by Afton Locke
“I can manage it. Will you get Rose? I’m anxious to go home.”
“How did Mama get back?” he demanded.
God, he was worse than their mother sometimes. “She rode with our neighbors. Now, can you please—”
“What’s wrong?”
She swallowed the curse rising to her lips. Why did he have to be so perceptive?
“I’m just tired. Where is Rose, anyway?”
“Wait. I heard a rumor that you got into trouble at work. Did you throw something?”
Sadie’s mouth dropped open. The news had spread to the next county?
“It was nothing. I might have tossed a few oysters at the weighman because he wouldn’t give me any credit for them.”
He whistled. “Holy hell. You didn’t get fired?”
“No, I got furloughed a week.”
“Then Henry Rockfield must be sweet on you.”
Her heart pounded. How did he know? He mustn’t know. No one must.
“Well, behave yourself, girl. You don’t want to get on the wrong side of the Klan.”
The memory of last year’s mob, dead set on hanging him, made her fingers tingle with shock all over again. It reminded her she needed to watch her step with Henry. Making him angry would not be a good idea. Between her volatile feelings for him and the racial tensions on the island, she earned every penny of the extra money. The actual business figuring was a breeze in comparison.
“I’ll try, but you know a quick temper runs in our family.”
“Sure do. Take care, now. I’ll get Rose.”
Finally. Sadie sagged against the back of her chair with relief when Rose’s soft, girly voice replaced her brother’s demanding one. She’d never been crazy about her because she was so pretty. The fact she was part white hadn’t been too endearing, either. She and Mama had given her a rough welcome when Leroy brought her home to meet them at last year’s fish fry. Luckily, she didn’t seem to hold it against them.
After they got the logistics of the baby shower out of the way, Sadie’s pulse accelerated.
“Rose, can I ask you something?”
“Sure!”
Sadie pursed her lips. How could she explain her concern without giving away Henry’s identity? The girl was an artist and kind of flighty. She might unintentionally repeat everything to Leroy.
“I-it’s about men,” Sadie stated.
“Oh? What about them?”
“How did Leroy treat you when you were courting?” This was even harder than talking to him earlier. “Did he make you feel special?”
“Oh, yes. He barely let me out of his sight.” Her voice softened even more, as if she were reliving her romance.
Sadie’s head reared back. Exactly as she figured. When a man was fond of a woman, he looked at her. A lot.
“Did he stare into your eyes?”
“Constantly. When I still lived with my parents, I painted in a secluded part of their property. We used to hug and kiss in the branches of a big tree.”
Sadie’s stomach dipped again. Their relationship had been even more nauseatingly romantic than she’d thought. She was sorry she’d asked, but she needed the facts to sort out her confusing feelings.
Rose’s voice grew muffled. “You probably don’t want to hear the…details.”
She could almost see her blush through the telephone line. “Actually, I do. Well, not too many, since we’re discussing my brother. Did he ever lose control?”
“All the time. Leroy is a passionate man.” Rose gasped. “I’ll never forget the time in the car.”
“The car?”
“He was angry because I’d danced with the mayor’s son. Mother bought me such a beautiful dress. I still can’t believe I attended that party, pretending to be white.”
“What happened in the car?” Sadie prompted.
“Well, he leaned over me and…er…rubbed himself…until…”
“I get the picture.” Her brother was wilder than she’d thought. “How did you feel?”
“I was afraid—for me and the dress—but excited, too. He seemed to be staking his claim on me.”
Sadie frowned. The rubbing part was similar, but that was about it. Henry hadn’t acted angry, and she couldn’t picture him claiming anyone, especially her. At least Leroy had faced Rose instead of humping her from behind.
“Why are you asking me about these things, anyway?” A smile filled Rose’s voice. “You must have a beau. Tell me. Who is he?”
“No one,” Sadie said quickly. “I just wondered if all men were like my ex-husband. Apparently not.”
After ending the call, she drummed her fingers on her knee. Rose’s experience was very helpful, but she needed to compare a situation more similar to her own—Pearl’s and Caleb’s. She let her hand hover over the telephone because she wasn’t sure she really wanted to know. But Henry would return with the food soon. Now would probably be her only chance.
Once she figured the man out, she hoped to get her silly romantic thoughts about him out of her mind for good.
* * *
Perched on an antique chair, Jonathan Carter sat hunched over the telephone in the family’s formal parlor. Listening to Oyster Harbor’s party line was the best way to keep tabs on what the townspeople were up to. Especially people under the Klan’s watch like Henry Rockfield.
The mayor was sleeping off his latest round of drinks, but not before he’d canceled tonight’s Klan meeting because he didn’t feel well. Why couldn’t he have let Jon lead the meeting? He’d be Grand Titan, mayor, and everything else eventually. It was only a matter of time.
Mother had gone to bed early. Hopefully, his sister, Mary, would stay in her room, too. She’d spent a lot of time in there since she’d been raped in Baltimore last year. At least he had enough privacy to put his free time to good use by listening to the party line.
