Queen of His Heart Read Online Free

on the rebound, Nitara had impulsively proposed to her then boyfriend of two weeks, Martin. Now, Keenan was a free agent and she was the married one.
    Never let it be said that God didn’t have a wicked sense of humor.
    Keenan absently licked his lips and heat rushed up the column of her neck. Belatedly, her gaze dropped to the sparkling five-carat diamond on her finger and she was suddenly pulled back down to reality. Good Lord, I need to get my hot tail home before I do something I’ll regret . “I’m out of here.” Nitara reluctantly climbed out of her chair. “If I’m lucky I can battle my way through traffic and make it home in about two hours to start dinner.”
    Keenan laughed, causing his mountainous shoulders to quake. “Start dinner? Still passing off the local pizza parlor as DiGiorno’s?”
    â€œHa-ha. Very funny.” Nitara cocked her head and massaged the side of her neck. “I’m cooking. I can cook, you know.”
    â€œSince when?” Keenan countered, his dark eyes dancing with mischief.
    â€œI’ve been loading up on episodes of Top Chef and Hell’s Kitchen. I’ve been inspired. Tonight I’m taking on my mom’s lasagna. I think I can give her a run for her money.”
    â€œOnly if she gave you the recipe.” Keenan chuckled. “If not, you’re just going to embarrass yourself. Tenetria tried for years to get the recipe. Your momma wasn’t having it.”
    â€œGee. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
    â€œA woman should know her limitations,” he said. “And yours is anything having to do with a pot or a pan.”
    Nitara rolled her eyes. “That’s what you think.”
    â€œPoor Martin.” Keenan shook his head, waltzed over to his desk and pulled a bottle out of the top drawer and tossed it to her.
    Nitara’s reflexes kicked in just in time and she caught the bottle. “Pepto-Bismol? Very funny.”
    â€œI’m just looking out for a brotha,” he said, flashing her his winsome smile.
    â€œYou’re supposed to be my friend,” she reminded him with a pout.
    â€œThen as your friend I advise you to hire a cook.Mama Maria’s lasagna ain’t nothing to be messed with. Hell, to this day I still have dreams about her cooking. Tell your old man he better watch his back. I might scoop in and steal his woman.”
    Irritated, Nitara’s spine stiffened. “C’mon, how hard can it be? I’ve been eating her lasagna for thirty years.”
    Keenan crossed his arms and stared at her.
    â€œThanks for the support.” She rolled her eyes.
    Keenan’s hands shot up in surrender. “My bad, my bad. If you think that you’re up for the challenge then I’m standing behind you one hundred percent. Knock him dead, girl.”
    Nitara beamed. “Great. Then I’ll bring you back a plate.”
    â€œActually, I’m, uh…sort of watching my weight.”
    Her glare returned. “Go to hell,” she said, rolling her eyes.
    â€œAww.” He walked over and gave her a much-needed hug. “I didn’t mean to hurt your itty-bitty feelings.” He planted a kiss in the center of her forehead. “There. That should make it aaall better.”
    â€œGet off me.” She squirmed out of his muscled cocoon. “With friends like you, I don’t need enemies.”
    Keenan’s laughter deepened and Nitara’s annoyance melted away. It was hard staying mad when he launched his charm offensive. She sighed as she headed toward the door. “I don’t care what you think. I’m going to make this damn lasagna and my husband is going to eat it and he’s going to love it or he can just fix himself a bowl of Captain Crunch.”
    Keenan cleared his throat.
    â€œAnd not another damn word from you!”
    â€œWhat? I didn’t say anything,” he said, unable to keep the amusement out of his