Intensity Read Online Free

Is that clear?”
    Oh my God.
    I couldn’t speak, even if I’d wanted to. My chin dropped down and when I scraped it back up off the floor, it snapped shut so fast, my tongue vibrated along every nerve.
    A knock at the door interrupted the silence.
    When he opened it, Mylaynee’s gaze darted to me and back to him. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt?”
    The doorway shrunk to miniature as his enormous physique and sensual energy consumed the opening, bridging the distance. “Giving her the lay of the land: lounge, apartment, shopping.”
    “I can help with that.”
    Full attention back on me, he said, “When you get back, come to the lounge and meet up with B.B. She’ll train you tonight.”
    “You ready to go?” Mylaynee urged, excitement bouncing from her to me.
    “Sure.” At the door, Linc’s stretched, fixed position had my chest brushing his. One of the crochet loops hooked onto his shirt button, snapping me back a step. My surprised breath caught a whiff of his intoxicating cologne, the taste stinging my tongue and reminding me of our passionate kiss. I pressed two fingers on my lips, trying to get the tingles to stop and numbness to go away.
    A warm palm cupped my cheek. Linc ducked down to my height, holding me in his gaze. The earlier storm dissolved before my eyes, replaced by a youthful luminance. A dimple appeared above the crease of his lip, like a glimmering star positioned northeast, guiding weary wanderers in a new direction.
    He used the pad of his thumb to outline my lips, tracing the ridge, into the dip, then back down, trailing across the bottom and stopping where my fingers had been.
    My face heated, and went from blushing to red hot as I ducked and scurried into the hallway, ending up next to a beaming Mylaynee.
    “Show her your place then take her to Forté.” He shot another glance my way, but didn’t say anything. Instead his prodding chin signaled, get going .
    Mylaynee guided me into an adjoining vacant room just like any other New York City high-end lounge. Around the perimeter, plush cushioned high back chairs situated at round mirror-top tables and a vintage bar with pearlescent inlays framing a mahogany base completed the furnishings. Behind it, three shelves lined the wall from one end to the other and were stocked full of a wide assortment of liquors, some in glass vaults with key locks. Wow, I’d never seen that before. At least thirty on the top shelf, it had to be very expensive to keep that secure.
    “You ready? We’re going that way.” She pointed toward an exit on the left, and I followed her like an imprinting duckling, tracking each step. I crossed my fingers, hoping she’d take me under her wing and help me find my way through unfamiliar territory.
    She turned around, linked her arm through mine, and offered an encouraging smile, making me believe she would.

Mylaynee showed me around her place, an open space concept quadruple the size of my soon to be former apartment. The living areas had tons of natural light pouring in through wall-to-wall sliding glass doors. Out on the balcony, the stunning scenery included a beautiful bay with motorboats and fishing trawlers. I crossed my fingers once again, wishing for the same view.
    Back inside, she motioned me to a stool and entered a kitchen decked out with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and cherry wood cabinets. She pulled a jug of tea from the fridge and shook it. “You want some?”
    “Sure.” I scanned the living and dining areas. The terra cotta walls and walnut wainscoting made the room warm and homey. Masks with various expressions in a rainbow of colors accented one spot. Two sofas in the living room and the dinette chairs had woven, geometric patterned upholstery. Tables constructed of holey driftwood with dark and light striations gave it a naturalistic vibe. A style Mother Earth would be proud of and might reveal a little about her ethnicity. Her darker complexion, high-angled cheeks, and