The Ladies Man

By K. R. Hall

Arthur Johnson's college graduation should have been the start of something great. But when his celebration, which includes proposing to his girlfriend ends with him discovering her in the arms of another man, he swears never to open his heart to a woman again.

 

Despite his vow to avoid women, he takes a job as a handyman for an all-female boarding house. After only a few months, Arthur decides can't live in a house full of women anymore as he is about to walk out, in walks a girl right out of his dreams. Evelyn (Evie) Van Voorhies, a shy brunette with whiskey eyes.

 

Evelyn dreams of being a Rockette. She's a great dancer, but when she is in front of an audience, she becomes a klutz. Arthur reads up on everything about the Rockettes and dancing, and so he can help Evie practice. Working closely together, Arthur falls in love. Evelyn fights her attraction. Her mother gave up her dreams when she married her father after she found out she was pregnant.

 

Some Rockettes are married and have kids. Now, if only Author could convince Evie that she could still be a Rockette and have a relationship with him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. R. Hall
• Release date: Aug 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781071440612

Book preview

The Ladies Man

By K R Hall

First and foremost , I would like to thank my husband, Tom, for standing beside me throughout my writing this book. He has been my rock, and I dedicate this book to him. I also thank my editor.

With great thanks, this book is also dedicated to my friends that kept encouraging me.

Thank you, Lia Davis, owner of Glowing Moon Cover Design for your marvelous cover for The Ladies Man.

Thank you, Golden Czermak, owner of FuriousFotog, for the breathtaking photo of model Zach Fox.

Thank you, Dotti, Tyra, Carmen, and Marlen for beta reading and all of your suggestions.

Last but not least, I’d like to thank all of you readers. Thank you for taking the chance on my writing.

If You Believe in Yourself,

Anything Is Possible

THE INFORMATION ON the Rockettes came from videos on YouTube and the Rockettes website.

Chapter 1

Arthur Johnson and Eugene Lightner’s friendship goes way back, all the way back to the first grade. Eugene was Arthur’s partner in crime back then. They’d pull pranks on teachers, staff, and fellow students. Eugene was the daredevil, always daring Arthur to jump off the roof of the garage, or a porch ledge or something.

Arthur and Eugene had dreams of college in sunny California. They wanted adventure and were ready to take on whatever life brings next, knowing they could handle it if they had each other. They didn’t want to end up like some of their friends, who were married right out of high school and starting families. California Institute of Technology was their ticket out of Kansas City, Missouri.

You know, they said that admitting your ignorance is the beginning of wisdom. Arthur doesn't know a thing about women. He never did. More often than not, most guys are comfortable with the opposite sex. They like women and women like them, everything flows naturally. Back in college, Arthur (Artie) Johnson was just not one of them. He seemed to lack the basic understanding that his peers instinctively grasped, but he was eager to make up for the lost time like any late bloomer.

Arthur remembered the first day he met Gloria, the woman who owned his heart and then broke it. For him, it was love at first sight.

He was heading to the registration building when he accidentally bumped into a stunning redhead with large emerald green eyes and a sprinkle of freckles over an upturned nose. She wore a green swing tee with short flutter sleeves and a scooped neck over skinny black jeans, which went well with her dark red hair falling over her shoulders in lustrous curls that bounced as she walked.

Excuse me, but can you tell me where the Calculus class is? Gloria McLane asked, smiling.

Yeah, right this way. He glanced up and met the gaze of the redhead again.

Gloria McLane. Nice to meet you.

I’m Arthur, he said, reaching to shake her hand.

As Arthur made his way to Gloria’s apartment, he tried to slow his racing heart. It was no use. Knowing he’d be seeing and touching her soon, his body simply reacted. Every weekend for the past few months, he’d been going through the same routine. He would get off work and drive straight to her place and lose himself in her all night.

Do you remember our first kiss? Arthur asked.

Yes, Gloria breathed.

She had finally agreed to go out with him. They had gone dancing at a club. At the end of a slow dance, he leaned in to kiss her gently. Suddenly they were all over each other. Touching, kissing, groping like two teenagers. That night had been the first night they had sex too.

For Arthur, it was love at first sight. Gloria was it for him. He could imagine their wedding day and their future children. They would own a house within walking distance to his parents’ home in Kansas City, Missouri. He had it all planned out. His son would have jet black hair and blue eyes just like him. His daughter would be the spitting image of Gloria with her fire-red hair and emerald green eyes.

WOMEN. AIN’T THEY PERFECT? Arthur asked.

Not always, Eugene said.

Oh, yes, they are, they're perfection. Don't matter if they're thin, fat, blond, brunette, or redhead. If a girl is giving you her love, it's the greatest gift in the world. It makes you taller, makes you smarter, makes your world shine. Boy, oh, boy, my Gloria is perfect. Arthur said.

Awake or asleep, Gloria occupied his every thought. Arthur couldn’t get her off his mind. Catching a glimpse of her between classes could satisfy his desires for a few hours. He thought she was a walking wet dream.  Her mouth begged to be tasted. Gloria was everything to Arthur, and he gave her his all.

