Free Read To Me by Nona Raines Page B

her life. Still, it would be lovely to have someone to go to the movies and dinner with, someone to laugh with, to call late at night when she just wanted to talk. Someone to hold, who’d hold her, too.
    Someone like the handsome man on the bus. For a moment, she allowed herself the fantasy of sinking into his arms, leaning against his broad chest, inhaling his clean, soapy aroma.
    Good God, Blaise, what’s your problem? Daydreaming about a man you spent ten minutes with on the bus.
    She should try dating again, but it had always been such a hassle, she wasn’t sure it was worth the effort. Dressing up to meet someone for coffee or a meal, trying to make conversation, trying to find that special spark. So much work for something that usually fizzled out after the first or second meeting.
    Maybe she was too out of practice. Or maybe she’d used up all her chances.
    She scanned the shelves. Mr. Miłosc didn’t stock pornography. All the titles on the shelf were quality erotica, with authors she recognized—Bocaccio, John Cleland, D.H. Lawrence, Henry Miller, Anais Nin. And of course, the ever popular Anonymous.
    She pulled a book from the shelf. One she hadn’t seen before. Cupid’s Delight . Hmm. She flipped to the first page.
    And jumped when a hand tapped her shoulder. The book slipped from her hand and fell to the floor. She turned to find herself staring into the coffee-colored eyes of the man from the bus.
    His expression was apologetic. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    “No, uh, no, I’m just—” To cover her sudden case of tangle-tongue, she bent to retrieve the book. He did the same and their heads collided. “Ow!”
    “Shit,” he muttered. “I mean, sorry.” He held her arm to steady her as she righted herself. “Are you all right?”
    She rubbed the sore spot over her forehead. Yep, there’d be a bump for sure. “I’m fine.” The silliness of the situation hit, and laughter bubbled out of her. “You’ve got one hard head!”
    His face relaxed as he laughed, too. “So I’ve been told. Yours is a pretty tough coconut, too.” A shiver passed through her as their laughter subsided, and his expression turned serious. “Your book.” When he handed her Cupid’s Delight , she blinked. She’d completely forgotten about it.
    He fished a keychain from his pocket and jingled it in front of her. “And your keys.”
    Blaise’s mouth fell open. “Oh, my gosh.”
    They were hers, all right. The key chain with the big red heart, a gift years ago from Ashlynn. “How did you…where…?”
    “They fell out of your purse on the bus. I didn’t even see them until you’d gotten off. The bus driver told me that you were heading here.”
    “Thank you so much. You saved me a huge hassle.” Nothing more embarrassing than needing to ask her landlord to let her in her own apartment. She took the keys and slipped them into her purse, making sure it was securely zipped.
    “You’re welcome.” Silence lengthened between them. Even though there was no further reason for the stranger to stay, he lingered. His gaze roamed the stacks. “Interesting place. I enjoy book shops, but I’ve never been here before.”
    “It’s one of my favorite spots. I love to come and browse, just sit and read.”
    “I read so much for my job, I’ve gotten out of the habit of reading for enjoyment. I miss it.” He pulled a book from the shelf and showed her the spine. Lady Chatterley’s Lover. “This is one of my favorites.”
    Suddenly, it became difficult to breathe. “Yes.” She forced the word through her constricted throat. “That’s an amazing novel.”
    Constance Chatterley could only find sexual fulfillment with gamekeeper Oliver Mellors. This man, whoever he was, would make a perfect Mellors.
    And she would be Lady Chatterley?
    As he stood holding the D.H. Lawrence volume, Blaise imagined his large hands stroking her, caressing her body. She quivered, her panties moistening.
    Look away, look