Read Online Losing to Win by Michele Grant - Free Book Online

lifted her up. She wrapped those long legs around me as I set her down on the counter so we fit even tighter together. I couldn’t resist grinding against her once just to see how that felt again. Perfection.
    Her head fell back. “Malachi.”
    â€œRight here, babe.” I kissed a trail down her jaw and along her neck, resting my lips against the fluttering pulse at the base and licking lightly. She shuddered in my arms.
    â€œWhat are we doing?” she whispered before wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me with more heat and passion than I remembered. I was seconds from going up in flames and taking her right there on the kitchen counter.
    â€œThat’s what we’re wondering,” a deep male voice said from behind us.
    With a groan, I recognized my brother’s voice. Sighing with regret, I leaned back and tilted my head to the side. Taylor; Mac; his brother, Burke; and my brother, Meshach, all stood in the arched doorway to the kitchen with varying expressions of amusement and dismay.
    Meshach glanced at his watch. “Took you two almost eight hours to start groping each other like you’re back under the bleachers in high school after a pep rally. Some things never change.”
    I looked back at Carissa to gauge her reaction. To my relief, she had her hand clapped over her mouth and a few giggles escaped. “Jesus, I can NOT be trusted around you. Stay at least five paces back!” She pushed me away and hopped down from the counter. “So, beyond the entertainment, what are y’all doing here?”
    Burke walked over and gave Carissa a hug. “Good to see you, girl. We’re here to take you out for your last supper.”

6
    You don’t know the half
    Carissa—Monday, May 23—5:16 p.m.
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    W e were settled in the long booth along the back wall of Ruby’s restaurant. I was huddled at the far end closest to the kitchen with Taylor and Mac on one side and Niecy and Sugar on the other. Filling out the long table were Burke, Pierre, Renard, Meshach, and Malachi. One table over sat three contestants—XJ, Jordan, and Suzette—with the show producer, Bliss, and the associate producer, Marcy. I had been introduced to Jerry, one of the cameramen, when I came in. He was seated with Ren and some other staff near the front of the restaurant. If nothing else, this show was already good for business. Ruby’s hadn’t been this packed on a Monday evening for quite some time.
    I finished scanning the other tables while studiously avoiding any type of eye contact with Malachi. I wasn’t ready to deal with the implications of my little kitchen relapse just yet. When I drew my attention back to Mac and Tay, I found them eyeing me with equal parts exasperation and humor. I guessed I was going to have to deal with it.
    I exhaled deeply. “I know, I know. You don’t have to say it,” I said, shaking my head before letting it fall into my hands. I massaged my scalp as if willing some sense to appear there. “Believe me, I know. It was just . . .”
    â€œInevitable?” Taylor suggested, rolling her eyes.
    â€œStupid?” Mac added with a smirk.
    I held up my hands. “Spur of the moment,” I amended.
    â€œWhat are you going to do, Rissa?” Niecy asked quietly.
    â€œWhat I always do.”
    â€œRun in the other direction?” Mac said.
    â€œNo!” I frowned; did they really think I ran when things got tough? “I’m going to pretend it’s all okay until it really is.”
    â€œAvoidance.” Tay nodded. “I guess that works.”
    I raised my brows. “You two would know.”
    â€œBeg pardon?”
    â€œBeg away. Are we going to pretend that you two aren’t circling each other like prey?” It had long been my opinion that the two of them were perfect for each other but did nothing about it for fear of ruining the friendship, or some such other random