closer to him. “Andrew! I know no such thing!
Those people out their aren’t perverts, they are caring, loving
people who don’t give a damn about what they look like on the
outside, they look to the inner self, the inner spirit. Clothing is
simply outer trappings that they’ve decided to cast off. And that
is all!”
“You’re kidding yourself, Tasha. Those people
out there are only out for one thing—one wild, decadent and crazy
free-for-all of a week. They don’t care what they do or who they do
it to. And you’re a little tofu-fruity in the head if you think,
that for one minute, I will cast off my outer trappings to release
my inner spirit. You’ve got another thing coming, lady. That is
nothing but a bunch of bunk!”
Tasha glared back. “You need to loosen up a
little, you know that? You need to shake a little of that
conservatism out your system.”
“Well, I may be conservative, but I can
loosen up,” he challenged. “I can be the life of the damn party if
I want to.”
Tasha chuckled and crossed her arms over her
chest. She toed the carpet in front of her with her bare foot, then
pulled her gaze straight up to his face. “We’re about as far apart
as two people can get, aren’t we.”
He turned and stomped away. “Looks like
it.”
“I guess it’s hopeless.”
“Probably.”
“You watch Russ Stambaugh?”
“Occasionally,” he returned, glancing back at
her with a puzzled expression. “What’s that have to do with
anything?”
“You agree with him?”
“For the most part.”
“Would you ever vote for a woman president?”
she taunted.
“There’s not a woman in politics today who is
a likely candidate.”
“Says who?”
“Says me.”
“And who are you to say?” Tasha edged closer
to him, her arms bound tight across her chest.
“I’m the voice of most of conservative
America, don’t you know.”
“Yeah, well, most of conservative America can
go to hell-in-a-handbasket for all I care.”
Andrew felt his ire rising. “You think you’re
so damn smart, don’t you? You want to get into issues, lady, I can
sure as hell get into some issues with you. And I tell you what,
I’ll bet we’re on the opposite side of the fence on everyone single
of them.”
“Shoot.” Her eyes narrowed at him.
“Abortion.”
“Pro-choice,” Tasha stated adamantly.
“Pro-life,” he countered.
“Health care reform,” Tasha hurled at
him.
“A waste of money.”
“Environmental issues?”
“Eats at my craw.”
“Immigration.”
“Send them home.”
Tasha huffed off to the other side of the
room, her back to him. She didn’t want to talk about it anymore.
She didn’t want to talk to him anymore. This isn’t going to work.
No.
Not at all.
“You’re right, you know,” Andrew stated
quietly from across the room.
Slowly, Tasha turned back to him. “What?”
“You’re right. We’re total opposites. Sharing
this room will never work. I sure as hell hope Josh gets here with
the key to Samuel’s room soon. Very soon.”
Tasha let her eyes meet his and nodded
ever-so-slightly. “Can’t be soon enough for me.”
For a moment, they stared at one another.
Finally, Andrew broke the silence. “If I could, I’d leave right
this very minute. You know, if it weren’t for this stupid bus
strike, I’d be out of here by now.”
Tasha nodded. “Yeah, well, and I’d probably
help you.” She started for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“Taking a walk.”
“On the beach?”
“No, in the air.” She stepped over the
threshold.
“Be...careful. Watch out for—”
The door slammed behind her.
“Crazy nudists,” he mumbled.
A few seconds later a knock sounded at the
door. Andrew angrily crossed the room to answer it. “So, forget
your key or something? Serves you right, you know, leaving is such
a twit.”
Josh stood in the threshold.
After a moment, he offered, “Samuel has
returned and has agreed to share his room—temporarily. You see,
K. Sterling
Jacquie Rogers
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley
Shiloh Walker
Elizabeth Moynihan
Mary Balogh
Tara Fox Hall
Jonathan Maberry
Jane Hunt
James Kakalios