Read Online Deuce's Dancer by Patricia Green - Free Book Online

Pilar."
    It was about the worst thing he could have said to her. Her mind went blank for a full minute as she stared at the key.
    "Sugar, what's wrong? You've been quiet all through lunch." He pushed the key toward her. "Take it. I won't need it; you can let me in when I get home."
    Her gaze dropped to her half-full plate. She hadn't eaten much, but what had gone in was churning around in her belly like curdled milk. Pilar was so focused on her misery that she jumped when a waiter dropped a fork on the floor nearby.
    Deuce checked his watch. "Damn." Sliding his hand across the table, he gestured for her to put her own in his. She didn't. "Pilar?"
    "I can't meet you. I can't date you. We have to break up."
    His frown was mighty, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he gritted his teeth. "I don't know what this is about, Pilar. And, believe me, I want to know. Very much. But I have patients again right about now and am going to be late getting back to the office as it is. Meet me at my-"
    "Deuce!"
    They both looked up at the woman who waved from the sidewalk a few feet away from their table. "Oh shit," he murmured.
    Pilar recognized her as the woman from the photo with the little boy. Stacy. Her hair was longer, and maybe a little lighter blonde, but those gray eyes were as cool as the ones in the photo. As they lit on Pilar, they glittered with malice and Pilar's hackles rose defensively.
    Stacy rushed over and leaned over the railing separating their table from the sidewalk. She grabbed Deuce by the arm and pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him once she'd dragged him close enough. Her lips smacked against the side of his face as he turned away and pushed her back a pace.
    "Stacy."
    The woman's voice didn't falter. It was as though he'd not made his rejection public. "Darling! It's so fantastic that we've run into each other. I always miss you when we're apart. I can hardly wait until tomorrow. I have everything planned, right down to what I'm going to wear. Isn't that silly?" She giggled, but it was a hollow noise.
    "Stacy, now is not the time. I have to get back to my office." He was scowling at the blonde, wadding up his napkin and tossing it on the table.
    "Who is your friend?"
    Glittering gray eyes fell upon Pilar and a chill went through her. This was a woman who was used to getting what she wanted. Pilar was puzzled by Deuce's reaction to Stacy, and the woman's proprietary behavior made Pilar feel a little irritable. It was not jealousy, she told herself. It was decency. After all, it was obvious that Deuce was here on a lunch date.
    "Stay away from her, Stacy. Or you'll have me to answer to."
    Stacy made a little moue and moved her hands off the railing. "Testy, aren't you, darling?" She turned to Pilar and held out a well-manicured hand. "Since Deuce is feeling surly, I'll introduce myself. I'm Stacy Armintier."
    Pilar slowly took Stacy's hand. She'd rather have hugged a viper, but she also didn't want to be a coward. And, Stacy was making her feel like an intruder on her own lunch date. "I'm Pilar Peréz."
    "Deuce hasn't mentioned you before. Are you the latest fling?"
    "Stacy!" Deuce leaned toward her, menacing without touching. "That's enough."
    "I don't believe you've ever declared that to me before, Deuce," she said, her voice dripping like honey. "You're usually asking for more."
    Tears began to form, so Pilar straightened her spine against them. "I was just leaving."
    Deuce held his palm out toward her. "No, don't. I think that's Stacy's job."
    "Really?" Stacy asked. "How about if I walk you back to your office, Deuce? We can talk about our date tomorrow. I have high hopes."
    Deuce actually growled. "It's not a date, Stacy. It's about Eddie." His eyes softened somewhat when he turned his head back toward Pilar. "I'll see you tonight, sugar. We'll talk about this." Pilar didn't respond, and he apparently took that as agreement. He tossed money at the table, and moved away, rounding the barrier and