Read The Science of Loving for Free Online

rims. The leather interior was torn and most of the trim was missing. It was a real eyesore. Daddy went back and bought it the next day. You should’ve seen how pissed my mom got when she saw it parked in front of our house. I think my dad reasoned I’d be more careful if I had a lot of work invested in my car.” Wow, that was the most I’d heard her say in one go.
    “Your Dad sounds very cool.”
    “I’ve always thought so, but he’s my dad, so I’m probably biased.”
    Pulling up to the gates of a private community, Angie spoke to the rent-a-cop minding the guard shack. He took his time checking her out while he pretended to look over some list on a clipboard until he caught my glare —that’s right buddy, she’s mine. Best keep your eyes in your head.
    Angie’s tension increased as we drove past fairways and ponds with black cart paths snaking through them. Interspersed, perched on tiny lots with perfectly manicured lawns, were large pretentious homes, each one as boring as its neighbor. I’d rather stick a fork in my brain then be forced to design these pricey cookie cutter developments. The closer we drew to our destination, the tighter she gripped the steering wheel. And by the time we pulled up to the clubhouse, she was white knuckled and rigid.
    She parked efficiently; setting the handbrake with a ratcheting zip then sat silently staring out of the windshield. “Hey babe, the party’s not going to come to you.”
    “It’s this damn dress. People are going to notice.”
    “Honey, you’ll get noticed no matter what you wear. You know I got your back, right?” I said. “Deep breath baby-cakes. We got this.”
    As I handed her out, I glimpsed the top of a thigh high stocking before her dress settled into place. ‘Wow’ didn’t come close to describing her. Stepping back, I took a good long look: Starting with those lecherous high heels, up her silk clad ankles, past rounded calves to the rich, red cloth brushing her knees and hugging her hips. Its folds dropped across her curved belly, fanning out from one side of a cinched bodice that ended where gentle swells of smooth skin began. My gaze touched delicate collarbones below a graceful neck; my eyes finally rising from her full painted lips to her widening big brown eyes.
    Shit, busted . “Sorry angel, but you just robbed me senseless.”
     

     
    He looked stunned at first, his expression changing as he studied me. His eyes warming, slowly traveling up my legs and over my body. My chest tightened when he paused at my décolletage, licking his lips. His heated gaze slid up my neck to pause again at my mouth before finally reaching my eyes. Oh my God, he’s blushing.
    “Sorry angel, but you just robbed me senseless.”
    “It’s the dress. It’s kind of over the top.”
    “Over the top is good.” He grinned. “But I’ll bet under the top’s even better.” And just like that, his senses returned.
    I trudged through the clubhouse like one condemned, loitering at the entrance of a garden courtyard as if all the usual suspects were mingling around a guillotine instead of a koi pond and shrubbery. A couple of deep-pocketed pharma reps were sucking up to my boss, Bob Tate, while off to the side, my next door lab mate, Dr. Ben Bhatt was chatting with my minions, Dr.s Steven (the stick) Crane and Leslie Jacobs. And commanding center stage, my mother regally held court, looking dangerously poised while a familiar collection of puffed up alumni fluttered around her in their khakis’ and designer shoes.
    “Let’s rock this joint,” Mat murmured. His hand warmed my back, right before he propelled us out into the open, shifting his grip to my elbow, steadying me on the uneven pavers. I smiled weakly as I felt what seemed to be everyone’s eyes on us. I could imagine what they saw. Although, with his tattoos hidden under buttoned cuffs, he looked far less sinister in the light of day; he still a towered over everyone. And I was the bloody splash