Shifting the Night Away Read Online Free PDF Page B

right.   Starting Curves and Lace would hopefully bring the right one to him.   That was the plan, anyway.
    Peter decided to take a long stroll and partake in some people watching.   He usually cut through the park, but something told him to head uptown and explore a new neighborhood.   He walked past the pre-war buildings lining Central Park West and nodded at the doormen waiting to open taxi doors and hold armfuls of shopping bags.   He cut across to Amsterdam Avenue and grabbed a hot dog from a vendor, walking as he chewed.   Each block had its own soundtrack and scents, reflecting the energy of the residents.   It made him feel like an urban anthropologist as he made up imaginary biographies for every person he passed.   He watched a man on rollerblades grab onto the back of a taxi and coast down the street at high rates of speed without a trace of fear.   Neighbors sat on stoops sharing laughs and the latest gossip.   There was no shortage of entertainment on these streets.   He made a mental note to search the real estate listings for the area and add to his substantial holdings throughout the city.
    As he approached a street corner, his ears perked up and twitched as if they had picked up a secret frequency.   He closed his eyes to direct more energy to his sense of hearing, a trick his mother had taught him, and zoned in on the source that seemed to be only a few blocks away.   It was the laughter of children mixed with a sweet female voice.   He opened his eyes and let his long strides steer him towards the sound.   As he got closer, his nose also perked up and began twitching.   Her scent was even more appealing than her voice, causing his muscles to ache in a way he hadn’t experienced before.   Every fiber in his body was propelling him towards her until he suddenly found himself pressed up against a chain-link fence surrounding an outdoor playground with a basketball court.   There she was.
    A curvy brunette dressed in a yellow dress and matching cardigan was trying her hardest to get the ball through the hoop and failing miserably, much to the amusement of the children on the blacktop.
    "This is the money shot," she said as she attempted a layup, but only managed to send the ball in a pathetic arch.   She retrieved the ball and clumsily dribbled back under the net for another attempt.   The children laughed and heckled her.
    "You’ve spelled H-O-R-S-E about one hundred times now, Miss C.   You’re out!"  
    "You know you’re technically cheating with all these extra throws."
    She looked back at them and smiled.   "You guys know I cheat.   Play with me or don’t, but you can’t complain about it."   She removed her cardigan and pretended to stretch her neck and legs.   "I’m going to show you some mad skills right now.   You’ll be calling me ‘Magic Johnson’ from now on."   With that she threw the ball with all her might, sending it smack into the pole and hurtling back at her like a boomerang.   She managed to get her hands up in time to protect her face, but the force sent her to the ground in a pile of yellow cotton.  
    Peter instinctively raced around the gate opening and gently reached through the cluster of children who’d circled to help their teacher.   Mia was now laughing too hard to stand.   She was surprised to see a large hand separating the crowd and quickly grabbed hold, assuming another teacher had come to the rescue.   She fell silent when she saw who the strong grip belonged to.   When did we hire this hottie?   She didn’t recognize the dark eyes and chiseled chin.
    "What grade do you teach?" she asked.
    "No, I’m not a teacher.   I just saw you go down.   Are you hurt?"
    She shook her head and blushed a little.   "How embarrassing."
    "There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.   You were this close to making that basket," he said as he pinched his fingers together.   "Well … it may have been more like this close."   He opened his arms as