Waiting For Him

By Denise Johnson

They don’t call him “Stone” for no reason...

Edward “Stone” Ryan can have his pick of women so why would the shy waitress be any different? So what if every time he glanced in her direction, Stone got a hard on from just a mere smile.

Keisha Washington knew of his reputation and considered him the perfect candidate for her dilemma—especially after her fiancé dumped her and moved in with another woman.

Before he can make his move, she comes to him with an offer he can’t refuse. If only their No Strings pact didn’t leave him wanting so much more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AboutFace Media
• Release date: May 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311847515

Book preview

Waiting for Him

by

Denise Johnson

Smashwords Ebook Edition

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

AFM Romance

Copyright © 2015 by Denise Johnson

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

License Notes

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They don’t call him Stone for no reason…

Edward Stone Ryan can have his pick of women so why would the shy waitress be any different? So what if every time he glanced in her direction, Stone got a hard on from just a mere smile.

Keisha Washington knew of his reputation and considered him the perfect candidate for her dilemma—especially after her fiancé dumped her and moved in with another woman.

Before he can make his move, she comes to him with an offer he can’t refuse. If only their No Strings pact didn’t leave him wanting so much more.

Waiting for Him

Denise Johnson

Chapter One

Rumor had it, she was a virgin. As in, had never had sex.

Ever.

Looking at her now, Edward Ryan ‘Stone’ to those who knew him well, found that hard to believe.

Young, sure.

But not so young she hadn’t had time and opportunity to get busy. He figured her to be in her mid-twenties, which would put her at a few years younger than him. Plenty old enough for just about anything. Actually, for everything. Like all those things now crowding his brain and making him twitchy.

Shifting in the booth seat, Stone settled back a little more and continued to study her.

Sweet? Oh, yeah, she was super sweet. Just look at that smile. And the dimples in her velvety cheeks were so damned cute. He’d almost swear her big brown eyes sparkled as she spoke to customers and took orders. Polite but engaging. And yeah, really, really sweet.

But sweet enough to remain untouched? Pfft. He’d known plenty of sweet women who loved sex. Sometimes they dragged him off to the bedroom. He’d always adored sexually aggressive women. It was a big turn-on.

The idea of sexual innocence teased him. He’d never before realized how exciting it might be to be…the first.

Until now. Until he looked a Keisha Washington.

From the get-go, he’d been drawn to her. For nearly a month he’d been flirting, chatting her up and teasing while keeping things superficial. The way he preferred his relationships to be. He liked to sit back and let women make the first move. Then he would inform them of his intent to stay single, and take it from there.

Keisha hadn’t made a move.

She was friendly enough, always gifting him with those dimples, smiles, and big brown eyes.

But then, she gifted everyone the same way.

Why would an attractive, lusciously built, friendly woman have remained a virgin?

Lack of interest from guys? No way.

Keisha looked like a stacked elf. Curvy, but still petite. Adorable, but with a sensual heat lurking in her gaze. Bubbly…and yet somehow a little reserved.

Religious convictions? He laughed at the one time he attended a black church with one of his college buddies. Travis told him it would be an experience and boy was it.

He glanced at her again. He didn’t think so. Not that he’d know how to tell just by engaging in occasional casual conversation with her while ordering lunch. But she had such a ripe look about her that it seemed at odds with any deep religious affiliation.

Waiting for marriage?

If so, then maybe he could convince her that experiencing life was better than waiting.

She finished taking an order and turned to head back to the kitchen. Her silky dark brown hair, held in a high ponytail, swished back and forth between her shoulder blades with each hurried step she took.

A black button down top hugged her upper body, while snug black slacks showed off her curvy backside.

Stone shifted again. In the weeks he’d known her, he hadn’t pressed her beyond friendly greetings and putting in his lunch order. But how much time could he spend hanging out at the restaurant before she caught on to his interest?

Was she a virgin? He wanted to find out. He would find out.

And with that the decision made, he felt himself stir.

Damn it, around her, he had to constantly fight off a boner. Insane. At twenty-eight, he didn’t lack control. She affected him—and that was reason number one why he’d hesitated to ask her out. A woman with that much influence on his libido could only be trouble. He liked being free of commitments and took great pleasure in answering to no one for anything, being accountable only to himself.

A clingy, marriage-minded woman could put a kin in his lifestyle.

But he could be her first.

Stone shook himself because reason number two—her supposed innocence—was a biggie.

If she was waiting for Mr. Right, or if she had some strong reasons for avoiding intimacy, well…he’d be as wrong for her as wrong could be. He’d ensure she enjoyed herself while in the sack, but afterward, when the spark faded and he walked away…

Yeah, much as he relished the idea of her innocence, he didn’t relish the idea of breaking her heart.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t into self-torture, and not having her would be pretty torturous, so to hell with it. He’d just have to figure out a way to have it all, and if—

Hey, Stone. What’s up?

Guilty over the carnality of his thoughts, Stone jumped a good foot. Damn it, he complained when diners at nearby tables glance at him. He scowled over the appearance of his good friend, Steve Carlson, I didn’t see you come in.

As he sat opposite Stone in the booth, Steve scrutinized him. Then he looked back at where Stone had been staring. He saw Keisha bent over a table as she served an older couple, turned back to Stone and grinned. Taking in the view?

I was, but you shouldn’t.

Oh! Are you warning me off? Seriously?

Stone hated to admit it, Yeah, I am.

Huh. Steve eyed him with humor and great interest. Well, in case you missed it, every guy with a pulse is taking in the view. Why should I be the only one not to look?

Stone didn’t have to answer because Keisha joined their table, menus in hand. A she leaned over to place a menu in front of him, she said, I’m so sorry for the wait. What can I get you guys to drink?

He inhaled the scent of her hair and skin and froze as his pulse rushed and a slow heat unfurled. Her nearness affected him like a full-body caress, leaving him in a lust inspired stupor.

Straightening, she struck a casual stance, one slim brow lifted, a half smile on her mouth, her eyes inquisitive and Stone knew he was going to get hard.

Steven eyed him again and snickered at his obvious condition. I’ll take a Coke.