His plate of cake lay half-eaten and forgotten beside the telephone. What he heard was much tastier. Sadie Johnson was on the line with Pearl Point talking about men. Very intimately, he might add.
Mary picked the most inopportune moment to enter the room. Her feet barely made a sound on the thick rug.
He pressed his hand over the mouthpiece. “What is it?”
“I’d like to buy some ribbons to re-trim my hat.”
“I’ll take you to the general store. Soon.” He paused, waiting for her to go.
“But you’re always so busy.” Her blonde curls shifted as she cocked her head. “I’m ready to walk around town by myself.”
“Sounds splendid, darling.”
“Really? I thought you’d object.” Her blue eyes narrowed. “With whom are you speaking?”
“Someone important.”
If she assumed he’d let her roam this town alone with so many colored men around, she was mistaken. He’d explain it tomorrow, but at least he’d gotten her out of the room.
He returned his attention to the telephone.
“What was it like when Caleb courted you?” Sadie asked.
She had to be close by. Where in the hell was she calling from? He intended to find out, eventually. For now, he listened with the earpiece pressed to his head. Hearing what Leroy Johnson had done in the backseat of a car unsettled the cake he’d already eaten. But Pearl Rockfield was now on the line. The conversation was about to get more interesting.
“He was always looking into my eyes and kissing me.” She paused to sigh. “The things that man did with his mouth and raw oysters. And the time he unrolled my stockings, inch by inch…”
“It sounds so romantic,” Sadie said. “You’re a very lucky woman.”
Jonathan made a sour face. And now they were married. Very illegally, he might add.
“D-did he face you when he made love to you?” Sadie asked.
“’Most always,” Pearl replied. “Except for that time in Caleb’s old house. He took me from behind in the kitchen while I was cooking.”
Jon slapp
ed his hand over his mouth to keep from gasping his disgust out loud. It’s a wonder steam didn’t pour out of the earpiece. Such intimate discussion over public phone lines was obscene. But, in this case, useful.
“Why are you so curious to hear about me and Caleb? Is someone courting you?” Pearl asked.
Yes, who? Jonathan felt like adding.
“I can’t say,” Sadie finally replied. “You never know who may be listening in.”
“He’s not white, is he?”
He had to hand it to Pearl. She took the questions right off the tip of his tongue.
Sadie’s answer was so soft he barely heard it. “Maybe. I don’t think he sees me romantically, though. After all, I’m not very pretty.”
She had that right. None of those women were, in his opinion. Except Rose, when she’d pretended to be white. He’d never forgive himself for being stupid enough to fall for her ploy. Thank God he hadn’t married her.
“Sadie Johnson, you stop that nonsense,” Pearl protested. “You’re beautiful in your own special way. I hope you’re still smiling at everyone like I taught you.”
If she kept throwing oysters at white supervisors, he’d see to it she never worked in this town again.
“I’m trying. I think he was just filled with lust. The way he rubbed against me… Never mind.” Something rattled in the background, such as a key in a lock. “I have to go!”
“Wait,” Pearl said. “Who is he?”
“I can’t say,” Sadie hissed.
“If it is who I think it is,” the other woman replied, “be very careful. You’re playing with fire.”
Pearl stole the words right out of his mouth again. There would be fire, all right, and plenty of it. Because the mystery man was probably someone at Rockfield’s where she worked.
It was time to pay the local oyster house a visit.
Chapter Six
The next night, Henry found himself at Sadie’s kitchen table. Both of them yawned, tired from their late hours.
“Is everything fixed now?” he asked.
“It would have been,” she snapped.
He gripped his knees, searching for patience. For some reason, she grew colder each day. He didn’t understand it. He’d given her rosebuds. Last night, he’d brought home a seafood feast of fried oysters and steamed mussels from the Sapphire Crab, but she’d barely taken a bite. The canceled Klan meeting was reason enough for him to celebrate.
He’d even worn looser shirts to keep his erections hidden. Of course, she was so sour lately, he didn’t have to worry about them anymore.
“Can you be more specific?” he asked.
She shoved today’s oyster purchase record at him and pointed to the inventory records.
“Whoever paid these prices yesterday is an idiot.”
He frowned. “That idiot would be me.”
She shoved another paper at him, full of numbers she’d scribbled. He regretted ever revealing his lack of smarts to her. She seemed to be trying to make him feel as stupid as possible.
“Let me explain it to you,” she said.
After she walked him through the figures, he was more confused than ever.
“According to my calculations, you should be paying this amount per bushel.”
He grabbed the pencil from her and circled it. “Okay. I’m all set now.”
“Until the market changes.”
“But the market changes constantly,” he argued.
“Do your best.” She yawned. “Have a safe trip home.”
When she motioned to push back her chair, he pinned her wrist to the table.
“Sadie, we still have some unfinished matters…between us.”
“I don’t believe we do.”
Excitement tingled through his fingers when she yanked her wrist away and stood.
“I apologized for what I did to you,” he hissed. “What more do you want?”
Warning flashed in her eyes. “To keep your distance.”
“I have been, but that doesn’t seem to please you, either.”
