Read Online Danny (Models On Top #1) by S. L. Scott - Free Book Online Page B

bother to turn. When he looks at me again, he wraps his arm through mine and we walk to the door. “Mark and I have a little more we’d like to discuss. I’m going to ride with him back to the hotel, so we’ll be done by the time we arrive.”
    My arm tightens around his wrist in panic. “I don’t mind if you talk business in front of us. I’m sure Danny won’t mind. We should all ride together. It’s more economical that way too.”
    “Oh honey, money is the least of my worries.”
    “It’s killing the planet. It makes no sense to put those extra emissions out, destroying our Mother Earth. We should really save the gas.”
    He finally stops, allowing Danny and Mark to walk ahead of us and out the door. “What’s wrong with you? Are you really worried about the gas emissions?”
    “I am. I mean, yes, I am. I care about the planet, but please. I can’t be alone with him right now.”
    “C’mon,” he says comfortingly. We walk outside and two Priuses are waiting for us. “See? No need to be worried. Electric cars on demand. How fantastic is that?”
    “I thought—”
    “I know what you thought, but trust me,” he whispers. “This is for the best.” Releasing me, he waves as he rushes to get in the first car. “See you back at the hotel.”
    “It was a valiant effort,” Danny says, waving at the car driving Mark and Vinnie away. “I actually believed you cared about the Earth.”
    “I do care about the Earth.”
    He smiles. “ Okaaaay .”
    I give Danny a dirty look. “Don’t condescendingly ‘okay’ me.”
    “Okay.” He chuckles. “Oops. That one just slipped out.”
    I want to glare at him longer, but seeing him smile and hearing him laugh breaks me. Those things always did. “You’re ridiculous.”
    “But cute.”
    Teasing, I say, “Cute isn’t the word I ever used to describe you.”
    “Was it sexy? Handsome? Hot? Great in bed? Virile?”
    “Virile? Really? Who uses that word?”
    “I do. You just did. To describe me, I might add.”
    “Ugh. You’re incorrigible.”
    “So there’s hope after all.”
    “Hope for what?”
    “Hope that maybe we can be friends again.”
    “I was always too in love with you to be friends.”
    That silences him. The smile disappears from his face, the fun sucked right out of the Prius. He looks out the window while my mind races, running through what I said and what I meant and—
    “I was also too in love with you,” he says, keeping his eyes averted, distracted by everything and anything outside this car.
    “We were having a good time, civil even, and I go and ruin it. Danny, I’m so—”
    “You’re worrying. Don’t. It’s fine.”
    I sit back, feeling deflated and emotionally exhausted from the night. I’m glad the hotel isn’t too far. Leaning my head back, I close my eyes, resting them, and ready for this ride to be over.
    But then something happens. Something I didn’t see coming.
    His hand slides over my wrist and with our palms pressed together, our fingers entwine. I don’t open my eyes. I don’t know why, other than I don’t want his hand to leave mine. My gulp sounds loud to my ears. I hope he can’t hear how nervous I am. Then I hear him gulp and it makes me smile.
    Lifting my head, I open my eyes and turn to look down at our joined hands. I don’t take this lightly. The heaviness is felt through our touch, the pressure, and the heat of our palms together.
    Keeping his voice low, intimate between us, he says, “It’s okay. We’re going to be okay.”
    “Sexy.”
    He looks at me, puzzled by my response.
    I continue, “Handsome. Hot. Great in bed. I’ve used them all to describe you.” I give him a small smile that feels good to share. “I might have even used virile once or twice.”
    When a small smile appears on his lips, I feel okay again, just like he promised.
    The driver speaks too soon. “We’re here.”
    Danny’s eyes meet mine, a look exchanged, an understanding that everything might actually be