Show Me How to Love (Caldwell Family Book 1) Read Free Page B

didn’t diminish the glossy shine of the dark brown, almost black, bone straight tresses. His fingers twitched to touch them, and he clenched his fist.
    Andre had noticed a lot about her the night before. She wasn’t what he’d expect from one of Ryan’s girlfriends. Flashy, high maintenance, and beautiful were what Ryan usually went for. Instead, she was stylish but didn’t appear fully comfortable with her style. Her steps hesitant in heels, as if she were still getting used to them. Sexy, in that girl next door kind of way. The biggest shocker, her kindness. While everyone else struggled to get away from his step-sister, she’d jumped right in to help. The mismatch of her and Ryan grabbed his attention the second he’d seen them together.
    His eyes strayed to the hint of cleavage revealed by the buttons of her light green blouse. Yeah, he’d noticed her for other reasons, too. He jerked that thought back. No more sleeping with his cousin’s girlfriends. His family may be ruthless, but he’d adopted the philosophy of using that tactic only for a specific purpose. Sleeping with her served no goal. Ryan didn’t want her, and he didn’t want Ryan’s leftovers.
    He cleared his throat and shifted in the seat. She looked back at him with wide eyes that sparked with her anger.
    “Can you believe that just happened?” she asked.
    Thoughts of her tempting cleavage were forgotten as the memory of the reason for their departure came back. “No.”
    She lowered her eyes to her fingers tracing grooves on the table. She had nice long lashes. “How long were you two together?”
    He sat back in the stiff seat. “Nine months.”
    “Was it serious?”
    He glanced over his shoulder for the bartender. Thought of the engagement ring in his bag. “You can say that.”
    “You know Ryan begged me to come. After years of listening to my instincts tell me he wasn’t ready for a grown-up relationship, I finally broke down and look what happened.”
    She opened her mouth then snapped it shut. She gave him a wary glance, before crossing her arms and stared out of the window. Twice she turned to him as if she were going to say something before sighing and turning away with a frown.
    He didn’t blame her for keeping her thoughts to herself. As much as he wanted to punch the hell out of something or scream, he wouldn’t dare do it in front of her. Why tell her he wasn’t surprised Ryan had slept with Angelica? This one would probably be back in Ryan’s bed after his cousin begged, flashed those dimples, and bought an expensive gift.
    The bartender finally lumbered over. A tall slender man, with thin blonde hair and a wide smile minus one side tooth. “Sorry folks. I got to talking to my cousin at the bar. Him and his missus going at it again. Not that y’all came in here to hear about my cousin’s problems. What can I get you?”
    “Coke, please,” Andre said. A bit of rum in it along with a cigarette would go nicely. But not while driving unfamiliar roads. Plus, she didn’t seem like the type who would share a smoke with him.
    The bartender turned toward…was it Marcella? “And you miss?”
    Her brow creased and she slid him a questioning glance. “I’ll just have a Coke.”
    Andre raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you don’t want something stronger? I know I do.”
    “But you’re drinking soda.”
    “I’m driving icy mountain roads. Get what you want.”
    She nodded then smiled at the bartender. “Amaretto sour, please.”
    The bartender nodded. “Coming right up.”
    Again, Andre silently watched her as they waited for the drinks. She turned to the window, hair swaying softly against the curve of her cheek. She had a cute heart shaped face, and toffee color skin he’d bet money was silky soft.
    A few minutes later, the bartender returned with the drinks. “Here ya go, folks. Do you want me to keep a tab open?”
    Andre shook his head. “No, we’ll be on our way soon.”
    A frown creased the bartender’s