Read Online Of Body And Soul by L. J. Valentine - Free Book Online

together before my plane leaves tomorrow afternoon." Andrea left Grayson smiling.
    An indescribable softening surged through Andrea. She was clearheaded enough to stop and stand and look around and listen.
    The rhythmic lyrics from her favorite song, Body and Soul played softly in the background. She smiled and silently sang the words “I’d gladly surrender myself to you Body and Soul .”
    Andrea stood by the piano; delicate, provocative. Her sensuous body turned toward the singer. She moved her lips mouthing the words of the song. When she looked over, Kurt was standing beside the table with his arms folded. A troubled look was written on his face. She walked toward him, slow and deliberate. Her breath left her body at the sight of him.
    "Are you ill?" He asked, squeezing her hand as she slid onto the banquette. "You've been gone for twenty minutes. I was about to send someone to find you."
    "I'm fine now," she said reassuringly.
    He rubbed his knu ckles across her chin, and she in turn kissed his bunched up fingers.
    He drew a sigh of relief. "What happened to you in there?" he asked, smiling.
    Briefly, Andrea told him about Grayson and their relationship.
    "Was she the person on the plane with you?"
    "Yes. And I want to call her before we leave tomorrow afternoon. She and I have a lot to talk about."
    "And so do we," he said, and planted a kiss on her neck.
    The waiter arrived with their dinners. Now relaxed, they attacked their dinners with relish. He glanced at her and watched her savor every mouthful. "You seem to be enjoying it!"
    “ Oh, it's wonderful. How's your dinner?"
    "Great, but I'm waiting for my interrogation to begin," he said mischievously, lifting the glass to his lips.
    She looked at him, perplexed. "Interrogation?"
    "Yes. You said you were going to find out more about me. Remember?"
    "Oh yes." She gav e a short embarrassed laugh. "Hmm, where shall I begin? If I remember correctly, you said you loved art."
    "Yes, I do."
    "Do you like to go to New York City?”
    "Sure do. Right before I went to the Middle East on assignment, Newsweek gave me a week to play in Manhattan, all expenses paid. I had Emily meet me there for the weekend."
    "It's strange she never mentioned she saw you there?"
    "Why do you think that's strange?" he asked.
    " I don't know. She told me she was going into the city, but never told me why."
    "Did you question her on it?"
    "No, come to think of it. Anyway, it really didn't matter. Although the next time I go to the city, it will be with you. I have some of my paintings in a gallery in SoHo."
    "Is it that same gallery you always dealt with?"
    She stared at him. He was an endless surprise. A question mark spread across her face.
    "Yes . . . it is."
    "Let me explain," he said, and took her hand. "When I realized I didn't have a chance with you because of your involvement with Jason, I took another assignment in the Gulf. Emily was aware of my love for you and she tried to persuade me to stay here and at least see you occasionally. I knew that would never work. That's when I decided I had to get away from you. As far away as possible. After I made the commitment to go, I purchased two of your paintings and took part of you with me."
    She sat back and looked at him in amazement. How can a man, who only knew me for one evening, care so much for me, she wondered?
    They laughed and chatted, until the waiter returned a third time. "Another cup of coffee or an after dinner drink?" he asked, as he checked his watch.
    "No thanks, nothing for me. Andrea”
    “ I've had all I can take, thank you."
    They both scanned the dining room and in unison said, "I guess we'd better . . . . "
    Andrea smiled. "I'm sorry. What were you about to say?"
    "I guess we'd better leave so this poor man can go home."
    She took his arm as they left the restaurant. "I can't believe the time." She glanced at her watch to check again.
    "Andrea, I have to admit when you left the table, I thought you had left the