Read Online Hard Ride, Part 2 by Opal Carew - Free Book Online Page B

throw him. She deserved to blow off some steam.
    â€œNo, I didn’t think either of those things. Not about you.”
    She held her head up in defiance. “Then what did you think?”
    â€œI didn’t know what to think, but the fact is, you did need a lot of money. That means bad decisions made.” He frowned. “Like maybe that guy I saw you with at the bar.”
    Her eyebrow arched. “The guy who tried to pick me up, then attacked us later? What would that have to do with the money I needed?”
    â€œNo, the other guy. The second night.” He leaned toward her. “What happened, Liv? Were you in some kind of relationship with him? Did he con you out of money?”
    She gazed at him and the pain in her face caught him off guard. That was it. She’d been in a relationship with that guy and he’d played her.
    â€œFuck, Liv. You always were more giving than you could afford. And you trust people too much.”
    Her eyes widened and the sheen warned him she was close to shedding tears. “I … trust … people … too … much?” she repeated, each word an effort for her to say. “So … you think what happened to me was my own fault.”
    â€œGetting into debt?” He was confused. Of course it was her fault.
    But she shook her head and he suddenly realized what she was really asking.
    His heart clenched. “No, Liv. I didn’t mean that.”
    She turned and strode away from him, but not before he saw the glitter of tears streaking down her face. He rushed forward and caught her arm.
    â€œLiv, I’m sorry,” he said, turning her around to face him. “Of course I don’t think that.”
    She glared at him, her expression fierce. “You’ve always criticized me for being too rash— lectured me that it would get me into trouble.” She shrugged her arm from his hold and stepped back. “And you were right, weren’t you? And I’m still getting into trouble.” She dropped her head, staring at the ground. “And I’m still getting into trouble. That’s how I wound up here.”
    With him. She didn’t say it, but it was what she meant.
    â€œI don’t want you to be in trouble, Liv. Nothing about you being in pain makes me happy.” He reached for her but she took another step backward, keeping a distance between them. “That’s why I helped you. Liv, I’ll always be there to help you.”
    * * *
    Liv stared at him, blinking back the tears she didn’t want to shed, even though some had already escaped. She couldn’t hide them from him, but she could at least try to maintain a level of dignity and strength.
    â€œI don’t need you to be there.”
    God, she sounded ungrateful. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling way too vulnerable.
    â€œI mean”—she swatted away the tears pushing from her eyes—“I appreciate what you’ve done. And I will pay you back. But then I’ll rely on myself.”
    * * *
    This time he was able to capture her hand before she could escape, and she offered no resistance as he held it in his. “I know, Liv. And you’ll do an amazing job. I just wanted you to know you could call on me if you want.”
    Then he pulled her into his arms and held her close. Wanting to protect her. From life. From all the bad things around her.
    From herself and her fierce desire to stand on her own and to face the worst in life even when help was standing right beside her.
    Her resistance seeped away, and she melted against him, her head resting against his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head, her soft hair wisping around his chin with the breeze.
    He could stand here forever, just holding her like this.
    * * *
    Liv helped Shock carry the stuff back from the canoe to the house. She had enjoyed the picnic on the island relaxing with Shock, enjoying the sunshine, the sound of the water, and just