Dream Lover Read Online Free PDF Page B

all of the father she needed. But by the time he and her mother had gotten together, the emotional damage was done. It took him a very long time to get through the wall she had built up and she was an adult by then. She really did feel terrible for treating him so unkind in the beginning, and had told him as much.
    She still kept her guard up with most men. She was cordial and polite to them, but she just did not do relationships. They all started wonderful, and somewhere along the way they changed. Her stepfather was one of the very few men who had her trust wholeheartedly. John was the other. She smiled, thinking of him. She never knew why she had taken so well to John. She'd always felt safe with him, even when they'd first met. There had never been a doubt in her mind that he would ever hurt her in any way. Which is why she never wanted them to take their relationship to another level.
    She shook her head wondering why she was thinking of that again. The thought of losing him, felt like a vice grip around her heart.
    She frowned thinking of how he looked tonight. He'd had a very odd look on his face when she said she was going out. She shrugged, thinking he was probably slightly put off because of the fact that they usually did everything together.
    The simple fact was, despite all of her issues, she longed for the company and affection of a man. Which is why she'd taken this huge leap in accepting Andre's offer to go out with him. He was a nice guy. He was smart and attractive an d kept good conversation. They went to a cafe after the movie and talked for hours. She looked at her watch and was taken aback at the late hour. “Oh Andre, I'm so sorry, but I really have to get home! I've got to finish this painting so it will be ready on Saturday.”
    “I was wondering about the charity ball,” he said looking down at his cup. “Do you have a date for it?”
    She blushed, flattered. “That is very sweet of you Andre. But actually I do have a date. My friend is escorting me.”
    “The guy who picks you up sometimes?”
    She nodded. “Yes, John.”
    “Oh, well it was worth a shot,” he said shrugging.
    She tried to soothe his rejection. “He's actually meeting me there. I have to get there early and meet Lila to help make sure everything is in order.”
    They stood to leave. “Well, would it be too much to ask you to save me a dance?”
    She smiled at him. “No not at all.”
     
    John was pacing back and forth. He was livid. Where the hell was she anyway? It was two in the morning, for Pete’s sake! For some reason this “non date date” had his feather's all in a bunch.
    He didn't know why he was so bothered by it but he was. Even going to the restaurant after hours to cook something up hadn't calmed him down. His temper flared even more when he returned home and he could tell that she was still out. Which was why he was in the predicament he was in now. Wearing a hole in his carpet in front of his window.
    Finally around two-thirty a light came on. She was home. Good, he was about to let her know what was what. He counted to one hundred, hoping it was enough time for the pretty boy to leave. Then not even caring anymore, he took off like a bat out of hell. He got to her apartment and impatiently knocked on the door.
    He heard her light laughter and her say, “Did you forget something Andre?”
    She was clearly surprised when she opened the door to see John. He looked as if steam was coming out of his ears. She knew instantly something was not right.
    “John?” she asked concerned. She grabbed his arm and pulled him in. “What's wrong? Did something happen at one of the restaurants?”
    She had her hands splayed across his chest and for some reason his emotions got even more clogged.
    He said the first thing that came to mind. “Do you know what time it is?”
    She turned her head to the side and looked confused for a minute. “Yes, I know what time it is. Which is why I asked Andre to bring me home. I've