Stolen Kisses by Sally Falcon Read Free Book Online Page B

She propped her chin in her hand to prepare for the barrage of questions that were sure to come.
    “I have a very empathetic nature,” Gina assured her, trying to maintain her solemn demeanor and failing miserably. The laughter trembling on her lips burst forth. “Just don’t tell anyone because it’s buried way deep inside. You really can’t expect me to be a hypocrite about Trevor. You know exactly what I think on the matter.”
    “Yes, I know.” She liked her friend just the way she was, except when her romantic inclinations overcame her usual pragmatic, straight-to-the-point nature. “I guess you’re going to want a play-by-play before I’ll be able to get any work done on the estimate for Garrison’s tax office.”
    Gina suddenly found her fingernails fascinating. She seemed preoccupied with checking her cuticles, and it sent a chill of apprehension down Jessie’s spine. Biting her lip, she waited for what her partner was going to say.
    “Not if it’s any more interesting than a certain tender farewell, right in front of God and everybody.” She continued to hold out her hand, but Jessie could see her looking surreptitiously through her eyelashes.
    “Harvey in the print shop on the first floor.” In her mind’s eye, Jessie could picture the biggest gossip on the block watching the whole episode. The entire south corner of the building was plate glass, which gave Harvey Milsap a perfect view of everything that happened on two sides of the office building. He was more reliable than reading the news, since he even reported what wasn’t fit to print.
    “Harvey said it was simply stunning, like a Joan Crawford or Bette Davis melodrama. It sent chills down his spine. Of course, Harvey just loves a forceful man.” Gina looked thoughtful for a moment as she eyed Jessie’s teal-and-cream herringbone jacket. “Maybe you should get rid of those shoulder pads.”
    “That’s all you have to say?” Jessie knew better, but thought she would ask anyway.
    “When are you going to have a real date with Trevor?”
    “He didn’t ask me out.” Jessie had the satisfaction of saying it, only she wasn’t happy about the feeling of chagrin that returned as she admitted it. It was stupid, but she’d felt disappointed that he hadn’t asked for a date after that kiss.
    Telling herself that she was disappointed simply because she hadn’t had the pleasure of turning him down didn’t work. That kiss had been more than a simple good-bye. Her legs had barely carried her up the three steps to the entrance and through the door. Thankfully he hadn’t seen her slump against the wall to regain her composure just after she’d entered the building.
    “How odd,” Gina murmured absently, undoubtedly trying to figure out an answer to the puzzle. She couldn’t possibly be reading Jessie’s mind.
    “I keep telling you that rogues like Trevor defy logic, or at least they think they do.” Jessie leaned back in her chair, feeling secure in her knowledge of this particular subject.
    “But you understand them?” The other woman looked skeptical but anxious to hear what she had to say.
    “Just a little. They live by their own rules. Rule number one is their own pleasure. That’s the prime directive and takes precedence over everything else.”
    “Wouldn’t a date be pleasurable?”
    “Not if he could derive more pleasure by making the lady overly anxious for his company. It’s kind of a Big-Man-on-Campus philosophy,” she explained, warming to her subject. “He knows he’s charming and in demand, so he lets the victim feel privileged to be in his company. To increase the victim’s feeling of importance, he plays hard to get. Ergo, he attains more pleasure by feeling twice as worshiped.”
    “I don’t believe this.” Gina planted her hands on her hips and began tapping her foot. “I’m actually listening to some of that pop-psychology you’ve been inhaling to create Robo-husband, aren’t I?”
    “It makes