Read Lucky 13 (Deadlines & Diamonds) for Free Online Page B

free, once again recalled his number and hit delete. He was wrong for her on so many levels. It would be better for all involved if she got that through her head sooner rather than later. T he last time she’d fallen for flowery words and a handsome face had devastated her. She’d recovered, learned her lesson, but would really like to find someone to love her. Maybe someday. Today, though, was definitely not that day.
    Steadier on her feet, she prepared to go back to her life. This time when she reached for the doorknob her phone rang. Instinct took over . She yanked it from her pocket. “Hello,” she answered, and cringed when he chuckled.
    “Hey, mujer bonita . ”
    She mentally slapped herself for being so careless. “Hey.”
    “I , ah, didn’t leave my number last time and I wanted to make sure you could call me back.”
    “It was on my caller ID.” She headed back toward the bathroom to return to h er perch on the edge of the tub.
    “Oh, yeah, sure.” Dammit, even his breath comforted her. “Are you getting settled?”
    “Almost.”
    “If you need anything—”
    “I’m good, thanks.”
    He sighed, long and deep. “Of course you are. But if you ever did, I’d be happy to help.” Before she could apologize for being bitchy, he changed the subject. “Are you free tomorrow night?”
    Her first impulse screamed for her to lie. She opened her mouth to do just that, but instead caught h erself saying, “ I don’t have any plans.”
    “Good. I’ll swing by to get you about four o’clock. Wear something casual. Jeans and a t-shirt would be totally sexy.” She could hear the smile in his voice and it made her smile too.
    “Do I get to make a wardrobe request for you?”
    He chuckl ed. “Name it.”
    She dropped her voice and prayed it’d sound sensual. “Jeans and a t-shirt would be totally sexy.”
    His laughter increased and she giggled along with him. Finally he coughed a bit. “I’ll see you tomorrow, mujer bonita .”
    His accent did funny things to her insides. She wasn’t sure what the words meant. Hell, he could’ve called her bat-shit crazy, psycho bitch for all she knew . Nonetheless, it made her all tingly and she couldn’t wait to hear him say it again.

 
    5
     
    Ricky exited the elevator, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt , a Rockets ball cap pulled down low on his head , and started down the hallway toward Shayne’s penthouse. Xavier’s penthouse , he corrected himself. He’d be wise to remember Shayne also had Xavier on her birth certificate.
    He raised his knuckles and knocked. After a few seconds, h e heard the slide of the security chain and the snap of the deadbolt. The door opened with a flourish.
    Matt grinned. “Hey , man, come on in. Mom’s just finishing up.” He leaned in close. “She’s been really nervous about tonight.”
    “Thanks for tellin’ me.” Ricky took in Matt’s state of dress, or mostly un dress and frowned .
    The kid was bare except for a pair of workout shorts and a tank top . Matt bid him entrance with a beckoning wave of his hand as he padded over to plop down in front of the television. He picked up a videogame controller, his fingers and thumbs fl ying over the buttons.
    Ricky strolled over to the couch, leaned a hip against it. “Hey, dude , aren’t you—”
    “Sorry to make you wait.”
    He glanced up toward the voice and forgot his own damn name. Shayne was putting on a pair of earrings, her head bent to one side, both hands fiddling with the small hoop. She smiled and his knees went weak. He casually gripped the back of the couch for strength—and to keep from accosting her.
    She brushed her hands over her ponytail, curling the end around her finger. She smoothed her light pink t-shirt and finished the pat down by running her palms down the denim covering her thighs. A timid smile plucked at her full lips and insecurity glimmered in her chocolate eyes.
    “Is this okay? I can change if it’s not.”
    “You look great.” He did