Read Online Friendly Persuasion by Dawn Atkins - Free Book Online

stay upright.
    “What’s the matter with you two?” Bob, a graphic artist, stood in the doorway. “Sampson figure out who’s been stealing the celery?”
    “Nothing,” Ross said, while Kara cleared her throat.
    “Don’t forget you’re taking me to the airport tonight,” Bob said, pulling open the refrigerator and poking around. “Tina said there were bear claws in here.”
    Damn, Ross mouthed at Kara, pretending to bang his forehead with his palm. “Right,” he said out loud. “The airport.”
    “Seven p.m. Desert Air,” Bob said, still rummaging.
    It’s okay, Kara mouthed back, sick at heart. Tonight was out for Katherine and Miguel.
    “Tomorrow night then,” he said out loud. “Saturday.”
    She nodded.
    “Tomorrow night, what?” Bob asked, coming out with a somewhat-shriveled peach, which he rubbed on his shirt.
    “Nothing that concerns you, doofus. You’ll be in Seattle.”
    Bob shrugged and walked out. The musky sweetness of peach nectar mingled with the sexual tension in the kitchen air.
    Kara and Ross held each other’s gaze. “Tomorrow night, then,” she said finally, and backed slowly away. She came to her senses in her office, not quite sure how she’d gotten there. All she knew was she had a date with Miguel for Saturday night. And this was only Friday morning. So many hours to wait…
    She remembered her snack and headed back to the kitchen just in time to see Tina slide the last pineapple ring onto her tongue. The empty cottage cheese and cantaloupe containers sat beside the sink.
    “That was my snack,” Kara said.
    “Sorry.”
    “It’s all right.” She couldn’t eat anyway. She was too dazed.
    “I got the script for the Desert Airline ad worked out for you,” Tina said, clearly trying to make up for the purloined food. “The one with the baby and the grouch in first-class?”
    “Great.” Kara sank into a chair.
    “You look faint,” Tina said. “Want me to run out for a hot dog for you?”
    “It’s not hunger. I have another date with Miguel.”
    “No! When?” Tina whisked into a chair beside her.
    “Tomorrow night. He’s got to take Bob to the airport tonight.”
    “Ooh, baby. You are hot. ” Tina licked her finger, then touched her hip and made a sizzling sound. “Tell Tina all.”
    Kara told the tale of Katherine and Miguel missing each other at the Hyatt bar.
    “God, it’s like an O’Henry short story. Only with hot sex. So what are you going to do this time?”
    “We didn’t talk about it. The same thing as Wednesday night, I guess. Except I’ll pay for the room this time.”
    “You can’t do the same thing. Too boring. Plus, it’ll never be as good.”
    “What then?”
    “Well, let’s put on our thinking caps,” Tina said, scooting closer. “We’ve got time to figure it out.”
    “Yeah,” Kara sighed. “Saturday night’s so far off. I don’t know how I’ll last.”
    “So make it tonight. After the airport.”
    “After?”
    “Yeah. How long could it take to drop Bob off? Hey, even better—” Tina got that dangerous look in her eye “—do it at the airport. I’ve got the perfect idea—and even the uniform.”

    R OSS CLIMBED OUT of Bob’s battered Xterra into the warm spring dusk on the departure side of Terminal Four, and watched Bob remove his duffel from the back.
    Ross prided himself on being a stand-up guy and a solid friend. The kind of friend who helped his buds move, took them to the airport and watched their pets when they were gone. Unfortunately, being a good friend to Bob was keeping him from the hottest sex he’d had in a long time. Maybe ever.
    “Thanks, man,” Bob said, tossing the strap over his arm. “You’re a rock.” He gave Ross a low five. “You can drive her if you want. I get back Sunday night.”
    “I’ll be here.”
    “Thanks.” Bob gave him the flight info and Ross watched him walk through the automatic doors. Then his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure. He did a double take. Was that