Deceptive Nights Read Online Free

she had some
crackers in her desk drawer. She didn’t realize she shouldn’t have
refused Madeline’s offer for food until after she was well on her
way back to Detroit. They had eaten breakfast with some clients,
but after that they had been in meetings the rest of the day.
    She stuffed the crackers in her mouth until
she almost choked, then forced herself to swallow. Stuffing what
she had left in her purse, left out the office and tracked back
down Jefferson heading to Cadillac Square, still tired, hungry, and
cold. Phoebe had called her mother from the bus station to let her
know she was back in town and was going back to the office to see
what kind of day everyone had without her. Since there was nothing
on her desk, she figured Simon would have the list of stuff for her
to do tomorrow.
    Right now, she felt she didn’t want to think
about work until she had a good night’s sleep. While talking to her
mother, Patricia told her the mail had delivered a bill from the
tax office again and she had been denied the loan on the apartment
due to her credit.
    Phoebe, of course told her mother not to
worry about it. Things would work out eventually.
    Phoebe hoped.
     

Chapter 5
     
    Was it fate? Hell, it couldn’t be said more
plainly.
    Jacoby had left Desmond at Lawrence’s city
apartment, The Jeffersonian, which had a lovely view of Downtown,
the river, and Canada. Jacoby was too tired to go to any club and
drink. He just wanted to get to the hotel to sleep his misery and
horniness away.
    There she was, standing on the corner this
time across from where the limousine had stopped at a light, yet
nevertheless the same young respectable woman. He decided the best
method would-be to get out and approach her. He told the driver to
follow her.
    She was coming across the street and he stood
on the corner to wait for her. “Excuse me, miss,” he said.
    Phoebe looked up at him, hesitating before
stopping. “Yes?”
    He made a note she actually put an “s” at the
end of her word, so she was somewhat educated or at least very
articulate. “Are you headed home?”
    “ Of course, are you lost?”
She looked up at him with brows up, very warily.
    “ Somewhat for words. I stay
at the Ponchartrain.”
    She gave him a “what-do-you-want” glare
clutching her bag tightly too her.
    “ I want to know if you’d
be...” his voice trailed off. “Look in no way do I think you-” He
sighed frustrated and never before felt so confused and flustered
before in his life.
    He seemed to be a very confused and flustered
man. What he wanted was still a mystery to her and she decided to
help him out. “So you’re not lost?”
    “ No. I’ve never done this
before.”
    “ Talked to a stranger?” she
guessed teasingly.
    “ Can I give you a lift, I
saw you last night and it’s so cold. I felt since I saw you again,
I should ask.”
    “ Why do you think its
fate?” she teased. “You must be from out of town.” She smiled the
most breathtaking smile, leaving him mesmerized.
    Yes, he wanted her, he determined at that
moment. “So you’d like a ride?”
    “ I was born at night, not
last night mind you. So I don’t want a ride.” She started to walk
away, but Jacoby smoothly moved in her way.
    ****
    Quickly, he said, “Miss please a moment. I
don’t want to offend you-”
    Phoebe cut him off. “You haven’t yet. Do you
always speak this way?”
    “ What way?”
    “ Beat around the bush. What
do you mean offend me?” she asked suspiciously. He was quite an
attractive man and his embarrassment only made him
cuter.
    She watched as he took a roll of bills out
his jacket. Hundreds! It looked like thousands of them. “I want you
to be with me.”
    With a look of insanity, yet hope, passed
through her eyes as if he were the answer to her prayers. Phoebe
stayed dead silent and frozen until she heard footsteps approaching
behind her.
    Moving toward him, she covered the hand with
the money using her own and held it against her chest.