Celestealmost rolled her eyes. She’d practically served up an excusefor him to stay.
“I’llstay onlyif you join me.”
Tempted, Celeste groaned. Ifshe spent any more time with him, she’ll find herself in moretrouble than she could handle. But when had she ever run fromtrouble?
“I would l—“
“What was I thinking?”Shane chuckled. “I almost talked myself out of ourarrangement.” Unaware that reneging on their arrangement wasthe furthest thing from her mind, he stepped forward, slipped herpurse from her hand then proceeded to pilfer it.
“See you Saturday.”Once the coat-check ticket was in his possession, he waved it underher nose, “don’t leave me hanging. You’ll regretit.”
“I won’t,”Celeste muttered, feeling his absence already and not liking it.
CHAPTER seven
Shane acceptedhis belongings from the coat-room attendant and flipped a casequarter in the tip jar. As he slipped his arms into his overcoat, hismovements were methodical, yet almost reluctant. He even dragged hisfeet to the exit.
Swearing, Shane jammed hisfedora on his head. He was acting like a kid wet behind the ears,practically shuffling his feet and acting as if he didn’t wantto leave.
He should be mad at her forsetting him up! Instead, all he could think about was her lusciouscurves and soft lips.
It was only because she wasthe Reverend’s daughter, Shane rationalized.
But themore he analyzed his odd attraction to Newsome’s daughter, theless it had to do with their father/son relationship and more to dowith the fact thatthe broad was the most vivacious creature he’d ever had thepleasure of meeting.
Disconcerted, Shane bulliedhis way through the front exit barely giving the doorman anytime toopen one of the padded double doors.
“Needa taxi?” Marvin asked, quickly shuffling out of Shane’sway.
“Pointme to the nearest subway station.” Shane flipped the collar ofhis coat and breathed in deeply. Maybe if he walked part of the way,the cold air would clear his head.
The doorman smiled broadlyand steam seeped from the corners of his lips.
“Yougotta give me more direction than that. What’s your finaldestination?”
“BrooklynNavy Yards.”
“That’llbe the West 4thStreet station.” The doorman turned and pointed a gloved fingereast. “Walk to the end of the block and cross over SixthAvenue. Take the A train ‘cause the C won’t be running atthis hour.”
“The A train,”Shane confirmed albeit somewhat disappointed. He’d hoped formore than a half-a-block jaunt to absolve his conscience.
“Thequickest way to Harlem,” the doorman winked, “and unlessI call you a cab, the warmest ride to Brooklyn.”
In illhumor, the other man’s glibness and sly use of Duke Ellington’slyrics only soured Shane’s mood. And before he had to sufferany more small talk or clever innuendos, Shane touched the brim ofhis fedora, threw the man a quick thank you then set off.
Hands buried deep in hiscoat pockets, and his thoughts buried even deeper, Shane are up thedistance. As he stopped at the end of the block, preparing to cross,he closed his eyes. He should have parted ways at the funeral home.He should have kept Celeste Newsome at arm’s length, not begfor another opportunity to see her again.
Pissed byhis lack in judgment, Shane squeezed his hands into fists. Why didshe have to act so hot and cold? One minute erecting a wall ofindifference, the next acting like an amoral creature to gain theadvantage.
What adamn heel! He’d allowed himself to be drawn in some sappycuckold. All because he’d been unable to resist the strange,inexplicable attraction that hit him like a ton of bricks. Made himlong to taste her lips. Feel her pressed to him.
Deep inthought, Shanedidn’ttake much notice of the blackon black Lincoln Zephyr convertible coupe amblingup Sixth Avenue. He also didn’t see the vehicle make a suddenU-turn at the signal light then return up the avenue.
Oblivious to the quarrytracking him, Shane picked his way across Sixth Avenue and climbedthe opposite curb.
“Hey, Shaney Boy!”
Shanestopped cold. Even though he knew he should’ve kept going,stubbornly putting one foot in front of the other, he did not.Avoidance served him well both inside and out of the ring, but henever ran.
Slowly, Shane turned aroundand planted his feet. If he needed to throw a punch or dodge abullet, he made sure his weight was evenly distributed. Sleek, withenviable curved lines and a high gloss, shine the coupe deservedadmiration, but Shane zeroed in on man sitting in the back seat.
A bittertaste settled in his mouth and he wished he’d taken the doormanup on his offer. “What do you want, Gould?”
“Justbeing a good Samaritan by offering you a lift.” Grinning, Gouldrubbed his palms together. “Harah!Shit! It’s cold as a witch’s tit out here.”
He never ran, but Shanewasn’t stupid either. “Thanks for the offer, but I’mstrap hanging it.”
Shanejabbed his thumb toward the subway station’s entrance andGould’s grin melted. And it he wasn’t mistaken the otherman’s eye twitched. Expecting retaliation, Shane pulled hishands out of his pockets and let them hang at his sides. He would bedamned if he died like some bum on the street.
In a move, Shane halfanticipated, Gould jerked his head. The door swung open and one ofhis cohorts jumped out. His hands jammed in his trouser pockets, thepunk didn’t look none too happy about being out in theelements.
“Zukh…look…I’meven being polite by opening the door.” Gould’s tone wasconciliatory, but Shane smelled a rat.
Cursing his bad luck andover-inflated ego, Shane climbed in. Not making himself toocomfortable, he sat stiffly with his fists resting on his knees. With his lightning quick reflexes he could at least get off a punchor two before any of them were the wiser.
Obliviousto his tactical defense, Gould grinned as he rubbed his palmstogether once again. “See how warm and toasty it is in here,”he gushed. “Me and the boys was just saying it felt like itwas gonna snow.” Gould leaned forward and smacked the frontseat. “Ain’t that right fellas?” he asked, to whichboth men nodded and offered up affirmation.
Not up for chitchatting,Shane met the other man’s exuberance with silence. Still, Goulddidn’t miss a beat. “So where were you headed?”
“Flatbush,”Shane
