Free Sinful Too by Victor McGlothin Page B

time before Giorgio finished with the books.
    “Who is your boss to be making assumptions about my intentions?” Richard asked. He peered directly into Dior’s eyes for the answer.
I’ll bet he’s trying to keep you for hisself
, Richard thought. “I mean, I could speak with him if you want.” Again, he was reading her and she knew it. He was a lot more intuitive than most men she’d determined. She was forced to kick up her game another notch. Dior batted her eyes at Richard, tilted her head to the side like a smitten schoolgirl, then placed her hand on his wrist. Skin on skin contact, even on the most minute level, worked adequately when applied correctly.
    “Hmm, that won’t be necessary. Look, I’d love to accept your gift. You went through the trouble of picking it out, came in here smelling like a perfume counter, and I’m very flattered. I don’t need drama on my job though. Besides, your suit isn’t here anyway. I’m working a split shift so I can bring it to you when I get off in about an hour. Call me?” Richard liked the sound of that. He had to close his mouth to keep from drooling over the thought of an off-site meet-and-speak. “So, would you please do us both a favor and hold on to my — what did you call it? — my token until I see you in about fifty-nine minutes?” Pensively, Dior marched Richard toward the exit then waved goodbye. The moment she spun on her heels to head back inside, Giorgio called her name. She cussed under her breath because it didn’t look good. “Yes,” she answered hesitantly, as Suza took a phone call at the cash register.
    “That was the preacher man again?” he asked, using the title she’d given him when questioned about Richard before.
    Giorgio knew what he saw, true enough. Dior figured there was no use in trying to smile her way out of this one. Drastic measures were required to hush his stormy apprehensions. She forced him to choose, his eyes or her lies. Once again, she turned her nose up to insinuate Richard had nothing she wanted. “This needs to be the last time we go here. I like our arrangement and I would not disrespect it by hooking up with other men in your shop,” she lied continually. “That would be like getting with someone else in your house and I’m not like that.” Though she
had
slept with her own cousin’s husband in their marital home. But what Giorgio didn’t know wouldn’t hurt Dior . . . she had him on the ropes. Now it was time for the knockout. “Preacher man wasn’t up to anything. He did bring me a little something for getting a rush on his alterations and initials stitched into his coat sleeve. I told him his payment was enough and sent him on his way, with whatever he brought with him. If that don’t feel like right to you then I can bounce. Better yet, you can. I’m not the one who’s married.” Without giving it another thought, Dior sighed and walked away as if she couldn’t be bothered with any more of his insecure rants.
    Minutes later, Giorgio awkwardly apologized for suggesting she could be remotely interested in that sort of man, the boring type. Dior huffed, feigning frustration. She demanded an end to questions about her life outside of the clothing store. Giorgio agreed. He had no other choice. They said their goodbyes on even terms, as he grabbed his keys and left with a bank deposit tucked under his blazer.
    With an hour to kill, Richard drove to a small sandwich shop across from the mall complex. He ordered a fajita wrap but barely touched it. Instead he played with the business card Dior had given him. Richard had committed her cell phone number to memory by the time he’d actually dialed it. Oddly enough, he couldn’t get himself to toss it into the trash can along with the half-eaten Tex-Mex entrée. He wanted to savor his association with Dior, discover what made her tick and what exactly made him want to be near her so bad. Richard had no idea she was two steps ahead of him, lying in wait to