It's Just Love by Kate Richards Read Free Book Online Page B

partner.”
    Coral’s anger made her fingertips tingle. Smug Man’s
confidence oozed out of every pore, his obnoxiousness more than she could bear.
“You don’t believe in love at all, do you?”
    He opened his mouth then snapped it closed. A shadow of
something crossed his expression; pain or sadness? But before she could analyze
it, his eyes jerked to hers. “Of course I believe in it. But it’s something
that comes over time, between two compatible people who build a life together.
It takes hard work.”
    She pitied him. He’d been hurt, but that was no excuse for
what he did to his clients. “Are you saying when people come to you, if they
don’t meet some kind of ‘factors,’ you tell them to break up? Walk away?” She
swallowed. “People who love each other?”
    “Puppy love, a crush…lust. Those things would pass in time
anyway.” His face impassive, his eyes continued to give him away, their blue a
study in sadness. She wanted to hug him, make him feel better. But what he did
for work, his harsh judgment of people who sought encouragement on their path…
“But I understand you make them fall in love using eye of newt and puppy dog’s
tails.”
    His harsh comment relieved her of any need to pity him. She
clutched the arms of the chair to keep from making the same kind of scene the
earlier matchmakers had. How dare he! “I would never harm a puppy dog or
even a newt! I merely help people who come to me. I give them hope.”
    “How?” He cocked a dark eyebrow and sneered.
    She gritted her teeth. “My spells…my magic, is a way to help
the people who belong together to notice one another. I don’t harm animals, and
I don’t try to force anyone to go against their will. That doesn’t work
anyway.”
    “Gage, I understand your lovely girlfriend is here with you
today?” Harry interrupted their private conversation. As well he should, on his
show.
    But Gage’s face paled, the small amount of color fading
away. Something wrong there. Perhaps they’d had a fight?
    “I’m afraid she couldn’t make it, Harry. I’m sorry.”
    The host frowned, but his voice revealed none of his
displeasure. “I understand she’s a busy attorney. Court keep her away from us?”
    “Something like that, yes. I’m sure she would have loved to
be on the show though.”
    “Of course. Well, since she isn’t here to defend herself…how
many of your factors do the two of your share? Seven? Eight?”
    Gage swallowed, his Adam’s apple bulging. “Ten. All ten.”
His aura rippled and a gray streak rolled through. A big fight, then.
    “So, a perfect ten,” Harry quipped, and the audience
laughed. “Sounds as if we have a real conundrum here on what love is. Or what
makes it happen.” He stood. “We have another break coming up and when we
return, I have an idea that may help us settle the issue.”

Chapter 6
     
    Every time Gage thought of Geena, his chest tightened. He’d
relived the scene so often, he’d driven around the block to avoid the Starbucks
on the way to visit his mother on Sunday.
    And no matter how many times he tried to find a flaw, a hole
in his logic, Geena met every one of his factors. They even kissed alike, firm
pressure without too much tongue. Their lovemaking…three times a week, in the
early evening, followed by a quick shower and light dinner. It was very important
that a couple share their preferences in the bedroom, frequency, time of day,
and…other things. And if Geena had been a little less than enthusiastic lately,
well, now he understood why. But overall, it had been satisfactory between the
sheets. She’d never had to be responsible for her own orgasm.
    Studio employees scampered around, adjusting lights, taking
the shine from Harry’s nose, blocking the view of those seated to watch the
show while the host took a fast few hits on a filtered cigarette. Interesting,
probably illegal, but who would argue?
    As soon as Gage finished there, he would head back to his
office and