Free Kiss in the Dark by Marcia Lynn McClure Page A

knocked on Danielle’s apartment door. She startled—actually gasped slightly—when Vance opened the door instead of Danielle.
    “Hi,” Boston greeted, trying not to notice how thoroughly attractive Vance looked in a clean, yet ratty, tight T-shirt and khaki shorts.
    “What’s up?” Vance asked, smiling at her and stepping aside so she could enter the apartment.
    Boston moved past him and into the apartment, smiling as she noticed the fresh scent of Juicy Fruit gum. It was an inward and conscious battle, but she managed to suppress the worrisome attraction she felt toward Vance.
    “I’m a little early,” Boston explained. “I just thought I’d see if Danielle wanted to leave early or anything.”
    Vance grinned. “Snake woman’s home, huh?”
    Boston felt stupid. How weak he must think she was. Still, there was nothing to do but admit stupidity and weakness. She shrugged and answered, “Yeah. I’m a weenie.”
    “Naw,” he said. “You’re just like a lot of people who don’t like to cohabitate with reptiles.”
    Boston smiled—even giggled a little. “Do you like reptiles, Mr. Zoo Curator Man?”
    “Zoo exhibits curator man,” he corrected with a smile and a wink. “And no…not particularly. I’m more a big cats kind of guy.”
    “Really?” Boston asked, delighted. “I used to collect lions when I was a little girl! I had lion stuffed animals and little porcelain figures, a lion lunchbox, a lion bedspread. It was a big lion surrounded by a leopard skin background, and I always thought it was kind of weird that the bedspread manufacturer used leopard print on a lion bedspread.” She had begun to babble—bit her lip to stop herself short.
    Vance chuckled. “You actually used the word ‘manufacturer’ when you were a little girl?”
    Boston giggled. “No. I guess not. I just thought it was strange…because I was a lion purest at the time. No leopard print for me.”
    “You were prejudiced? What’s wrong with leopards?”
    Afraid she may have somehow offended him, Boston’s babble resumed. “Oh, no! I love leopards too, really. Now, I even have a thing for leopard-skin underwear and pajamas. As long as they’re not too expensive, I can never pass them up! It’s like an OCD or something. Danielle can tell you…if I see a pair of leopard-skin panties, I just have to—” Boston gasped and clamped her hand over her mouth—mortified!
    Vance’s verdurous green eyes blazed with amusement. “Leopard-print underwear, huh?” he began. “Well, that puts a man’s mind to wondering if you’re wearing them now.” He forced a puzzled frown. “Probably not the most appropriate place my mind could be lingering.”
    Boston couldn’t speak—she was too horrified with embarrassment! She could only shake her head, astonished at herself for being so unguarded.
    “Still, as a zoo exhibits curator and big cats fan,” he continued, “I like it.”
    “Oh my heck!” Boston breathed. “I am so sorry, Vance. Sometimes I just babble on and on. How embarrassing!”
    But Vance chuckled. “Naw…don’t worry about it. Does it make you feel better if I tell you I’m wearing boxer briefs? Plain white…but still.”
    “No, it doesn’t,” Boston said, smiling. Though it did make her feel better—somehow.
    “I see you like suckers too…along with lions and leopard-print panties,” he said, nodding his head to indicate the Tootsie Pop still held in one hand. The hard candy was gone—she’d eaten it on the way over. But the Tootsie Roll center still remained.
    “Oh!” she said, suddenly remembering she’d taken the lollipop out of her mouth when he’d answered the door. “Yeah…but only chocolate Tootsie Pops,” she explained. She quickly put the little white stick with the rounded blob of Tootsie Roll in her mouth, stripping the candy off the stick. She tossed the white cardboard sucker stick into the nearby garbage can.
    “Only chocolate Tootsie Pops?” he asked.
    “Yeah. I don’t