Gotta Get Next To You Read Online Free PDF Page A

healed from the bruising Ellis had
inflicted. He, too, had a smile that could melt icebergs, the liar.
Andrea had gone back to using her maiden name before the ink was
dry on the divorce decree. One whole week had been devoted to
changing her credit cards and driver’s license. It was a move to
obliterate Ellis Reeves from her life. Andrea vowed to be in total
control the next time, if there was a next time. Jamal Turner was
not going to change her mind. Neither would her crafty
grandmother.
    As though reading her mind, he turned to look
at her again. Some kind of force snatched away her thought of
resistance. His gaze traveled down her face to her neck and beyond.
Andrea’s breathing now matched her in-creased heart rate. There was
no denying the raw sexual energy this man could put into a simple
glance. Andrea squirmed in her seat as a pleasant aching need
stabbed her pelvis. When he looked up into her eyes again, she felt
pure desire. She glanced at his hands. A vivid picture of him
reaching up to unbutton her blouse popped into her head. Her head
was swimming at the thought of his fingers on her bare skin. Andrea
looked from his hands back to his face and swallowed hard. She put
a shaky hand to her forehead and rubbed hard to break this
disquieting spell he had woven.
    She was obscenely happy to be introduced by
the time she was called. When asked to give a statement, she did
not mind at all. Anything to distract her from the way her body
kept responding to Jamal. She was brief. Andrea made broad mention
of problems, but did not spend much time on them.
    “I look forward to working with everyone to
make the clinic one we can be proud of.” Andrea said.
    “Thank you. I’m sure you’re going to do a
fine job.”
    Fred Hilliard, the president of the board,
looked at the other officials. “Y’all got any questions?” When no
one spoke, he moved on to other business.
    “You did great,” Jamal said when she slipped
back into her seat.
    Andrea let out a long breath. “Thanks. I need
all the support I can get.”
    “That’s what I’m here for.” He grinned at
her.
    “What are you talking about?” she asked, but
he put a finger to his tips.
    “Listen.” He nodded toward the aldermen.
    “And, Ms. Noble, we know inventory and the
books at the clinic are in a bad way. Mr. Jamal Turner there is
going to help you get it all on the new computer.” Mr. Hilliard
smiled. “He’s just what you need.”
    “Ain’t that the truth!” Gran burst out. She
clapped her hands with glee.
    Andrea stared at Jamal in shock. “But what,
how—”
    “They interviewed me two weeks ago. The
clinic needs my services; I needed a job, and bam! You got me.
    “In my office?” Andrea whispered to
herself.
    He dipped his head in a mock bow. “Jamal
Turner, at your service.”
    Andrea sat stunned. She gazed at Gran and
then back at the dimple that kept yanking at her pulse. This was
incredible. All her plans to keep out of his line of fire shot
down! He’d be within reach. Trouble already. Just the thought of
being close to him brought on the urge to feel those muscular arms.
Was her armor strong enough?
    He tilted his head to one side, an impish
glint in his dark eyes. “I look forward to working with you, Nurse
Noble.”
     
     

Chapter 3
     
     
    No place like home,” Andrea murmured.
    She stood on the far edge of her
grandmother’s land and gazed into the distance. Tall grass moved in
the muggy breeze of late spring. From a mile away, Andrea could
smell the wet earth that surrounded the bayou. Snowy egrets floated
in the blue sky gracefully, white wings stretched wide like glider
planes. In imitation, Andrea spread her arms and turned in a
circle.
    She stopped spinning and faced the spacious
house where she’d spent so many happy days. The cypress walls were
a weathered grayish brown color that blended with the scenery. A
porch wrapped around half the house. On it were cane-backed wooden
rocking chairs. These had been made