Be Mine by April Hollingworth Page A

giggle escapes. I clamp my hand over my mouth. Look around, realizing no one can see me, I release my nervous laughter. It quickly turns hysterical, and tears pool in my eyes.
    He’s not James. I’m okay. I’m okay.
    Taking big gulps of air, the words echoing around my head settle down. Soothing me. Genuine laughter bubbles up as the image of flying lasagna enters my head. Glancing at my watch, I realize I must hurry home if I’m going to make it in time for my self-defense lesson. I buckle up and put the key in the ignition. Indicate I’m pulling out; I reverse and head toward the exit.
    Upon leaving I pass Mark. I have to bite my lip as I notice his tan trousers are not only stained from the dinner, they’re also wet from his attempt at cleaning them. Yet somehow he still manages to look sexy and in control.
    I hear someone shout something at him. He turns toward them laughing, says something back to them.
    The simplicity of the interaction astounds me. I can’t help compare him to my ex James. A shudder ripples through me at the thought of him. His temper and volatile nature still scares me, even though it’s been seven years since I left him.
    If the incident in the diner had happened to him…
    I refuse to continue that line of thought. Instead I head toward home. I’ll need to get showered and changed before heading out again.
    ****
    Giving up on cleaning my trousers, I opt to go home and change them altogether. I leave the rest room to more laughter, so I give a bow as I exit. Walking down the road to the car park where I’d left my car, I wish I hadn’t worn such light colored trousers.
    Hearing a lewd shout from a woman on the other side of the road, I burst out laughing. Turning toward her I call back a polite rejection, and head toward my car.
    I’d rather have the klutzy waitress clean me up than the woman across the road. Spotting a car pass me, I realize it is the waitress, looking very much like she’s determined to not notice me.
    A grin of genuine amusement spreads across my lips.
    She obviously noticed me, and I’ll make sure the little minx has plenty of opportunities to notice me as often as possible.
    With a shake of my head, I walk toward my car, whistling a happy tune. For the first time in a long time, peace flows through me. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way, so relaxed and intrigued.
    I’ll have to have a chat with my sister, and get her to tell me about my little waitress.
    Startled by the thought I abruptly stop mid step.
    Yes, my little waitress.
    With a shake of my head at the oddity of my thoughts, I carry on to my car.
    Things are going to get interesting. I have a feeling my little waitress won’t be impressed with my decision, to make her mine.

Chapter 3
    “Well done, ladies.” Jonathan Myers, instructor of self-defense and expert at kicking my ass calls out. With a groan of relief, I accept the hand he offers, letting him help me up off the floor.
    “You did good, Beth,” he compliments me.
    “Really?” I ask doubtfully, “Because the floor and I are beginning to have a strange relationship. I would go to the extent of saying the floor is beginning to trip me up on purpose, just so it can hug me!”
    A burst of laughter erupts from my normally serious instructor, catching everyone’s attention.
    “I like you. Seriously you did well. You managed to hold your own and even knocked the others down. You’re coming along extremely quickly. I’m impressed.”
    I gape in shock at his complement. Finally a grin spreads across my face as pleasure washes through me. “Thank you,” I reply, before heading off to collect my stuff and leave.
    “Wait up, Beth,” Sandra, one of the girls I was sparring with earlier, calls out, hurrying to me.
    I pause in surprise. I never realized she knew my name. I do know she seems to take great satisfaction, in rendering everyone to the floor in the quickest, and quite often brutal fashion. My ass can testify to that, as