Sugar & Salt by Pavarti K. Tyler Read Free Book Online Page A

something amazingly sexy about a woman who isn’t afraid to swear.”
    “You’re doing it again.”
    “And you are so delicious when you’re agitated.”
    “I’m just about agitated enough to leave.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, I don’t like being fucked with.”
    “I find straight answers usually lead to conversations of a more serious nature than I am in the mood for tonight. I’ll make you a deal: you stay for dinner, we’ll laugh and chat, and if you want all the details about my boring life, I’ll tell you next Thursday. Just show up for speed-dating ten minutes early. I’ll be at the bar.”
    She studies him, weighing her hesitancy to reveal the truth about herself against her need to be in control. What could it hurt?
    She picks up her wine. “Fine, I’ll play, but only if you answer three yes or no questions.”
    “Meeting conditions with conditions?” He reaches for a sesame rice cake appetizer.
    “I have limits to what I can handle.”
    “All right.” He sets his snack down on the bread plate, and folds his hands on the table. “I’m in.”
    “Have you ever killed anyone?”
    “Purposefully or accidentally?”
    “Either.”
    “No.”
    “Then why did you ask me to specify?” She looks at him with skepticism.
    “Wondering what your limits are, exactly.”
    She rolls her eyes. “Are you currently married or committed in any way to anyone?”
    “No.” His answers come easy, falling like truth.
    “Last one.”
    “Hit me.”
    “Have you ever bought or sold a human being?”
    He recoils and squints his eyes, as if trying to make out a distant shape. “What kind of question is that?”
    “The kind I require an answer to.”
    “Jesus, what the hell is wrong with the men you date?”
    She shrugs. Used to disappointment, she’s ready to walk away. “If you don’t tell me, I’m going to assume the worst.”
    “No, I have never bought or sold a human being. Fuck.”
    “Good, then you get a reprieve on full disclosure until next Thursday.”
    He leans back in his chair and studies her again. “You are an extremely interesting woman.”
    “So you’ve said.” She takes another sip of wine.

Tempting Mr. Teal
    The front door of The Sugar House slams open. A gust of wind grabs the wood and pushes hard against the hinges, and the door creaks as it fights to retain control, catching Jackson’s attention.
    A man in a soaking wet trench coat struggles to close the door before turning to Portia. His face is pulled tight and a vein bulges in his jaw.
    A shiver runs up Jackson’s spine despite the luxurious temperature of the House.
    “Where is she?” The man shakes droplets of water from his coat as he approaches Portia’s desk.
    She stands, as she does with all clients, but hesitation keeps her in place behind the desk. The room is empty but for her and the agitated man—Dahlia had been pulled into an appointment upstairs with Pearl.
    Jackson watches as her eyes dart toward him, and the glint of fear he sees there pulls him to standing. He remains hidden, but alert.
    “I’m sorry, sir. Do you have an appointment?”
    “Don’t give me that shit. You know perfectly well who I fucking am. I’ve been calling for days and getting nowhere. Now where is Juliette?”
    “Juliette is currently unavailable. If you’d like to leave her a note—”
    “No, I don’t want to leave her a fucking note. Are you an idiot? Now get her for me, or get that cunt bitch boss of yours.”
    “Neither is here at the moment, but if you’d like to tell me what the issue is, I’d be happy to try and help.” Her voice remains stern.
    Jackson knows her well enough to detect the hard tone in her voice, betraying how much she detests confrontations like this. No one would ever guess—she keeps her back straight and her head held high. Sometimes he is struck speechless with awe at the way she conducts herself. Given the circumstances, he would have lost his temper if he was in her place, but she manages it