Read Online Head Start (Cedar Tree #7) by Freya Barker - Free Book Online Page B

anything before his mouth hits mine, effectively cutting off any other communication. One of his hands slides in my hair, cupping the back of my head, while the other runs down over my shoulder and around to the small of my back where he presses me to his body. Holy fudgesticks . His body leaves me with no doubt as to his desire for me. The prominent evidence is pressing in my stomach. There’s also no way I can deny what he does to my own body. Heat tingles over my skin from wherever we are touching, converging in a needy throb between my legs. His mouth—Jesus, his mouth. Soft in touch but hard in demand, with his tongue claiming my own dominantly while his gentle lips slip over mine. Bliss.
    “I’m not gonna fuck this up,” he mumbles as he slowly pulls his mouth from mine. I can’t stop the little moan that escapes me at the loss of his lips. “As you can well tell, I want nothing more than to throw you over my shoulder, take you upstairs to that big ass bed I spent an hour putting together, and feast on you. But I’m not going to push.”
    All I can think is push, please push, but I don’t say a word when he presses those freaking fantastic lips against my forehead and walks to the door.
    “I’ll be back later. I have to head over to the office to pick up a few things and get some information to Gus. I also need a clear head, and right now there’s not enough blood left up here for that.” The little smile tilting his mouth slightly is cocky, and combined with his words, hot as heck. “Call me if you need me. I won’t be more than a couple of hours.” With that, he walks out the door.
    Okay. What just happened here? I’m still trying to process that kiss, and the fact that kisses from Neil seem to carry more punch than a lifetime of half-assed sexual experiences. He’s coming back? I don’t know what that means, what to expect.
    Over the next hour or so, I do my best not to think too much as I put away my clothes, make the bed and finish emptying a few boxes. When I unwrap my favorite family picture—Karly, Mom and I with our arms wrapped around each other, smiling at the camera—I suddenly remember they’re leaving tonight. I grab my phone off the kitchen counter where I’d left it to charge and check the time. I quickly dial my sister’s number, hoping I’ll be able to catch them before they’re off on their cruise. The phone rings and rings, until her message comes on. Dagnabbit . I dial my mom’s next. Same result. After trying Karly’s phone again without success, I leave her a brief message for either of them to call me if they haven’t left yet.
    I know I’m being paranoid, but I want to warn my sister in particular to stay off her favored dating and chat sites for a while. It was she who suggested I set up a profile in the first place. I curse myself that I didn’t immediately call to give her a heads up. They must have just left. They were supposed to fly to Fort Lauderdale tonight and were scheduled to embark early tomorrow. Although it does settle my nerves to know that they will be safely away on a ship.
    Regardless, I’m restless. I’ve put away most of my stuff—all that remains is to hang up some frames and pictures—but plan to work on those tomorrow. I realize I’m fretting. About what is happening with Neil. About some maniac out there who is harming women. And about a bouquet of flowers. I’m suddenly in need of some air.
    With just my old jean jacket on to ward off that spring evening chill that sets in when the sun starts to drop, I snag my keys and lock up behind me. A walk is what I need so I take off to explore the neighborhood. As opposed to Cortez, all the houses in Cedar Tree have a decent amount of property around them. The town is not on a major thoroughfare like Cortez is, and therefore there is plenty of space. With a population of about six hundred people, and no major industries, it’s not likely it will grow by much, although from what Naomi tells me,