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He shrugged with a blank expression. “I got a wife. Ain’t much of a marriage, though. I get done fightin,’ come home, and now it feel like I’m battlin’ secrets. My gut tells me something went down with her while I was away. I’m back in Sapelo, searching for the truth. Lately, it seems like the truth and lies are the same thing. Sorta like rum and Coke. Sometimes one is stronger than the other. Sometimes you can’t tell the difference, but you drink the watered-down stuff, until you come across something more potent.” He smiled. “Something strong enough to warm your soul.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and gently began a massage that almost melted me to the floor. I steadied myself and closed my eyes as he rested his cheek against my face. “Miss Jasmine, I guess what I’m tryin’ to say is that I want more than what I got right now.”
“Ahh…I see.”
“Ahiem…,” a motherly tone bellowed from behind me. I abruptly pulled away from Harrison when I heard Frances’ interruption. “I see you and Mr. Holmes got acquainted,” she said, tapping her big foot.
I nervously played with my damp bang, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my dress. “Uh…I was just leaving.”
She puckered her lips. “Some beach water would do your hot tail some good, right about now.”
Harrison chuckled. I rolled my eyes at the both of them. “Hush, Frances,” I whispered, brushing past her.
“Miss Jasmine?”
I glanced back. “Yes, what is it?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“You got a nice touch. Thanks for taking care of me.”
I grinned. “You’re welcome.” I turned and walked towards the door.
“Uh…Florence Nightingale?”
I stopped, shifting one hip to the side. “Yes, Frances?”
“Thanks for taking care of Mr. Holmes,” she said with a gaptoothed grin.
I turned my nose up to her, and headed out when I heard her cackle, “Eugene who?”
I had to laugh.
***
I sat on a rock near the sand dunes, admiring how the sunlight made the tips of the water waves sparkle like fine crystal.
“Thinkin’ of me.” The sound of someone’s voice startled me. When I turned to see Harrison directly behind me, I got goose bumps. His tenor-toned words, and an infectious smile, seemed to stir desire in me that had been dormant for too long.
I smiled. “Don’t flatter yourself,” I said turning back towards the water. He straddled the rock as he sat down, pulling my body back towards his chest. I rested my head against his taut chest muscles. I didn’t know this man, but for some reason I enjoyed his flirtatious nature—the feel of his arms around mine.
“I apologize if I was being fresh earlier.”
“I don’t have a problem telling a man when he’s out of line. I’m just wondering why you got a fondness for my company.”
“Seem like you’d be good company. Damn, you smell good,” he said as his chin whisked over the crown of m
y head.
I moved a loose strand of hair away from my eye. “You smell Apple Blossom, the scented shampoo I use. How old are you?”
“More lawyer questions.”
“And?”
“Now, I’d be rude if I asked a lady, such as you, her age.”
“No, you’d be informed. I’m thirty-one.”
“Well, bless you. I’ll get there next decade, God willing.”
“Shit, twenty-one? You just a baby.”
