Read Online Every Little Dream (Second Chances) by Kate Ashton - Free Book Online

into my closet.
    Breathless, I smooth down my hair, my hand on the knob. I’ve never felt like such a fraud. I never keep secrets from people and when I do, people I know can see right through me and I end up blabbing in about three seconds. I open the door, say hi and grab his arm to lead him down the stairs.
    He pulls back, peering in my room as if trying to catch a glimpse of something, some part of me. “Did you want to hang out for a bit?”
    “Definitely not. I’m ready for some excitement.” The words are so ironic, because Chad does bring excitement to my life. I’m just not sure it’s the kind I want.
    Outside, I can breathe a little easier. The farther away I am from the money, the better I feel, the easier it is to forget about it. Almost. I take time to soak Chad in. His dark gray T-shirt is snug against his chest, revealing his biceps. He’s not so built he looks like a wrestler but he’s no weakling either. Muscles are definitely there. I try to keep my gaze away from his mouth, because I can’t have my imagination putting me in a perpetual blush. “So, where we headed?”
    “What?” He turns with surprise. “I thought you were planning the date first?”  
    “Um.” Is he serious? Was I so distracted that I can’t even think straight anymore? “Sure. We can…”
    He bumps me with his hip, smiling. “Kidding.”
    “You jerk.” I punch his chest and start beating on him. Not very hard though.
    “Oh, you like it rough, huh?” In one swoop, he grabs my legs. Scooping me up, he hangs me over his shoulder. Then he starts spinning.
    The colors around me blur. I squeal. “Okay, okay.” He doesn’t stop. “I’ll get sick!”  
    He stops twirling and allows me to slide down the front of his body. A thrill runs through my insides, the contact igniting the desire to do more than just look at his lips. We’re standing close. I can’t help but touch the light stubble on his cheeks. His blue eyes peer from under his lashes. I fight the impulse to kiss him when really that’s all I’ve wanted to do since I kissed him that first time.
    “Is that the kind of excitement you want?” he whispers.
    “A little.” I flick my hair over my shoulder. “I just might surprise you.”
    He grows serious, his eyes on my mouth, his arms around me. “I hope so.”  
    We stand, silent, caught up in the moment. He’s the first to break away. “Alright, milady.” He holds out an arm. “One night of pure, clean excitement coming up.”
    I can’t help but feel disappointed but I should know better. Having Chad as a friend and getting out of my room is more than I could’ve hoped for, especially after the cruddy way our relationship started. “Where we going?”
    He shakes his head and laughs. “Secrets and surprises are all a part of excitement. You can’t have it both ways.”
    “Then lead on!”  
    Instead of heading to his bike, he walks down the boardwalk. We weave around a mix of people: tourists who spent the day at the beach and regulars who are here to hang out as evening draws close. Maybe there’s a concert tonight. The tantalizing smells of fried dough and pizza drift in the air, along with traces of cigarette smoke.  
    He stops at the arcade, along with the families with younger kids pouring in, then pulls out a pile of change from his pocket. A devilish grin crosses his face causing my stomach to do a little dance.  
    “Did you know that no one can beat me at Skee Ball?” he asks with a hint of a challenge.
    “No one?” I blink my eyes innocently.
    “That’s right.”
    “You’re on.”
    We pass through the thickening crowds. We pay for the coins then start playing. He’s right. He’s unbeatable and wins ten games out of ten. I’m not sure how he does it but he hits the high numbers with almost every ball.  
    “Alright, I need a chance! You’re hurting my self-esteem. You’re going to leave me wallowing by the end of night in my lack of Skee Ball talent.”  
    He wraps