Between The Sheets - Complete Collection Read Free Page A

Brandi, of course.”
    His gaze met hers.  She searched the luminous depths of his eyes, seeing the banked fire there, also kindness.
    No.  I thought Nick was a gentle soul and look what it cost me.
    Bottom line, she couldn’t trust her own judgment where her personal life was concerned.
    “I’m an accountant,” replied Diamond, drawing his gaze, her dark chocolate eyes twinkling.  “I know what you’re thinking, Geoffrey, but I really do enjoy working with numbers more than people.”
    “I think I can understand why,” he said without hesitation, surprising them all as they exchanged glances and waited for him to explain.  “Numbers are facts, plain and simple, while people are complex, emotions are messy.  It’s not always so easy to understand any one person completely.”
    Diamond’s brows rose almost to her hairline.  Brandi understood the feeling.  No one had ever summed up her friend like that.
    “Oh, my gosh, you, a virtual stranger, get me. Wow, Brandi, this one’s a keeper.”
    Brandi’s lips tightened as she glared at her friend.  Not that it mattered.  Diamond just grinned.
    Geoffrey turned to Renee.  “And you, Renee, what is it you do?”
    “I’m a licensed realtor, both for residential and commercial real estate.”  As was her way, Renee spoke in a soft tone.
    “Really?  Then it is fortunate that we have met.  One never knows when one may have need of a realtor.  Do you have a card?”
    Renee reached into her purse and withdrew her business card, handing it to him.
    “Thank you.”
    Lisa reached across Brandi and touched his arm.  “And I’m a high school guidance teacher at a private academy.”
    Now it was Geoffrey’s turn to be surprised.  “You have the most important job of us all.”  There was no doubting the sincerity in every word.
    Lisa blushed under his admiring gaze.
    Diamond’s eyes almost bugged out.  “I cannot believe it!  I would have never thought you had it in you to blush at anything.”
    Lisa gritted her teeth.  “Are you finished?”
    Diamond shrugged her shoulders.  “For now.”
    Several more people joined their table.  The waitress took the beverage orders then turned to Brandi and her group for their dinner selections. She went to put in their orders and returned, another waitress following, their arms filled with a bowl of soup and salad for all at their table.  Conversation dwindled as the teppanyaki chef arrived to cook each of their meals while showcasing his skill with knives.  Even after he cleaned the table and left, the positive remarks on the food and show continued.
    Dinner over, the women each paid their bill, declining Geoffrey’s offer to cover their meals.  Outside, they paused on the sidewalk to say their goodnights.  Brandi found the tension creeping back over her.  She felt a similar tension emanating from the man beside her.
    “Ladies, may I offer a ride in my leased SUV?” Geoffrey asked, looking to each of them.
    “Which way are you going?” Diamond asked.
    “I am staying at a hotel uptown, but I do not mind if I must drive in the opposite direction to ensure you ladies get home safely.”
    “Thank you, but, no,” answered Diamond with a shake of her head.  “Renee, Lisa, and I live outside the city.  But Brandi lives uptown.”
    Instead of responding to that, Geoffrey turned toward the street and raised his arm.  Almost at once, a taxi pulled up at the curb and he opened the door with a flourish, sweeping his arm wide and bowing low.  “After you, ladies.”
    Brandi watched her friends desert her with a wink and a smile, while she experienced a sinking sensation low in her abdomen.  She was alone.  With Geoffrey.
    Not a good idea on so many levels.
    Geoffrey shoved his hands in his pockets, saying nothing, which only made her more nervous.  “Would you rather catch a taxi?”
    He was leaving it up to her.  Well, she was no coward.  She could do this.
    Squaring her shoulders, Brandi pasted on