Luca's Dilemma by Deneice Tarbox Read Free Book Online

deep dimple in his left cheek Sheila hadn't noticed before. He flexed his eyebrows ever so slightly, indicating with a confidence Sheila couldn’t help but find attractive that he was more than ready to handle either. At that moment, every smidgeon of her hostility toward him evaporated.
    Sheila found herself laughing again. She rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a smile as she pulled a chair up next to him and began explaining the logistics of the test. It took some time because he kept interjecting funny questions and comments, making her laugh harder, and even louder, than ever. She started to suspect that he actually did enjoy her laughter.
    “After all this lovely bonding, you're really going to leave me alone with a stranger in the morning?” he inquired in a whiny voice once Sheila had finished her spiel. He cocked his head to the side, gathering his full, pink lips into a pout, no doubt trying to provoke some sort of guilt trip.
    “Sorry, bud. Your test is two–fold and lasts darn near twenty–four hours. Excuse my language, but I plan to be all ass and elbows come sunrise.”
    Sheila stood, taking the chair with her, and made her way across the room. The heat of her neighbor’s stare on said body part made her realize she probably should’ve worded that better, and the man sure as hell wasn't staring at her elbows. Deciding again to ignore his lewdness, she attempted to take charge by using her professionalism as a distraction.
    “Let’s get started, shall we?” She gestured toward the chair, indicating he should take the seat.
    He stood up slowly, his eyes capturing Sheila's, and for the life of her, she couldn’t tear them away from him. His orbs took on a deep blue hue, an eye color Sheila couldn't recall ever seeing on any other human being before. They continued to grip her, intensifying in power once he started moving her way with more swagger in his step than necessary.
    I dee–clare. This man doesn’t know when to quit.
    Part of her desperately wanted to tell him just how much of a fool he was making of himself, but she was too far gone in his mystic gaze to do so. However, Sheila couldn't suppress the slow side–to–side shake of her head as she began to acknowledge just how crazy this man really was.
    Once he crossed over into her personal space, they stood mere inches apart staring at one another, and the little control Sheila thought she had proved false. She’d been completely unprepared to handle just how handsome his features were at such close proximity and when facing him dead on. A straight nose with a slightly rounded tip rested slightly off center between well–defined cheekbones and above full lips that rivaled those of most black men. A scar glistened at the top of one of his thick eyebrows, causing the dark hair there to part ever so slightly. It added just the right touch of masculinity and mysteriousness to his otherwise pretty face.
    Appropriate laugh lines danced around his smiling eyes, tying the whole package together. There was no way to ignore the virtually jet–black hair that tapered toward the back of his neck. It was longer in the front with a few wisps falling seductively to frame his forehead and adding a trace of youth to what she knew to be his nearly fifty years of age.
    But the biggest attention grabber was his height. Lord have mercy, he’s tall , Sheila realized, her pulse quickening as she gazed up at him. It wasn't often she got the chance to do so, and the reality of it thrilled her to no end. Her smile faltered, and her heart began to pound as a strange, hot, tingling sensation coursed over her skin. She’d never felt anything like it.
    With a slow blink, she managed to snap out of it, successfully thwarting the urge to do something stupid. Embarrassed, she stepped behind the chair, putting much–needed space between them.
    “You liked that, huh?” he boldly stated, apparently not missing Sheila’s moment of distress. His deep voice was like