Free On the Way to Heaven (BWWM Romance) by Stacy-Deanne Page A

out those sights,” Skip
said while Trina walked off. “Meanwhile, I’ll check her out.” He took off his shades. “Jesus.” She disappeared into the crowd.
         “Do you have to be so obvious?” Neil sipped
juice through his straw.
         “You didn’t tell me Trina looked like
that.”
         “What difference does it make?”
         “Are you crazy?” Skip stared in the
direction she left in. “She’s the most beautiful woman in this damn town.”
         Neil chewed on the straw. “She is
something, isn’t she?”
         “Don’t even think of telling me nothing’s
going on between you two.” Skip looked him in the eyes. “No way a man can have
that goddess staying in his home, and not get tempted.”
         “I never said I’m not tempted.” Neil set
the cup down. “I’m still a man, but nothing is going on.”
         “The woman is a fox.” Skip touched his
shirt. “Shit I’m hard right now . Don’t tell me you
can live with her and control yourself all the time. If I had her in my house,
we’d have been under the sheet the first night.”
         “I know, because you’re a dog.” Neil
scratched his arm. “I have scruples. Besides, you’re forgetting about my wife,
who I cherish more than anything.”
         “Neil.” Skip sighed. “Everyone knows you
loved Charlotte, but when are you gonna move on?”
         “That’s easier said than done.”
         Skip sat back. “I love you like a brother,
and it hurts me that you think being happy would betray Charlotte. She’d want
you to be happy.”
         “You always act like you understand, but
you don’t know what it’s like to lose your wife.”
         “I know you seem happier than I’ve seen you
in a long time.” Skip gestured to Neil’s food. “You really like Trina, don’t
you? Do you want to be with her?”
         Neil fidgeted. “I—”
         “It’s not a crime just to admit you have
feelings for another woman.”
         “Of course I have feelings for her. How can
you live with someone day after day and share with them, and not have
feelings?” Neil picked up a chicken wing. “We’ve bonded, and the girls love
her.”
         Skip waved his chubby finger. “Looks like
instead of getting a maid, someone sent you an angel.”
         Neil bit into the wing. “Just because I
feel something for her, doesn’t mean I need to act on those feelings.”
         “Why not?”
         He chewed chicken. “I don’t even know how
she feels about me .”
         “Have you asked?” Skip moved his shades.
         “Every time I think of asking her,
something stops me, and I know it’s because of Charlotte.”
         “I’m not gonna convince you to chase a
beautiful woman.” Skip put his shades on. “If you won’t claim the goddess…” He
stood. “Then step aside, because I certainly will.”
         “You’re not her type.” Neil dropped his
hands to his lap.
         “Believe me, I’m every woman’s type.” Skip
sauntered off.
         Neil didn’t have any right to be jealous…but
he was.

 

CHAPTER
THIRTEEN

 
         “Hey there.” Skip
walked up behind Trina.
         She concentrated on the guy playing ring
toss with his daughter. “Hey.”
         He eased beside her. “Having fun?”
         “It’s my first carnival.” She sucked on the
red snow cone.
           “That
snow cone sure looks good.” He moaned. “Watching you eat it looks even better.”
         “They’re over there.” She pointed to the
booth a ways behind them.
           “Man, it’s hot out here.” He took off his
shades. “You smell good.”
         She faked a smile and moved aside.
         “Am I coming on too strong?” He laid his
hand on the curve of her back. “Forgive me. But how can you expect me to
control myself around a woman like you?”
         She sucked the red ice.
         “Neil