Free The Fall of the Prodigal by Michelle Lindo-Rice Page B

don’t.” Verona’s voice sounded as edgy as she felt. Michael was treading into dangerous territory.
    â€œBut you used to be in church,” he pushed. It was as if Michael sensed something and he could not resist digging. “I mean, no one quotes scriptures like that unless they grew up at the altar.”
    Fine. She would admit to the obvious. “Yes, I used to go to church. Used to; as in not anymore.” Folding her arms, she injected steel in her voice. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
    Michael glided into her space. “You don’t want to talk? Or, you won’t?”
    She blinked. “Either one, pick your choice.”
    He held his hands up. “Prickly, aren’t we?”
    â€œVery. Now leave it alone.”
    Michael touched his chin before tilting his head. “I see there are many more facets to you I still haven’t discovered.”
    What an understatement. Verona was wading in the river of denial and she liked it. “What you see is what you get.”
    He tapped her chin. “Somehow I doubt that.”
    She was shaken from his touch, but Verona refused to take the bait. If it killed her, she wouldn’t show how moved she was by his proximity. She lifted an eyebrow at Michael and said, “Can we get to work please? Your brother will be here in an hour and we have things to discuss.”
    Taking purposeful steps, Verona walked into Michael’s study. Once he had entered and was seated, she took a deep breath. “Even though you’ve resigned, the company is still in trouble. The stocks plunged. Investors and contractors are dropping our business faster than I can count. After Bill’s stunt last night, we’re on our face.”
    Michael clenched his fists at her words. Concerned, her body propelled toward him of its own will. She touched his arm. “Say something,” she whispered.
    Michael remained mute.
    Helpless, she, a master manipulator of words, was speechless. Then Verona saw it. A single tear rolling from one eye. She gulped, moved in a way she had never been before.
    â€œMichael,” Verona said.
    Nothing. Not a single, solitary word flowed from his lips—lips, which looked luscious and inviting.
    In slow motion, Verona closed her eyes and bent her body toward him. Her hair swooped into her face but she was not concerned with her wayward curls. She opened her mouth and released her tongue as the tear reached Michael’s cheek, capturing the crystal drop before it could slide into oblivion.
    When she opened her eyes, her hazel ones encountered a pair of befuddled brown orbs with the question, “What just happened?”

Chapter Fourteen
    â€œFor your reading pleasure!” Gina swung her arms with dramatic flair.
    Keith felt the whoosh as papers landed by his breakfast. His head popped up. “What’s this?” he asked though his eyes scanned the headlines.
    â€œI don’t know how much more of this I can take,” Gina admitted. “What does the network have to say about your standing next to a rapist?”
    â€œHe’s not a rapist,” Keith defended. “And the network has my back. The show is about giving people a second chance.”
    She released a plume of air. “I’ve got to take E.J. and Trey to school since I promised I’d let them sleep late, but we must talk.”
    Keith stood and snatched her hand. “Take it easy, worker bee. Give your husband a kiss.”
    Gina turned her body away from him. “I don’t have time.” She yelled, “E.J.! Trey! Get a move on!”
    Her powerful voice rang in his ears but Keith would not be swayed. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”
    Gina lifted her face to his. “I love you too.”
    Within seconds, they were embroiled in a passionate foray of major lip locking.
    â€œYou guys are disgusting.”
    Keith and Gina broke apart at Trey’s