Read Online Guilty of Love by Pat Simmons - Free Book Online

affection.” Grinning,
Malcolm held up both hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. No more
pressure. I was just making a suggestion. C’mon. Let me show off my
beautiful woman.”
    They looped their arms together and
walked the pathway to his silver Chevy Monte Carlo. Malcolm had to
cool it. Hallison confided that she hadn’t slept with a man because
of her church upbringing. She needed to be sure there wouldn’t be
any guilt when she slept with the man she loved. Malcolm was the
man. Now he had to give Hallison time to realize that. Let the
God in heaven give him strength to hold out.
    “ Any idea which woman Parke
is bringing tonight?”
    Throwing his head back, Malcolm
released a deep chuckle. He opened the passenger door. “I have no
idea, and I’ve stopped asking. I don’t assume names anymore or ask
how she’s been since the last time we met.”
    “ I’m keeping my mouth shut
this time. There’s got to be one woman out there for him. I have
coworkers and girlfriends who would love to have a Malcolm
look-alike.”
    “ We’re nothing alike when
it comes to women. I know a good thing when I see her. Parke
wouldn’t know a good woman if she knocked him to the
ground.”
    Twenty minutes later, Malcolm parked
blocks away from the park. Hand in hand, he and Hallison strolled
down the crowded sidewalk with other concertgoers. Soon they
spotted Parke in the distance hugging a dark-skinned woman who
sported long micro braids, adorned with eye-stopping beads. She
wore what appeared to be four-inch heels.
    “ Wow, her halter top is
barely holding her boobs, and those hoochie-mama shorts would make
some hoochies blush,” Malcolm mumbled.
    “ Your brother’s dates are
getting stranger and stranger, babe.”
    “ Tell me about it. The
mosquitoes are going to have a munch-feast on sista-girl tonight
with all her back and legs out. Hali, some of his choices are
mind-boggling.”
    “ Some?”
    “ Okay, most.”
    “ Try all of
them.”
    Malcolm snickered and kissed the top
of her hair. “His personal picks remain a mystery while his
business and world history acumen are well noted.”
    “ You mentioned your family
tree before. I think it’s so fascinating to know your history like
that. You’ve uncovered some invaluable information.”
    “ Amazing things, but I
think it’s that information that drives Parke to craziness,”
Malcolm voiced his thoughts.
    “ If you were Parke Jamieson
VI, would you change your woman every day like you change your
und—”
    Malcolm’s finger to her lips silenced
her. “I would’ve stopped searching the day I saw you at that job
fair. Does that answer your question?”
    She reached up and fingered the silky
hairs of his beard before standing on her toes and brushing her
lips against his. “Yes.”
    They joined Parke and his date at a
stoplight. The brothers exchanged hugs like they hadn’t seen each
other in years. He and Hallison offered Parke’s companion a cordial
smile. At least the woman had a pretty face.
    “ This is Wanda,” Parke
said, positioning his hand around the woman’s waist. “C’mon, let’s
find a spot before it gets packed.”
    “ Wanda,” Malcolm mouthed to
Hallison with mischief dancing in his eyes. “Not only does my
brother pick women with his eyes closed, but he must have a mental
rolodex to keep the names straight.”
    Hallison giggled.
    The foursome wormed their way between
folks who had commandeered a large hill. A makeshift stage had been
erected in front of the swimming pool. The local band, Summer
Magic, entertained the audience with an array of pop, rock, and
love ballads.
    Malcolm bopped his head to the band’s
beat until they played a rendition of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s Reasons . He relaxed his legs and coaxed Hallison to sit in
front of him, offering his chest for support.
    Resting her head, Hallison hummed
along as music floated throughout the night air. Malcolm tightened
his arms around her stomach while massaging his beard against