Page 112 of The Man with a Treasure

Blink. Blink. “Are you suggesting I’m to be tied up while having sex?”

Scarlett, now beginning to shake violently, told me how not ready she was for sex.

Sal saw it, too. Worry all over his face, he ran around the bar island and rushed to us. “No, Scarlett. I wouldn’t tie him up like—” He stopped running and stood there, blinking in dismay. “Scarlett, he’s right. Too soon.”

Soft cheeks, still in my palms that only wanted to love this woman, were wet with tears. “Shh,” I told her as Sal joined us. I kept my voice gentle yet firm. I would carry her heart until she was ready to carry it herself. “Shh, it’s okay. I swear it.” That adorable bottom lip trembled again. “You told me you trusted me. Was that not true?”

Her mouth parted. “True.”

“Thank you for that.” I continued, “Star, Sal and I once had a very special friend. Her name was Noemi.”

Sal’s stare darted to mine. I waited for permission to speak of the only other girl we had ever loved. Sal’s face relaxed with resolve, then he nodded.

Staring at Scarlett again, I explained, “She taught us many things, but the one I treasure the most is learning that a woman’s body is connected to her heart.” I tapped her chest in the rhythm I taught her. “There is a gap between your body and heart still. When they connect, you and I will,” I swallowed, practically drooling for the day, “help that connection grow.”

Taking a bullet for Scarlett was going to be a small price to pay.

Trusting eyes may have stared up at me, but they were reading down deep into my soul… then she finally nodded. “That is a fair trade.”

She looked at Sal, and he grabbed his chest in awe. “I agree, my brave woman.”

Surprising us both, Scarlett grinned, then tapped her lips while looking at me. “May I have a taste to help me be patient?”

Howling laughter, Sal stumbled backward. “Damn, she’s quick!”

Holding her stunning face, I smiled. This smile was proud. Scarlett was so courageous and willing to learn, and she was patient when needed. “That, too, is a fair trade.”

Gently, and only gently, I pressed my lips to hers.

Sitting at the bar, I beamed. Sal cringed. Scarlett was making us omelets, which may or may not have had a concerning number of eggshells in the mixing bowl. When Scarlett reached for the little salt bowl, Sal warned, “Just a pinch—”

Concentrating, she nodded, “Or get the Grinch.”

Accusingly, I looked to Sal at my right.

“What?” He defended himself, “I get crabby. Not all fear tactics are bad, Angelo.” His eyes darted toward the front door. “Mae is here.” He got up from his stool and headed to the entrance. “What is my name, Scarlett?”

She sprinkled pepper in the mixing bowl. “Richard Jackmeoff.”

“Good girl.”

Scarlett had already called me Angel in front of Mae. Since I was preoccupied flashing the poor woman, Sal was sure to explain that was a nickname, since it didn’t match the fake identity I had used—the one Sal created.

He opened the door. “Good morning, Mae. Look, no guns!”

She came up the steps with grocery bags in hand. “Just what an old woman likes to hear!” She handed him some of her bags. “Is Mr. Softanuts around?”

I rolled my eyes at Sal’s terrible choices of last names.

He chuckled. “He is, Mae. But not naked, I’m afraid.”

“Damnit,” she grumbled as she headed back to her car to retrieve more bags from the trunk. “That was a rare highlight I rather enjoyed.”

Focused on mixing her raw eggs, Scarlett casually mentioned, “You are quite handsome when naked.”

With many showers ending with screams, I guess she’d had several opportunities to get a gander. “Thank you, Scarlett.”

“Hey!” complained Sal as he set bags on the large counter. “What about me?”