Heart Racer by Marian Tee Read Free Book Online Page B

had to tell Bobby that Mediterranean was more salty or spicy than sweet.
    “So…how did this start?”
    The question was something frequently asked of her, and Bobby was used to answering it. More than that, she actually enjoyed answering such questions, and so she happily took her time telling Leandro about Voiceless Haven, which operated as an orphanage for children with hearing impairment.
    “I was sixteen when my parents made me a part of the committee, and believe me, the older ladies didn’t want me. They did everything they could to block my membership, thinking that I’m the poster child for New Jersey Shore.”
    He said straight-faced, “I think its name is Jersey Shore. ”  
    Bobby smacked her forehead. “Oh yeah. I keep forgetting that. But you get what I mean, right? Well, the first day I came here and I was dressed like this, one of the board members mistook me as one of the help and got me to help the milkman carry boxes of milk into the kitchen. They were horrified when they found out what happened, but I thought it was hilarious. Five months after that, they gave me this office,” she said proudly. “I want to be really hands-on and stay as close to the kids as possible.”
    “And the kids? How do you find them?” He was genuinely interested to hear what she had to say, but more than that, he wanted to watch Bobby’s expressive face as she talked about the foundation. She was so passionate about it, and she was only eighteen years old.
    “The usual. The government sends them our way, but we’ve also put the word out of the street and because of that, we have a higher walk-in rate than usual.”
    His eyebrow raised at that. “Do you mean the children come in here on their own?”
    “The older ones, yes. And sometimes, the parents themselves bring them here. Other times, local parishes tell us about deaf children being mistreated or neglected in other orphanages and we negotiate for their release into our care.”
    “So you bribe them.”
    “Or blackmail them with bad publicity,” she said cheerfully.
    His lips curved. “I approve.”
    She laughed. “I thought you would.” She then realized she had been talking all the time and her cheeks turned red. Yikes! He must think she was such a self-centered chick. “I’m sorry for rambling,” she said, cringing.
    Leandro was bemused by the apology. “You weren’t. I liked listening to you.” At her doubtful look, he rolled his eyes and said, “Do you have to doubt everything I say?”
    “Only when you say something that’s too good to be true.”
    “You’re too cynical.”
    She quipped, “It’s because I want to be like you when I grow up.” His laugh made her stomach do somersaults, and Bobby knew she was blushing again. It was strange, the way Leandro didn’t seem to mind how snarky or outspoken she was…
    Something might have shown on her face at the memories Bobby was suddenly trying not to remember because Leandro asked, “What is it?”
    She shook her head quickly. “Nothing.”
    “You became pale all of a sudden, mégaira. It must be something.”
    “What does mégaira mean?”
    He didn’t hesitate. “Shrew.”
    A full second passed before she realized he wasn’t joking. “Jerk!” She laughingly crumpled a sheet of tissue into a ball and threw it at him.
    He caught it handily with a smile…and threw it back at her. “But you are a shrew,” he said mildly.
    She suddenly felt hot and tried not to think that it was because of the way Leandro was suddenly gazing at her. How did he do that? How could he just change the atmosphere from friendly bantering to one with sexual innuendo without anything being said? She wished she could cross her arms over her chest. She knew he was looking at her breasts, and she knew he knew she was getting excited over it. He had been the only one other than herself to see them bare, and his reaction that night had been, umm, gratifying. Like he was worshipping her because of it.
    Bobby