He smiles then starts to button up my coat."We need to go."
"Speaking of bears ...and stained glass doors.What's up there on the top floor?"
"So Curious Thang went up there?"
"Of course."
"My photography studio."
"Oh!Is that where the Bastard lives?I can't wait to meet him."I giggle."If he is half the fucking machine you are....Mmhmm!Is he kinky?Cause I do kinky really good."
He doesn't laugh, so I lean up to kiss his lips, making him stop buttoning my coat."Let's see it now."
"No.Not now."
I hook my fingers in his belt loops and lean back."Come on.Show me.I promise not to ask too many questions."I drop my weight and tug.
He takes a step forward but braces against me."No.I need more time."
"Angelo will wait."
"Notweneed more time.Ineed more time."I try to tug him again, but I can't budge him."I'm not ready to show you yet."
I give up the tug of war, knowing I'm strong but not that strong, and poke him in his ticklish ribs instead."Why not?"
He flinches as I look at the stairs leading back up and think about making a mad dash for the door.I dart that way, but his quick hand grabs a handful of my hair, stopping me dead.
I giggle."Come on!Time to 'fess up!"I walk away from him, arching my back."I'm not afraid of your dark deity side either."
He says with a straight face, holding me firm."Listen, Siri, I'm being completely selfish here.I want more time with you.I'm not willing to risk what we have yet."
I roll around and stand to face him.He keeps my hair in his hand.I give him my 'I can take care of myself' expression with my hands on my hips, and he chuckles.
"Straight-line then.Why?"I ask.
"I've never shown anyone all of that side of me.I'm afraid that when you see all of him, you'll be so shocked that you will just turn around and walk right out of my life."
"And you would let me?"I smirk at him."I thought you were never letting me go?"
"I'm not ...in here."He touches his chest."But I won't stop you if you decide to walk away."He steps up to me and towers over me.Then he scoops me up easily.
I put my arms around his neck."But I don't think you understand who I truly am.You think I'm an innocent girl who happens to be a sex pot dancer."
Angelo honks the horn.
He thinks of what I've said but is distracted by Angelo.
I put my hand on the side of his face and make him look into my eyes."I'm neither.I'm more complicated than that."
His phone rings."I know who you are.You're a Diva."
"I'm more than that."I frown at him as he takes his phone out.
"I've got to answer this.There's a big deal going down.Hang on just a minute."
"Aurei...."He hoists me on his shoulder.
"Umphf."Damn it!My head hangs over his back.
