Read Online Lessons From a Younger Lover by Zuri Day - Free Book Online Page A

wouldn’t dare admit it, a part of her wanted very much to be available to the man in front of her. So she danced around his question.
    â€œI didn’t say I was unavailable. I said I was uninterested. There’s a difference.”
    â€œSo then you’re gay.”
    â€œHa! Hardly, though I’m sure you believe a woman who isn’t interested in you must be gay.”
    â€œNo, but I think a woman who is hiding her true feelings must have a reason.”
    Before Gwen could think of a sassy retort, Kristy spoke.
    â€œYour order’s ready, Ransom.”
    Ransom placed a credit card on the counter without taking his eyes off Gwen. “Add whatever the lady is having,” he said to Kristy.
    â€œShe hasn’t ordered yet.”
    â€œAdd an extra twenty and tab whatever’s left.”
    Kristy’s eyes sparkled as she looked from Ransom’s predatory gaze to Gwen’s deer-in-headlights one. “Wow, Gwen. You’ve got Ransom peeling off the big bucks. You go, girl.”
    â€œThat’s quite all right, Kristy,” Gwen replied. “I’ll be glad to take care of my purchase.”
    Kristy looked from Gwen to Ransom.
    Ransom gave Kristy an authoritative look. She simply nodded and rang up his purchase, plus twenty dollars.
    He turned impatient eyes on Gwen and took another step toward her, gently grabbing her arm before she could retreat again.
    â€œI see we’re going to have to establish early on who’s the boss around here,” he whispered, his breath dangerously warm on her temple.
    Gwen resisted the urge to shiver and instead steeled herself with resolve. “Kindly take your hand off me.”
    â€œDon’t make a scene,” Ransom continued in a near whisper. “Just give me your number.”
    â€œGive you my…what?” Gwen struggled again to break free from Ransom’s grasp. His grip was deceptively light but firm. There was no way she could move without the two customers who’d just come in knowing there was a disagreement happening. Gwen hated acting out in public but realized now might have to be one of those times. Maybe it was because she and Joe rarely had sex in their last three months together, but strange things happened when this man touched her. She lowered her voice to match his. “Please, let me go.”
    â€œHey, Gwen!” Joanna walked to the end of the counter where Gwen and Ransom stood. She leaned in provocatively and added, “Hey, Ransom.”
    â€œWhat’s up, Joanna?”
    â€œYou, gorgeous…always.”
    Gwen tried to ignore the stab of jealousy that whipped around her heart as soon as Joanna started flirting. Ransom was not her business; maybe if he focused on Joanna he would leave her alone.
    â€œYou sure do get around, Ransom,” Joanna continued. “What do you do? Get a heads-up from city hall whenever somebody new moves in?”
    â€œWhat I do is mind my own business,” Ransom replied. “You would do well to do the same.”
    Kristy chuckled behind the counter, which drew a heated glare from Joanna.
    Ransom turned and gave Gwen a hug. “I’ll see you later,” he vowed. And was gone.
    Joanna eyed Ransom until he was out of view and then whipped around to Gwen. “How’d you meet Ransom?”
    Gwen’s female antennae instantly went on high alert and her plans to ask Joanna about Ransom changed in that moment.
    â€œHere, at Kristy’s.”
    â€œYou guys didn’t seem too casual. In fact it sounds like you’re hooking up later on. If that’s true, I need to warn you. There’s a line a mile long ahead of you trying to tie him down.”
    â€œDon’t listen to her,” Kristy chimed in. For the moment, they were the only three in the shop. “Everybody tries to act like they know Ransom’s business, but nobody does.”
    â€œIncluding you,” Joanna snapped.
    Gwen groaned inwardly.