and you aren’t stopping me, just like you didn’t stop me last night.” He tugged me closer. “In fact, you took control, Jericha. Remember?”
“Yes, I remember.” My heart pounded in my chest.
“Do it again,” he challenged me. “Take control.”
“Have you considered me walking away was me taking control?” I put my hand on his chest and pushed him back. “Like I said, what happened last night can’t happen again. If you choose to leave our agreement because of that, Iwon’t stop you.”
I walked away from him, and Raymond didn’t stop me. When I got in my car, I looked back to see him standing on the path. He followed me, but he didn’t stop me. Our eyes met, but I was committed to my decision. I drove away, leaving him standing in the park alone.
The next day, Raymond beat me to the office.
“What are you doing here?” I sighed when I pulled up to find him standing by the door.
“I’m respecting your wishes.” He lifted the tray of coffee in one hand, and two packs of the little pink donuts in the other hand.
