Free Wicked Intentions by Linda Verji

that Nathan had skillfully evaded her question but the way he was teasing the back of her hand with his finger and the intoxication of having all his attention on her scuttled her thoughts and she found herself saying, “I guess it just depends on where you were born. I grew up in The Bronx so I can’t really tell you about what it’s like in Manhattan.”
    “Tell me about The Bronx.”
    And she did. She left out all the horrors of raising herself and instead regaled him with stories about the interesting – and sometimes sketchy – characters who’d colored her growing up. By the time she tucked into her last bite of the delicious coconut cream pie, she was satiated from both good conversation and good food.
    It was only while he led her out of the restaurant with his hand on the base of her spine that she remembered why she’d even wanted to see him. It felt crass to bring up money issues after their ‘date’ but she didn’t have a choice.
    “I’m just having a few problems with the bank, but I promise I’ll fix everything by the end of the week,” she said as they stood outside the restaurant.
    “Don’t worry about it,” he said as his arm wrapped around her waist.
    His being such a good sport after what Eve had done to him only made Shakira feel guiltier. She found herself rifling through her bag and coming up with the envelope containing the one thousand dollars. Turning to face him she held it out, “Here, this should make another dent in my balance.”
    His brow furrowed in a frown as he stared at the white envelope, “Shakira, I told you-”
    “Please just take it,” she pleaded, resting her hand on the lapel of his jacket.
    His eyes rose to her face, their stare disconcerting in its intensity. It was almost as if he was assessing her. Finally he nodded and plucked the envelope, “If you insist.”
    “I do.”
    Before she could step away from him, he dragged her closer. His arm tightened around her waist as he lowered his head. It wasn’t a heated kiss – or even a long one but the subtle brush of his lips against hers and slight nibble of her lower lip was enough to bring up memories of their limbs tangling and his mouth teasing other parts of her body.
    Would it be so bad to replay their one-night stand just for another night?
    “Can I see you later today?” Nathan asked when he lifted his head.
    “Y-”Just in time she remembered her date with Wayne. “I’m doing something later tonight. Tomorrow?”
    “Tomorrow is okay.” With a press of his lips against her forehead, they separated.
    After lunch with Nathan, she went to a cheaper café to work then met up with London who’d pronounced her officially prison-broken. ‘ Two dates with two men in one day. I’m so proud of my baby ’, London had declared. She then headed out to the warehouse where the rest of her things were, changed into a hot pink cocktail dress in preparation for her date with Wayne.
    Dinner with Wayne was not even twenty-five percent as exciting as lunch with Nathan had been. It wasn’t the man. He was the perfect host. He’d held out the chair for her, made nice small talk even bought her flowers after dinner – but her mind just wasn’t into it.
    She was too busy dreading how the rest of her night was going to be like.
    Wayne however seemed completely oblivious to her mood and had no problems carrying the conversation on his own.
    “Thank you for the wonderful dinner,” she said as they came to a stop in front of her car.
    “You’re welcome,” Wayne said. “Maybe we can do it again.”
    “Maybe. Goodnight.” She stretched out her hand just as Wayne leaned in for a hug. Awkward ! The resultant good-bye was a cross between a half-hug, handshake and a gauche pat on the back.
    “I’ll call you to set a date,” Wayne yelled out as he waved her away.
    Whoop dee doo!
    The closer Shakira got to her old high school, the downer she got. Her stomach rumbled in protest as her mind conjured up memories of