True love was difficult to find; sometimes you think you have true love, and then you catch them in an embrace of another man.

Arthur’s stomach filled with energized butterflies; he was going to see Gloria now that graduation was over. He picked up his graduation cap where it had fallen on the ground after they tossed them in the air, and headed toward the cafeteria where all of the graduates had gathered to prep before the graduation ceremony. As he approached, he saw Gloria standing there. She hadn’t noticed him yet, and he slowed his steps so he could take her in.

Her shoulders were tense, and her hair looked like she’d been running her hand through it. A man he didn’t recognize came around the other corner and walked up to Gloria. He put his arms around her and pulled her close and kissed her.

A jolt of shock went through Arthur. He stepped out of the crowd of people, his back up against the wall. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he saw the other man laugh like she said the funniest thing in the world. Arthur tried to wrap his head around what had just happened. Was Gloria dating this other man? He didn’t want to believe it was true, but he saw them kissing. He pushed off from the wall and approached Gloria after the man left.

What was that all about? Arthur asked.

Gloria jumped and spun around. What? She looked panicked.

Arthur’s throat grew tight. Why were you kissing that guy?

Gloria stared at Arthur like he wasn’t speaking English. She didn’t say anything, which told him a lot.

Have you been seeing him the whole time you’ve been seeing me? He asked, his voice almost a whisper.

The look on Gloria’s face revealed all that. Artie. It wasn’t like that.

Then what was it like? He asked, his voice rising. Were you dating both of us at the same time?

Yes. No. I mean, maybe it started that way. I didn’t know... I couldn’t figure out how to break it off with you. Gloria stammered for a second, then just closed her mouth.

Arthur's stomach clenched. She backed away from him. How could Gloria have cheated on him? He felt like throwing up. He could feel the tears about to flow, and the last thing he wanted to do was cry in front of Gloria and anyone else that was watching. Gritting his teeth, he fought back the tears.

I love you. What did I do wrong?

You hate me, don't you? Gloria asked.

No. I hate myself. Arthur said. I dated you for two years. You played with my emotions. How do you think that makes me feel?

You need time to cool down. We can still be friends.

Don’t ever talk to me again. Arthur turned from Gloria and fled the college, his heart thumping loudly in his ears.

How could I have let that happen? He swallowed. This was bad. Gloria had cheated on him. Was she ever really in love with me? They had made plans to move in together after college graduation. They were to be married in the same little church his mom and dad had been married. As he reached his truck, his phone vibrated with the text message.

Gloria: Please listen. It’s not what you think.

Arthur: I saw you kiss that man. I think you love him and not me anymore.

Gloria: It started just as a friendship. But it quickly turned into something more. Please call me. I really need to talk to you. To explain.

Arthur: No. I don’t want to talk to you. Stop texting me. There’s nothing to explain.

Arthur blew out an exasperated breath. Things were terrible, and there was no making it right. He pocketed his phone, but moaned and started his truck and headed home.

ARTHUR SHARED AN APARTMENT with his best friends Eugene, Malcom, and Mitch. Eugene was considered hot with his blonde, wavy locks and dark blue eyes. He was all about working out and building muscles. It was a typical bachelor pad; the furniture had been crammed into the room like an overstocked thrift shop. Arthur picked his way through the room to a vacant armchair and sank into it. It looked comfortable and practical but by no means plush. Sitting there for conversations was easy, teasing was well-tolerated and never mean, the perfect place to entertain.

The windows were on the small side, the natural light adding to the ambiance. They had the biggest plasma tv you ever saw, covering almost one wall. There were four speakers, each four feet tall, surrounding the room. They sat every Friday night with beers and tubs of popcorn in front of some scary thriller or action movie grinning like loons.

In the bathroom spots of toothpaste splattered the mirror, the laundry basket was overflowing with dirty clothes spilling onto the floor in the corner. The shower held an assortment of shampoo bottles and soaps. A used damp towel lay on the floor in a crumpled heap.

None of them knew how to cook, so the kitchen was the cleanest and most unused room in their apartment. If they didn’t go out for a meal, they had something delivered.

Eugene, Malcom, Bobby, and Mitch were playing one of their favorite Xbox One X games.

Arthur would describe his heartache as like an insatiable fire that burnt all the oxygen in his body, leaving him listless and empty. But now it was more like a reminder of the pain that came before and a warning not to stoke that fire again.

Guys, Gloria broke up with me. What do I do? How can I get her back? I can't - I can't get her to talk to me. It's all so fucked up. I feel like crying. I gave her my heart, and she stomped on it. Arthur blurted out.

You told her not to talk to you, Malcom pointed out.

That was yesterday. I needed time. Now I’m ready to talk, Arthur complained.

Are you all right? Eugene asked.

No, I'm not all right! Arthur snapped.

Take it easy, Mitch said.

I'm hurt... I'm pissed. And now I gotta find a new job! Arthur complained.

Arthur, man, no babe is worth it, dude. Listen, hang with us. Eugene said. "Come on; we’ve been