Love, Lies and Scandal Read Online Free PDF

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    "I'm just some old workhorse to you," JoAnn grumbled as she got out of bed.

    "And I'm just some inconsiderate jerk who's been paying all of the bills, putting food on the table and working hard to keep the business in the black instead of the red. Last time I checked, a hardworking black man was still in style," Jesse quipped.

    "Whatever, Jesse. You can toot your horn for as long as your ears can stand to hear you speaking." JoAnn finally entered the bathroom. "You're just an inconsiderate overachiever who doesn't know how to take time and enjoy life."

    "What did you just say to me?" JoAnn could tell by the tone of his voice that Jesse was more than ready to have an argument with her this morning.

    "I said that you don't know how to enjoy life. You don't know how to be spontaneous and just go with the flow," JoAnn said, not backing away from the swelling conflict.

    "Honey, I'm more exciting than you'll ever be. You're the one who can't keep up with me in the sack."

    "News flash, Jesse. No girl wants to have marathon sex every time she gets intimate. You don't even know how to relax when you're having sex. Everything is about competition with you. I swear, sometimes when we're together, I feel like you're running one of your damn races. You just keep going until I dry out."

    "Hey, if my lovin' is too much for you to handle, just let me know." Jesse now stood in the doorway of the bathroom. JoAnn looked him in the eyes and she could tell his temper was rising. At that moment, she decided to back down and let him win this round.

    "You're missing the point, Jesse. Never mind, I'll be ready to go in a few moments," JoAnn said as she placed a line of toothpaste on her toothbrush.

    "Good. Leave our argument in this room. Do not bring it to the convention center." JoAnn didn't say another word. She slightly pushed him out of her way as she exited the bathroom. She picked up the telephone on the nightstand and dialed room service.

    "Did you hear me?" Jesse asked.

    "I heard you," JoAnn answered him just as room service picked up the line. Jesse began walking toward the door as JoAnn placed her order for two apple martinis to help her get through the day.

    JoAnn both admired and loathed Jesse's natural charm, magnetism and charisma when it came to working the public. He had a gift. He could talk to anyone at any time and make them feel immediately comfortable. No matter what walk of life they hailed from, whether it was wealthy, middle class or the underserved, Jesse knew how to relate to people. JoAnn didn't have that natural aura. Whenever people--especially women--met her, they seemed to judge her and size her up. Before she could even speak, she could sniff out their attitude toward her. She wasn't a fitness fanatic or a hyped-up marathoner like Jesse and the people who surrounded him. She was just a middle-aged black woman with an ample ass, thick thighs and a belly that would balloon up from time to time when she ate something that didn't agree with her. By no means did she consider herself to be a sloppy-looking woman, but she certainly wasn't trying to look as if she were in her twenties.

    "The running shorts are thirty-five dollars and the matching top is twenty-five, but if you buy them together, I'll let you have them for an even fifty dollars." JoAnn listened and watched as Jesse worked his charm on two women who were noticeably flirting with him. He was all business though. If a woman wanted to have Jesse, she'd have to pretty much toss him on the ground and rape him before he'd pick up on the fact that she wanted to screw his brains out.

    "I am so sick of these Barbie bitches," JoAnn muttered as she approached Jesse from behind.

    "Okay, handsome, I'll buy them from you," said one of the women, allowing her eyes to dance all over Jesse. It was obvious she was having herself a quick little fantasy about the two of them as he bagged her purchases and gave her a receipt.

    "Now you have a safe run