Read Online Strangers in the Night by Inés Saint - Free Book Online Page A

described her as feisty came to mind.
    “Throwing money at people isn’t compassion, and it doesn’t solve their problems. Helping people help themselves is the responsible thing to do, Miss Diaz .” Unlike Keila, Jake kept his voice even and controlled, but he couldn’t help it, he stood up, too.
    “Well then, Mr. Kelly , let’s be responsible and shut children out of this program so that they don’t have anything to do after school and they can go get themselves into trouble instead of discovering a new talent.” Keila took a step closer as she spoke, her hands again gesturing in that lively way he’d admired just a little while ago.
    “They won’t be shut out. Studies show they will be more responsive.” Jake stepped toward her.
    “Wow, you really, really don’t get it!” Keila put her hands on her hips and glowered, the yellow in her fiery eyes glowing furiously, and he couldn’t help remember her eyes had also glowed when he’d pulled her closer, as they’d danced. Obviously, she was of a passionate nature.
    “This is why I knew we wouldn’t work well together. You are being way too emotional.” His eyes strayed to her mouth.
    “At least I have emotions, unlike certain Republicans in denial ,” she shot back, her breath uneven.
    Jake leaned in closer, trying to keep his temper under control, and his eyes away from her pretty pout. But the woman was getting to him, in more ways than one. She was making him uncharacteristically hot under the collar. “And you think spilling your bleeding heart all over the music program is reasonable?”
    They stared at each other, both fire and ice, both breathing a little too hard, until they heard a cough. Startled, they both looked toward the door. Cate was standing there.
    “I thought you’d like to know the reporter who’s going to talk to the kids is here. She’s waiting, just outside , with the photographer,” Cate informed Jake, her voice strained.
    Jake looked at his watch, it was fifteen to ten. “They’re early,” he said. And they were supposed to wait for him across the street, at the youth center, he silently added.
    “Right, but I just though you would like to know, they’re here .” Cate gave him a look, and shut the door.
    Jake looked back at Keila, who was obviously still steaming. But beyond that, he saw she was hurt, too. He sighed and looked away for a moment, realizing that they both had good intentions at heart.
    “We’ll figure this out, okay?” he said, meeting her eyes.
    • • •
    Keila breathed in, met his eyes, and folded her arms across her chest. A moment before, his glare had been like liquid nitrogen, freezing yet surprisingly steamy-like. Now, searching his face, she saw sincerity. “Right. I guess we have no choice but to try and find some middle ground.”
    They turned away from each other, each gathering their things before heading toward the door.
    “Filip took the reporters across the street,” Cate told Jake as soon as they were in the main room.
    “So, you’re Tania Diaz’s sister?” Tyrone turned to Keila, his demeanor oh so casual, but his eyes glowing.
    “Yes, but, trust me, you don’t want to go there,” Keila said, catching Cate’s eye.
    “Go where? It’s just a question.”
    “Oh, she knows where you’re going with your question, you’ve got that look in your eye, and it ain’t happenin’. Tania hates men,” Cate explained.
    Tyrone laughed. “Right, she hates men.”
    Keila shrugged. “Sorry, she does. And she’d probably hate you in particular — you’ve got a little too much of that Taye Diggs thing going on.” Keila wiggled her fingers at him. “And she especially dislikes good-looking men. So, yes, I’m Tania Diaz’s sister, and yes, she’s single, but no, I won’t introduce her to you. It’s for your own good.”
    Tyrone stared at Keila and Cate. “So not introducing me to a beautiful and intelligent woman is for my own good?”
    Keila sighed. “I know, it’s a