The Hardest Fall (Roadmap to Your Heart Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

times before, usually with men who were eager for my attention. When I tipped my chin, I knew he’d send a drink over to where Sebastian was seated.
    I took a deep breath and pasted on my best blazing smile as I approached Dark Eyes. “Fancy seeing you here again, Sebastian.”
    He swallowed roughly as if he was nervous or maybe regretted showing up at all. “Hi, er, Ms. Love .” I realized he didn’t know how to address me since I was still in drag and I had introduced myself as Tate after the show last time. Although he also seemed to understand where the line was drawn. I liked that about him.
    I found I wanted to make him feel comfortable, not have him bolt before I had a chance to talk to him again. “I threw a new song in the lineup. What did you think?”
    An innocent lip bite, almost as if he was new to the whole hookup scene. And maybe he was, at least with a man dressed in drag.
    “It was fun. But…” His gaze scaled down my legs and my pulse picked up speed. His eyes zeroed in on the heels I was still clutching in my hand, dollar bills stuffed inside.
    “Those shoes are doing a number on your feet,” he said with a nod. “Throwing off your balance.”
    What the hell? My mouth hung open because his statement had thrown off my equilibrium as much as the shoes had. I hadn’t expected that. But I plastered my best queen smile on my lips in a lame attempt to recover.
    “Well, aren’t you full of surprises?” I asked, jutting out my hip. My taped balls did not feel good in that moment. “Been studying me, have you?”
    “No, I…” the flush that arose across his cheeks was endearing as he sputtered his words. “I’m in the shoe business.”
    I kept my face from falling. The dude apparently just knew how to keep me guessing. “My roommate is a stylist and sometimes she brings home last season’s designer duds from shoots. If they’re my size.”
    “Only your size?” He arched his eyebrow. I didn’t think he was being seductive, but it was a playfulness I hadn’t seen from him yet and it was sexy as hell.
    I laughed. “Well no, her closet pretty much rocks because she can fit into those sample sizes. I have smaller feet for a dude apparently, so if she ever sees something I can wear for the show, she snags it for me.”
    “That’s a good roommate.” Sebastian stared down at the offending shoes as a smile quirked his cheek. “Those are Louboutins. I can stretch them for you.”
    “Um…okay,” I replied, trying to figure out how or why he’d offer that kind of service. Maybe the way he dressed was some sort of clue. “Do you work at a department store? Saks or …?”
    When he chuckled the sound was a rich baritone and damn, I liked hearing it. But before I could enjoy it further, it was gone, replaced by his normal quiet contemplation. I had a feeling he didn’t give away too many smiles.
    “I own Rosie’s Repair Shop on 8 th Street between Fifth and Sixth. Been in my family for years. My store manager, Annie, specializes in designer shoes.”
    “You’re kidding,” I said, suddenly feeling light-headed, as if he’d just told me he’d been abducted by aliens. I had never pictured him as a small-shop owner, though the business part certainly fit. More so, I had imagined a Wall Street trader, somebody successful and wealthy. But that didn’t quite fly either, given his lack of confidence in this bar setting and his low-key demeanor.
    Right then, the same customer who had propositioned me earlier approached me from behind, his fingers hooking onto my bicep. As Tate, I might’ve wanted that kind of playful contact—it could’ve led to some dance floor or bathroom fondling. But to Frieda Love, it was offensive.
    “Take your hands off of me,” I said in a tight voice. I turned to him and noticed his glassy eyes, his leering gaze. He was drunk and horny. “If the queen wants your attention, she’ll ask for it. Now move along.”
    The man stumbled back as if remembering himself.