Stranger in my Arms Read Free Page B

by her full name. Sucking her teeth, she signaled for a bartender. “And you’re beginning to take life a bit too serious, Alexandra Ivonne Cole. Ever since you came back from Europe you’ve become someone I don’t know or recognize. Lighten up, Alex, or you’re going to turn into a bitter old woman.”
    Alex swallowed an angry retort. Ana wasn’t the only one who’d mentioned that she’d changed. Perhaps it was because she’d matured while living abroad, that she had come into her own and knew what she wanted for her future.
    Growing up as Alexandra Cole had afforded her a life of privilege. As a member of one of the wealthiest black families in the States, she and any woman who claimed the Cole name or blood were pampered and adored by their male counterparts and relatives. But as she matured she rebelled against the restriction that wouldn’t let her travel like other young women who flew on commercial carriers, when she was forced to take the family-owned jet.
    She’d lost count of the number of times she’d denied being “one of those Coles” when someone inquired about her name. Being the granddaughter of America’s first black billionaire, the daughter of award-winning musician David Cole had distanced her from her contemporaries the moment she drew breath.
    â€œI don’t have time for a man.”
    â€œYeah, right,” Ana drawled. The two words dripped sarcasm. “You, Miss Party Animal, giving up men. I’m your sister, so spare me the melodrama.”
    Alex’s expression stilled and grew serious. “I’m not going to argue with you, Ana. So spare me the lecture.” She glanced over her shoulder. Merrick was gone.
    Ana held up a hand in supplication. “Okay. No lectures. We’re here to celebrate Michael and Jolene’s wedding, and I intend to have a good time.” She waved a bartender over, flashing a sensuous dimpled smile. “I’d like two apple martinis.”
    â€œI’m going to need some ID, miss.”
    Ana’s smile was dazzling as she gawked at the delicious-looking Jesse Metcalf look-alike. “I can assure you that I am over the legal drinking age.”
    He winked at her. “You can’t blame a guy for checking, beautiful.”
    Alex rolled her eyes upward. Her sister was at it again. She was a serial flirt. Ana flirted while she’d sworn off men—at least temporarily. After Alex finished her course work, earned her degree and secured a position as an architectural historian, then she would consider becoming involved with someone. At the present time that was not an option.
    Ana handed Alex a glass with a pale green liquid. “Drink up and loosen up, sis.” She touched her glass to Alex’s.
    Alex took a deep swallow of the icy-cold cocktail, feeling its potent properties immediately. Moaning softly, she closed her eyes. “Ahh-hh. That is good.”
    Taking a deep swallow of her drink, Ana inclined her head in agreement. “Ditto.”
    â€œLadies, gentlemen, I’m going to ask you to take your seats. We’ll be starting in less than fifteen minutes.” The voice of the wedding planner, who was carrying a cordless microphone, was heard over the murmurs of those gathered under the tent.
    Alex and Ana placed their glasses on the bar simultaneously. It had been a couple of years since they’d celebrated a family wedding, and whenever the Coles came together it was always a festive and momentous event.
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    Merrick ignored the young woman on his right. The psychologist, a coworker of Jolene Walker’s, had talked incessantly without pausing to take a breath. He’d met her when Michael and Jolene hosted a dinner party at their Georgetown home. His expression reflected ennui while his gaze was averted less than ten feet away; his rapt attention was directed toward Alexandra Cole.
    She sat next to a man, her head resting on his