So Many Men... Read Online Free Page B

abuse, HIV and other issues that affect them. Try to counsel them on school and careers and help them get jobs in the interim.”
    “Are most of them teens like that guy?” A breeze swept up behind her, bringing a whiff of her perfume.
    His gaze fell to the fullness of her lips. Her scent teased him and he struggled to focus on their conversation. “We get them in all shapes and sizes. The teens are the ones we worry about the most, though. They’re the most damaged. You can see it in the way they’re closed off, distrustful of everything and everybody. Usually they’re so close to falling off the edge, we’re lucky to get any response from them.”
    “That’s so…sad.”
    Something in her eyes pulled him in, held him spellbound for a moment, until he blinked and detached himself, inhaling a deep breath to clear his head. “Occasionally we get some of the more fortunate ones, latchkey kids being raised by single parents struggling with poverty and stressful lives. That’s all part of the problem.
    “Right now we’re tapping all our resources to help the kids, but then we send them home to their parents, who are still saddled with all their issues. They can undo our efforts in the space of a day. If we can get this center going, we’re hoping to start some new programs for parents and families as well.”
    Again she nodded, her forehead furrowed in thought. “And you think one big fund-raiser will be enough?”
    “To be totally honest, I’d like this one event to help get us up and running. Then we’ll need something similar at least annually to keep the center operating.”
    Her cell phone chimed again and she excused herself to answer it. “Josh, I’m so sorry I missed you… Can we do Sunday?… Great… Okay, I’m with someone, I have to go… See you then.” After putting her phone away, she smiled at Mason. “I’m so sorry. Have you looked into getting grants and foundation money?”
    “We’re working on that, and hopefully our efforts will pay off. It’s not a quick process, though.”
    “I’m sure.” She remained silent a long moment and he waited as she paced around the area in front of the fountain.
    Indulging himself, he drank his fill of the sight of her while she lost herself in thought. She was of medium height and weight, not too busty, not too flat. Hips that flared nicely and a decent ass. An average description for an extraordinary woman. What was it about her thatmade her so…appealing? It was more her presence—no, her essence—that drew him.
    Just when he thought he could stand the silence no more, she stopped in front of him. “So,” he couldn’t keep from asking, “will you help us—help me?”
    Her blue gaze locked with his and time seemed to suspend as something—a soul-deep recognition—settled over him. “Yes, Mason, I will rally the DCWC to help you. If they fail me, then I’ll call on my own resources and do it myself.”
    A mixture of relief and excitement filled him. He pressed her hands in his. “Thank you, Tess. This means so much to me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support.”
    “I’m happy to help.”
    Tess cocked her head. Until this moment she hadn’t been sure she was ready for another lover so soon—had thought she needed a little break—but she couldn’t deny the proof standing before her. She could feel all that he felt, his gratitude, his excitement and, below that, growing stronger with their hands joined, the same heat sweeping through her. Something was different—she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what. Certainly it was much more intense this time.
    Still, this was how it always began.
    This empathic rush was nothing new. She always knew what her guys felt. Not until recently, when Aunt Sophie had told her and her sisters about their gift, had Tess understood that her ability to feel others’ emotions was part and parcel of her family heritage. Where Nikki had been able to tune into anyone around her,