Distant Obsession Read Free

the double doors.
    Reece departed his car, stepped forward, and paused a few feet from the entry. He inhaled the scent of fresh dough, of coffee, toasting sesame seeds, and homemade pie. His stomach took note and demanded attention.
    “All right. I’m going to feed ya. Just wait a…”
    Wow.
    A woman clad in tight blue jeans, some flora red silky blouse, and bright pink sneakers swept past and busted through the door ahead of him. If she’d offered the chance, he’d gladly open the door, if just for the opportunity to inhale that intoxicating fragrance for one second more. Reece caught the door behind her, and golden brown hair fell casually over the angel’s shoulder as if to hide a clandestine glance across her left wing in his direction.
    Haunting green eyes sparkled behind thick eyelashes before she averted her gaze.
    Shy?
    Or was it a spark of fear.She hurried inside before he could offer a clever line to extend the visual communication further and broaden the obvious shared interest to the next level.
     Still, from what he saw, she exhibited an attractive flair, if somewhat elusive. The hint of uncertainty and loneliness in those haunting green eyes touched a chord deep inside. He smiled. Of course that tantalizing butt pressed so snuggly into those tight-formed pants had perked his imagination as well.
    Mighty lucky blue jeans.
    He drew a deep breath, licked his lips as a few primal male images danced through his libido, then continued inside. After several minutes, he acquired his hot apple fritter, jumbo decaf, and advanced toward the rear of the narrow but long café style establishment. He stepped along six-candy cane, red cushioned bar stools down the counter until locating an empty seat. The moment he slid one leg beneath the forest green Formica countertop, a soft feminine touch graced his arm.
    “Well I’ll be. Sticks Edwards, is that you?”
    He swirled in position to an adorable pudgy faced, red headed woman roughly thirty pounds overweight. “Sorry, but have we met?”
    She chuckled in a gravelly bass voice atypical for a female then rose from her booth, pinched Reece vigorously on both cheeks, as if she were his mother, and engulfed him in a powerful hug. “I wouldn’t think it possible, but you’re even more handsome than the last time we were together twenty years ago.”
    Mama bear!
    “Well I’ll be damn. Tami Sue. It has been a long time.” His first dip in the pool of feminine charm and pleasure had always retained a unique spot in his vault of treasured memories. Even as a teenager, she’d been an armful, but the years had added to her physical presence. Still, that little girl smile and flowery sweet scent had remained.
    Tami grabbed his arm, pulled Reece across the room, and pressed him into the adjacent seat. “Where the hell has that gorgeous face and mouth-watering butt of yours been for the last two decades. I don’t see a ring. Are you divorced? Couldn’t have stayed single all this time with that body. Lord do I remember that body. Our last time together was senior prom, and to think, I let you go. Are there…”
    He held up one hand and smiled. “Geez, you’re still a verbal hot rod, Mama Bear. I could never keep up with you.”
    “Sorry. Go ahead. You can talk now.”
    He chuckled and took his turn. “Let me see. No, I’m not married, but I was, she left me six years ago.”
    “What a stupid bitch.”
    You always had a sailor’s tongue. Part of your appeal.
    “No argument from me.”
    “Mind if I ask why? Can’t be your skill in the sack. I’ll vouch for… Oh, sorry. There I go again.”
    God love ya, Tami Sue. You always made me feel good about myself. How could I have forgotten how special you are?
    “My Ex had higher aspirations at the time, plus I was overseas a lot.”
    “Overseas?”
    “Yeah. I was in the Navy, a pilot, aboard the CVN Nimitz.”
    Her eyes widened. “Wow, I’m impressed. Little skinny Sticks Edwards, from right here in small town