Flaws and All Read Online Free Page B

Charles would invite to the church for Sullivan to drool over.
    Nevertheless, Charles still looked at Sullivan with the same loving gaze as he did that twenty-two-year-old he fell in love with nine years ago.
    â€œIt’s a beautiful night out tonight,” observed Charles, walking onto the terrace.
    â€œFeels like it’s going to rain to me,” countered Sullivan as a gush of August wind whipped through her hair.
    Charles handed her a glass of champagne and reached for her face. “You look so beautiful standing there like that. I think I just fell in love with you all over again.”
    Sullivan rolled her eyes and guzzled down the drink. “I think I’m going to need a refill.” She held out her glass to him.
    He set her glass down on the railing. “Can I just hold you first?” Charles wrapped his arms around her from behind. Sullivan cringed at his touch. “There’s a full moon out, and it’s a beautiful night. I think that God is trying to tell us something. It looks like the perfect night to—”
    â€œI have a headache,” broke in Sullivan before Charles broached the topic of sex.
    â€œThat’s the same thing you said last week and the week before that.”
    â€œWell, what do you want me to do, Charles? Lay there until I’m sick to my stomach and throw up on you?”
    â€œNo, I just want to make love to my wife. Is that so wrong?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Later on, maybe. I’m not in the mood right now.”
    â€œIs there something I can do to get you in the mood?” he asked hopefully.
    â€œYou can stop pressuring me. It’s pathetic.”
    He backed off, swallowing his pride. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”
    Sullivan exhaled. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just talk about something else.”
    Charles took her by the hand. “You know I have that revival in Atlanta next Wednesday. I always preach better when I look out at the congregation and see my wife’s beautiful face in the first pew. I would love it if you joined me.”
    She slid her hand out of his. “I have a life too, Charles. You can’t just make plans and expect me to drop everything to follow along with them. Besides, you know how much I detest going to those things, all that unnecessary whooping and hollering. Plus, I have a hair appointment that day. If I cancel this late, it’ll be at least two weeks before Andre can see me.”
    Charles planted a kiss on her forehead. “All right, maybe next time. It was just a thought. Well, I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you this.”
    â€œTell me what?”
    â€œI’ve been praying about it, and I’ve made a decision about the county commissioner’s seat.” Charles refilled Sullivan’s glass and passed it back to her. “I’ve decided to run. I hope I have your blessing.”
    She raised her glass and flatly stated, “Consider yourself blessed.”
    â€œIt would mean a lot to me to have your support on this. It’s not going to be an easy campaign. The incumbent is going to put up a tough fight.”
    Sullivan finished off her drink. “Fine, Charles. I know the routine. Do you want me to lick envelopes? Post signs? Kiss babies? Smile and look pretty for the camera?”
    â€œA little enthusiasm would be nice.”
    â€œI’m thrilled, all right? So much so that I’m going downstairs to celebrate with another round.”
    Charles placed his hand over the rim of her flute. “Don’t you think two glasses of champagne is enough?”
    She peeled his hand off the glass. “If I thought that, I wouldn’t be getting another drink, would I?”
    Sullivan turned around and sashayed off the balcony and down the winding staircase to their kitchen. Once there, she reached her hand underneath the sink and pulled out a bottle of Tequila that she had stashed. She frowned