Chocolate Dove by Cas Sigers Read Free Book Online Page A

paused.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHe’s gone out with Lucia before and so he assumed it was okay.”
    For the first five seconds Basra bought the reply, but then she became more enraged. So much so that she punched Lance on the arm. “No! He tried to rape me! I was saying ‘no, please stop, don’t do this,’ and he just kept going.”
    â€œDid he try to pay you?”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter.”
    â€œSure it does.”
    â€œNo, it doesn’t. I told him no.”
    â€œHe probably thought it was part of the chase. Some men like that. Unfortunately, you are judged by the company you keep. Your girl Lucia is a wild woman.”
    As she processed the conversation, Basra rose, walked over to his enormous terrace and gazed out into the night sky. “Why did you ask me out?”
    â€œWanted a no-pressure date. I’m at the settling down age, and I can’t go on a date without a woman asking me if I plan on having kids and settling down. You’re easy on the eyes and I didn’t think you’d be trying to marry me within the first ten minutes of the date. Come sit down,” he requested.
    Basra slowly sat on the couch beside Lance.
    â€œWhen I asked Lucia about you, she said you were one of the girls. You didn’t seem like one of them, but then again, I don’t know you. I have to admit, though, I was curious about you. You never come to my parties. You don’t spend hours in the fitness club like everyone else in this building and you’re very beautiful.”
    â€œSo, basically, you wanted my services for free.”
    â€œNo. I could have easily paid you for the evening but I didn’t want to have sex, or have you feel the pressure. I just wanted to go out with someone I was interested in. It was just a date, plain and simple.”
    â€œBut you left me. I couldn’t find you.”
    â€œI’m sorry, I looked all over for you. I thought you’d left me, and so I came home. I didn’t have your number.”
    Basra saw the sincerity in his face. “I really did have fun at the party for your job,” she said, walking toward the door.
    â€œWhat are you going to do about Campbell?” he asked.
    â€œI’m not sure. If I go to the police, it’s going to be an even bigger issue. He’ll tell them I’m a call girl, and I can’t get into that. I don’t know.”
    â€œI’ll talk to him.” Basra nodded as Lance came to the door to walk her out, and got on the elevator with her. It was silent on the five-floor ride down to Basra’s place, but when she stepped out Lance asked, “Can I get your number?”
    Basra simply smiled as the doors were closing but never gave a reply. Close to five minutes later, Basra was undressed and back in her bed where she remained until morning.
    Feeling a bit more rejuvenated, Basra walked to the Union Square Greenmarket first thing Sunday morning. She loved to juice and owned a very expensive high-powered juicer that hadn’t been getting enough use. She returned home with bags of organic carrots, celery, tomatoes, and an assortment of fruits. As she juiced, Basra looked online for apartments. She knew she couldn’t afford anything as luxurious as her current domicile, but that didn’t matter. She knew that she had to slowly dissociate herself from Lucia, get back in school, and find a job.
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with living a normal life,” she stated to herself.
    Problem was, Basra had sampled an appetizer of the good and lavish life. Working a nine-to-five making meager means would prove to be difficult, and deep inside she knew this. Via e-mail, she reached out to her agency and let them know she was available for any and all international work.
    â€œI need new pictures,” she mumbled while sipping on her carrot and celery blend.
    Basra needed new pictures for her book: photos with straight hair. She’d booked