Free Sadie's Surrender by Afton Locke Page B

made his skin even paler and his features even sharper.
    Mary’s blonde tresses bounced with each step. Her brother clutched her around the elbow as if daring anyone to get too close to her. Given what she’d suffered last year, Sadie understood his protectiveness. She wished they’d take their promenade somewhere else. The last thing she and Henry needed was the Klan sniffing close to her new office.
    At least he was smart enough to know they could never have a relationship. Pearl’s warning about playing with fire came to mind. She’d worked and lived with Caleb under the guise of being his housekeeper. When their feelings became known to the town, the Klan had burned this plant—almost to the ground.
    Jimmy’s gaze was glued to the window. To Mary Carter.
    Oh, Jimmy. You’re even worse off than me.
    Mama must have noticed the adoration in his eyes, too.
    “If she’s the one you hanker for, you’d better pick out the tree you’d like to hang from. Because that’s what the mayor’s son will do to you if you lay a hand on that girl.”
    “I know better than to do that.” He scooped up the remains of his lunch. “Time to get back to work.”
    “They’re coming inside.” Mama craned her neck, seemingly oblivious to Jimmy’s longing. “Wonder what they want?”
    Whatever it was couldn’t be good.
    Mama stood and glanced at her. “Ain’t you coming? Or do our hours not apply to you and your fancy new job?”
    Sadie rolled her eyes. Leave it to Mama to be jealous of her promotion and grateful for the extra money at the same time.
    “That’s right. I get to eat at my leisure.”
    Long enough for Jonathan Carter to get the heck out of here before she returned to her office .
    * * *
    Sadie watched the sun set from her office. The stacked boxes and cleaning supplies said it used to be a storeroom, but now it was all hers. She even had her own desk and a small window, which had a view of the street out front.
    When Henry finally arrived and locked the door behind him, her pulse accelerated. With his shirttails hanging outside his suspenders, he looked tired and tousled enough to drop into bed. She was tired enough to sink into one with him. Why couldn’t they? After working together all day, she wanted to spend the night with him, too.
    “Thanks for looking at the purchase records,” he said.
    “You’re welcome.” She fingered her pen to keep her mind on business. “We’ll—I mean, you’ll—be able to save money by keeping your costs more consistent.”
    “Excellent.” He nodded. “You’re a real life preserver.”
    “What did the mayor’s son want?”
    “I’m not sure.” Henry smoothed his matted hair. “He questioned me and several of the white employees. He seems to be fishing for something.”
    Her hand shook as she slammed the pen down. “That’s the last thing we need.”
    Don’t take my job away! I can’t bear to go back to shucking. Away from Henry.
    “Take it easy. Nothing happened. All the same, I’m glad you weren’t up here at the time.”
    “I lingered in the lunchroom when I saw him coming.” She stood. “Well, good night, Mr. Rockfield.”
    But when she passed him, he caught her arm, holding her as possessively as Jon had his sister. As if he’d never let her out of his sight for as long as he lived. With her eyes, she asked him what he needed.
    And his answered.
    “Henry…” she whispered as his mouth glided toward hers like a boat on the tide.
    This time, she opened for him before his lips even touched her. She was wet. Instantly. Everywhere. Because kissing in this plant was more dangerous than anywhere they’d been together before. What if Jonathan returned to ask more questions? Broke down the door?
    Although his lips were thin, they were surprisingly soft and sensual. She could kiss and suck them for hours…no, days. His tongue, slick as an oyster, speared her mouth, lighting up a hundred nerves. His arms closed around her. Hard. She’d read an anatomy