All About Charming Alice Read Online Free PDF Page B

Grimes she saw him when he stopped at the gas station the other day, and he’s gorgeous.” Rose glanced at her own reflection in the broad mirror over the counter of her shop, “Second Hand Rose”, and smiled.
    Alice felt a sudden stab of jealousy, then pulled herself up short. She was being stupid. Rose was just the kind of woman who would interest a man like Jace Constant. Her blonde curls framed a delicate oval face. Her lips were just naturally rosy and full. She was tiny and curvaceous and a lot of fun. She was also an inveterate flirt.
    “Didn’t notice,” said Alice sourly, crossing her fingers behind her back as she told the lie. The harder she tried to forget Jace Constant, the more she couldn’t stop herself from picturing him. Those eyes that seemed to penetrate deep inside her. The smiling mouth that suggested lazy kisses. The sensuous, teasing lips. And she could imagine the smooth muscles under his shirt, the tightness of his thighs encased in the narrow jeans.
    Rose looked at her curiously. “I’ll bet you didn’t, either. You’re a hopeless case.”
    “He’s a lodger, Rose. Not a lover. Get that? Never bite the hand that feeds you.”
    “That doesn’t sound right, coming from you. How many times have you been bitten by those stray dogs of yours, but that’s never stopped you taking in new ones and loving them all.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Come on, Alice. Life is for fun.”
    “I have fun. I just have my own way of doing it,” Alice answered primly.
    “Yeah, right.” Rose made a face. “Talking to dogs, and defending the rights of snakes, and spending every available moment wandering around in the desert alone. Great.”
    “I love doing those things. Besides, they sound a sight better to me than chewing up and spitting out all the available males west of the Atlantic Ocean.”
    Rose giggled and her nose wrinkled in the most adorable way. “I have fun too. That just happens to be my way of doing it. To tell the unashamed truth, I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that the males I chew up and spit out enjoy themselves just as much as I do.”
    “I wouldn’t be so certain of that.”
    “Don’t change the subject, Alice. We’re talking about your lodger. Go on. Describe what he looks like.”
    Alice sighed with exasperation. “What do you want to hear? I can’t describe people!”
    “Tall?”
    “You aren’t going to give up, are you?” It was strange. For some reason Alice didn’t feel like gossiping about Jace. It seemed undignified, somehow, but there was no way Rose was going to let her off the hook. “Okay, okay. Tall.”
    “Hair color? Eyes?”
    “Green eyes. Reddish brown curly hair. Broad shoulders and muscles that ripple. Tight jeans. The sexiest mouth I’ve seen in ages. Long fingers. Really good hands.”
    “I see,” said Rose, slowly, staring at her friend with too evident interest.
    Alice found herself trying to avoid Rose’s searching glance. “Fine. Now can we drop the subject?” She stood up abruptly and walked over to a clothes rack. “This looks like a new delivery. Come to mention it, I need a winter coat. Mine’s falling to pieces.”
    Smiling knowingly, Rose refused the bait. “My dear friend Alice, for someone who didn’t really notice what he looks like, that’s a pretty detailed description. Go on. What else?”
    “Nothing else. That’s it. Are you satisfied?”
    “Satisfied? Are you joking?” Rose was staring at her with pure, unadulterated astonishment. “How do you feel about him?”
    “Me?”
    “Yes. You. You sound interested.”
    “Well, you’re wrong. All wrong,” Alice answered hotly. “Actually, he’s more your type. Handsome, too sure of himself, sophisticated.”
    “You’re whetting my appetite.”
    “I’ll bet I am.” It was almost a relief to be on safe territory again. Almost … “Rose, I thought you were in love with Lance Potter this week.”
    “Lance Potter was last week.” Rose grimaced.