Playing With Fire Read Free

never made you happy.”
    The woman chuckled. “True, but you sure knew how to make me feel good,” she said, kissing him again.
    Romeo laughed with her, shaking his head from side to side. “So, where’s this new husband of yours?” he asked.
    â€œHome with the baby. It’s ladies’ night tonight.”
    â€œA baby too!” Romeo exclaimed. “Damn, girl, you work fast!”
    Roberta laughed again, a warm rise of noise that filled what little space there was between them. “So how about you? Who’s got your heart?”
    Romeo grinned. “You know that’s a game I don’t play, girl. I’m too busy trying to keep myself afloat to be in a serious relationship.”
    Roberta nodded. “But business is good, right? I mean, the place is bumping! And everyone’s talking about it.”
    Romeo gestured toward the crowd, releasing his hold on the woman. “I can’t complain. This place definitely keeps me on my toes.”
    â€œI’m really happy for you, Romeo. You really deserve all your success,” Roberta said with a nod, her shoulder-length bob swaying from side to side.
    He smiled, the lift to his mouth warm and seductive. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
    Roberta smiled back. “Well, I need to get back to my friends. I know they’re peeing in their pants with envy,” she said, pointing to a table of women staring intently in their direction.
    Romeo nodded, pulling her back tightly against him. “Mmmm,” he hummed. “Too bad you have a husband now.”
    â€œLiar,” Roberta said with a slight giggle as she punched him playfully in the chest. “Stop by the table and say hello,” she said. “I’d love to introduce you to my girls.”
    â€œI’ll do that. And you take care of yourself,” Romeo said, placing his lips lightly atop hers, savoring the quivering lips one last time. He moved to kiss her gently against the cheek, whispering in her ear. “Got to give your girls something to talk about,” he said with a soft chuckle.
    â€œDamn,” Roberta said, shaking in her six-inch heels. Squeezing his hands between her own, she paused briefly as a chill swept down her spine. “We could have been so good together, Romeo. Too bad you messed up.”
    Romeo smiled broadly as he watched Roberta walk away, the familiar scent of her perfume fading with her departure, then lifted his hand to wave at the other women who still sat staring at him.
    â€œYou need to stop!” Odetta Brown, the head waitress, said with a deep laugh as she brushed past him.
    â€œWhat?” Romeo asked. “I’m not doing a thing.”
    â€œUh-huh,” Odetta said, shaking her head. “Just keep it up and see if you don’t get yourself in trouble.”
    Romeo laughed with her. “I just can’t help myself, Odetta. Some of my clients require a bit more attention from me than others.”
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    As Roberta sat back down her best friends began talking over themselves, each one eager to comment on what they’d just witnessed.
    â€œI cannot believe you kissed that man!” Taryn Williams exclaimed, her tone scolding. “Did you forget you had a husband?” She narrowed her gaze on her associate.
    Roberta giggled. “What I remembered was that my husband’s not here right now and how that man could make me feel back in the day,” she replied. She took a big gulp of her vodka tonic, fanning herself rapidly as she swallowed. A wide grin spread across her face.
    Taryn shook her head. She tossed Romeo Marshall a quick look, the man knee deep in conversation with another woman at another table. She rolled her eyes skyward. Everything about his demeanor told her he was no good for any woman looking for a relationship worth more than an ounce of salt.
    â€œPlease, tell me you did not date that man for long,” she said, giving the other