Black Rose

Chapter 3

  The next day after work, I came home to find Jamie by himself painting the front porch. He continued stroking the brush as I walked up the steps.

    “How does a man take a bubble bath?” He asked, while I fumbled through my purse for the key.

    “How?” My fingers ran across a cold object. “Finally!”

    “He eats beans.” There was a tiny laugh as I pulled the key from my bag.

    “Bravo!” I congratulated in a sarcastic tone, unlocking the door.

    Jamie stopped painting. “I graduated from Joke Academy.”

    I nodded my head in fake approval. “Ah, that explains why you’re painting my house right now.” My eyebrows lifted at him with a tiny smirk on my mouth.

    “Sure, Mrs. Diner.” Grinning, he continued painting as I stepped inside my house.

    Today, I was smart and brought my jacket with me to work. “How old are you?” I questioned, pulling the sleeves from each arm. “I’m sure you can’t be much older than me.”

    “Come back out here and I’ll tell you.”

    I tossed my jacket onto the arm of the couch and walked back out the open door slowly closing it. “So, how old are you?”

    For a second, he stopped painting. “Well, I’ve met the actual Barney the Dinosaur so I guess pretty old. How old are you?”

    I leaned against the door. “Well, I’ve never met Barney the Dinosaur so I guess I’m pretty young.”

    He pointed the brush towards me. “Yeah, you are pretty.” Quickly, I took a step back to avoid the paint that was about to drip from the bristles. “Are you scared of a little paint?”

    I threw my hands up and looked down at my clothing. “These are my work clothes. Of course I don’t want paint dripping on it.”

    Jamie’s hands fell to his side as he leaned his head back a bit. I stared at the white paint that smeared against his black shorts. “Is that your only pair of work clothes?” My head shook. “Then come here.”

    I blinked several times. “I’m not an idiot.” I told him crossing my arms. “You’re obviously going to put paint on my clothes.”

    A little sniffle escaped his lips as he smiled at the ground. “I promise I won’t.” Our eyes locked for a split second before I slowly walked towards him. “Close your eyes.”

    I stopped less than a foot in front of him. “Why? This is just a joke, isn’t it?”

    “If you close your eyes, you’ll find out.” Sighing deeply, my lids gradually closed.

    Almost instantly, a gentle touch tapped my nose. “What are you-” I began but was quickly cut off from a warm object that pressed against my lips. Instantly, my eyes shot opened as I stumbled backwards rubbing my lips.

    “Ah, you ruined it.” Jamie pouted. “I guess I’ll have to punish you.”

    “Did you kiss me!?” I shouted, stepping down the steps of the porch. “You’re an ass, you know that? I have a boyfriend!”

    Jamie placed his hand on the rail and looked down at me. “Oh yeah?”

    “Yeah!”

    He grinned, “Then why are you blushing? And why is your hand white.”

    Quickly, I looked down at my palm. Dried paint stained my skin. With the back of my hand, I rubbed my lips. Streaks of paints smeared against my skin as I did. “You put paint on my lips?” I asked looking up at him.

    Jamie’s elbow sat on the rail as his cheek rested into his hand. “You thought I kissed you.” I couldn’t tell if it was a question or statement so I nodded. “You have a boyfriend?”

    I hesitated before answering. “Uh, yeah.”

    A large smile spread on his mouth highlighting his dimple. “You’re a liar.”