Free Long Slow Second Look by Marilyn Lee Page A

towards the room behind us. "There's a room full of beautiful women feet away who would love to hop into bed with you. You've ignored all of them in favor of hanging out here with me talking about a plain, full-figured woman you met last night who has a thing for another man.
    "What's wrong with that picture?"
    "She doesn't have a thing for him and she's not plain!"
    "For your sake, John, I hope she doesn't have a thing for him because whether or not you're ready to admit it, I think it's a done deal. You've finally met a woman who excites both your emotions and your intellect. You're toast."
    "You really have to stop hanging around with the Grayhawks so much, Shane. You've nearly lost your grip on reason. I met her last night and already you have me in love with her and incapable of being happy without a serious relationship with her. That's a stretch even by Grayhawk standards."
    Shane shrugged. "We'll see."
    I decided he'd had enough amusement at my expense. "And what about you, Mr. Twice divorced and lonely? Anyone lighting up your nights and making you act like a horny teenager?"
    Shane shook his head. "No. I'm beginning to think I'll never meet a woman capable of holding my attention, let alone my affection for more than a few years. It looks like we're just not the staying married kind." He smiled. "Of course if I happen to meet a woman capable of making me insane enough to go raw, I might consider giving marriage another try. But that's not very likely to happen."
    "I hope it does happen for you."
    "I'm as tired of one-night stands as you are. I hope it does happen, but since I'm not seeing anyone, that's a very long shot. In any case, I really have to get back to my guests." He slapped me on the back, opened the French doors he'd closed when he joined me, and walked into the living room to mingle with the people filling the room.
    I turned back to the view of the city skyline.
    "Johnny! Darling! Lovely to see you."
    I turned to see a pretty brunette exiting through the French doors to join me on the balcony. She was one of a number of women I'd enjoyed sharing a sexual relationship with in the past.
    I wasn't really in the mood to see her but I smiled. "Janet."
    "I've missed having you heating up my nights. If you're free we can spend the night getting reacquainted." She slipped her arms around my neck and kissed me.
    I had absolutely no interest in bedding her. I was about to tactfully refuse her offer for sex when I looked beyond her to find Shane watching us. He mouthed Love the one you're with .
    Fuck you ! I mouthed back and slipped an arm around Janet's waist. "I am free." As I bent to kiss her, my cellphone rang. Amber's ring. Although I longed to answer it and race back to see her, I decided she was probably right. We needed some time away from each other.
    I drew Janet closed and pressed my lips against hers and allowed Amber's call to go to voicemail.
    * * *
    Amber

    Long after John left me at my door with kisses so hot they nearly seared my lungs, I lay on a chaise on my balcony trying to decide what my next move should be. It was strange to recall that twenty-four hours earlier, my only goal had been to put myself on Deandre's radar.
    A day later and I'd had unprotected sex twice with a man who was, in point of fact, a stranger. Sure I knew his name and where he lived, but I didn't know him as a man. I suspected he had no desire to remarry or to have any more kids. Having sex with him had been beyond sweet. Although I didn't regret it, I couldn't afford to repeat the offense.
    I'd had a crazy one-nighter and now it was time to get back in the game, regroup, and resume the hunt for Deandre's heart. Before I could change my mind, I called John's number, all the while praying that he would not answer.
    I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard his recorded greeting. I'm not available right now. Leave your name and number and I'll return your call.
    "John, it's Amber. There's no easy way to say this so I'll