Read Online Abby Road by Ophelia London - Free Book Online Page A

He shook his head, correcting himself. “Forget what I want . What I know I must have is a woman who takes my breath away.”
    Okay . . .
    “And not just the figure of speech, but truly takes my breath away. Then we’re free-falling together. Spinning circles. Out of our minds.”
    I stared at his face, feeling the need to swallow, but my throat seemed a bit paralyzed.
    “I’m not naïve enough to expect that kind of intensity to last forever,” Todd continued. “But if nothing else, we all deserve at least that —to occasionally be knocked breathless by the one we love most, don’t you think?”
    Honestly, I didn’t know what to think. I was too busy wondering how it would feel to be spinning freely through space, out of my mind, breathless. I made myself look down at the sidewalk, overly aware that I’d trip over my own feet if I let my mind continue its free fall.
    Before I could steady myself, he went on. “Think of a first kiss, that moment immediately before lips touch, that hitch in your breath. Know what I mean?”
    I nodded, and then I felt a similar inhale catch in my chest when Todd touched my arm to stop us on a corner.
    “Comfortable nervousness,” he added, almost in a whisper. “Butterflies in your stomach. Christmas Eve as a kid. That’s how I want to feel when I’m with her. The purest kind of bliss.” After a beat, he looked away, squinting toward the street. “Basically, Abby, we broke up because we didn’t love each other anymore.” He glanced at me and cracked a smile. “I would elaborate further, but I think you’ve had enough.”
    I looked down and saw that I’d been twisting and tugging at the neck of my tank top. It was wrinkled and stretched. How did I get so classy?
    “You seem a little distracted,” Todd observed.
    “No. I’m . . . just . . .”
    He grinned.
    “Oh, shut up.” I laughed, and we crossed the street.
    Up ahead, my red cruiser was leaning against the glass window of Modica. Three other bikes were beside it now—one, a yellow tandem with pink fringe dangling from the handlebars.
    “Well?” Todd asked when we stopped outside the door.
    “Well, what?” I was stalling, of course.
    He nodded toward the door in reply.
    But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t move. “I can’t go in there,” I admitted quietly.
    Todd gave me a look with those same melting-my-knees eyes. “Come on.”
    Over his shoulder, I looked through the glass. Hardly any customers. No reason not to, I guess. Crap. My heart started to pound with adrenaline. I took in some deep breaths and shook out my hands like I was psyching myself up for the high jump.
    Todd watched with a bit of a smirk, apparently amused by my fretting.
    After another minute, he bent down to my ear, so close I could breathe in his lovely aftershave. Or was that his natural smell? “It’s okay,” he whispered, causing my heart to pound even more. “You’re with me this time, and I swear to you, I am safer than an armored car.” The nearness of his face made my mouth water. “But, please, first just promise me something.”
    He pulled back and looked me in the eyes.
    “What?” I whispered, thinking of about a hundred things I would have promised him at that moment.
    “Don’t trip on your way in. You’ll embarrass me.”
    He pulled the door wide open, spun me around, and pushed me in.

{chapter 6}
    “HERE COMES THE SUN”
    “B ack already?” Bob asked. “Your little helper’s called twice looking for you.”
    Ignoring my squeaks of protest, Todd muscled me toward the deli in the middle of the store. “Has he?” he said, pulling a BlackBerry out of his pocket and checking the face. “I’m getting his lunch now.” With his free hand, Todd positioned me in front of the deli glass.
    Bob popped up behind the counter to assist us. “Pastrami on rye?” he asked Todd.
    While those two discussed the economy or the tides or whatever, I found myself transfixed, ogling at the rows of fresh meats, cheeses, and