Sweet in Love Read Online Free Page B

statutory orgasm. And the chances of Amandine finding out about a single night were slim.
    The more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
    “What’s that look?” he asked, semi-wary.
    She met his gaze and held it. “It’s my ‘I like what you said’ look.”
    Pete’s mouth opened and then closed again. The restaurant was somewhat noisy, but Brooke was pretty sure no sound had come out.
    Their waiter brought out their entrées and left after making sure everything was all right.
    “Like you said,” Brooke continued, “we’re adults, right? Things are different now, and you and I both know what we want. So why play games?” She smiled and put a bite of her sea bream slowly…very slowly…into her mouth.

Chapter Four
     
    LATER, IF ANYBODY HAD ASKED Pete how he’d liked La Mer he wouldn’t have been able to say. He, who was always precise, who never forgot a number, couldn’t even recall how much he’d paid for the dinner. He’d handed his credit card to the waiter, and that was that.
    Brooke was stunning in that colorful dress. It molded to her body, bringing out her dark eyes and showing off her well-shaped legs. She sat on the passenger seat like a queen on a throne. Her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks glowed with the wine they’d shared.
    She’d enjoyed her dinner; every time a bite disappeared into her gorgeous mouth it made him think of kissing her lips and a few other dirty things. His blood roared in his head as his mind conjured up images of—
    Whoa
.
Get ahold of yourself
.
    Yeah, like telling himself that would help. He’d wanted her since forever. In high school, she’d been out of his league. How many college girls looked at a high school boy twice?
    He was different now. He’d made sure she wouldn’t look at him and see her best friend’s little brother, but a man, successful, self-possessed and confident.
    He parked his car on a street a block away from her building and helped her out. She glanced up at him. “Wanna come up for tea or coffee?”
    “Coffee would be great.”
    She smiled, a little dimple appearing in her cheek, and started to put a hand into the crook of the arm he offered.
    “You little bitch! You think you can hide?”
    Startled, Pete looked up to see a guy the size of an SUV walking toward them. His short military haircut emphasized a small forehead. An over-sized nose that looked like a parrot’s beak drooped over a blunt chin. Sweat stained a dingy white wife-beater. The pockets of his threadbare jeans were ripped.
    Brooke tensed. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you find out where I live?”
    “I followed you after the workshop.” He moved aggressively toward her, clearly intending to invade her personal space.
    Pete stepped in between them and faced the man squarely.
    “Out of the way, asshole,” the other guy said. This close, he reeked of old sweat, coffee and alcohol. “This doesn’t involve you.”
    “It’s about to. I’m her date.”
    The other guy’s eyes flickered. “You are?”
    “Yep.” Pete towered over him. “Is there a problem here?”
    The other man stood indecisively for a moment, then said, “You can’t say shit about a man’s words and think it’s okay.”
    Brooke put her hands on her hips. “Then don’t submit your writing for critique. You want me to lie to you that I love it?”
    “Of course not!” He ran his hands over his scalp. “But you could’ve been nicer or somethin’, know what I’m sayin’?” He took half a step toward Brooke.
    Pete blocked him. “Look, pal, that’s enough. This is stalking and harassment.”
    “You a lawyer?”
    Pete merely stared him down, which was no easy feat since the other man was fairly tall.
    “Fuck. I hate bitches. And lawyers.” He then pointed at Brooke. “Just cuz I’m a bouncer, don’t mean I can’t write sensitive soul-baring shit. If the world is deprived of another Shakespeare, it’s on you!” He stalked off.
    Pete cut a glance at Brooke.