Read Online Smoke by Toye Lawson Brown - Free Book Online Page A

social events lately.
    “Jon, I ran into Anthony with the Plain Dealer lady; what gives? I thought he was bringing Gabrielle and she was supposed to be your date.”
    “His little plan backfired and now he has two dates to entertain if Gabrielle decides to come.”
    “He wouldn’t listen when I said that was a dumb idea. I was going to fix you up with Kate’s sister Sarah, but you don’t swing that way.”
    Kate put her hand to her mouth. “Nick you never told me Jon was gay?”
    Jonathan almost choked on his beer. “I’m not gay! Nick, set your girl straight!”
    “Kate, baby, don’t talk; just stand and be beautiful, okay?”
    Jonathan cleared his throat. “Ahem!”
    “Oh and what I meant is Jon ain’t into our kind.”
    “What other kind is there? I thought he just liked black women.”
    Jonathan rolled his eyes getting up from the barstool. “I haven’t had enough to drink to deal with this conversation. I’ll catch you two later.”
    Jonathan wandered into the backyard where people occupied several of the patio chairs to chat and enjoy the unusual warm night. The house was over-capacitated, and being a fireman he knew the dangers of having too many people gathered in one spot, but overlooked it since these were his friends.
    Strolling down the driveway his breath was taken away. Gabrielle looked lost making her way up the driveway carrying a tiny gift bag. A smile crossed her face when she saw him in the distance. He walked down the short driveway to meet her.
    “You look lost.”
    “I am. I’m glad I ran into you. I’ve been calling Anthony but his phone goes straight to voicemail.”
    Jonathan looked around. “The house is packed and loud; he probably can’t hear it.” He scanned her over. He’d never seen her without hospital scrubs or a lab coat before. The strapless black mini cocktail dress showed just the right amount of thigh and the stiletto pumps gave her long legs extra sex appeal. She had chosen to wear her hair curly on top with bangs sweeping over her left brow. “You look beautiful, Gabrielle.”
    She adjusted the silky lace wrap over her shoulders. “Thank you. I gotta say you look pretty darn tasty yourself.” Diverting her eyes away from his handsome face she glazed over his tall frame lowering her head. “I wish Anthony would answer his phone. I don’t know anyone here and feel weird walking inside the house by myself.”
    “Not true you know me and I’ll go with you inside.”
    “You didn’t bring a date?”
    “Nope; I’m all alone.”
    “What a waste,” she whispered under her breath.”
    “Sorry, I didn’t hear that.”

    Gabrielle cleared her throat. “I didn’t say anything.”
    He bent his elbow to allow her to slip her arm through. “Shall we go find your date?”
    “Might as well get this over with,” she answered taking his arm.
    Inside the crowed house again, it took a while to locate Anthony. When they finally located him in the basement, he and Sandra were tangled together slow dancing provocatively. Gabrielle shook her head. “Well, I wasted hours getting dressed for this.
    Jonathan, would you please give my gift to Anthony’s sister? I’m going home.”
    He clutched her arm tighter. “Don’t go—I’m here alone. How would you like to be my date for the evening?”
    “How can I say no with you looking the way you do,” she smiled.
    Jonathan took the bag from her and set it on a table. “Shall we dance?”
    Moving close to where Anthony and Sandra were dancing, Jonathan pulled
    Gabrielle into his arms; she fit perfectly. Sliding his arm around her slender waist he felt her body relax and her head rest on his shoulder. He was not a dancer but could keep a beat to the tempo of slow music. He felt her arm circle around his neck as their bodies moved to the sensual music.
    He whispered in her ear. “You know you’re killing me, right?”
    “How am I doing that?” She asked inhaling the light scent of his cologne; it was just the right