Read Touch of Heaven for Free Online Page A

forced to stay behind to finish her chores, Warrick had been stuck trying to make small talk with Raina, who had gazed out the window and answered in monosyllables until Warrick finally gave up and turned on the radio to fill the silence.
    He sure as hell didn’t remember Raina staring at him or giving him the slightest impression she wanted attention. It had been just the opposite.
    The more Warrick thought about it, the more he was convinced that Deniece was seriously delusional. Raina had never had a crush on him. And he thanked God for that.
    The warmth of Deniece’s hand upon his brought Warrick back to the present. He pulled his gaze from Raina’s table and looked at Deniece. She had finished eating and was smiling seductively at him.
    â€œI was going to say penny for your thoughts,” she murmured, “but considering how much you’re worth, you would probably charge more than that.”
    Warrick chuckled, lacing their fingers together on the table. “Wanna know what I was thinking? I was wondering whatever happened to the country girl who used to throw down with me, the girl who could eat a platter of ribs, brisket and sausage with a helping of potato salad and beans without batting an eyelash.”
    Deniece smiled, shaking her head at him. “I’m not seventeen anymore, Warrick. My metabolism isn’t what it used to be, so I have to watch what I eat nowadays. Unless you want to be embarrassed to have me on your arm the next time we appear in public together.”
    Warrick gave her a soft, teasing smile. “Who says there’s going to be a next time?”
    Deniece laughed, a low, sultry sound. “Oh, there will be. Trust me. I might not be able to eat barbecue the way I used to, but I can assure you that there are plenty of other things I can do just as well, if not better.” Leaning close to Warrick, she purred in his ear, “By the time I get through with you tonight, baby, you’ll wonder how you could have stayed away so long.”
    Warrick needed no convincing. Without another word, he signaled for the check.
    Â 
    If Raina thought she’d be able to escape the restaurant without having to deal with Warrick, she soon discovered otherwise.
    She was standing in the foyer waiting for Bradford to retrieve his car from the parking garage when a low, rumbling voice drawled, “How was dinner?”
    Raina spun around, startled to find Warrick directly behind her. He stood so close she could smell him, soap mingled with the subtle fragrance of a very expensive cologne. So close that she could feel his heat and the masculine energy that surrounded him like a crackling force field, electrifying her senses. Blindsiding her.
    She took a hasty step backward, her face flushing when those sensual lips twitched. She started to tell him it was rude to invade other people’s personal space, but she didn’t want to sound uptight, nor did she want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d rattled her. Because he had, damn him.
    â€œDinner was fine,” she said curtly.
    A faintly mocking smile curved his mouth. “Yeah, I could tell.”
    Bristling, Raina glared up at him. “What’s that supposed to mean? Were you spying on me or something?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    Raina didn’t know how to respond to that. Really, how could she respond? “Where’s your date?” she asked instead.
    â€œIn the ladies’ room. Yours?”
    â€œHe went to get the car.”
    Warrick raised one thick black brow, an amused gleam in his eyes. “Too cheap to pay for valet parking?”
    â€œNo!” Raina said vehemently, incensed because the same thought had occurred to her. Especially in light of what had happened a few minutes ago. When the bill had arrived, Bradford had suggested offhandedly that he and Raina split the tab. She’d been too stunned to protest, nodding mutely and reaching for her purse. She’d have