Irresistible Impulse by Nona Raines Page A

necessary to attend the speed dating event, but for Tania it was a matter of pride. She wasn’t a welcher.
    So here she was, smack in the middle of this extravaganza. But where were the men?
    ****
    “Where are all the men?” Amira asked in confusion.
    Good question. Latisha glanced around the conference room. Women were seated at most of the small tables, which were set up in a circle around the room. But there were very few members of the opposite sex.
    A brightly-dressed woman approached them, a professional smile pinned to her face. “Hi, there. Welcome to the Spring Fling Extravaganza. I’m Stacy Coolidge, the coordinator.”
    “Uh…yes.” Amira’s steps faltered. “But shouldn’t there be more—”
    “Oh, well,” the coordinator trilled. “Sometimes the numbers don’t work out exactly, but there’s no need to be concerned.” She leaned toward them in a confidential manner. “You only need one to make that special connection, am I right?” Her laughter held a note of desperation. Clearly, she had not expected such an unequal turn-out.
    Amira turned to Latisha. “Maybe we shouldn’t—”
    Latisha knew what her cousin was up to but wouldn’t allow her to lose her nerve and slink out. “No.” Her voice was firm. “We’re here. We’re staying.” She gave Amira a small nudge and an encouraging smile. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
    For her cousin’s sake, Latisha hoped she wasn’t lying.
    ****
    Tania jiggled her leg restlessly and checked out the three guys who’d turned out for this affair. One was short and balding with wire-rimmed glasses. He looked like an orthodontist. But maybe he was great in the sack. Those geeky-looking guys could fool a girl.
    The second guy was body-builder material, but he gave off a creepy vibe. He looked like the kind of guy who’d rather flex in front of a mirror than try to please the woman in his bed.
    The third guy—hello, can we say gay? His carefully coiffed hair and too-perfect attire, as well as his mannerisms, set her gaydar clanging big time. Was he still in the closet or just kidding himself?
    Not that Tania cared. Some of her best friends, etcetera, etcetera. Actually, she herself was etcetera, etcetera, at least some of the time. In fact, she seldom lacked for male or female companionship.
    Tania enjoyed subverting the mild-mannered librarian stereotype. It was so stupid. As though a person couldn’t love books and sex. She’d never had a problem getting all the dates and all the sex she wanted. When she was younger, she’d wanted plenty. And it had all been great fun. But lately, the possibility of something less fleeting teased her. Could it be the wild, untamable Tania Talcott was looking for a permanent relationship?
    Fat chance of finding one here.
    Nah, tonight would be a bust. Not that she expected anything else. Until her gaze fell on the striking African American woman sitting a few seats away.
    It was her .
    Tania didn’t know her name, had only seen her once before. But she’d never forget the reaction she’d had to this beautiful woman.
    She’d been out one Saturday, shopping and running errands, and stopped for a late lunch at the Eighth Moon Chinese Buffet. While reaching for some fried pork dumplings on the steam table, her arm brushed against someone’s reaching for the long beans.
    “Sorry.” Looking up, she found herself mesmerized by a face with intelligent brown eyes, soft cocoa-colored skin, and full lips glossed with red lipstick. Gorgeous lips. Plump and soft-looking, as tempting as ripe raspberries.
    The skin of Tania’s arm prickled with goosebumps and tingled from the woman’s touch. “Sorry.” Her tongue felt clumsy, her speech thick. “I’m such a klutz.”
    The beautiful black woman smiled, and Tania’s insides turned liquid. “You shouldn’t talk about yourself that way.”
    Tania stood there, unable to speak, as the woman gazed at her and opened her mouth as though to say more. Someone called out,