Twisted Vows of Seduction by N’Tyse Page A

he would never let anyone or anything come between them again.
    â€œThis conversation is over,” Greg said. He stated his position and that was that. Her eyes wavered from his. He leaned across the table, cupped her chin in his large right hand and stroked it with his thumb. “Don’t I take good care of you?” he asked. Her eyes eventually found their way back to him but not a single word left her lips. “Don’t I make you happy?” he asked further. Greg leaned in and gave her a reassuring kiss on the lips. “Trust me. This will all be over soon.”
    Naomi only nodded as if all were forgiven, but the sketchy look on her face said otherwise.
    â€œI have to go. Need to swing by the office and pick up some important paperwork.” Greg stood up. “I was hoping later I could come by your place.” Greg observed her unchanging expression.
    She pressed her lips tightly together. “Sure. What time should I expect you?”
    Greg smiled mischievously. “Same time as last night.” He reached for his wallet. He didn’t have any cash on him. Instead of waiting for the bill, he laid one of his credit cards flat on the table. “Here. Treat yourself to something nice. And sexy,” he added.
    Naomi didn’t even bother looking at the credit card. Her eyes had been trained on him.
    Without saying another word, he placed his shades smoothly back over his face, then turned to leave in the same direction from which he had come.

5
    J eff grabbed Deandra by the hand as they walked swiftly toward the crowded outdoor eatery. He was certain his eyes had deceived him, but as he and Deandra stumbled upon the sidewalk in closer proximity of the mysterious woman, he realized he was far from being fooled. Only five feet away, he thought he was staring at a ghost, or perhaps, Denise, in the flesh.
    He and Deandra took a seat under one of the umbrella tables. He watched bug-eyed and discreetly as possible the way the woman’s lips moved as she spoke on her cell phone. Shortly after her ten-minute conversation, she placed her phone inside of her purse and got up from the table. Jeff studied her carefully from head to heel. From the way her body curved to the rhythm in her stride. It was too close to home to be a coincidence, but he knew that that’s all it had to be. Still he couldn’t deny that watching this woman made his skin crawl and the back of his neck hairs stand up. She looked exactly like his ex-wife.
    â€œWait here, sweetie. Daddy will be right back,” Jeff called out to Deandra without really looking at her.
    â€œBut you promised we would go see Mommy,” Deandra said. He could hear how upset she was at the sudden change of schedule. Her voice seemed to trail off as Jeff picked up his pace. He followed the woman closely as she moved hastily across the street and in the direction of the valet attendants. As she fished through herpurse for her ticket, Jeff reached out and touched her on the shoulder. She turned around to face him.
    A cold feeling immediately swept over him as he stood there in both shock and amazement. He couldn’t even translate his thoughts, let alone speak.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Jeff apologized, staring into her bright brown eyes.
    â€œMay I help you with something?” she asked, exposing the most beautiful smile.
    Jeff’s eyes were lit with suspense and self-doubt.
    â€œAre you okay?” she asked, looking as perplexed as he was.
    â€œNo…I mean, yes,” Jeff said finally. He took a second to gather his thoughts. “You resemble…” His thought fell short. “You’re going to think this is crazy. But I thought you were my ex-wife.” He chuckled loosely, leaving out the fact that she was dead. His stomach seemed to knot up the longer he stood there.
    She smiled softly. “It’s okay. Mistaken identity. Happens all the time,” she replied coolly.
    Jeff squeezed out