The Flavor Of Love by Shiree McCarver, E. Gail Flowers Page B

they were holding hands.
    Shaking his head, he wondered if he’d ever seen such a quirky lot of people in his forty-two years. With a resigned sigh, he didn’t even consider what psychic gift these two might profess.
    Keigo continued towards Etta. She met him half way down the stairs and waited.
    He confirmed the question that had been nagging him since he saw Etta last. She was the one woman in a long time to accelerate his pulse tempo.
    Today she wore her natural hairstyle up and divided into frizzy ponytails framing her square-shaped lovely face. With her current hairstyle, he saw she had three breast length micro-braids flowing from the nape of her neck over one shoulder resting above the swell of her breast. Each braid was decorated with a tiny seashell.
    As Keigo’s eyes feasted upon her face, he was amazed at how much detail he could remember about her face. He remembered the exquisite shape of her high cheekbones, the fullness of her sweet mouth and those girlish dimples caused him to smile every time she did. My God, look at her skin in the morning sun , he thought. Never could tanning in the sun produce such a striking shade.
    “ Morning,” she called out resting her lax fists on her hips. “Do you live nearby and out on a morning stroll or are you just lost?”
    The dimples flashed at him. His heart thumped. Every nerve in his body told him to turn around and hightail it out of there before it was too late. Yet, he couldn’t do it. His camp kids needed him to come through for them. The kitchen need to be prepared, stocked and a least one of the cooking staff must be certified and Etta was it. If he didn’t do his part, they wouldn’t allow him to open the doors.
    Keigo returned her smile, squinting up at her in the bright morning light. “I hope you don’t mind. I had my driver to drop me off for a visit while I sent him on some errands. I promise you he won’t be gone long.”
    “ Keigo,” she released a throaty laugh. “I was just joking with you. I see, even when you’re dressed in casual, you’re still too serious. Also tell me,” she shook her head. “What’s with having a driver? Can’t you drive? Or is this just one of the perks that comes with the job?”
    “ I can drive, I just choose not to, after,” he paused and swallowed the lump in his throat. “I don’t anymore.”
    “ If you don’t mind my asking, why not?”
    “ I do mind,” he snapped and pulled in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It’s something I don’t like talking about or making public.”
    “ I see,” Etta remarked, looking down at her bare feet. “I can understand. I’ve been through an ordeal myself that I don’t like talking about. At the time, it was made very public because of who I was…who he was…” her voice trailed off. “Anyway, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
    Keigo could see from the sorrowful expression on Etta's face as she spoke, that whatever had happened to her must have been very painful. She looked up and his heart lurched. He was shocked at the unexpected impact she had on him. It was exhilarating, yet unasked for at the same time. He didn't want to add to the pain he saw on her face just because his libido was working on overtime the past few days.
    “ I was in a car accident a few years ago and I have panic attacks when I get behind the wheel, so I don't try anymore,” he spoke softly; the words seemed strange on his tongue. He hadn’t been able to admit it aloud to anyone.
    “ I’m sorry,” Etta said softly. “You didn’t have to tell me, but I’m glad you did.”
    He could see her sincerity. “I would have thought you looked up everything about me online as I did you,” he said, shrugging off his embarrassment.
    “ I did. I just haven’t read it all yet,” she admitted sheepishly. “You have more Google pages then I do.”
    He nodded. His shoulders tensed. He wondered if he should just tell her. She was bound to read it eventually and get the