A Portrait of Emily Read Online Free

the tennis court the first two or three times they played together.
    She grinned at her cousin. “You’re looking awfully pleased with yourself Emily.”
    “Jerry asked me to marry him last night.”
    “How wonderful…Of course you said yes.”
    “Uh huh, but we haven’t told anyone else yet.”
    “I am so happy for you Emily.” Gloria turned to the two men walking behind them. “Emily just gave me the good news. Congratulations Jerry.”
    Johnny raised an eyebrow. “What’s this—a job promotion or something?”
    Jerry smiled happily. “I asked Emily to marry me and she said yes.”
    “Hey, congratulations.”
    Gloria steered Emily toward the tennis courts. “How do you think your dad will take the news?”
    “With his usual bile I expect. He’s already shown he doesn’t like Jerry; but he likes the pedigree well enough.”
    “He always was a snob. Well, I for one am thrilled for you. Jerry seems like a great guy—not to mention hot.”
    Emily chuckled. “I’ll tell him you think he’s hot…and you’re right. He’s also unpretentious. You’d never know he came from all that money.”
    “Well, he’s not exactly marrying a pauper. As much as I don’t care for your father, I have to admit he’ll leave you very well set up when he finally kicks the bucket.” Emily was silent for a moment and Gloria added, “Sorry. I’m being crass. Don’t pay any attention to me.”
    She quickly changed the subject to remind Emily again of her impending birthday party. “You’ll get to meet Peter. You know, the artist I told you about who was in a coma for years— and his partner, Jeff. Jeff’s a private detective. They are the most divine looking men you will ever see.”
    “Gloria, why are you even looking at other men when you have Johnny?”
    “No harm in looking , Emily. When I stop looking, I’ll be dead.” She laughed then added, “But I have to admit there’s not much point—he’s gay. Jeff is his lover, sweetie—and they are devoted to one another.”
    “Oh, what a waste,” Emily said.
    “Isn’t it though? Except I don’t think either one of them would agree with us on that!”

CHAPTER THREE
    “Jeff?” Monica, Jeff’s receptionist, called over his intercom.
    “Yes, Monica?”
    “There’s an Alfonso Gutierrez here to see you. I don’t have him down for an appointment, but he says he only needs a few minutes of your time.”
    “Okay, send him in.”
    Jeff frowned and looked at his appointment schedule. Nothing for an hour. Most of his clients didn’t care for early morning appointments so he usually used the time to catch up on paperwork and billing. He got up from his desk as the door opened then froze, recognizing the man who appeared in the doorway.
    “ Joey .”
    “Hey, amigo .”
    Jeff’s breath caught in his throat as he gazed across the room at the man he had thought he would never see again. In six years he had hardly changed at all. Still tall and slender, still the honey colored skin glowing with health and vitality, the thick black hair combed back from his brow, emphasizing the sleek planes of his face and the green of his eyes. He closed the door behind him and, with a dancer’s easy grace, walked slowly toward Jeff and into his arms.
    “I’ve missed you, amigo mio ,” he whispered, then took Jeff’s lips in a long and passionate kiss. Several moments ticked by as Jeff gave into the sensation that coursed through his blood. This beautiful body he’d thought he would never hold again was pressed against his, bringing alive every fiber and nerve ending in a tumultuous sensation of desire. His arms tightened around Joey’s slim and supple body and he could feel the man’s erection pressing against his own burgeoning cock.
    Jesus, what am I doing?
    Realization of the full measure of just what had happened hit Jeff like a slap in the face and he pulled away from Joey’s embrace holding him by the shoulders at arms’ length. Joey smiled sweetly and reached