Playing With Fire Read Online Free PDF

guard more than once. Now he was embarrassed that he’d been so obvious about it.
    Taryn Williams was a regal beauty, her splendor wholeheartedly natural. Her composure was serene and majestic as she sat listening to the music. Her complexion was flawless, skin the color of red clay, a dark caramel with rich red undertones. Her eyes were large and round and a deep blue black that shone brightly, penetrating straight into the core of his being when she deigned to look back at him. Dark chestnut brown hair in a shoulder-length cut flattered her curvaceous body, and she looked exceptionally young. He fathomed her healthy countenance belied her true age.
    A form-fitting black lace dress clung to her voluptuous body. She had curves in all the right places, her attire complementing each dip and rise. With her full cheeks and sensuous lips, he was reminded of wet, sweet mangoes, waiting to be tasted. He suddenly imagined her mouth had been made for long, slow kisses and sweet promises blowing in his ear. A wave of heat shot through his southern quadrant, moving him to shift from one leg to the other to stall the sensation.
    He shook the feeling, his eyes blinking rapidly. “I am not interested in that woman,” he said aloud.
    Odetta laughed heartily. “Yes, you are.”
    Romeo rolled his eyes skyward as Malcolm joined Odetta in laughter.
    The conversation was suddenly interrupted by a commotion coming from the other side of the room. Hearing her name being called, Odetta turned toward a thirsty patron, flipping her hand in his direction. “Hold your horses, Henry James. You see I’m busy,” she quipped loudly, racing toward the table. “You ol’ bald-headed fool! Why you got to be causing all this ruckus calling me!”
    The two men were both still laughing as the robust woman rushed across the room. Malcolm tapped his friend against his back. “At least go introduce yourself,” he said. “What can it hurt?”
    Romeo shrugged his broad shoulders as he blew a heavy sigh. “Brother, you know better than anyone else that I don’t need another woman who requires a lot of attention. That woman looks very high maintenance.”
    Malcolm shrugged as he headed back toward the bar. “Just say hello and see what happens. You never know.”
    Romeo eyed his friend. He needed to refocus—too many distractions throwing him off track. He blew another deep sigh, his gaze quickly scanning the room. Catching Piano Man’s eye, he pointed first toward his watch, then the piano, then he lifted his palms toward the ceiling.
    Pointing back at him with his own wrinkled appendage, Piano Man rose from his seat. After kissing each of the three women in turn, he called to the others, then headed back to the stage. On cue, Malcolm switched off the music, Koko Taylor’s “Beer Bottle Boogie” fading into the distance. Taking his place on the bench, Piano Man’s hands raced across the keys. The room was soon coated with a rich, deep tune that rushed forward like a storm wind ready to do battle.
    Romeo continued to make his rounds. Women leaned up against him, eagerly pressing kisses against his cheeks. The men met his outstretched hand in firm handshakes while slapping him across the back. He occasionally sat to catch up on an old acquaintance’s activities or the escapades of a former lover, his calculated responses and exclamations smooth and endearing. He was in his element and he was happy.
    Boosted by his good mood, he turned in the direction of the woman named Taryn, hopeful that her suitor for the moment had moved on. Disappointment suddenly painted his expression. The woman named Taryn was gone.
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    Taryn couldn’t begin to reason why she had gone out to the club at all. Knowing she had to be at the office early in the morning should have been enough to keep her at home. But listening to her friend Roberta had been her downfall. Roberta had