Eric Damon Blair III surveyed his new living space and
grinned. Though the condo was mostly unfurnished he was pleased with the place
he’d bought last week. In the living room he’d created a nest of pillows on the
dark blue carpet. Perfect for viewing the huge flat screen TV and for making
love.
He strode into the bedroom where the most important item of
furniture had been delivered. The king-size bed was ready for the kind of
action he preferred. Soft sheets, plump pillows on a firm mattress. Just
thinking about using this spot set his heard speeding to send extra blood to
his groin. Not yet, he warned. Soon.
He turned and scanned the living area. One of his favorite
features was the bar between the kitchen and dining areas. With a couple of bar
stools he could eat there until he purchased a table and chairs.
Once he knew his way around town and found some willing
helpers he would buy furniture. He closed his eyes and visualized his aides. A
sleek blonde. A ravishing redhead. A cuddly woman with brown hair. A sultry
ebony-haired siren. All he had to do was meet them and lure them to his nest.
That had never been a problem.
No strings. No commitments. He had no intention of traveling
the road his parents had worn to ruts. Serial monogamy. He’d lost count of the
numbers of step-mamas and step-papas that flowed through his life like a fleet
of paper boats launched on a pond. No marriage meant no divorce, the end of
every road his parents had traveled.
He flipped the cover of his cell phone and tapped his
cousin’s number. Better inform her of his new residence before she phoned the
police to report him missing or every hospital between the city and here
searching for his body. She answered on the second ring.
“Hi, Lin. I’m in town.”
“Eric, where are you?”
“It’s Damon. Eric is my father and our grandfather.”
She laughed. “Forgot the name change. You’re late. What
happened? Traffic? An accident? Were you hurt?”
“None of the above.”
“Then where are you. I’ve been pacing for two hours.”
“In town. Had a bit of luck.” He settled against the
headboard of the bed. “Found a place.”
“Aren’t you staying with us? I have plans.”
“I bet you do.” He swallowed a growl. He imagined she had a
dozen schemes to match him with a matrimonial-seeking friend or three. He had
no intention of camping in his cousin’s guest room. Watching a nesting set of
parents wasn’t a scene he wanted to endure.
She laughed. “Caught me. So where is this place and how did
you find it?”
“Ran into the brother of a patient. He wanted to sell his
condo. Had the money from the trust so I bought. Place is great. Once I’m
settled I’ll throw a party.”
“You are coming to dinner tonight, aren’t you?”
“Depends.”
“Eric, Damon, whoever you are. There’s a friend I want you
to meet. Ben and I invited her over. You’ll like her. She’s great.”
Score one for men’s intuition. “Forget your schemes.” Damon
groaned. “What is it with you happily-marrieds? Can’t stand to see someone
unattached? I need no help finding women. That’s plural. Don’t want or need
permanent.”
She laughed. “Neither does my friend. I thought you two would be a perfect match.”
“Thanks for thinking of me. I’ll find my own women. Talk to
you later. I’m off to unpack the car.”
“When will we see you?”
“If something doesn’t come up I’ll swing by tomorrow or
Sunday. Unless I’m diverted. Imagine you get the picture.”
She laughed. “Sure of yourself, aren’t you? Good luck in the
hunt. Don’t expect to succeed. You’re new in town.”
He chuckled. “You’d be surprised. Sometimes being the new
face has amazing results. Gives the ladies a new body to explore.”
“You’re impossible.”
“But loveable. Ciao.”
Damon rose from the bed and headed to the door. Time to
unpack the stereo system. Then shower, shave, change and hit the local watering
spots. Fridays were always social nights at the bars. Surely he’d find more
interesting company that an unattached female who needed friends to find her a
date. Even if she didn’t admit to being a player in the husband hunt he rarely
met a woman who didn’t turn huntress the moment she learned he was a doctor.
* * *
Hot. I'm hooked!
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