Say Ye Read Online Free PDF Page B

for her. He felt raw and bruised, as if he had been beaten. He felt, that was why. Lita made him feel, things he didn’t want to feel, things he couldn’t feel. He needed numbness.
    ***
    Lita stood across the room at Lee’s loft. More beautiful than when he’d spent the night with her four weeks before. The other guests’ chatter buzzed about Lorenzo like flies around a dumpster. He shut his eyes and swallowed, but the pit in his stomach stayed. Opening his eyes, he focused on Lita. He licked his lips. His stomach rumbled, hungry.
    She wore black stilettos, hose, a black pencil skirt, and a baby pink sweater which clung to her chest, making him want to go over to her. But she glanced at him, her brow puckered, and he knew he wouldn’t. Then she walked away and he tracked her backside, curved and tight against the sheen of her skirt. He came up behind her. She swiveled and smiled at him, a wholesome smile, but a hint of attraction sparkled in her eyes.
    “Hey. I guess Jane was right about one thing,” he said, briefly caressing her sweater-clad arm. She didn’t smile now.
    “Oh?” She lowered her eyes then gazed at him. Her lips parted as she stepped closer.
    Maybe she was innocent but she knew how to get his undivided attention. “You have expensive taste. That’s a nice cashmere.”
    “Thanks, Lee gave it to me last Christmas.” She placed her hand on his chest and almost floated it over him. He salivated, as if anticipating a delicious meal. “Yours too. I guess we both like fine things.” She shivered when his eyes locked on hers. She wanted him.
    “Lita, Lorenzo, are you having a good time?” Lee asked and the moment was lost. Lita smiled while Lorenzo assumed a detached air.
    “Yes, thanks, and you?” Lita said.
    “Good. Do you remember Tina, from my office?”
    Lita said hello, Lee introduced her to Lorenzo. He ignored Lita now, feeling guilty for his thoughts. He reminded himself that he hadn’t just warned off Rich last week so he could move in on Lita himself. She stood next to him and he tried to show her his flirtatious looks and words meant nothing. He used them on plenty of women. She walked away.
    After an excruciating half-hour, Amy, Lee’s girlfriend, called them together to sing “Happy Birthday” and served the cake. Lorenzo took a small piece, but he wouldn’t eat it. He’d hoped Lita would make one of her buttery, moist cakes, but this was from a bakery. He wended his way to the trash can. Lita giggled, her sweet small laugh frothy as the foam on a cappuccino. She approached him. They both dumped their cake and walked away together, laughing.
    “You didn’t make that, I know.”
    “No, Amy wanted to use the new bakery everyone’s talking about.”
    “Doesn’t compare to your cake.”
    “Thanks,” Lita said as he gazed at her. If he could be alone with her, his world would right itself. She noticed his cup. “Coffee?” He nodded as she leaned closer to him. “Still drinking it black? I thought you really liked it creamy and sweet.”
    He returned her sly smile. “My favorite is cappuccino--frothy, with hidden, sweet depth. But I’ve sworn them off.”
    “Why?”
    “I might ruin it if I indulged too much.”
    “If you were careful, I mean about what else you did, you could have one every day.”
    “Maybe I should reconsider.” He had control. He could take her home and just hold her. One kiss. It would be enough. No one could get hurt from sharing one kiss.
    “My two favorite people again,” Lee said. He put his arm around Lita’s shoulder.
    “Don’t let Amy hear you say that.” Lorenzo shifted his feet. Did Lee suspect something?
    “I speak the truth.”
    “This is why I don’t introduce you to anyone,” Lorenzo said.
    “And here I thought it was because you didn’t want the competition.” Lee squeezed Lorenzo’s shoulder and winked. Lorenzo’s secret was safe. How many more would he need to keep?
    “This calls for a photo,” Lee’s cousin Emma