Read Online And Then He Kissed Me by Teresa Southwick - Free Book Online

that. What if he took her up on the invitation? She would be out of the frying pan into the fire.
    How could she keep him from seeing how very much she wanted to feel his lips pressed to hers? You’re being stupid, her inner voice scolded. Why would he kiss her when he had Madison Wainright? She shivered and rubbed her arms.
    â€œYou cold?” he asked.
    â€œA little. I think I’ll go back inside,” she said, turning.
    He pulled off his plaid flannel shirt. Underneath, he wore a black T-shirt that molded to the masculine contours of his chest and flat belly even as it pulled tight around the muscles of his upper arms. Casual clothes merely enhanced his considerable manly charms. And why did that T-shirt have to be black? It gave him just a hint of irresistible bad-boy appeal that made her knees weak. New rule—and it was now number one—never see him outside of work where it was okay to dress casual. And at work... All she could do was hope and pray that she didn’t see him much. And when she did, with luck, this puzzling attraction would be gone.
    He slipped his body-warmed shirt around her shoulders. “Let’s talk a minute.”
    â€œAbout?” she asked, permitting herself just a second or two to savor the wonderful scent of the aftershave that would forever remind her of Nick.
    â€œWhat just happened.”
    Did he mean the near-miss kiss? She hoped not. If he insisted on a discussion, she couldn’t possibly keep him from knowing she wanted him to do it. If only she
was as good at maneuvering as he was. She needed a diversion, a smoke screen of monumental proportions.
    â€œThere’s nothing to talk about,” she hedged. Wow . Way to go, Ridgeway. That was some impressive evasive action. The United States special forces could use you on covert missions.
    â€œI’d believe that if I didn’t think you were afraid of something. What is it, Ab?” His voice was gentle and kind.
    â€œI’m not afraid of anything,” she answered. This was no time for him to be nice to her. And vice versa, she thought. “I was just wondering what Madison would think about this whole thing.”
    â€œWhat whole thing?” he asked. She could almost hear the click of the On switch as his dark eyes ignited with interest.
    She thought for a moment. “To anyone looking on, it might appear that there was something of a personal nature between us.”
    â€œIs there?” he asked, his mouth quirking up.
    She decided to ignore the question. “Someone who didn’t know us might think we shared something besides a work relationship. We both know that’s absurd. But if Madison had been here, what would she have thought?”
    A wary look narrowed his eyes. “That we’re incredibly limber for two old people.”
    â€œBe serious, Nick.” It scared her that he didn’t look as if he was joking. That made her determined to put a lighter spin on this discussion, at least until she could get herself out of it without looking like a fool. “You don’t think that she might think that she might not be the right woman for you if you could almost kiss another woman?”

    One corner of his mouth lifted. “It’s scary that I understand what you just said. I kiss my mother and sister and she doesn’t think anything of it.”
    Abby breathed a sigh that was two parts relief and one part regret. Nick put her in the same category as the women in his family. She desperately wanted to believe that.
    â€œNow that I think about it,” she said, “why didn’t Madison come to the party? You did ask her?”
    He hesitated a moment. “Yes.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œShe couldn’t make it,” he said.
    Abby tilted her head as she looked at him. “Why?”
    â€œI don’t know,” he answered. “She didn’t return my calls.”
    Her face took on a sober expression. “Oh, Nick.