Read Online The Rebound Guy by Farrah Rochon - Free Book Online Page B

reached over and patted his knee. “Do what you have to do, Rebound Guy.”
     
     
    ***
     
     
    Asia stood at the corner of Fulton and Front Streets, scrolling through her email as she waited for Dexter to arrive. Along with the cool breeze from the East River, a prickle of awareness raced across her skin. She looked up from the phone and spotted him walking toward her, his languid, yet bold, stride eating up the pavement.
    Moisture flooded her mouth at the sight of him, and her pulse rate ratcheted up by at least a thousand. Why did he have to bring sexy to such an absurdly high level?
    He’d traded the earlier khakis and white button-down for faded denim and a black t-shirt. He made the simple attire look so much better than it had a right to. As he approached, Asia questioned her previous decision not to take full advantage of all the services he offered. She had no doubts he would carry that confident swagger into the bedroom.
    She chastised her hyperaware libido. It was her own fault that it was feeling neglected. She’d claimed exhaustion the last three times Cortland had tried to make love.
    And she wondered why he’d turned to Nina?
    “Good evening,” Dexter said as he came upon her.
    “Good evening,” she answered. “First, let me apologize for cutting things short earlier today. I hope it didn’t inconvenience you too much to come back downtown.”
    “The trains run to and from Brooklyn twenty four/seven,” he said.
    Asia winced. He’d come in from Brooklyn. “Thanks for meeting me.”
    He held his hands up. “No thanks required. It’s all part of the job. I’m at your service for the next month.”
    That statement, along with that irresistible grin, did not help to quiet her libido.
    “Do you want to sit here?” she asked, motioning to the cast-aluminum tables and chairs assembled on the sidewalk, which afforded her perhaps her favorite view of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
    He nodded, and they were seated by a waiter who knew Asia by name.
    “I take it you come here often?” Dexter asked.
    “Cortland and I ate here at least once a week,” she said.
    “Is our being here your way of subtly getting the word out that you and your ex are no longer an item?”
    Asia’s head went back with a sudden jerk. “Actually, the thought never crossed my mind. I’m just used to coming here, I guess. Cortland and I have eaten at this restaurant nearly every Wednesday night for the past two years.” Asia cringed. “Please stop me if I bring his name up too much. You don’t want to hear about what Cortland and I used to do.”
    “Actually, I do. That’s a part of my job, remember?” The grin he sent her way was infectious.
    “Well, I’m not looking for relationship advice, remember?” She returned his smile, then quickly wiped it away. This was not a date, she reminded herself. “I’d rather talk about you.”
    “Me?”
    “Yes. We need to get our stories straight: where we met, what you do, et cetera.” A couple walked passed them, so she lowered her voice. “Now, we can’t tell anyone that you’re a—what’s your official title again?”
    “Relationship advisor.”
    “Yes. That. I cannot introduce you to my co-workers as a relationship advisor.”
    “I do have a second job,” he said.
    “Really? What is it?”
    “I’m one of Brooklyn’s premier dog walkers.”
    A shocked laugh escaped her mouth.
    “You find me amusing?” he asked. His smile was rueful. And, yes, sexy.
    Lord, help her.
    Asia shook her head, covering her mouth. “I’m sorry. This is just...” She cradled her forehead in her palm. She was losing it. “My goodness, what am I doing?”
    “Are you rethinking this pretend boyfriend thing?”
    “I am until I look at you.” She took a sip of the water the waiter had placed before her, and then held one hand up. “I say this in a completely non-objectifying way, but you are crazy sexy, and walking into that mixer with you on Friday night will piss Cortland