Free Sugar & Spice by Keith Lee Johnson Page B

the young reporter who was now laughing at me under her breath. The cameras were still filming. I just walked off, pushing my way through the burgeoning crowd.
    As I walked across the street to my home, I could hear the reporter talking. “Perhaps Special Agent Phoenix Perry is one of the many things wrong with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They’re quick to point out the shortcomings of the media while their own house is in shambles. This is Season Chambers, WSDC News.”

CHAPTER 32
    Sterling Wise opened the door to his posh suite at the Willard and saw a tall blonde with slim hips whose breasts looked like a 38-C. Giorgio perfume filled the air. He took in the fragrance and desired to smell more of it. The shapely blonde was wearing a pair of black slacks and a purple sleeveless V-neck sweater with two-toned matching flat shoes. Sterling stared for a moment, his lust ever-growing.
    Kelly liked the ravenous look in his eyes. The very same look was in hers. She wanted him inside her right then, but she kept hearing Phoenix’s admonitions about being loose. Her best friend had often told her she needed to be more disciplined when it came to sex.
Don’t be so quick to give it up. At least wait a month or two,
Phoenix had said.
    â€œSo, you ready for a game of pool?” Kelly asked him.
    â€œYou know a place that’s open this late?” Sterling asked, looking at his watch.
    â€œYeah. The Patriot Bar and Grill is open until two.” Kelly smiled. “They make fabulous turkey sandwiches, if you’re hungry.”
    â€œLet me get my wallet,” Sterling said.
    He walked through the suite to the bedroom where he had left his wallet on the nightstand. He picked it up and checked to see how much cash he had just in case he needed to stop in the lobby and use the ATM.
    â€œSo, counselor, are you hungry or what?” Kelly asked flirtatiously.
    â€œVery. Are you?”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    They took the elevator to the parking lot and got into Kelly’s black Stingray. She put the car in first gear and screeched out of the parking lot.
    â€œI’m gonna take the long route. Show you the town. Okay?”
    â€œSure. It’s your town and it’s definitely your car. Do with me what you will.”
    â€œFunny you should say that because that’s exactly what I planned on doing.” Kelly grinned. “Mind if I ask you a personal question, counselor?”
    â€œI don’t mind. Go ahead, Agent McPherson.”
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œI’m sure,” Sterling said.
    â€œWas there anything between you and Tiffany? You don’t have to answer, but it’s been bugging the hell outta me.”
    Sterling smiled and looked out the window at the Lincoln Memorial as they zoomed past. “Why?”
    â€œJust wanna know.”
    â€œYeah. but why?”
    â€œIf I tell you why, will you still answer?”
    â€œI might.” Sterling flirted.
    â€œOkay, but don’t get mad. Tiffany was a good-looking girl. And personally, I don’t see how you could resist, given all the traveling together, and the convenience of the hotels. Were you two close?”
    â€œTiffany and I were close, but that’s it. We decided early on not to get involved sexually.”
    â€œWhose decision was that? Hers?”
    â€œActually, it was mine.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œI think you’re being a little disingenuous, Agent McPherson.”
    â€œWhy do you think that?” Kelly smiled.
    â€œHonestly?” Sterling asked.
    â€œYes, honestly.”
    â€œI think the real reason you’re skeptical about it being my decision is because Tiffany was not only good-looking, but she was white. A lot ofwhite women think that black men want them because of some mythical ideas about forbidden fruit. Yet, at the same time, they never question the fact that women are the ones who determine if sex is going to take place. For example, if