IF YOU WERE MY MAN Excerpt

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IF YOU WERE MY MAN
by Francis Ray
ISBN-13: 978-0312573690
Release date 03/02/10





A friendly bet between friends sets the stage for a sizzling romance.


“I bet even lover boy here couldn’t get to first base with the owner of the restaurant,” Gibbs said.

The men around the table stared at Rafael. He casually picked up more beer nuts. “She’s probably not my type.”

“She’s every breathing man’s type,” Gibbs commented. “But she turned us down flat.”

“Shows she has taste,” Rafael said.

The men traded looks. Diaz turned in his seat to face Rafael. A slow smile bloomed on his handsome face. He and Rafael has a friendly rivalry where women were concerned. “I suppose you could do better than the rest of us?”

Rafael shrugged. It was a well known fact that he could have a date every night if he wanted one. Lately he hadn’t been very interested. There was no challenge, no surprise.

“I hate to bet on this, since my mother raised me better, but I’m sure she’ll understand.” Gibbs pulled out his billfold. “Ten dollars says you can’t do any better.”

More money hit the table. “Since my brother’s basketball team needs new equipment, I’ll take those bets,” Rafael said, pulling out his wallet to cover the money on the table.

“You’ll lose,” Gibbs told him. “You can’t do any better than Diaz or I could. Like I said, she hasn’t been out with a man since her husband died three years ago.”

Rafael grinned slow and easy. “Then I say she’s overdue. If she’s not dog ugly.”

Diaz looked over his shoulder. Longing stole over his handsome face. “You can see for yourself.”

Rafael glanced around to see the owner of Fontaine restaurant. Air stalled in his lungs. The woman standing there was stunning with flawless skin.

A white blouse with the collar turned up framed an exquisite face with alluring dark chocolate eyes, high cheekbones, a pert nose, and a pouting lower lip that begged to be kissed. Often. Her slim-fitting black skirt stopped just above her incredible knees. Her legs were shapely and endless.

She stopped at the curved fifty-foot rosewood bar to speak with the bald-headed bartender who had the shoulders of a linebacker. She laughed softly. Even with the noise of the crowded bar Rafael heard the alluring sound. He decided then and there he’d hear it again...while they were in bed.

Leaving the bar, she stopped at the tables and booths in the bar area, greeting customers. Each time as she moved away, the wistful gazes of most of the men followed. Finally, she stopped at their table.

“Welcome to Fontaine, gentlemen,” Nathalyia Fontaine greeted the men at Rafael’s table. “Is the food and the service to your satisfaction?”

The men chorused their agreement. Clearly, they were smitten.

“I have a problem,” Rafael said, waiting for her to face him. When she did, the impact was lethal. His pulse hammered, but nothing showed on his face. He wasn’t a cop for nothing.

She took two steps to bring her closer. She stopped inches away. Her fragrance, something exotic and sensual, drifted to him, tugged at him. “Yes?”

Standing, Rafael held out his hand. “My name’s Rafael Dunlap.” The contact was barely the touch of their palms. Still, Rafael felt his heart rate increase. He studied her exquisite face for a reaction, and was disappointed to see none. “Go out with me and we can discuss it.”

Not one luscious black lash moved. Her expression remained polite. Rafael couldn’t recall a woman being totally unresponsive to him. He wasn’t sure he liked it.

“Please excuse me for a moment.” She walked to the hostess station several feet away. Rafael watched her every step. He admired the erect posture, the way the black material hugged her perfectly shaped hips. Without conceit, he told himself that he’d be doing the same before the week was over.

She returned with a menu and handed it to him, a smile curving the sensual lips. “As you will see, I’m not on the menu,” she replied sweetly. “Gentlemen. Please come again.”

She hadn’t taken two steps away before the men at his table burst out laughing. They joyfully ribbed him about finally striking out and being glad they were there to see it.

Rafael wasn’t bothered by his friends teasing. She might not know it, but she had just issued a challenge he wasn’t about to refuse. Before long she’d purr his name.