Free Secret Delights (Lingerie Series) by Yvette Hines

Whispered words from the right lips
can open the heart like petals of a flower in the sun and love can find a home…
     
     
    “Marisa, thank you so much for the
information about the children’s reading carnival.” I stood before the library
counter, University of North Carolina. It was early, so the library was
practically deserted with the exception of a few overachievers already with
their nose in a book.
    “You’re welcome, Gabrielle. Did your
little niño enjoy himself?” Marisa Yasmine Martinez, a pretty
Mexican-American woman who was fun and adventurous smiled at me.
    We had met at an annual training all
the college employees were made to attend and, sitting next to each other for
the three-day seminar, we had become fast friends.
    Leaning my hip against the counter, Gabrielle
smiled. “Jason loved it. Since he hasn’t really made any new friends so far at
school, things like that event means so much to him.”
    “I’m glad I could help.” Marisa
walked to the book return and removed an armful of books and set them on the
counter. “Now that we have entertained your son, when are we going out for some
adult entertainment?”
    Gabrielle shook her head. “Good
gracious, Marisa, I can’t even begin to tell you the last time I even thought
about going out.” I did remember that it hadn’t been since Michael’s death.
Almost three years now and there were days that she really missed the friend he
was to her, even more than she missed him as a husband.
    “Well then, it is past time.” Marisa
opened the top book and stamped the check-in date on the card that rested in
the paper slot.
    Groaning, I said, “I don’t know. I
was never any good at the club mingling thing.” I recalled the times in college
I’d gone out with my girl friends, sorority girls and cheerleaders. All the
guys had practically salivated for their attention. I found myself at the table
each time watching purses and coats the whole night. I knew those guys were
just vain and looking only at the shape of women, but it still stung. Those
experiences were a big reason why I had started hanging out more with Michael
after he’d tutored me in math. We were friends who eventually became lovers
then found ourselves at the altar two years after graduation.
    My friend’s voice pulled me away
from my musing.
    “Neither am I. Trust me, when you’re
a thick Latina, the men aren’t exactly dragging you on the floor to salsa.
Latin men like their women curvy,” Marisa made the hourglass silhouette with
her hands, “but not necessarily curvy if you get me.” She ran a hand
along her full hips.
    I laughed. “I get you, my friend.”
    “So, come on. Us two mujeres
hermosas y gruesas paint the town black and brown.”
    I knew she said something about us
being beautiful woman but the rest was lost to me. “Let me think about—”
    The ringing of my cell phone cut me
off. Pulling it out of my blazer pocket, I checked the caller I.D. My son’s
school name was displayed. “One sec, Marisa.” I pushed the answer tab on the
screen. “Hello?”
    “Good afternoon, Ms. Strayer?”
    The voice on the other end of the
phone was deep with the smoky timbre of a blues artist. It lit my core up like
the Fourth of July, rocketing explosions through my body. Damn. I must be
desperate if I’m getting worked up over the sound of a man’s voice.
    I started to fan myself and stopped
when I noticed Marisa eyeing me curiously. “Yes.”
    He continued, “This is Mr. Cale
calling from Queen City Angels Elementary School.”
    My heart started racing. “Is everything
all right with Jason?”
    “Yes, Ms. Strayer, he is fine. I
just wondered if you had a moment to meet after school today.”
    “And you are?” I wasn’t familiar
with the name Cale.
    “His new teacher. You should have
been sent a memo last week.”
    Smacking my palm against my forehead,
I felt like the worst mother. How could I have forgotten that Ms. Lowen went
into early labor with her