Read Online Carol's Image by Maryann Jordan - Free Book Online Page A

“Yeah, tonight actually.” Looking up, seeing Jake’s confused look, he continued. “I don’t know, man. She is so goddamn gorgeous and yet doesn’t seem to know it. Most women I know flaunt everything they’ve got, and Carol just seems to feel very self-conscious.”
    Jake agreed, glad that his friend was truly interested in this woman and not just looking for a hookup. “She seems nice.”
    Tom nodded, “Hell yeah. Jen said she has come by every day to check to see how James is doing but that she always wants to know how Jen is doing as well. And she does that on her own time, when her shift is up.”
    “So what are you thinkin’? You plannin’ on just havin’ a new friend with your kind of benefits ?”
    Shaking his head, Tom stared straight into Jake’s gaze. “Hell no. Carol’s a keeper. I know it. But she’s a mystery I hope to start unravelin’ tonight. I just hope I don’t scare her off.”
    “Scare her off?” Jake asked in confusion.
    “Look, I’m not like Rob, fuckin’ everythin’ that offers, and you taught me the good rule of findin’ my fuck-buddies out of town so I wasn’t runnin’ into them with every case we investigated. But Carol’s classy. She also seems skittish, like she could take off if scared.”
    “Then just be a gentleman and not some dick that wants to take her to dinner just to bang her…you’ll be fine.”
    Shifting in his seat nervously, Tom admitted, “Plus I like to be in control and she’s gotten burned in the past by someone who wanted to control her. Not like me. Not like I wanna take care of her.”
    “I don’t know what to tell you, man. I haven’t met ‘the one’ yet. But I guess you’re gonna have to show her that our kind of control is about her, not the man.”
    Standing up, Jake slapped Tom on the back. “Good luck, bro,” he said as he headed down the hall with their report for the chief.
    *
    Tom arrived at her apartment early, not wanting Carol to have to wait. He could not help but stare at her as she opened the door. Her halo of blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, with waves down her back. Her modest emerald green dress showed off her athletic figure to perfection, and her heels gave her toned legs the impression of being long even though she was a full foot shorter than he was. The silky dress hung perfectly on her figure, allowing Tom to see her curves that the hospital scrubs hid.
    The drive to the restaurant was pleasant, and he found that it was easy to talk to her. Small talk always irritated him, never really caring much about the woman he was with. But Carol? She was different. He glanced sideways, glimpsing at her profile. A glow seemed to emanate from her, a sense of peace surrounding her. Not flashy. Not in-your-face. A parade of past faces flashed through his mind, and he realized that he usually tuned out the women as they talked about fashion, movies, music, their friends, the bars they wanted to try. Carol? She was quiet, cautious. He realized that he had no idea what she was thinking.
    He had chosen a restaurant on the outskirts of town, knowing that they not only offered excellent food, but also a quiet atmosphere so that they could get to know each other uninterrupted. I hope she likes it. Why am I nervous? It had been a while since he took a woman to dinner who actually interested him.
    As she turned to walk in front of him toward the restaurant Tom stared at the back of the dress, where it dipped below her shoulder blades. Fighting the desire to lick from her neck down her back, he placed his hand on the small of her back to lead her inside.
    Walking in, the hostess looked up with a huge smile on her face. “Why Tom, it’s been forever since you’ve been in to see me…us.” Her tight dress showed her ample cleavage, and she worked it to her advantage as her eyes cut over to Carol.
    Fuck. I forgot Anita worked here. Glancing down at Carol, he saw no change in her demeanor at all. But with his hand on