Jaded Hearts Read Online Free PDF Page B

around us.
    "Do you want to put those moves to good
use?" Julian whispered in my ear. It seemed like everything he said
had a double meaning. I was still contemplating an answer as he
grabbed my hand, leading me as we danced to the fast paced salsa
tune. He seemed surprised that I could keep up with him as he spun
and twisted me around.
    "Not bad, Jade. I may need to take a look at
your birth certificate. My mother said your family was Jamaican,
not Dominican!" he mused.
    I narrowed my eyes at him.
    "What can I say? I'm versatile," I
countered.
    He eyed me expectantly. "I sure hope
so..."
    Before I could respond to him Jackie handed
us each a glass of champagne. I gulped mine eagerly to soothe my
dry throat and growing anxiety. Maybe a little too eagerly, but I
refilled my glass anyway. Julian sipped his drink casually, and
studied the dance floor while still swaying to the music, for once
not staring at me.
    I watched as two more olive skinned men
dressed in black suits approached him. One of the men said
something to him in Spanish and he frowned and barked orders at
them. He put his glass down and turned to Jackie and me.
    "Ladies, please excuse me, I have some
business to attend to." Then he leaned towards me and
whispered.
    "As for you Miss, don't you dare think about
running away." He gave me a smile that never reached his eyes and
stalked off.
    How did he know?
    I looked at Jackie, who also seemed to sense
my thoughts. She gave me a rueful smile.
    "Awe, c'mon Jade. Try to relax and enjoy
yourself. Stop trying to control everything," she reprimanded.
    I had no words. I guess my fear of this man
was permeating my pores.
    Why was I so afraid?
    I sipped another glass of champagne and
watched as he walked away. As he passed the large bar I spotted
Nina, Ms. Tall and Blonde. Maybe I wouldn't have to worry after
all. Julian just glared at her but kept walking right past her.
    Oh damn!
    She sat back down on her bar stool looking
forlorn. She glanced in my direction and caught me watching her,
and quickly turned away from me.
    "I told you she wasn't his girl!" Jackie
said full of amusement.  
    She tried to coax me to the dance floor, but
I wasn't ready for that yet, but she went ahead and found an eager
partner waiting for her. I watched the as they moved smoothly to a
merengue tune. Before I had a chance to consider my departure I
spotted another couple stepping and spinning to the music. It was
Julian and a voluptuous raven-haired partner. She had a stunning
body, with a small waist and large shapely behind. I felt a twinge
of jealousy as I watched them move gracefully with each other.
    She was all smiles and exaggerated sensual
moves, but he was less enthusiastic. He didn't look at her the way
he looked at me. The way he was looking at me now that he caught me
watching him. He winked at me as he continued to move her around
and nodded to another guy on the dance floor and spun her right
into his arms. She wasn't pleased with the switch but did not
protest either. Julian motioned me to the dance floor and mouthed come .
    I hesitated, but being full of champagne and
less conviction, I went to him. We met at the edge of the dance
floor and pulled me close to him. No, he did not dance with her
like this. He gave me a strange look as he maneuvered me to the
center of the dance floor.
    "You smell, exotic." His words close to my
ears.
    "Thank you," I responded. "I suppose that's
a step up from 'can I fuck you'."
    I couldn't help my sarcasm. He grinned, and
then let out a loud bark of laughter before tilting his head in
mock contemplation.
    "I suppose you're right, but you're not
faulting me for my honesty, are you? I thought that's what women
were crying for nowadays. I guess you can't win for losing, even
though I don't tend to fall on the side of losing," He joked.
    He dipped me at that point. I eyed him
warily.
    "So, it's not impossible then?" I
quipped.
    He looked confused.
    "What's not impossible?" He twirled me
slowly.
    "That