Reye's Gold Read Online Free PDF Page B

home trying to choose. Jeans and t-shirts comprised her usual attire, but the desire to feel soft and sexy tonight had her rummaging through her closet and dresser for something more. After about ten minutes, she decided on a dress, simple in form, white, and great against her skin. It cinched underneath her breasts and flared out, resting mid-thigh. She added a pair of matching flat sandals to her outfit and began scrounging around for earrings. She’d showered and dressed, adding perfume, and now stood looking at her self in her mirror. Pleased with her appearance she grabbed her keys, locked her door, and headed for her truck.
    Most of the fraternity houses were located near the university and she’d driven by them often, never going in. Old money and legacies lived in those houses. The uni versity was where old money sent its best and brightest to be educated. Reye used to hold a minor grudge against the school, as it was the last school in the school’s athletic conference to play African-American football players. She always pulled for the other side, her personal form of protest.
    The fraternity was located on a street that ran parallel to the main drag, and it was not known for its parking availability. She ended up parking at a lot about two blocks over and walking the remaining distance. The fra ternity houses sat next to each other, covering the next two blocks. Most were two stories high, with old-school porches arranged around them. She passed two homes belonging to other fraternities before spotting the Phi Beta Nu sign in the yard. Lots of people were hanging out on the steps, mostly tanned and white with a few brown spots of Asian, Indian, and African-American sprinkled in. A couple of heads turned her way. With her height, she was usually not hard to miss and received more than her share of second glances. Taking the stairs, she approached the front door where a young man appeared to be the ticket agent or keeper of the door. He was tall, tanned, and even in his careless style of dress, gorgeous. Apparently only the good looking needed to apply to this fraternity. A head full of thick, wavy blond hair graced his head and he gave her the once-over. He was slick about it, but she still caught him looking.
    “May I help you?”
    “Sure. I am looking for a guy named Stephen, do you know him?”
    “Sure, I know Stephen. He was in the kitchen the last I saw him. It’s in the back of the house. Lucky for you, he asked me to look out for you. You’re Reye, right?”
    “Yes,” she said.
    “I’m Henri. Stephen and I are old friends, we grew up together in Dallas and went to elementary, middle, and high school together. Follow me, and I’ll take you to him,” he said, turning to lead her through the living room, which was currently serving as the dance floor, to the back of the house. They entered a small kitchen jammed with men and women sitting and standing. Stephen stood with his back leaning against the counter surrounded by males and females who were listening intently to something he said. He was dressed in worn jeans that hugged him in all the right places and a t-shirt, his feet in flip-flops.
    The golden one, her nickname for him was an apt description. He appeared to have it all, golden in wealth, looks, brains, and brawn. He held a beer in his hand and talked to the group. Several heads turned as she and Henri entered. His eyes found hers and he smiled.
    “Reye, glad you could make it,” he said, all smooth and relaxed. The sound of his voice seeped into her skin, traveling straight to her insides, turning them to syrup. It was frightening, this reaction to him. He waved the arm holding the beer to encompass all who were in the kitchen, and said, “Everybody, this is Reye. Reye, every body.” Reye took note of the look of surprise found on some of the women’s faces, certainly understanding their reactions. She was surprised, too.
    Stephen then proceeded to tell the story of their meeting,