Page 27 of Compelled Obedience

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I snarled on purpose.

“Don’t mention it.”

I sat quietly for a few seconds then couldn’t stand the wall she’d already placed between us. “You still are uncertain about me.”

“Yeah, I am. Why? What it is about this place that intrigues you?”

The question wasn’t one I’d put too much effort thinking about before. “There was a place like it near the college I went to with a couple buddies of mine. We wrote down ideas for Carnal Sins on napkins.”

“Huh. That’s not the only reason though. Is it?”

She continued to make me smile. “No, you’re right. Joe’s is a place I can go where no one knows my name.”

“Ahhh. Mr. Big Shot does indeed have a softer side.”

Her words sounded accusatory, but I sensed she might be warning up to me. Then again, I’d been known to be wrong.

I finally eased onto one of the barstools, grabbing a peanut as soon as Joe brought a bowl. Seconds later, I felt the heat of her stare. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m not certain you want to know.”

“What if I do?” I turned my head, my desire immediately skyrocketing.

“I’m rarely surprised by anyone and that makes me uncomfortable. I feel the need to shut you down and that’s not fair to you. At least that’s what people would tell me.” She laughed and the way she tangled her fingers in her long curls made me realize how nervous I was making her.

I leaned closer on purpose, wanting nothing more than to make her uncomfortable. “Why do I make you anxious? Do you think I want something from you?”

“Isn’t that the way of the world?”

Before I had a chance to retort, Joe placed the drinks in front of us. Then he remained, planting his hands on the edge of the bar and glancing from one to the other as if we were going to self-combust.

I lifted a single eyebrow and he backed away, throwing his hands into the air. Kerri immediately tensed again, evoking a protective side I didn’t know I had. “What I want is to hear about your ideas for the scholarship and what the kids need.” I wasn’t going to tell her just yet that by the end of the afternoon, I planned on engaging in primal sin.

“Joe seems like a nice guy.” Ignoring my comment, she took a sip of her wine, staring at nothing in her attempt to avoid looking me in the eyes.

“He is.”

“How long have you known him?”

I snacked on a peanut before answering her. “Since I started coming here ten years ago.”

“This is a place to hide.” It was as if she was trying to convince herself that maybe I wasn’t so bad after all.

“It’s a place where I can let my hair down and enjoy a cold beer without being accosted.”

“You have all the beautiful women in the world after you. What a horrible thing to have happen so often.”

The disdain in her voice was starting to irritate me. “Sometimes it’s about finding somewhere to reflect on sins and tragedies from the past, Kerri. I’m no saint. I’ve done some very bad things in my life, some of which I regret. Coming here means I don’t need to pretend to be something I often don’t care about being.”

The electricity continued to soar, enough so I sensed she was having difficulty breathing.

“That means you are a bad man, just like I heard you were.”

“Absolutely.” I chortled. If she knew, she would definitely run away.

“At least you’re honest.”

“I’m always honest, Kerri. Sometimes to a fault. Ask me any question you’d like but be prepared for a truthful answer.”

---