Heat rose up Flora’s neck to her face. “He’s already been too nice. I don’t know how long he’ll be willing to help without expecting, well, you know.”
Talia’s eyebrows lifted. “Are you interested in that?”
She froze. “I don’t know.”
“Would that be too bad, you know, being with Q?”
Flora shrugged. “Maybe not. It’s just that I’ve never…” silence stretched between them and Talia narrowed her eyes.
“Had sex?” Talia asked.
Flora gasped and shook her head. “Oh goodness, no. I’ve never kissed anyone before.”
Talia sat up straighter and held Flora’s gaze. “Oh, so you’ve never kissed or anything else?”
Flora shook her head. “I’m not really sure what else there would be. They just told us we had to do whatever our husbands wanted, that we were to obey them in all things.”
Talia huffed. “First off, they are wrong. You don’t ever have to do anything you don’t want to, even with a husband.”
“But—”
“No buts. You get to decide what you do with your body.”
Flora shook her head. “How can you be so strong?”
“The same way you are. You left, and that shows how strong you are. You were able to leave, and it’s amazing. I’m proud of you for getting yourself out of there. Has any other woman ever been strong enough to leave like you did?”
Flora shook her head. “No, no one ever left. Once in the community, always in the community.”
“Well, you were strong enough to leave, and I know you’ll be strong enough to make it here. I know it.”
“I’m going to need to borrow some of your faith as things go on.”
“Well, I’ll be around, and you can borrow some anytime you need.” Talia checked her phone and winced. “I wish I could stick around, but I need to get back.”
“Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot.”
“Keep in touch. Call or text if you need anything.”
Flora nodded then waved goodbye as Talia left. She didn’t know what to do with herself for the rest of the day, but she was bound and determined to figure out a way to be valuable enough for someone to pay her money. She needed a skill she could use to gain work. She just wasn’t sure what she was good at or where she would fit in.
14
Before he even arrived home, Q got the call he’d been dreading. He didn’t want to leave Flora at home alone, but he had to go. There weren’t any other options. He had to leave with his team. At least, that was the plan. Them leaving. It might fall apart before he got back to base. That didn’t usually happen, but he’d seen it at least once before.
He pulled up out front of his house and wished he had explained his job better to her so she wouldn’t be taken by surprise by what he had to say. The walk to his door felt longer than usual. When he pushed open the door, Flora jerked up from beside the couch and slammed her head into the side table.
“Ouch.”
“Oh no, are you okay?” He rushed over and knelt beside her, noting the water filling her eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“No, I should have been paying better attention to what was going on.”
He grabbed her elbow to help her up. “Let me help you.”
They rose together, and Flora stumbled and slammed into his chest. He put his arm around her to steady her just as shelooked up. Their lips were close, and she was very tempting. He closed the distance, pressing his lips against hers.
Flora froze, and he thought he’d made a huge mistake and tried to pull back, but she grabbed his arms, holding him close. “Don’t.” The word came out as a whisper from her. “Don’t pull away. Please.”
