Read Say Ye for Free Online Page B

a sofa spring creaked when he leaned back. Sweet smells drifted in the air: vanilla, cinnamon, peaches, buttery pastry.
    “Sorry, know it’s late, but is Lee here?” He studied his palms.
    “No, he’s at his place.”
    “Oh. Your mom in bed?”
    “No, she’s in Peru with my Aunt Cass and Uncle Tim. Didn’t Lee tell you?”
    “Yeah, right,” he said. He pressed his eyes with the heels of his hands. He remembered now. They were alone.
    “Is everything okay? It’s not like you to come over this late.”
    “Everything’s great. I’m finally free of my bastard father. Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
    “Oh, Lorenzo.” She sat beside him and put her hand on his arm. Her touch was gentle, as it was in his dreams of her. Maybe he dreamed again. “I’m sorry.”
    “Why? He was a lousy husband and father who managed to yoke me to a business I hate.” He cradled his head in his hands as he bent forward. Lita smoothed her hand up and down his back. He shivered, his body awakening.
    “I know you didn’t always get along, but I’m sure he loved you and you love him,” Lita almost whispered. She leaned toward him, her inviting scent enveloped him.
    Lorenzo pressed his hands to his eyes again and sat up. The shabby room faded and all he saw was Lita. He grasped her other hand in both of his and gently traced her fingers. They would just hold hands. Her small smooth hand in his was enough. But when she squeezed his palm, the pressure of her touch coursed in his veins. He turned his body toward her, encircled her in his arms, and told himself to stop. But his arms wouldn’t release her. They prickled like they’d been asleep.
    She met his gaze and tensed, as if she held her breath, but anticipation and longing lit her eyes. She’s a woman, she won’t break . He pressed himself to her and kissed her with the fierceness and force of the years’ yearning for her.
    Her hands slid up his thighs onto his chest. The sharp, awful need rose in him. His fingers twitched as he eased them over her hands. The sleek heat of her skin stilled his movements. She glided her hand over his neck and cupped his chin. Their lips explored each others. Her kisses made every pore and hair on his body tingle. Yet something was different, not just her angelic sweetness or her stirring softness or her gifted kisses, but some feeling in him.
    Lorenzo followed with a long, slow kiss, an unspoken question. Her warm, silken lips, her eager response to him, filled him with unfamiliar heat and surety. He shuddered in the chill of the unknown. She slipped her arms around him, closed the last inches between them, and stretched her arms up his back, returning his embrace. Lita pressed herself impossibly closer to his chest. Her softness revitalized him. He teased open her lips with his, moaning when her tongue, playful and pliant, met his. Yes, her answer was yes. What was the question?
    He pulled away slightly. Lita studied him, a serious, tender expression on her face. He returned her gaze, caressed her cheek and arm, so like a newly picked peach. She held a miraculous beauty and promise he couldn’t understand. No, he had to say no. She smiled and started to lean in for another kiss, but he extricated himself from her embrace, stood up, and concentrated on the door.
    “I need to go,” he said. He felt nothing, he didn’t believe. He would destroy her. No. Sweat prickled under his shirt and a whiff of the sour stink of alcohol struck.
    “Wait.” Lita rose and reached for him, as if to steady herself.
    He backed away, turned away. His eyes stung, but they were dry. Nothing, he could give nothing, take nothing, when she offered everything.
    “Why don’t I make some coffee? You shouldn’t drive, you can stay here. Please, let me help you.”
    “No. I’m fine.” He couldn’t see her or he would stay. “Pete’s outside with the car. Tell Lee, I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I shouldn’t have…” His throat strangled, as if his own body wanted