Free Curvaceous by Marilyn Lee Page B

careful, she could start to feel more for you than she should within a short time. So just be careful with her heart."
    I had zero interest in her heart. Her pussy was another story. "I will."
    "Okay."
    "Okay. Now, you want to tell me what's wrong between you and Malik?"
    As before, there was a noticeable pause before she answered. "Nothing's wrong. Look, I have to go."
    "Jess."
    "What?"
    "If you need to talk, I'm always here for you," I said quietly.
    Her voice had softened when she spoke again. "I know. Thanks for your concern, but Malik and I will work things out."
    So there was something to work out. I shook my head. Malik was a bigger fool than I thought he was if he let Jess slip away from him. "You want to talk now?"
    "No. Now...I just need to...I have to get a move on. I'll talk to you in a few days."
    "Okay, but if you need anything—"
    "I know. Thanks, Jake." She made a kissing sound and hung up. 

Chapter Two
    B ree
    I was surprised and delighted when the beautiful bouquet arrived late Saturday morning. Eight months earlier, Darren, the regional sales manager I'd been dating for nearly a year, had accepted a promotion, which necessitated a cross-country move to California.
    He'd made noises about our having a long distance relationship. Although tempted to agree, I knew he'd lose interest in me once he worked in L.A. with all those svelte, hard-bodied women with tanned skin and long, flowing hair. He'd offered to fly back to Philly for a long weekend a few times. I had reluctantly decided a clean break was best.
    When he'd finally accepted our relationship was over, he'd sent me a goodbye bouquet four months earlier. The flowers brought back pleasant memories of the intimate relationship we'd shared. I smiled at his persistence. Maybe I needed to rethink my position on long distance relationships. 
    If he still wanted me after eight months, his feelings must run deeply. It was flattering that those L.A. women hadn't changed his mind. My main reason for ending our relationship had been my fear that he wouldn't be able to remain faithful. I can forgive a lot when I'm in love, but I draw the line at infidelity. A renewed relationship with Darren would drive thoughts of the handsome, sexy Jake from my thoughts.
    My pleasure turned to amazement as I read the card that accompanied the flowers.
    May I call you?
    Jake V.
    Recovering from the faint disappointment that the flowers weren't from Darren, I sat staring at the card. Why had Jake sent them? Despite his denials, I'd seen his initial surprise when we met the previous night. He'd spent most of the evening staring at me with a bemused look on his face. His half-hearted attempt to get me into bed notwithstanding, I was certain he was relieved when the evening was over.
    So why send flowers? Why pretend he wanted to see me again? Had Lea somehow conned him into it again? Lea and I had shared a couple of lunches and an occasional quick in-office dinner when we worked late. We were a little more than just cordial with each other, but far less than true friends who shared each other's innermost confidences. She knew I'd ended my relationship with Darren, but not why.
    Sympathy had probably motivated her to set me up with Jake. We needed to talk. I put a load of clothes in the washer before I called her.
    She listened in silence for several moments before she spoke. "He sent you flowers? Jake sent you flowers?"
    "Yes."
    "He's not a flower sending guy. He actually said he wanted to see you again?" 
    The blatant surprise in her voice annoyed me. If she found his wanting to see me again such a surprise, why had she arranged a blind date for us in the first place? 
    "Why do you sound so surprised?"
    In the two years Lea and I had been accountants at the large car dealership where we both worked, I'd come to appreciate her quick wit.
    "Surprised? I knew you two would hit it off. I just didn't realize the first date would go so well. When are you seeing him