Maneater by Mary B. Morrison Read Free Book Online

it came to having the opportunity to snatch one of society’s most eligible bachelors. That was how my mom had snatched my dad, except his ass was broke. She’d pulled him right off the arm of his fiancée. I had six weeks to prove my theory right, starting tomorrow night.
    After all the money I’d spent on my wedding, I was getting married with or without Seven standing beside me at the altar. The newspapers had highlighted my engagement for an entire month. I refused to suffer public embarrassment. I wouldn’t give my father the satisfaction. As much as I’d demanded that Seven stop hanging with Zena, I had to admit, Zena was supermodel and trophy wife material. Slightly too independent for my liking but surely, she could fit into Seven’s wedding gown, and my lifestyle, after I took her down a few notches.
    Honk! Honk! Honk! Honk!
    Looking out my window, I saw Danté standing on the sidewalk, with his arm inside the car.
    Honkkkkkkkkkkk!
    I knew what I had to do. I’d warned him. Danté had left me no choice.

Chapter 8
Seven
    I ’d spent the night at Zena’s after we’d shut down the House of Blues. Didn’t hear from Maverick last night. No messages from him when I powered on my cell phone as the plane landed on the island.
    Zena had dropped me off at the airport, then headed to work, still trying to convince me to tell her where I was going. I’d refused. I’d intentionally left my laptop bag, my laptop, Maverick’s gun, credit card included, in her bedroom this morning. I’d boarded my flight at O’Hare, slept all the way to my destination.
    The first thing I did when I arrived at Punany Paradise this morning was stroll in the sand along the shore. Warm crystals sunk beneath my soles, filling the gaps between my toes. Warm water splashed against my legs, soaking the bottom of my emerald ankle-length halter dress.
    â€œAhhhh,” I exhaled in relief.
    Twirling in the wind, I felt free and happy. It had been a long time since I’d seen turquoise water drifting into cerulean, blending with dark blue waters, kissing the tangerine sky. Flinging my arms, I cast my problems out to sea, imagined them sinking to the ocean floor like an anchor. Some of my ancestors were probably buried in the Atlantic Ocean. Their sacrifices bolstered my determination to achieve happiness
    â€œWhen I get back, I’m returning to college to get my master’s,” I declared aloud. The million dollars my mom had left me was safely invested, earning interest. Our home and the twenty acres I’d inherited in Webster County, Mississippi, after my dad died would remain un-sold. Not that I’d move back to Mississippi after having lived in Chicago, but I’d have a quiet place to spend summers, teaching my heritage to my child. Enough of dwelling on others. The present was all about me.
    I wanted to sunbathe nude on a yacht, swim naked in the ocean, snorkel, deep-sea dive, parasail, skydive, hike in a tropical rain forest, cry under a waterfall, washing away my fears, and rejoice in loving me some Seven. The next six weeks, I’d proclaim Seven’s heaven.
    Lake Michigan was beautiful; Punany Paradise was surreal.
    Removing my cell phone from my purse, I captured the sun’s diamonds sparkling on the ocean in a photo, then texted the picture to Zena with the message, I arrived safely, inviting my friend to share in my joy. Each day I’d send Zena a tiny glimpse into my world. She was the only person in the world that truly cared about me.
    Instantly, Zena texted back. OMG…This place is unreal. Where r u? I have great news!
    Keying in, Tell me your great news, but don’t tell Maverick I might be pregnant. Not sure I want to have his baby, if I am, I headed toward the group of women gathering for our orientation. I stood a few feet back from the other women, who had been on the shuttle bus with me earlier. Each of them had arrived the