I parted my lips to take another sip.
“I’ve gathered that.”
“And, your feelings toward that?”
“You wouldn’t have the chance to cuff me to the pipes, Ishmael. You’d be dead before you could properly open the first cuff. If I wanted to leave, I would’ve. I don’t need permission to do what I want. I’m capable. Well-capable. But, I’m telling you things you already know.”
“You’d shoot me?” He chuckled.
“I’d kill you. But, you’ve given me no reason.”
“How’d you get into this? This occupation?”
“I’m hungry. You can either stay right here and talk to me or make me food, but you can’t do both.”
“Not right here, but both can be done.”
He stood on his feet and made his way to the kitchen. It wasn’t until he vanished that I noticed the bottle of wine on the table in front of me. I leaned forward, my bare feet touching the plush rug beneath me. I uncapped the wine and poured more in my glass.
“I’m listening,” Ishmael called out from where he stood.
I tucked my feet behind me and turned my body in his direction.
“I was born into it.”
“That doesn’t explain much.”
“It explains enough.”
He cleansed the shrimp in one bowl and the broccoli in another.
“As much as I admire your strength, I want you tender, my baby.”
I gasped, choking from the wine on the way down my throat.
“Ishmael. This is business.”
“Until it’s not.”
“I–”
“We’re a couple now, according to this plan you’ve made.” He sniggered, “So I’m just telling you how I like my shit. I expect the same from you. I’m a team player. I’ll oblige.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
“When a woman has my attention, you’d be surprised at how obedient I can be.”
“Hmmm. Sounds like a lot of women have had your attention.”
“If that’s your way of asking if I’ve had a plethora of women, then yes. I have. But, as of late, nah. One woman has my attention. Besides, there’s a difference in capturing and keeping my attention. No one has had that power yet, but I can bet my last dollar this one does.”
I rolled my eyes as a smile ripped through my face.
“Mayor… what led you to the point of wanting to run that race?”
“I’m for my city. I’m overly qualified for the position. Daniels is crooked. He doesn’t deserve the seat the city has given him. And, each day he proves it a bit more. Right now, he’s scrambling knowing that someone who actually deserves the seat is running against him and has a chance at winning this thing.”
“Daniels is dirty,” I agreed.
