The real tragedy was that my modem was broken, and I hadn't had access to the internet in two days, so my mood was already in the toilet. I told her to get the fuck out and tossed her into the hallway nude. She had to pound on my door for a good five minutes before I realized I still had her jumpsuit. Apparently I made her stand out in the hallway with nothing to cover herself with but the fake work order she’d mocked up. It wasn't my best moment. Not hers either.
In any event, this resistance is odd and somewhat confusing. I drop her hand and turn to face her.
"Thought you wanted to know more about me."
"That doesn't mean I want to be kidnapped."
"Under what circumstances is kidnapping acceptable?"
"Never?"
"Sounds like you aren't sure." I grin. There are a few times when I think abduction could be fun. For instance, when I'm writing about it. Second, when I'm carrying off a hot piece of ass to my lair. "Let's test it out." I reach for her again.
She hops back a couple steps and crosses her arms across her chest. "Don't make me call the police."
I lean against the hood of my car and mimic her stance. "This is the second time you've threatened me with the law and still no sirens."
"I'm trying to be kind," she sniffs. Her little nose points into the air. My fingers twitch with the urge to tweak it, but I think that might earn me a slap.
"Be kind to me in my home."
"With a blindfold on? No thanks."
"So you'd be okay without a blindfold? I didn't take you for a lights on kind of girl, but I'm all for it." I'd add a few spotlights, too, so I could see every inch of her in perfect detail.
"No. I am not an all lights on kind of girl," she gasps.
"Why not? You're gorgeous. You should definitely feel comfortable with the lights on, but I’m happy to keep them doused for our first round. I’ll be able to map you out better in the dark when I’m forced to rely on my other four senses.” My dormant imagination is kicking into high gear. I haven’t written erotica before, but maybe it’s time for a genre change.
Her jaw drops. “Are you kidding me? I’m not going back to your place for sex or anything else. Give me my phone and my camera or I will call the police. I’m serious this time.”
The light’s no longer on in her eyes. It’s not necessarily fear there but something else. Uneasiness? A pang of regret strikes me. I’ve been in places where I didn’t feel wholly comfortable, and that sucks. I drop the teasing and walk over to her car, careful to give her some distance. On her hood, I set the phone and the camera.
“I live on Secret Lane if you want to visit. No blindfold is necessary.”
I give her a nod of my chin before climbing into my car and driving away. I hope I’ve baited the hook well enough. A stranger in her safe town seems like an irresistible lure.
Chapter Four
Glory
“Are you trying to get Mr. Williams killed?” Amethyst asks. She blows a giant bubble with the gum she’s been chewing. It pops loudly. She sits on the side of my desk and swings her legs back and forth.
Going out with Amethyst sometimes feels like being out with a celebrity. At least people think she’s one. She’s so beautiful and elegant that people turn to look her way thinking she must be famous. She’s got the prettiest blond hair and the biggest blue eyes that leave a lot of men speechless. It is actually pretty funny to watch grown men turn into babbling idiots when they are in her presence.
Amethyst moved from Syn City to Kissme Bay where I’d met her working at the Frenchie's Ferris wheel. Kissme Bay is the next town over from Cherry Falls. She moved there to get away from her overbearing father—only to fall in love with an overbearing man who is her total opposite. Where he is dark, she is light. He’s also almost twice her age, but they love one another. I wouldn't be her best friend if I didn't poke her about how there might be some daddy issues there.
“If anyone can get him to talk, it’s you.” Mr. Williams sold the house on Secret Lane. I need the name of the person he sold it to. If I can get that piece of information, then I’ll be able to dig into Mr. Handsome a little bit more. I have to admit that he’s gotten my attention, but I’m not ready to let him in on that yet. So, I’ll do what I do best: snoop around.
Amethyst picks up my camera that she actually got me for my birthday. She knows anything and everything about photography. Most people think she should be in front of the camera, but she prefers to be behind it. She’s taken a handful of pictures for me. She’s killer behind the lens.