Free Her Survivor: A Black Eagle Ops Novel by Vonnie Davis Page A

apologized once. That’s enough. There’s no way you could sink as low as this guy strutting around my shop right now. Please share more of your idea.”
    “Well, ah…green for gardening and recipe books. Maybe we could also include things around the home. Yellow or blue for mysteries and political intrigue.”
    “Dustin, you’re a genius. I love that idea! It would freshen up the appearance of the store and wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg. Hold on, I’ve got a customer to ring out.” Keys clacking and the old register working sounded in Dustin’s ear. “Your total comes to twenty-eight ninety-five, Jim.”
    “You know if you’d lose twenty pounds off that ass of yours, I’d date you in a minute. Show you what a good man can do.”
    “And I told you I don’t fool around with married men. Have a good day. Give my regards to your wife.”
    Dustin seethed. He didn’t like any man talking to Kelcee like that; bad enough he’d done it when his pain levels were high and his PTSD ready to surface. “Are you okay? Has that son of a bitch left your store yet?”
    “Yes, thank God. I’m so glad I had you to talk to. It made me feel safer somehow. Enough about him. Talking about the self-important jerk makes my blood pressure spike. I really do like your idea about stocking my books in a color-coordinated way.”
    “Great. Glad you like the idea. I’m coming up with various plans, yet keeping your budget in mind. I have to go. Talk to you soon.” He ended the call and grabbed his cane so he could make his way to the refrigerator.
    —
    ZQ had never offered the use of his truck to Dustin, but Kelcee was hungry and he’d fixed her a lunch. The whys of his decision to do so didn’t bear thinking about. After all, they were new friends who talked and laughed late into the night. He ground his back molars together as he aimed the truck toward Warrior Falls. If that cheating lowlife was still hanging around the bookstore, well by Dustin’s estimation, this Jim fella had a good ass beating coming.
    Kelcee’s face registered shock when Dustin charged into her bookshop. He waved a brown paper bag. “I brought you lunch and a soda.”
    The smile that brightened her face nearly sucked the breath from his lungs. “You did? Aren’t you sweet?” She peeked in the bag and pulled out a piece of Junebug’s fried chicken from last night, celery smeared with peanut butter, and a slice of apple pie. “Oh, you are so thoughtful.” She stepped closer to rest a hand on his arm. Her jasmine perfume made him want to press his face against her neck and inhale for a good hour.
    “What a thoughtful man you are. Thanks so much. You have no idea how my stomach’s been rumbling.” She peeled back the plastic wrap from the peanut-butter-covered celery. “I haven’t had this in years.” She bit into it with relish.
    Her gratitude made him feel ten feet tall. He sat the can of soda on the counter.
    “Thith ith tho good.” She worked her mouth. “Thickth to the roof of your mouf fo.” Her grin grew into a giggle.
    God, she was cute. He reached out with the tip of his finger, wiped peanut butter off her upper lip, and held it up for her to see. She wrapped her sticky fingers around his wrist and pulled his finger into her warm, wet mouth to lick off.
Sweet Jesus!
He closed his eyes while his sex-starved body went on high alert. He better get out of there before he did something to ruin their new friendship.
    “I better get ZQ’s truck back. He doesn’t know I borrowed it.” He glanced out the windows. “Is that Jim dude still bothering you? I don’t like how he talks.”
    She drank some of the soda and held the napkin he’d shoved into her lunch bag halfway to her mouth. “No, thank goodness. Most of the people in this town are nice, except for three or four. He’s one of the minority. Do you know I think I caught him taking a picture of me with his cellphone? The nerve of the asshat!”
    Dustin’s temper flamed in