Shoe Strings

personally,
I’ve found there’s nothing that clears my head more than an innocent tango
between two mutually attracted participants.”
    “Yes, I can see how you’d think that.   But from my experience, I can tell you
that indulging in anything with a charming man tends to cloud my mind, not
clear it.”
    “You let me get my hands on you and I may blow your
mind.”   He nearly winced when he
realized he’d said his thoughts out loud.   What was it about her that made him want to beg at her feet?
    “Such a shame, the intense insecurity and self-confidence
issues you suffer from.   I imagine
you don’t get turned down by women very often.   But I’m afraid nothing’s going to happen
between us.”
    “Okay, okay, I can see you may need some time to get used to
the idea.”   He could only laugh when
she turned on him, clearly exasperated.   He held his hand up in defense.   “I’ve got an alternative.   There’s nothing that’ll clear your head better than a wild ride on the
Powollachee.”
    “Oh dear God!”   She had such a sickened look on her face that for a moment he thought
he’d insulted the leader of her native tribe.   “You’ve named your…your…” she glanced at
his crotch.   “Your thingie.”
    Jesse nearly collapsed with laughter.   He bent over and clutched his stomach
until he could stand upright and catch his breath without howling.   When he could see through the tears, he
realized her anger had propelled her almost a block away.   He caught up to her and gently reached
for her arm to stop her.   “Christ,
that was priceless.   The look on
your face.”   The look she gave him
now was one of rage.   He needed to
explain before she slugged him.   “The Powollachee’s a river and the ride I’m referring to is in a dinghy,
not with a thingie.”   He laughed
again despite her angry look.   “I’m
sorry, but that was too much.   So,
what do you say?   I’m pretty open
before the season starts up full swing.”
    “I’m glad I was able to amuse you today, but I don’t think
so.”
    “Why not?   I’m
the best guide in western Carolina.   Unless you’re afraid?”
    He saw something cross her face, a paling of her skin and a
shifting of her eyes that made him think a layer of fear simmered just below
the red hot anger his response had provoked.   “You are afraid,” he said.
    She tried to storm away.   When he reached for her again, she
yanked her arm from his hand.   “What
is your problem?   I’m not interested,
okay?   Just leave me alone.”
    He decided to leave it be when Mr. Collins leaned his bald head
out of the five and dime and snickered.   “Okay, Angelita.   We’ll
discuss this later.”   When I’ve
softened you up a little more, he thought, as she stomped back to her SUV.   He gave old man Collins a scathing look
before heading back to the bank where he’d first intended to go before he
spotted her.  
    Well, well, well.   Angelita was turning out to be a very hard nut wrapped in a very
delicious package.   Strangely
enough, the madder she got, the more he found himself wanting to be around
her.   He never thought he liked
hotheaded, strong-willed women, especially after Kerri Ann, but damn if her
anger and willfulness didn’t notch his desire into uncharted territory.   One thing was for sure, he’d be better
prepared for their next encounter.
    ***
    Angelita’s hands were shaking as she slammed the SUV into
reverse.   She needed to get a grip
on her temper, but it was near boiling and wouldn’t simmer down for awhile, she
knew from experience.   The nerve of
that man, that near stranger, assuming she’d have sex with him at the snap of
his fingers and then laughing in her face like she were some sort of schoolgirl
idiot.  
    It was painfully similar to her life with her father, her
life before she’d made it her own, when he’d entertain guests, or even himself,
by using her as the butt of every joke to be made.  
    The only thing that had changed was her reaction.   Instead of retreating in shame, she’d
screamed at him on the main thoroughfare of the town she’d planned to disappear
into until she could get her head straight.  
    What the hell was wrong with her, yelling at him like that
with no thought to who would hear and what they might think?   She already felt like a fish out of
water.   Just a few blocks into
window shopping and she’d realized she’d overdressed.   And her shoes, the