Linda Hudson-Smith - Indiscriminate Attraction

The communication between her and Chancellor had quickly become stifled and he had suddenly seemed overly guarded. Although he had said he’d help her out with eating the food, he hadn’t touched a bite more of anything once he had consumed the first slice of pizza. Minutes later he had said that he really had to go, adamantly refusing her offer of a ride back to the shelter.

What had transpired at the café had Laylah terribly worried, not to mention downright puzzled. Chancellor’s behavior had been odd and unexplainable. At this point, she didn’t know if she’d ever see him again. Just the thought of that happening had her feeling fearful and disheartened. She could get over her attraction to him if she had to, but that’s not at all what she wanted. If nothing else, she wanted his friendship.

She wanted him in her life—and she wanted him to stay there for a very long time. She hoped what had happened was just a freaky instance and that he’d come back around. They’d been so frank when admitting their attraction to each other. Now she just didn’t know what the future held for them.

Just in case he did decide to stick around, Laylah thought it might be in the best interest of their friendship to come up with a list of fun but inexpensive things for her and Chancellor to do together. She loved touring museums and visiting different parks all around the city. She also loved outdoor picnics and long drives outside the metropolis.

Although some entertainment venues had small entry fees, Laylah had loads of free passes she’d been given as gifts to thank her for her various community services. In fact, she had all sorts of freebie tickets to one venue or another. Tickets to sporting events were sent to her frequently. She also had quite a few free-meal coupons she’d acquired in pretty much the same way.

At any rate, Laylah knew she and Chancellor had to take their relationship extremely slow. He was reluctant to get involved with her even though he hadn’t said any such thing. It was just something she had sensed in him early on, more so this evening.

Because he couldn’t afford to pay for elaborate dates, she felt she had to be careful not to make him feel she required that of him in order to be happy. Spending money on her wasn’t something she had ever required of any man. She was very easy to please. Spending quality time and indulging in effective communication with her romantic interest was what she desired most out of her relationships.

Chancellor had been tossing and turning on the cramped cot ever since he’d first lain down. Thinking about what had happened at the café with Laylah still had him on edge. He not only felt sad about running out on her like that, he also felt horribly guilty. Reporters of any kind just made him downright nervous. Their intrusive presence in his life had left a lot to be desired. He couldn’t help wishing she hadn’t mentioned her profession. At any rate, it more than likely would have been mentioned sooner or later.

Chancellor sensed that Laylah desperately wanted to know all about his life, and how he’d gotten where he was, but he had figured out she was probably too polite to ask. Her not asking what she wanted to know about him was what worried him the most.

If Laylah didn’t feel comfortable asking him about his personal and professional life, she just might take it upon herself to snoop around in his private business to find out on her own. That’s what reporters often resorted to in getting their information. He recalled her point-blank inquiry of his surname.

The Kingston name was very well-known in the business world and was also well connected with elite social circles. Chancellor’s grandparents had worn their prestigious name with pride and honor.

To up and disappear on Laylah or continue to stick around was a difficult decision for Chancellor to make. The fact that he was so personally interested in her made it doubly hard on him. He already knew she was different from any other woman he’d ever dated. This woman knew exactly who she was, with her “take me as I am or just leave me alone” attitude. Laylah wasn’t about to change herself to fit into anyone’s mold.

Money and prestige obviously didn’t mean a darn thing to Laylah, not when she could consider getting romantically involved with a homeless man. She had made no bones whatsoever about her wild attraction to him. Her confession had been rather refreshing. Her down-to-earth and unassuming demeanor was a real turn-on for him.

A part of Chancellor wanted to stick around to enjoy the excitement Laylah brought to his life. Another part of him was telling him to hightail it out of Dodge before all hell broke loose. Judging by her actions, he wouldn’t be surprised if she already knew who he was. If she didn’t already know, once Laylah found out about the Kingston family background, it would more than likely be over for them anyway.

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