Free Night of Seduction by Iris Bolling Page A

everyone.
    An hour later
as she emerged from the well deserved shower, dressed in a short
jean skirt, a sleeveless midriff top, and flips flops,
Siri ’ s wish seemed to have been granted. The family room
was empty of everyone, including her mother and sister. Walking
through the kitchen, disappointment touched her with the
realization that Eric was not there. What could she have been
thinking; he would have no reason to be there. To him she was just
a one night stand, regardless of how she felt. In the kitchen, the
plate her mother prepared for her was on the stove. Having worked
all day and having her appetite taken away by
Eric ’ s presence, she was now starving. Taking a seat at the
table, she savored each taste of the meal as she closed her eyes
and chewed.
    A sound
startled her and she turned. Standing behind her at the open patio
door was Eric. Looking stunned she asked, “ Where is
everyone? ”
    “The guys went
back to the hotel. They are flying back to Atlanta tonight. Jason
and TeKaya went out for the evening. Your mother indicated she had
a very long day and asked if I would stay to keep your company
while you ate dinner. I decided to wait on the
patio. ” Before he could stop them, the words came out
even though he deplored them, but he had to know. “ Are you still in love with your
ex-husband? ”
    That was the
second time today she had been asked that question. When she
stepped out into the hallway with Carl earlier today, he apologized
for being several hours late. It seemed his mother had set up
appointments for him to meet with contributors who requested a
dinner meeting in order to continue the conversation. Therefore he
had to cancel their date. Anger had set in from his
mother ’ s earlier attack and she released her frustration
on him.
    “It ’ s the same old thing
with you Carl. Your mother tells you to jump and you just keep
jumping until you think she is satisfied. Contrary to what you say,
you will never change, you will never be your own man. We could
never think about starting over as long as your mother controls
you. ”
    “Things have
changed I just can ’ t discuss them with
you right now. I want to make things right Siri. I want to make up
for all the hurt my Mother caused. I love you Siri, I never
stopped. ”
    “Then why
didn ’ t you defend me against your Mother ’ s attacks
or her public humiliation of me. You stood back and allowed her to
destroy my reputation and career. You don ’ t do that to
someone you love. ”
    “Siri
I ’ ve been taking steps to correct all of that. I got
your job back. I made sure you got here, where you wanted to teach.
I had to stand up against my mother to get those things
accomplished. I admit I made some mistakes with us, now I am doing
all I can to right a wrong. All I need to know is that you still
love me — that ’ s all I
need. ”
    At the time,
she did not have an answer for him. She just replied, she
didn ’ t know. Now she was being asked the question again and
not sure, why he asked the question, she had to think it through.
The love she had for Carl was damaged along with her reputation,
simply because he could not stand up to his mother. “ I can never go back to Carl. ”
    “That ’ s not what I asked
you. ”
    “I
don ’ t know. I haven ’ t thought about it
much since the divorce. ” She wiped her mouth
with the napkin and sat back in the chair as she tried to think it
through. “ There were so many harsh words between us,
it ’ s hard to forget. I care for him and would not want
anything terrible to happen to him, but I don ’ t think
I ’ m in love with him any longer. ”
    The answer
pleased him more than he wanted to admit for the sight of this
woman was rendering certain parts of his body out of
control. “ I ’ m glad to hear that.
He seems like a nice enough guy, but nowhere near man enough for
you. ”
    Dressed in a
pair of black slacks, a black silk blend t-shirt, his locs hung
neatly around his