Read Online Anabel Unraveled by Amanda Romine Lynch - Free Book Online Page A

began.
    “Like what?” I asked innocently.
    He opened his mouth, but then he paused, and took me in. “That’s some dress.”
    “You ignored my question.” It was all a game to me, and my heart was racing.
    “I have other things on my mind,” he muttered, leaning in toward me.
    “Like what?” I asked, breathless.
    He turned and looked at me. I gazed straight back into his eyes, and before I knew it he pulled me close to him and firmly pressed his lips to mine. I was so startled, I lost my balance, but he tightened his grip around me and I gave in to him. My arms weren’t my own as I wrapped them around his neck, and that only made him kiss me more urgently, more deeply. It was like we were suspended in time, and for a moment, all that mattered was me and Jared. I was reeling for an instant, but then I pulled myself apart from him and turned away, horrified. I was already losing this. I struggled to clear my head and take control of the situation.
    “You kissed me,” I gazed into the ocean, trying to conceal my shock. Feeling calmer, I ventured a glance at him.
    He looked shamefaced. “Yeah, I did.”
    I tossed my hair. I could work with this. “You seem upset,” I observed, in what I hoped was a cool and detached manner.
    He looked away, keeping his arms crossed over the rail. “Well, I didn’t . . . that is . . . Anabel.”
    “Jared,” I returned.
    “I didn’t—that is, I shouldn’t have kissed you. If your brother, let alone your father knew . . . I apologize,” he said, staring into my eyes.
    I shifted my gaze to the waves. The sun was beating down, and I thought about how wonderful ice-cold water would feel right now. My heart still thudding, I contemplated shimmying out of my dress and jumping into the water right then. I would probably die on impact, but it would solve a lot of problems.
    “Anabel?”
    “Yes?” I turned back to him.
    “I apologized.” There was a bit of an edge to his voice.
    “I heard you. And I have to admit, I’m quite offended.” I picked up my sweater and threw it onto a chair. “Is it hot out here?”
    He swallowed. “Quite. Why are you offended?”
    I crossed my arms and glared at him. “Did you not like kissing me? Am I not a good kisser?” I leaned backwards against the rail, making sure to thrust my chest out a bit. “Not that I’ve had a lot of practice, but really, I didn’t think I was half bad.”
    Jared looked taken aback. I almost lost my composure and laughed at the look on his face. Then he slowly said, “No, that wasn’t it.”
    “What then? You find me repulsive?”
    “Anabel, for crying out loud! You’re not a bad kisser, and no, I do not find you repulsive.”
    I beamed at him. “Oh, so you want to give it another go?” I then proceeded to invade his personal space.
    He looked at me, incredulous. “What the devil has gotten into you?”
    “Oh, come on, Jared,” I moved toward him. “I’ve seen the way you look at me. At the same time I can’t sit here and pretend like I’m not attracted to you.” I pressed my body against his and whispered in his ear, “It doesn’t have to mean anything, you know. We can have sex just to have sex . . . and you’ll leave, and that will be that.”
    I felt his breathing change, as he murmured, “But Anabel, what about Sam . . .”
    I looked around. “I don’t see him here.”
    “This isn’t right . . .”
    “Shh,” I whispered, “isn’t this what you want, Jared?” I slowly ran my finger down his chest.
    I heard a sharp intake of breath, and then he uttered, “Yes—”
    I broke away and smiled at him. “Well, today doesn’t work for me, but maybe some other time then.” I picked up my sweater, turned on my heel, and marched off, trying to hold back the giggles as a slew of profanities erupted from Jared’s mouth.
    It’s not easy to get Anabel Martin’s panties in a twist. Jared would do well to remember that. Or so I thought, anyway.
    ***
    Sam looked appalled. “You made that