Read Monroe, Melody Snow - Leather and Lace [The Callens 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) for Free Online Page B

don’t get any respect. Men do.”
    He shook his head. “People earn the respect.”
    “Men earn respect.” She leaned back on her elbows. “Let me tell you what happened two months ago when I went to Dunkirk’s lumberyard.”
    “Mike’s a good man.”
    “Well, I didn’t get waited on by Mike. I don’t remember who it was, but I needed to replace one of the panels in the barn. Frisky had had a fit and knocked it down.” She waved her casted arm. “ Anyhoo , when I asked for the price, he told me some number above retail. When I challenged him, he said that particular wood was in short supply.”
    “I never heard of any of Mike’s men doing that.”
    “Wait. It gets better. Just as I was about to rip him a new one, Jake shows up.”
    “Nice mouth.”
    She smiled sweetly. “Jake talks to this guy for about ten seconds, and suddenly, I get this awesome deal.”
    “So what you’re saying is that if you’d been a man, this worker wouldn’t have tried to take advantage of you.”
    “That’s right. I run into that kind of stuff all the time.”
    He ran a hand down her arm. “I’d be mad, too.”
    “So you see why I have to drink the blueberry one?”
    He laughed. She looked so adorable until she punched him in the arm. Heath leaned back on his elbows. The day couldn’t get any better. There was wonderful weather, families having fun, and the perfect woman next to him.
    “Can I try the strawberry?” Her voice came out so soft he barely heard her above the twang of the guitar.
    He leaned in front of her, and her eyes got wide as if she thought he might kiss her. The thought banged around in his head, but he decided not to take the chance and ruin everything. “I’ll block everyone’s view in case someone sees you taste it.” He couldn’t help but grin.
    She stuck her tongue out at him, leaned over, and sipped his drink. The idea of having her lips where his had been created havoc in his pants. When she closed her eyes after taking a sip, he nearly lost it.
    He must have groaned for her eyes sprang open. “Something wrong?”
    “No. Nothing.”
    Shit . He’d almost blown it.
    By the time Rusty’s band took a break, Heath’s stomach was grumbling. That fruity drink made him thirstier and hungrier for some real food. “You up for some corn dogs or pizza? That’s real man food, just so you know.” He winked.
    She grinned. “I’m not that bad.”
    “You dress like a man and are afraid of being seen kissing a man in public. You even said you’re concerned about your image.” Yes, he was goading her, but he wanted to make her see what she was missing by focusing so hard on being something other than who she was deep inside. The old Samantha loved being a woman. He wanted her to find her old self.
    She stuck out her chest. “No one would mistake me for a man.”
    He couldn’t help himself. “Hmm.” He leaned to the right and left. “I don’t know. You’re as tall as your foreman. Okay, the hair does give it away.” He reached over and pulled off her hair tie. Her beautiful hair flared out. “Now you look like a woman.”
    “Funny.” She held out her hand.
    Since she couldn’t pull her own hair back, he tossed the tie to her. Heath jumped up and held out a hand. “Come on. I’m hungry.”
    He wanted to find a booth that served something a bit healthier than corndogs. From now on, Sam had to focus on getting better.
    This time of day, the streets were crowded. They must have stopped to talk to a dozen folks. He wondered if they’d ever make it to a booth. Every time they ran into someone Sam knew, she pulled her hand out of his and straightened her shoulders. He watched her closely. There seemed to be a fear inside her that they’d judge her for having fun or something. If she didn’t get a handle on dealing with others, she might end up alone and unhappy.
    As soon as she finished her conversation, he drew her near. “I think we’d be better off whipping up some food at home.