Free Waiting For Him by Denise Johnson Page A

covered by the soft cotton of his dark shirt, she said, “When we’re through, given that you think Alexis’s hot.”
    “Any guy with a pulse would think the same about her and you too.
    She didn’t care what any other guy thought about her, she paused. “Steve, too?”
    His jaw clinched. “He’s not blind, but he’s also not stupid.”
    “Meaning?”
    “We’re good friends and have been for years.” He cupped her face and ran his thumb over her cheek. “That makes you off limits.”
    Well. That seemed rather territorial. She needed to make sure she understood the dynamics of their friendship. “So even after you and I are finished.”
    “Yes!” He scowled at her. “For all eternity, in fact.”
    He looked very put out, even though she’d only repeated his own words back to him. But what did she know of male friendships and boundaries?
    Nada.
    “I understand. So then, do you think you might… That you would…” She couldn’t get her words together so she gestured toward him and then the living room. “With Alexis, I mean?”
    “If you’re asking me if I’ll come back here at some later date and start sniffing around her, the answer is no.”
    She wasn’t so worried about him sniffing as she was touching, kissing or the like. Anything would be bad especially if she had to witness it. “I don’t mean to nitpick. It’s just that with me living right next door, it would be awkward.” Awful. Humiliating. Heart wrenching.
    Stone scrubbed both hands over his face and muffled a laugh. “Listen up, okay? I’d have to be a total dick to do something like that. While I’m not an angel I’m not that lost, either. So don’t worry about it.”
    Not worrying would be tough, given Alexis’s draw. She sighed. “I like Alexis a lot you know. She’s been a really good friend and a wonderful landlord. She’s stunning and I see how men get around her and turn all goofy.”
    “You know, that’s usually how women are with Steve.” Stone touched her cheek. “But you haven’t been falling apart at the sight of him.”
    “Of course not.” She knew Steve was attractive, but with Stone around, who cared? She thought about it and shook her head. “Actually, Steve hasn’t been goofy, either.” Interested, definitely. Attentive, sure. Unlike most men, he came off as confident instead of love struck. “I’ve seen contractors, delivery men, servicemen all act pretty outrageous with her. Even guys driving by stare at her. I know she’s aware of the attention, but she usually ignores it.”
    “She’s not ignoring Steve.”
    No, she wasn’t. Interesting. “Hm.”
    Stone tipped up her chin. “Can you really be that unaware of the attention you get?”
    She didn’t get that kind of attention, but she was done talking about Steve and Alexis. “I don’t want to wait, Stone.”
    “Yeah, I get that,” he said with gentle amusement. “You’ve been pretty clear.” He ran his fingers through her hair, rubbing it gently, then lifting it to his nose. He lowered his forehead to almost touching hers. “You sure you don’t want to hold off until tomorrow, love? Maybe slow things down a little so we can both get a grip?”
    Love? The affectionate way he said that made her want to swoon, but she was smart enough to realize a lot of it had to do with Stone being her first real romantic involvement since her bad breakup and her mother’s death.
    “No, I don’t,” she repeated.
    He drew two slow breaths. “I’d probably be in better shape without all this teasing.”
    “Stone,” she said with an edge of pleading. “Please don’t make me wait.”
    His gaze met hers. His eyes narrowed and he nodded. “I hope I survive this.”
    Keisha had no idea what he meant by that, and he didn’t give her a chance to ask.
    Keeping her tucked close to his side, Stone strode with her to the doorway that led to the living room.
    Alexis sat in a chair and Steve on the edge of the couch and they laughed about