When You're With Me by Wendi Zwaduk Read Free Book Online Page A

span in the seat and tugged her onto his lap as he wrapped her up in an embrace. “Only you, sweet girl.”
    Her heart fluttered and she tamped down the good feeling. “Really?” Her voice squeaked. “I’m far from sweet.”
    Ramon smiled, his white teeth glimmering. The walls around her heart melted a bit. “When you’re with me, I feel like I can conquer the world.” He trailed his fingers over her spine, sending shivers through her body. “I want to ask you a question. What are your plans after work?”
    She dug her nails into his shoulders for balance. “It’s Saturday and we aren’t open tomorrow, so I planned to go back to my apartment, sleep and catch up on my homework.”
    He slid his hands up her sides to cup her face. His thumbs skimmed over her jaw, crumbling her defences a bit more. “Come to breakfast with me. I know a quiet little diner in Crawford where we can talk over bacon and eggs. Then I’ll leave you to your studies.”
    Although yes teetered on her tongue, she forced herself to decline. “I can’t.” Because I might find that I like you too much to walk away later.
    He knotted his brows and chuckled. “You’re going to make this hard on me.”
    The corners of her mouth kinked. “If I make it easy, then what’s the point?”
    “My sweet girl’s a smart girl.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I like that.”
    A voice over his mic system interrupted further argument. “Decker, break’s over. We need you at the entrance.”
    He sighed and squeezed her thigh. “It’s one twenty-four. Think it over. I’ll meet you at the dressing room door and you can tell me then. I have to go help remove someone.”
    Jude slid off his lap and stood. She made a rash decision she hoped she wouldn’t regret. “Okay, I’ll come. But let me drop my car off at my apartment first.”
    Ramon threaded his fingers in her hair and brought her lips to his in a searing kiss. “Your wish is my command, sweet girl.”

    * * * *

    An hour later, Ramon drained his bottle of beer. He sat with Andre—a hulking, raven-haired man of over six feet in height. A perky blonde strode out of the dressing room door and winked at Andre.
    Ramon cocked a brow. “Is she your girl?”
    Andre leant forward and curled his fingers into a fist. “You double dippin’?”
    Ramon peeled the label from the amber bottle. “Nope. I got my sights set on Jude. I just thought I’d make conversation.”
    The man relaxed and sat back in his seat. He crossed his ankles and arms at the same time. “Me and Andie had a thing a while back, but right now she’s seein’ some lowlife named Tobey. She knows I keep an eye on her for her safety. I married a former dancer, Jill McQueen. She went by Rhiannon when she still worked.”
    “So things are working out for you?”
    Andre shrugged. “I couldn’t stand seeing the drunks drooling after her, so we decided that I’d be the only one to see her goodies. She wanted to quit anyway. Got tired of the late nights and she wanted a family. Tiny paid for the honeymoon.”
    Corey emerged from behind the dressing room door. “Andre!” His smile dropped and he slipped a handful of condoms into his snug jeans pocket. “Decker.”
    “Put that shit away,” Andre growled. “We know what you’re doing.”
    Ramon cocked a brow, half expecting an explanation.
    “Not in front of the newbie,” Corey snapped. “And Judy Blue left through the side door. She went home. Wasn’t that into you.”
    Ramon sprang from his seat and spoke past the lump in his throat. Maybe expecting her to be his informant wasn’t such a great plan. “No problem. I wasn’t waiting for her anyway.” Like hell. He nodded at Andre and Corey. “See you Tuesday?”
    Andre dipped his head and stood. “Six o’clock on Tuesday.”
    Corey grunted.
    Ramon tossed the bottle into the nearby waste barrel and strode into the foyer.
    “Wait up!”
    He turned on his heel to see Jude running across the tiled floor. The