Free Naked Truth by M.D. Saperstein Page B

is?”
    She’s now shaking her head wildly. “No, what?” she asks meekly, her tail now between her legs.
    “It’s to fire your unprofessional, disrespectful, impertinent as…self.”
    My girl almost said “ass.”  She got so close to cursing, but alas, her professionalism took over.
    “You can’t do that,” she whines.
    “I just did,” Violet states as a matter of fact.
    I can barely contain my laughter.  I keep it zipped. I have to cover my mouth with my hands, but I do it. I control myself.  Right until the minute she skulks back to her window, grabs her personal shit, and is escorted out by Cliff.
    Violet lasts two seconds longer than I do.
    “Let’s get lunch, babe,” she orders and I don’t dare argue.
    “Yes, boss.”
    I salute her and she chuckles as we walk toward the exit.
    Crisis averted.

    Do I ask? Do I want to know?  As we get close to the door, we stop for a minute so I can have a chat with Cliff, who just returned from walking Susie out.
    “We are going to head out for a quick lunch. I pulled Jeanine from the loan department to man my window until I get back.”
    “Yes, Miss Carmichael,” he answers politely but I give him a look.
    He smiles. “Yes, Violet.”
    Better.
    “I should be back within the hour. Can I bring you anything?”
    “No, thank you, ma’am…Violet.”  He caught himself that time and that makes me happy.
    Jordan grabs my hand and threads his fingers through mine as we head outside. I just can’t not say something. I need to know.
    I stop midstride, forcing him to stop short as well, which pulls me a little off balance.  He turns to look at me.
    “Violet?” he asks, his head cocked in question.
    “I have to know,” I voice, while taking a step back from his reach.
    He nods in understanding.  “Ask me anything.”
    “I don’t want to know any details.  Just tell me, did you touch her?”
    Without missing a beat, he says, “Only long enough to swat her away.”
    I release a breath I didn’t even know I was holding and am finally able to relax and enjoy our time together.
    “Okay.”
    “Okay?” he repeats with an air of confusion.
    “Yeah, why? Shouldn’t it be?” I ask, raising my hand, making a questioning motion.
    “Yeah, but…guess I’m not used to a woman trusting my word.”
    “Well, I’m not just any woman,” I add.
    “No, Violet, no you’re not,” he says assuredly while grabbing my hand once again, pulling me eagerly toward the corner.

    We walk across the street to the local deli. It’s really close to the bank and the food is absolutely delicious. A waitress walks by and seats us right away, leaving us with the pages-long menu.
    “Dare I ask?” Jordan insinuates that I may have issues with finding something to eat.
    “What are you saying?” I double dog dare him to say something.
    “Nada, foxy mama.” He winks.
    Ooh, whipping out the Spanish?
    “I’ve been brushing up just for you. Pulled out those high school textbooks.” He grins. 
    I don’t know if he is being serious or just playing around, but my heart is singing at the thought of him practicing Spanish for me.
    The waitress comes by to take our drink orders and Jordan takes the initiative.
    “Do you serve Coke or Pepsi products?” he asks and my heart swells even further. Too bad he’s about to be thrown a curve ball.
    “Sorry, Sir. We only carry Dr. Brown’s. Can I get you a can?”
    Jordan looks to me for an answer and I nod subtly.
    “Sure. The lady will have…”
    “Diet Black Cherry,” I interject.
    “And I will try…” He looks at the list up on the wall behind me. “…Cream, please.”
    I scrunch my nose.
    “What? No good?”
    “Smells like vanilla,” I whisper.
    “Shit. Nevermind.  I’ll take a CelRay, please.”  I look to Violet for concurrence.
    She gives me the thumb’s up. 
    “Silly girl.” 
    I shrug. I never thought in a million years I’d find a man who could tolerate my eccentricities.
    The waitress watches our