Read Online Temptation's Kiss by Janice Sims - Free Book Online Page B

thinking of doing that!”
    Pouting, Nina stomped from the room. “I try to do something nice for my sister-in-law, and look where it gets me—yelled at!”
    â€œI’m not yelling,” Patrice pointed out.
    â€œYou’d just as well be,” Nina said. She turned around at the door and thought she’d give it a last-ditch effort.“What are you afraid of? That you’ll like him, and then you’ll have to revise your never-get-involved-with-someone-I-work-with rule?”
    Patrice sighed. She knew Nina meant well. She loved her for wanting to see her find someone to share her life with. But T. K. McKenna was not ripe for the picking, no matter what Nina thought.
    â€œSweetie,” she said gently as she went to place a hand on Nina’s shoulder. “I know you love me and you want to see me as happy as you and Patrick are, but T.K. has been through some emotional upheavals recently. If I’m not mistaken, he found out Edina Edwards was cheating on him about the same time his brother was killed in an accident.”
    â€œOh, my God, I forgot about that,” Nina cried. Patrice smiled. Nina sounded as though her card in the T. K. McKenna Fan Club was going to be revoked because she’d forgotten an important event in his life.
    â€œYes, well,” Patrice continued, “he’s vulnerable right now. I think he’d appreciate a friend more than a lover.”
    Nina was all seriousness. “You’re right.” She smiled at Patrice. “Forget everything I said.” She took a deep breath. “I’d better go get dressed. It’s almost seven.”
    Just as Nina finished her sentence, the doorbell rang. T.K. was early. Nina squealed and shot out the door, making a beeline for the guest room. Patrick, who had long ago showered and dressed, met her in the hallway. Patrice stepped into the hallway. “Patrick, would youmind getting the door? I’m not quite finished getting ready.” She still had to put on her sandals and comb her hair.
    â€œNo problem,” Patrick said and headed for the front door.
    After he had rung the bell, T.K. stood on the tiny porch with a wine bottle in each hand. The door swung open, and he knew disappointment must have briefly registered on his face because he had expected Patrice to answer it. Instead, a young man about his size held the door open and took a step back so he could enter. “Hey, man,” he said in a deep voice. T.K. handed him one of the wine bottles so he’d have one free hand with which to shake his hand. They shook hands and grinned at each other.
    â€œYou must be Patrice’s brother,” T.K. said as he stepped inside.
    â€œPatrick,” Patrick said. “Good to meet you, Mr. McKenna.”
    T.K. peered at him. He was young, maybe twenty-five or less. He probably referred to all of his elders in the manner in which he’d addressed him. God, he felt old.
    He laughed shortly. “T.K.’ll do,” he told him.
    Patrick closed the door and faced him. “Patrice and Nina are still getting dressed.”
    T.K. handed him the other bottle of wine. “I’m a little early.”
    He was five minutes early. The drive had been so pleasant that he’d lost track of time. After he had dispelledsad thoughts, his mind had been busy wondering if his memory of Patrice was accurate. How would he feel when he saw her again? That’s why he’d been somewhat disappointed when Patrick had answered the door.
    â€œYou’re not early,” Patrick said. “You’re on time. But you know women have to keep you waiting, no matter what time you arrive.” He led him back to the kitchen where he put the wine in the refrigerator.
    T.K. admired the way Patrice had decorated the place. It was plain to see she loved her home and took pride in it. It was a very welcoming space, warm and inviting, kind of like her—assuming, of course, his first