Kiki's Millionaire by Patricia Green Read Free Book Online Page A

stand when she was at a
disadvantage, but he wouldn’t get another chance. It was their third date, and she
seemed inclined to let it end after the night was through.
    Removing his overcoat, he sat in a chair and watched
her move around the small apartment, putting her coat away, and sorting through
the day’s mail. There was musical beep, and she vocalized a tiny oh! and got
her cell phone out of her purse, pressing buttons on the older-model device.
    “Oh no…no, no, no,” she moaned; the tone in her voice
was absolutely defeated. Immediately, Jim left the chair and went to her. She
was staring at her phone like it was a funeral procession.
    “Kiki? Honey? What’s wrong?” Whatever it was, he vowed
silently to make it right.
    “They fired me. They fuckin’ fired me!”
    “They sent you a text message?” He couldn’t think of
much that would be ruder.
    She nodded, still staring at her phone.
    “Let me see.” He took the phone from her.
    You’re fired. Gary filed a complaint alleging that
you threatened him with physical violence. Get your stuff on Monday.
    “Damn!” It was Jim’s turn to cuss. This had been his
fault. He should have considered that when he staked his claim on Kiki. Gary
was a slime, and this just proved it. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
    Kiki took the phone back from him, closed it gently,
and put it down near her purse. “Well, that just makes the whole day perfect,”
she said. “Perfectly shitty, that is.”
    Jim wrapped his arms around her and drew her close.
“Listen,” he said, lips hovering over her forehead. “I’ll call Ted Keeting
tomorrow. I’m sure I can fix this.”
    “No. You can’t fight my battles for me. I’ll find
another job. I’ll manage.” Her hands were balled against his chest, not
resisting, but her upset was evident in those white knuckles.
    He felt like a total heel. “Let me. Just let me help.”
    Kiki shook her head, then rested it against his chest.
“It was a crappy job anyway.” Her voice broke as she spoke.
    Jim stroked her back, and when she started to cry he
could feel the trembling of her shoulders and the hitching of her breath. “Ah,
honey. This just isn’t right. How about if I help you find another job? I know
several people—“
    “No.” Her response was muffled and tear-filled. “This
was supposed to be our last date. You said so. We had a deal. I can’t ask you
to help me. I won’t take your help.”
    Jim tilted her chin up and wiped away her tears with
his thumbs. “One more date and a little nudge of a friend. Just that much.” He
needed another chance to make things right, to build something she could live
with. His money didn’t need to be an issue, if he could just find the right
words.
    Although her eyes were still streaming, there was
indecision there and not a small amount of desperation. “Just a nudge?”
    He nodded. She was so beautiful, eyes glistening, lips
pouting and soft. He wanted to take away all her hurts. She’d hate that, though.
Softly, softly.
    When she bit her lower lip, he was undone, and tipped
his head down to kiss her. At first, it was a gentle nibbling of her lips, but
it deepened, and soon she returned his tongue’s ministrations with her own. She
was sweet from champagne and strawberries.
    As he kissed her, he untied the soft scarf around her
throat, and then stroked that tender skin with his fingertips. His lips
followed his fingertips along the white column so sweetly perfumed for him. She
sighed as he nibbled his way down to the juncture of her neck and shoulder.
When he bit her there, she moaned softly. He could feel her melting against
him. Once more, he took her lips with his own, sucking on her tongue, exploring
her mouth with growing ardor. He wanted to soothe her, to comfort her. If he
could just convince her to accept what he was offering…
    Her hands moved over his chest, his cheeks, finally
entwining in his long hair. She pulled out the leather tie there and ruffled
his dark