Comfort of a Man (Arabesque) Read Free Page A

pleasure?”
    He took another gulp of his drink. “Business, though I can make time for pleasure.”
    She glanced down at her drink, convinced she was blushing like a silly schoolgirl. She was well out of practice when it came to the game of flirting. “How come I get the feeling you do this all the time?” she asked.
    “Do what?”
    “Pick up women at bars—or are you going to tell me that you don’t do this often and there’s just something about me that draws you to me?”
    “ Now who sounds experienced at this?”
    Brooklyn laughed. “Far from it.” She sipped her drink, and then glowed with surprise.
    The bartender appeared and beamed a wide smile at her. “I take it you like it?”
    “This is great.”
    “I told you,” he said with a wink and then waltzed off.
    “So what about you?” Her mysterious companion brought her attention back to him—not that it had ever strayed too far.
    She glanced at him. “What about me?”
    “Are you here for business or pleasure?”
    She thrust up her chin. “Pleasure.”
    His brows rose. “Anything I can help you with?”
    “You’re rather direct.”
    “I meant whether I could escort you around the city, take you to a few plays. That sort of thing.”
    “Sure you did.”
    “Ow.” He laughed with his hand placed over his heart. “I think you just insulted me. Don’t I look the part of a gentleman?”
    In truth, he did look the part. She shrugged and pretended her apology was forced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to question your character. I’m sure you’re quite the gentleman. Just as I’m sure you don’t make it a habit to pick up strange women in bars.”
    His laughter infected her. “What can I say? You’re just going to have to take my word. But I do think we need to back up a couple of steps and allow me to introducemyself.” He held out his hand. “My name is Isaiah Washington.”
    “Brooklyn.”
    His brows rose again. “No last name?”
    “Just Brooklyn…for now.”
    “Well, I’m pleased to meet you, Brooklyn. What an interesting name.”
    “Not as interesting as my middle name.”
    “Surely you’re not going to leave it at that.”
    She laughed and shook her head. “Believe it or not, it’s Dodgers.”
    His features turned cautious before his lips slanted. “You’re pulling my leg.”
    “I wish I was, but I have a father who’s a huge baseball fan.”
    “So he named you after a baseball team?”
    Brooklyn shrugged. “What can I say? They thought it would be cute.”
    “Boy, I bet kids teased you growing up.”
    “Nah,” she said, laughing. “I told people that the D stood for Diane.”
    “Any siblings?”
    “Nope.” She thrust up her chin. “I’m an only child.”
    “Uh-oh.” He clenched his teeth in mock horror. “I hate to do it, but I’m going to have to deduct one point for that one.”
    “Why?” She blinked, but continued laughing.
    Isaiah shook his head. “An only child is usually high maintenance.”
    Brooklyn jabbed both hands to her hips. “What?”
    His hands went up in surrender. “Sorry, but it’s true. An only child is used to being the center of attention and can even be a little selfish at times.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “And exactly what do you base this malarkey on?”
    “Experience.”
    She folded her arms across her chest. “Experience?” she asked with disbelief and shock.
    “Yep.” He took another gulp of his drink, and then slid his cool gray eyes in her direction. “I’m an only child, too.”
    At another flash of his smile, Brooklyn’s annoyance evaporated. “You had me going there for a minute.” She waved a finger at him. “You’re very funny.”
    “Ooh. I was aiming for charming.”
    “You’re that, too.”
    “In that case, let me buy you another drink.”
    Brooklyn glanced down at her glass, surprised to see she’d finished it.
    “Would the lady like to have another?” the smiling bartender asked.
    Brooklyn’s promise to Toni echoed hauntingly in her