AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She asked, “You said you went to the police and the Army about the murder. If they think you were involved, might the supremacists think so, too, and retaliate?”
He studied her and reminded himself that she was both brains and beauty. “More than likely, but my brothers and I will be prepared.”
“I wonder if the country will ever heal from the war?”
He thought back on the reports Rai shared at the last Council meeting about the uptick in the violence sweeping across the South. “It won’t be anytime soon. Maybe not even in our lifetimes.”
“It’s sad to think that the race may still be demanding justice when little Desiré grows up.”
“It is.”
“So, were you and your brothers involved?”
He studied her again. “Would you think badly of us if we were?”
“No. Someone has to champion us if the government won’t. During the Draft Riots back home, mobs attacked members of the race all over the city. They even burned down a Colored orphanage. Those who hate us have no shame, and if dragging them from their houses teaches them a lesson, I’m all for dragging them out every night until they learn.”
He was impressed by her fire. “Do your parents hold those views?”
“My grandmother Rose does, but political discussions aren’t encouraged at home. My father says only men understand such complex issues, and since he’s the only man in our household, he does his debating at the barbershop where he works.”
“Your father sounds like most men I know.”
“Unfortunately, he sounds like most of the ones back home, too. That’s why I take such joy in being acquainted with your mother. She’s like my grandmother who I also admire because they’ve made their own way and are forces to reckon with.”
“And that’s what you aspire to? Being a force to reckon with?”
“Yes, and to teach girls to aspire to be the same.”
“What’s your dream,cheri?”
“To head up a school where girls who, like me, have no interest in embroidery or playing the piano, can learn as much about whatever they want: mathematics, botany, the stars. They can study animals or anatomy. And I’d have the money to provide excellent teachers who don’t believe learning will damage them.”
“That’s very lofty.”
“It is, but dreams can’t come true if you don’t have them.”
At that moment, Drake wanted to give her her dreams and anything else that quick mind of hers desired. She was smart, witty, sassy, and, as he learned last night, ripe with passion. He thought back on her sighs during those two short kisses and the memory made his groin tighten in response. Although he told her he wouldn’t judge her Cole, Drake couldn’t imagine being content with passionless kisses on her brow and cheeks. Were she his, he’d make love to her from sunset to sunrise, then pray for more hours in the day, and two extra days in the week. And that still might not be enough.
“What are you thinking?”
“Pirate thoughts.”
“What kinds of pirate thoughts?”
“Truthfully?”
She nodded.
“Making love to you from sunset to sunrise. Every day.”
Her eyes closed for a moment. In response, he smiled. “You asked,cheri.”
“I did. Didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
Truthfully, if he were in his right mind, he’d forget about the feel of her in his arms, about wanting to taste her ripe mouth and treating her to a long sultry session of what it meant for a man to be on his knees. In a few days, her intended would arrive. Although she might be having second thoughts now, he doubted she’d stay. Once she saw Cole, their plans would reassert themselves and she’d be on the train back to New York. He wondered how long she’d remember him. And what in the world was he going to do with the two train cars he’d asked Hugh to deliver?
