“Sweet,” sheanswered.
“Fitting. It’s lovely to meet you tonight, Ms.Mandisa.”
“Thank you for the drink, Slade. It was very kind of you. But I can’t accept your offer to purchase all my drinks tonight. It’s toogenerous.”
He motioned for the bartender to freshen his drink and returned those beautiful blue eyes of his to her face. “Mandisa, please, it’s my honor to do so. And besides, it’s all I have to offer in exchangefor…”
Mandisa raised an eyebrow in expectation. The smart-assed retort was waiting to fly off the tip of hertongue.
“…conversation.”
Mandisa’s would-be scowl turned into a full-on smile. This man was smart, charming, and fine as hell. A rare combination in her world as oflate.
“I’d be happy to sit and talk to you, Slade. You don’t have to bribe me with drinks to doso.”
“Not a bribe, darlin’, just a way to show my appreciation for yourtime.”
He held out a hand and led them in the direction of one of the empty booths. They sat in the quiet little booth, enjoying the easy conversation and pleasant company. Their waitress brought them another round of drinks, interrupting their conversation for a few moments. When she left, Mandisa returned her attention toSlade.
“Where are you from,Slade?”
The twang in his voice told her he was from somewhere South of the Mason Dixon. It had been there, just below the surface, but when he spoke the word “darlin’” like it was dipped in honey, his accentflourished.
“Austin, Texas.” He took a quick swig of the beer and settled the bottle quietly on the table. “Did the yee-haw in my voice give me away? Doesn’t usually come out unless I’m comfortable in mysurroundings.”
“Does that mean you’re comfortable withme?”
“Yes, it does.” He tipped the long neck of his beer bottle in her direction. “But the more important question is, are you comfortable with me,Mandisa?”
Mandisa couldn’t help the smile blooming on her face. It didn’t really make sense, but his easy personality made him so inviting. “Strangely enough, Iam.”
“Why is that sostrange?”
She pulled her eyes away from his and focused on the finger she was running along the perimeter of her glass. “I’m a born and bred New Yorker. We’re distrustful from birth. You don’t survive in a city like this by letting your guarddown.”
He laughed a little. The sound small enough not to draw the attention of the other patrons in the lounge, yet powerful enough to shake something loose inside. She felt it. It was a physical sensation of something releasing within the lonely walls of hersoul.
I must be hard up if a man’s laugh is doing it for me now. When did laughing become so goddamnsexy?
“That’s no way to live. You need to come on down to Texas. We’re some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. You’ll get to let down your guard and experience life as it was meant to beexperienced.”
“And how’sthat?”
He moved in closer. His lean was measured but steady. She didn’t even pretend to hesitate. She met him halfway and welcomed the moment his lips touched hers. The firm, determined mutual press of their mouths sparked need inside her. Just as quickly as the kiss had happened, it ended. He pulled away, running a slow finger down the apple of her cheek as he offered a welcomingsmile.
“Life was meant to be just like that kiss. Fun, sexy, open, and with the intent of creating happiness and satisfyingdesire.”
He was leaning in again. Their lips met in a rush. She felt the light swipe of his tongue against her bottom lip and decided chasing it was the best idea she’d had all week. Just when she’d found his tongue again, coaxed him into giving her more of it, she heard her name in thedistance.
“Mandisa, there youare.”
Mandisa pulled away from Slade’s kiss when she recognized Kandi’s voice. The blessing and curse of having such a unique name was when someone shouted it across a room, you were reasonably certain they were addressing you. She was confident no other Mandisas were sitting in this roomtonight.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Kandi stopped short when she reached the booth. “Am Iinterrupting?”
“No, Kandi,” Mandisa lied. “Kandi, this is Slade. Slade, my best friend Kandi. Kandi looked Slade up and down, much the same way Mandisa did when she first laid eyes on him. He was a pretty specimen of big man meat. Mandisa would wager most women would find it difficult not to take a long hard look at the man. “What’sup?”
“Anna drank too many martinis, and now she’s sick. We’re headingout.”