She drummed her fingers on the back of the chair. “My job is to please you, not the other way around.”
He wished he were smarter so he’d know how to handle her. Why couldn’t he go home like he should? Now that their business was transacted, he could go on with his life. His company was better off. Best of all, Caleb would be pleased because he could focus on being a father.
The memory of losing control against her beautiful hips would help Henry get through the dreary days ahead.
“Tell me why you’re angry. Please.”
When she turned her head away, he grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Tell me,” he demanded. “That’s an order.”
Her breasts rose and fell with a large breath. “What you did to me made me feel used. Not that I’d care unless—”
“Unless what?”
“When a man really desires a woman, he gazes into her eyes constantly. Kisses her, over and over.”
His heart thundered in his chest. She wanted him.
“I did kiss you,” he protested.
“Only once. And not during…that.”
“I would have, but I was too excited to stop.” The memory of spilling himself on her delivered a familiar ache to his balls. “I was afraid you’d end it any moment.”
Because a chair stood between them, he was tempted to walk behind her. Press himself against her curvy hips. But that’s how he’d gotten into this mess.
“We can rectify things right now.” He covered her hands. “Let go of the chair so I can face you.”
Her fingers trembled against his. He could hardly believe such a vulnerable woman hid behind the tough exterior. Apparently, he was an idiot. He was worse at reading women than deciphering figures.
He kissed her slowly, tasting every curve of her lush lips. Should have done this a long time ago. Her mouth stayed closed, so he worked the seam of her lips with the point of his tongue. From one corner to the other, he probed, showing her exactly how much he ached to be inside her.
When she finally released, giving him access to the sweet, hot cavern of her mouth, he was sweating from the effort. The woman was harder to pry open than an oyster. Her fingers drifted to his shoulders. The sensation of her nails digging into his shoulders made his member even harder. He pictured her under him, scratching his waist raw. Assuming he could pry her legs apart. She’d probably close them tighter than her mouth.
Pulling back, he gripped both sides of her face. “You’re so beautiful, Sadie.”
The coldness returned to her eyes, but after she blinked, they glistened.
“Do you really mean it?” she whispered.
He gripped her cheeks. “Oh, Sadie. Did you ever doubt it?”
“But I’m not pretty,” she protested. “Everyone has told me so.”
“Pretty is boring.” He gripped harder. “You’re beautiful. Your face, your body, your mind, and even your bad temper.”
“What if I don’t believe you?”
“Then I guess I’ll have to prove it to you.”
They stood for a long time, kissing. He tasted her jaw, the lobe of her ear, and the tender skin of her neck. Even her hair. Her soft moans excited him so much, he almost forgot where they were.
“Hush,” he whispered, nipping her ear. “We don’t want your mother to hear.”
“Right.”
When she arched her neck, submitting to him, a violent flood roared through him. Although she was smarter than he was, she made him feel like a man. The only man on Earth.
The urge to bend her over the table again clawed holes in him. And this time he’d penetrate her. Deep. Instead, he spread a palm over her lower back and then the curve of each buttock. Pressing her and molding her to his groin, which burned for her. He also skimmed his fingers down the side of her breasts, telling her how beautiful he thought she was with each stroke.
<
br /> But he was careful not to go too far.
Finally, he stopped kissing her and simply held her. Except for her mother’s snoring in the next room, the night was silent. Her head nestled against his shoulder. For the moment, anyway, the lioness had turned into a kitten.
“I want you,” he whispered in her ear.
“How?”
“In every way. By my side. In my bed. Mine.”
“If only we could.” She gazed at him with such bittersweet sadness, it clenched his chest. “But it’s enough to know you desire me.”
He bowed his head. At least she realized there could be nothing between them. If the Klan saw them in each other’s arms, it would crucify them and their families. The best thing they could do was stay out of each other’s paths as much as possible.
She’d shuck oysters, and he’d struggle to manage the company. Both of them would be miserable. Even more so than before because they’d gotten a taste of what could have been.
“I need you at Rockfield’s to help me make decisions. It’ll have to be done in secret, of course. And only if you want to.”
“Won’t it be dangerous?” she asked.
“We’ll have to be very careful. It’ll be safer than courting, though.”
The dreaminess left her eyes, leaving her usual practicality. “You must really trust me.”
“I do.” He caught her fingers in his. “At least it’ll allow me to be close to you. Will you do it?”
She nodded. “I’m too excited by the business work to turn my back on it. Will you kiss me once more?”
He gripped the back of her head and drank from her as if it were the last time. When he pulled away, her eyes were wet with tears.
“Don’t cry, Sadie. You know there can’t be anything between us.” He hated to admit it to himself, much less her, but it had to be done. “I-I’m in the Klan.”
“I know.”
She knew and yet she’d still trusted him. Why did this incredible woman have to be forbidden?
“Knowing the obstacles doesn’t make them any easier to accept. I wish—” She turned her head away before she finished.
“You wish what?”
“I wish you’d never told me how you felt about me.” She wiped her eyes. “It was easier to assume you didn’t want me.”
