Body and Soul

EXCERPT:

Ezekiel showed up at her apartment an hour before she was set to leave.

“I’ll just wait for you here in the living room,” he told Sam after she invited him in.

“Would you like anything? I’ve made dinner, and there’s more than enough.”

He flashed a tight smile. “It smells delicious, but I’ve already eaten.”

“Then maybe a glass of wine.”

“I don’t drink on the job. This is not a social call; you don’t have to entertain me. I’ll just wait here until you’re ready.”

“Okay, I’ll just put on the TV.”

“I don’t watch TV.” He took out his phone and held it up. “I’m fine. Can you please go and get ready? We will leave promptly at seven whether you are fully dressed or not.”

God, he was insufferable and rude! She was just trying to be nice. “Do you have a problem with me, or is this just your sweet disposition?”

His eyes flashed fire. “I’m here to protect you, not be your girlfriend. My job is to stay in the shadows until I’m needed. The quicker you learn that, the better our relationship will be.” He turned on his phone, and Sam felt as if he’d dismissed her.

“That is what you call a relationship?” she scoffed.

He looked up and the dark look on his face sent chills down her spine.

“What do you want from me?” His voice was heavy with exasperation.

“I want you to not make me feel like shit.”

“I can’t make you feel anything. If you feel like shit then maybe you should rethink your profession.”

She wagged a finger at him. “See, that’s it, there’s that disdain I sensed from the moment I met you. If you feel that way, then why the hell would you risk your life to save mine?”

A muscle twitched in his strong jaw but there was no other indication of his feelings. “You’ve just wasted five minutes. I will come to your bedroom at six-fifty-five and drag you out in whatever state you are in. I suggest you don’t stand here wasting both our time.”

Sam glared at him. “Tell you what, why don’t you come by tomorrow night? It’s obvious you need a good fuck. I’ll take that stick out of your ass for free.” She marched into her bedroom. She didn’t care that she’d just offered herself to him. He already thought she was a whore. She was determined to be a good one.