The Love Ranch (BWWM Romance) Read Free

her a three-legged stool which collapsed the moment her butt touched it. Each time, the laughs that had emitted at her expense had been loud enough to rouse the dead. It was like high school all over again, Tiana thought bitterly.
    “Here, let me help you,” Tiffany offered brightly with another giggle as she produced a duster whilst dropping onto her haunches.
    “No thanks, I’m good,” Tiana said shortly. She was fast running out of patience with the girl. Ever since Tiana had shown up at Tiny Tim’s, Tiffany never lost an opportunity to make her look inept. She was always offering to take one task or the other off her hands!
    Tiffany’s bright smile wobbled then she pretended she had not heard Tiana and began to help clear up the debris.
    “You should be nicer to Tiffany. The gal is just tryin’ to be nice,” Patrick murmured as Tiana shakily washed her hands some minutes later.
    Tiana looked over at him; with his big glasses, persistently rumpled clothes, slack mouth and wide face, Patrick was one of the least attractive men she had ever met but he had an innate kindness. She had seen him once gather up remnants to take home to a stray dog that had been plaguing his neighbor’s backyard.
    She sincerely doubted Tiffany knew the word ‘nice’ existed but she merely nodded her head and picked up a fresh tray to take to yet another table.
    Her feet slowed as she neared the table; Christian Langfield was sitting at the table holding the hand of a beautiful, sloe-eyed brunette, his gaze locked on hers. Her tiny hand was encased completely in his large palm while his thumb repetitively stroked the soft skin of her hand.
    As she approached, the pair was so lost in each other’s gaze that they barely noticed her. Tiana cleared her throat deliberately, taking perverse satisfaction in the way the pretty brunette jumped and blushed. She made to pull her hand from Christian’s grasp but he tightened his grip and turned to face Tiana, his gaze flinty.
    “Lunch’s here,” she said with forced cheer that sounded fake even to her ears.
    “So fast? What did you do? Mix up the orders again?” the damn man asked, his eyes crinkling at her
    Tiana ground her teeth as she jerkily dumped his bowl of mutton stew in front of him and then with exaggerated care, placed his companion’s own dish of rice in front of her.
    “No witty comebacks?” he asked as she turned to leave.
    “Who’s your companion?” she asked.
    “Jealous?” he shot back with a grin and the brunette blushed again, her eyes widening.
    Tiana’s own eyes went wide as saucers as she struggled between hilarity and shock. How could he say such a thing, and in front of his date too!
    “Sometimes I swear Jamal is more of a gentleman than you’ll ever be. I should know; I raised him!”
    “Ouch,” he laughed, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “Hear that Lydia? An indirect slur on my Mama,” he grinned at his companion, apparently not the least bit offended.
    “Who’s Jamal?” the brunette, Lydia, asked in a low musical voice that somehow managed to make Tiana feel rough and unfeminine.
    “Her son. He gets his good looks and manners from his dad if you ask me; definitely not from his mom,” Christian teased, laughter crinkling the edges of his eyes.
    Tiana swaying slightly on her feet; and before she could stop herself, she said tightly in a low furious voice she barely recognized as hers, “Jamal is nothing like his dad!”
    Christian’s laughter fled, to be replaced by a grave, somber expression, “I didn’t mean to offend you, Tiana. I’m sorry if I did.”
    His intelligent gray eyes watched her closely, measuring and she deliberately breathed in and out slowly to calm herself down. With a jerky nod, she turned on her heel and strode away, praying no one had noticed her reaction or heard how she had talked to him because whatever else he may be, he was still a customer.
    Her legs almost gave out with relief when she reached the bar and saw