Long Slow Second Look Read Online Free Page B

said.
    "Fuck!"
    "Actually, I’m hoping that’s what he has in mind," I said, trying to get a rise out of John.
    "Why?" He stared at me. "I know a few guys I could introduce you to. You don’t have to settle for his shit."
    "I don’t consider him settling, John."
    His nostrils flared. "It is if he makes you chase him."
    "Isn’t that what you’re going to do?"
    Before he could respond, Deandre paused in front of us and smiled at me. "I believe this is my dance, Amber," he said and extended his hand.
    My heartbeat quickened. There was an unmistakable glimmer of romantic interest in his gaze. Finally. I smiled and placed my hand in his. "I believe you’re right."
    I heard John inhale sharply and turned to look at him. He’d lowered his lids but clenched his teeth so his jaw looked like a rigid line. The sexy darling was definitely in the grip of the green-eyed monster.
    I was torn between slow dancing with Deandre and staying with John. But only briefly. I’d worked too hard for this moment with Deandre not to take full advantage of it. "Be right back," I said as Deandre drew me into his arms.
    "Not right back," Deandre corrected.
    I liked the sound of that.
    "Don’t rush on my account."
    Noting the cool tone in John’s voice, I glanced over my shoulder as Deandre swept me onto the dance floor and away from John. Oh no. I stifled a sigh as I saw John turn and quickly walk out the French doors and across the patio.
    Damn. Mom had been right. I couldn’t buy Deandre’s interest until he’s seen me in a lip lock with John who had now flown the damned coop. Call me greedy but now that I had Deandre’s attention, I wanted John’s. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it instead or in addition to Deandre's. I just knew I wanted John's interest.
    "Please don’t tell me he’s your boyfriend, Amber," Deandre said, drawing me into a closer embrace.
    Oh hell yeah. He was a big, attractive male with miles of smooth dark skin, a sexy baritone and bedroom eyes. Finally, I was on the receiving end of his charm. "As a matter of fact, we were discussing that possibility tonight," I said.
    "I understood you weren’t dating anyone seriously."
    I resisted the urge to ask where he came by that understanding. He'd clearly been talking to Grace. "He’s nice to be around."
    "Please tell me you’re not seriously considering dating him."
    "Why shouldn’t I? He’s single, straight, and handsome." Like you.
    He frowned and I just knew I was not going to like what he said next. "Because he clearly doesn’t think much of you."
    "I beg your pardon?"
    "I know it’s none of my business, but he stuck his tongue down your throat and fondled your ass in public. Those aren’t the actions of a man who respects a woman."
    My cheeks burned and I struggled to conceal my embarrassment. He made my out of control behavior with John sound like what it was—shameless. I took a measure of comfort from the fact that jealousy probably prompted Deandre's words.
    Still I found myself at a loss for words.
    He drew his upper body away from mine and frowned down at me. "Don’t sell yourself short, Amber."
    "I never do."
    "I think this time you have because you must know you deserve better than to spend your time with a man who thinks fondling you in public is the way to treat a lady."
    If John hadn’t treated me like a lady, it was probably because I hadn’t conducted myself like one. "Well you’ll be happy to know he’s left."
    "I’d be happier still if you gave up the idea of dating a man like that."
    Great. He and John had one thing in common—they both thought the other wasn’t the right man for me. "Why would I do that, doctor?"
    "So you’ll be free to turn your attention to a man more worthy of you."
    "Oh? Do you have someone in mind?"
    He shrugged and smiled down at me. "I might and now that he’s gone, I’ll be happy to entertain you without groping you in public, Amber."
    His holier than thou attitude towards John grated on my nerves. Especially