Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Truly though, she wanted to rip his eyes out, and at the same time she wanted him all over her, too.
“You know what the problem is, Kage? I have rules. You’ve broken all of them. Pointing a gun at me the first time we met. Taking my ammunition away without my permission. Comin’ here unannounced the other night, and actin’ like that was just fine. Kissing and touchin’ on me when I told you that we couldn’t hook up. The reason why doesn’t matter, but you’ve convinced yourself that it does. Even the way we met showed how aggressive and disturbed you are. My rules state that men must act civilized. Men behave in—”
“Civilized?” He tsked. “And just what the fuck would you, of all people, do with a civilized man? Trample all over him is what you’d do. Your so-called rules don’t get your juices flowin’ and any idiot who abides by them so called instructions and expectations, would be cast away like a piece of trash.”
“So your attitude is, ‘Fuck my rules,’ huh?”
“That’s right. Fuck your rules with no mercy, no lube, just bang, bang, bang all damn day and night long. You’d never respect a man who followed all of these trumped up, dumb procedures and policies that you change as you go along, anyway. More than that, it’s all bullshit. It just sounds good, but it’s a bunch of malarkey.” He handed her a brutal stare. “I don’t play by nobody’s rules but my own, and you’re not about to run all over me like you’re some damn track star.”
“Fine! I have had it. Whatever you say!” She waved her hands about. “You finish that greenhouse, you hear me? And then get your ass out of here, because this isn’t some toy shop you get to walk into, Kage, select a trinket you like, and take it home. You have a problem with rejection.”
“No, I have a problem with denial of connection.”
“I’m not denying it. I admitted it!”
“No, you admitted attraction… that’s not the same. We have both. I’m not classy. I’m not cultured. I don’t always say the right thing and worst of all, I usually don’t care to even try to. I’m just me. I love bein’ comfortable. I have my own style, and I’m not a common motherfucker. I’m different, through and through. I like nature. Drones. Huntin’ and fishin’. I like walkin’ my land, swimmin’ in the river, a good, hot meal that I caught myself. I doodle a little for fun. Most of all, I love makin’ shit out of little of nothin’. Turnin’ trash into a treasure. I like creatin’ beautiful things, and findin’ beautiful things, too.” White flames were flickering in his eyes as he looked deep inside of her, and grabbed her heart. “I love usin’ my hands.” He held them up. “Poet, I can’t name ten exotic wines and what they pair best with. I’m sorry if that disappoints you, but I can name ten exotic birds and tell you what country they came from.” They were silent for a spell. Things became still and quiet. An uneasy tension and passion merged.
“Kage,” she sighed. “I just—”
“I don’t look good on paper. I ain’t got no fancy education like you do. With your taxidermy certifications, your Bachelors of Science in Biology, and your Master of Science in Chemistry, ’nd all, you got me beat. I went to school, graduated with a degree from a business college and trade school, too, but I pride myself on being self-trained in a lotta shit. I’m White. Some call me a redneck. You’re Black. Racial tensions are a little high right now ’cause of all of this political rhetoric. Folks being pitted against one another. But we’re all human… we all bleed, and gotta answer to the Good Lord sooner or later. Regardless, I understand that you need to keep up appearances. You’re a professional. Even interviewed on the local news ’bout new exhibits from time to time.” He tossed up his hands. “Folks see you in a certain light,” He chuckled, but a tinge of sadness were in his words and expression. “They have expectations for the great, and brilliant Poet Constantine. I ain’t the man women take home to meet daddy, unless they want to piss him off.” He smiled, but she could see in his eyes pure pain. “You’ve got an image to uphold. A reputation… I’m not the kind of guy you usually go for. A mangy lone wolf… a monster. I get it.”
“That’s not completely true.” She sighed. “It’s not that black and white.”
“So, what is it, completely? From my perspective, I’m everything you’ve convinced yourself is unsafe, dangerous, and not a good bet. Let me remind you, Poet, that you decided this about me without concrete evidence. It was intentional, so you could convince yourself that this could never go anywhere.” He pointed a finger at her face. “I’m just asking for a chance. A little of your time.” She rubbed her clammy hands together, then clasped them along her lap. Tight.