Read Online Walk a Straight Line by Michelle Lindo-Rice - Free Book Online Page A

him figure out how Karen had finagled her way to Atlanta. He’d been in bliss for the past three weeks—before she’d just shown up, uninvited.
    After he’d spoken to Gina the night before, he’d place a courtesy call to Karen. Just to check on her. Mistake number one. In their brief conversation, he’d told her his location. Mistake number two. He’d left his AmEx card in his house. Mistake number three. Boy, did he regret his big mouth.
    Karen must have hopped on the next thing smoking the minute that he’d gotten off the phone with her. When the concierge told him that there was a woman waiting for him in the lobby, he’d practically sprinted, expecting to see Gina. He hadn’t bothered to conceal his annoyance when he’d spotted the leech instead. Yes, Michael had seen all of her, now; however, the very sight of Karen revolted him. He was tired of her. What had he ever seen in her?
    â€œMikey, come on. Please. Talk to me,” she wailed.
    Michael continued to disregard her.
    â€œI can’t stand it when you get into one of your pouting sessions just because something didn’t go your way. I didn’t force you to sleep with me.”
    Karen was right. She hadn’t forced him, but now he was paying for it. Michael knew that it was childish to ignore her, but she had complicated his escape plan. He was here to get some breathing room, to think and strategize. He had no intention of being entangled in a love triangle, so, he had to figure this out. Why didn’t I just stay away? That was all I had to do. Walk away!
    Frustrated, Michael would have kicked his own butt, if he could have, for his stupidity. He sighed. He couldn’t avoid her forever. So, he proposed, “Tell you what, why don’t you go get something to wear; and then we’ll talk.”
    Karen jumped at the chance of going shopping and spending his money. She grabbed the card he offered and left the suite before he changed his mind. Michael shook his head at her predictability. He’d never noticed how shallow and selfish Karen really was. Meeting Gina had enlightened him about how good women behaved. Now he was potentially ruining his chance to have everything he had ever wanted.
    No, he would not allow that. He would figure out how to fix this, and Gina would never find out.
    Since he knew he could talk freely as Karen wouldn’t be back any time soon, Michael used his speed dial and waited for his brother to pick up the line. “Come on, come on, Bro, pick up.”
    Keith answered on the second ring. Michael knew his brother was still upset with him, but he needed to confess to someone. “Um, Karen is here with me.”
    â€œ What? ” Keith’s shout made his ear ring.
    â€œI didn’t bring her, Keith. I simply called her last night to check on my place. She surprised me. I didn’t invite her. When I came in this evening, the front desk informed me that a woman was waiting for me in the lobby. I thought it was Gina. I don’t even know how she found out I was staying at the Georgian Terrace. She must have used my credit card to pay for her flight. It’s a good thing I had reserved a two-bedroom suite.” He heard Keith’s loud sigh, but continued, “It’s as if she is digging her claws into me all over again, and I have no idea how to shake her off without her going ballistic again.”
    â€œWell, that’s what happens when you sleep with a psychopath. As far as I’m concerned, you brought this on yourself.”
    Michael winced at his dispassionate tone. Keith didn’t empathize with his plight. “I know.” Michael sighed deeply and rubbed his chin. How had his life gotten so complicated already?
    For several seconds, the line remained quiet. Then Keith spoke, “Okay, I’m going to attempt to put my personal feelings aside. I know you feel guilty, but the milk’s already spilt, so to speak. Put