Read Online IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN by LaConnie Taylor-Jones - Free Book Online Page A

you all day. Raphael got settled in and everything, right?”
    Laney shook her head and silently chuckled. She’d bet every dime she had on the fact her Uncle Eddie and Aunt Ida Mae had told their defense attorney daughter about Raphael’s arrival. “Yes, Nicki, Raphael is settled.”
    “So how is he doing?”
    “If I had to guess, I’d say he’s somewhat overwhelmed, perhaps even scared about what he has to face.”
    “Did Casanova’s baby brother ever tell you why he really decided to come to Olivia? 
    Laney focused at the ceiling. Raphael was always direct and brutally honest, especially when it involved how he felt about something. She liked that. Plus, he never did anything he didn’t want to do. He had the resources to go anywhere in the world until the issue involving the possible breech of his medical records was resolved. She was certain of one thing: he was here because he wanted to be. “No.” 
    “Oh, Jesus, help her. Laney, you’re supposed to ask these kinds of questions.”
    “Why?”
    “I need details.” Nicki paused. “Are you in love with Raphael?”
    Yes, she loved him, but she also needed him. No, it wasn’t a need of dependence, but a powerful ache, a melting sensation, an emptiness that could only be filled by him.
    Her love involved more than sexual attraction. Laney had discovered that many facets of Raphael’s character compared favorably with the men in her family. She simply refused to love a man who possessed anything less.
    For starters, he had a strong work ethic. Music wasn’t something Raphael did haphazardly. It was rooted in his soul. He demanded perfection with every rehearsal, in every performance he gave.
    He was educated, too. Not many classically trained pianists graduated at the top of their class from Julliard then went on to UCLA law school to earn a degree in entertainment law. He also possessed a fearless power. Occasionally, she’d heard the authoritative command in his voice, the one of confidence that if presented with a dilemma, he’d never hesitate to resolve it.
    Most of all, he was strong-willed. That was evident from the morning they shared their first kiss. Despite the passion swirling around them like a dust storm, he’d been the one who’d pushed back. She loved him even more for respecting her and not taking advantage of the situation. As far as she was concerned, that was an impressive list by any standard.
    “Laney,” Nicki scolded in a firm, but gentle tone when she didn’t get an immediate response. “Turn off that mega processing brain of yours for a second and talk to me.”
    “Yes, I’m in love with Raphael and know I want to spend the rest of my life with him.” 
    “Does he feel the same way you do?”
    “Hmmm … that’s a question you’ll need to ask Raphael.”
    Nicki released an exasperated sigh. “Usually, my dear, there’s a mutual consensus of feelings in a relationship.”
    Whether Raphael wanted to admit it or not, Laney knew he’d just put his trump card on the table by agreeing to stay at Olivia. She wanted him, more than she’d ever thought it was possible to want a man, both physically and emotionally. This was the first time in her life she’d recall following her heart and not her head. “Who says there isn’t one in this case?”
    “Okay, Einstein, I see you’re determined to win this man’s heart, aren’t you?”
    “Yes.”
    “What makes you so sure you’ll come out victorious?”
    Laney pondered the question for only a second. If she were to have any chance at all, she had to find a way to break down Raphael’s iron-clad control. She wanted her relationship with him to involve not only his trust, but the very essence of his being, and would settle for nothing less.  “If faint heart ne’er won fair lady, fair lady ne’er won with a faint heart.”
    ~ ~ ~
    The following day, Ray, along with Laney, sat in the office of Jason Reynolds. He’d accepted Laney’s recommendation to see the