Temptation's Kiss by Janice Sims Page A

like you invites him to a home-cooked meal? Probably never, and it’s not as if you two would be alone. Patrick and I are here.”
    Patrick cleared his throat, and the two women turned to look at him. “Patty, it might not be a bad idea. I’d kindof like to get a look at the man you’re going to be working with for the next few months.”
    â€œI can’t believe my ears. You, too, Patrick?” Patrice cried.
    â€œWell, Nina had some good points on the drive here. It’s inevitable that you’re going to be around an irresistible male, according to my wife. I’d like to feel him out. See what kind of vibes he gives off.”
    â€œThis doesn’t make me more willing to make that call, Patrick—not if you’re going to be judging the guy all evening. Now I’m really afraid you and Nina are going to do something to embarrass me.”
    Patrick laughed. “Patty, I’m not the same boy who used to delight in chasing your dates off by being a pest. I’m a married man. I have a mortgage for goodness’ sake.”
    Patrice gave Nina a stern look. “Do you think you can refrain from touching him, screaming your head off in his presence or doing anything else that might make him think my family’s a bunch of lunatics?”
    â€œDo you want the truth, or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear?” asked Nina.
    â€œThen that answers my question,” Patrice said, turning back to her cooking. “I’m not phoning him.”
    Nina sighed disappointedly. “Why can’t I lie like everybody else?”
    â€œIf she gets out of control, I’ll pick her up and carry her to the guest room,” Patrick said firmly.
    Nina looked at him and smiled. Her husband wasbeing a team player and backing her up. “You know Patrick’s a man of his word.”
    â€œOh, all right,” Patrice relented. “Don’t get your hopes up, though. He’s a very busy man.”

Chapter 5
    â€œâ€¦I was only phoning to see how you were doing,” T.K. said for the third time. For ten minutes, he’d been trying to say goodbye to Aisha without being rude.
    â€œI thought I heard somebody trying to get in the back door last night,” Aisha said. “This big old house is scary with just me in it. I never thought I’d say this, but I miss your parents.”
    â€œDid you see anybody?” T.K. asked, focusing on the problem, if indeed there was one.
    â€œNo, it was just my imagination,” said Aisha with a sigh. “It must be my hormones, you know, the baby.” She liked to remind him she was carrying Malcolm’s child. It was her insurance, after all, for remaining a part of the family. T.K. thought that in a few months her insurancepolicy would be declared null and void once the paternity test was done.
    However, he didn’t want to upset a pregnant woman by saying that.
    â€œYou know how to set the alarm, and you’re not really alone in the house. Mrs. Harrison is there.” Alma Harrison was his parents’ live-in housekeeper.
    â€œShe had the night off,” Aisha griped. “She didn’t get home until after midnight.”
    â€œI assure you that if anyone tried to break into the house, the police would be there before he got inside. You’re safe, Aisha. Now, I have to go. Take care,” T.K. said nicely.
    She started to say something else, but T.K.’s cell phone began ringing—he’d phoned Aisha using the landline—and he quickly said, “That’s my personal line, I’ve got to get that. Goodbye.”
    â€œBye,” said Aisha sultrily.
    T.K. screwed up his face as though he smelled something bad. It made his skin crawl when she did that.
    He quickly looked at the cell phone’s display. Patrice Sutton. His afternoon was getting interesting. He pressed Talk and calmly spoke into the mouthpiece. “Patrice, this is a pleasant