Read Online Intensity by S. Briones Lim - Free Book Online Page A

friend of Brian’s is a friend of mine, right, Brian?”
    Brian rolled his eyes. He turned his attention to Celine and asked, “Where are you girls staying? Do you need a ride?”
    “We took a cab to the arena,” Celine answered. “I think we’ll be fine with a taxi again.”
    Ruthie nodded silently, still stuck on Cash’s comment.
    “Nonsense,” Brian responded. He noticed Ruthie’s sloppy grin and tensed, watching his old friend visibly swoon over the arrogant bastard. Forcing himself to sound pleasant he offered, “We’ll take you guys home. Where are you staying?”
    “Oh, no! It’s not a problem, really. You guys already helped us out a great deal tonight,” Celine insisted. Though she was touched by Brian’s offer, she couldn’t help but want to get away from him. He brought back the same feelings of giddiness she used to feel around him when they were teenagers. Thinking of Noah, she couldn’t help but want to get rid of Brian and fast!
    “No, I insist. What kind of gentlemen would we be if we didn’t at least take you home?”
    Brian’s eyes glanced quickly at Celine’s ring. It may have been her imagination, but she couldn’t help but notice a slight frown grace his face. She averted her eyes and noticed Cash still staring at Ruthie as if he were a lion and she a gazelle. Her best friend radar started to tick loudly.
    “Just take us up on the offer!” Cash laughed, staring at Ruthie. “Our driver is ready and willing to go wherever we tell him to.”
    “No, it’s okay,” Celine insisted.
    “Actually, yes, you can take us back,” Ruthie butted in. Celine flashed her an annoyed look, but Ruthie kept her head held high. She wasn’t about to miss out on a chance to spend more time with Cash.
    “Wonderful!” Brian exclaimed. “Just tell us where to go.”
    Fortunately, the ride to the hotel wasn’t as bad as Celine feared it would be, though it couldn’t have ended soon enough for her liking. After many years of thinking no “commoner” would even come close to comparing to Cash’s godly beauty, she was surprised to find herself eyeing Brian repeatedly. Celine tried her hardest to snap out of it. She couldn’t help but feel guilt pound her insides. Swooning after Cash and Intensity was one thing—to her they were almost like mythical creatures. Swooning after Brian was another. He was a normal person, just like she was. Not that Cash wasn’t human, but still.
    Ruthie was different. She felt like the ride back was nothing short of magical. Cash’s thighs frequently brushed up against hers, each touch sending goose bumps down her arms and warmth to pool in her stomach. If each brush made her squirm, she couldn’t even imagine what it would feel like to do something more. Not like that would ever happen…right?
    The black SUV slowed to a stop in front of the hotel. With a sigh of relief, Celine quickly thanked the guys and hopped out of the car, not bothering to look back. Brian sat back, watching her in confusion. Ruthie, on the other hand, took her time exiting the vehicle.
    “It was great to meet you,” she said to Cash. She tried her best to sound seductive, but her voice came out a bit raspy. She tugged at her neck with embarrassment.
    “Same goes to you, little lady,” he replied, smiling.
    “Little lady?” she repeated, giggling. “You do know I’m almost six feet tall.”
    “I find height in a woman quite attractive. Especially since I’m pretty tall myself,” he offered.
    Oh yes, I know, Ruthie thought sheepishly. She never realized how gigantic he was in real life.
    “You’ll be at the show tomorrow?” Cash asked. He discreetly grabbed her cellphone out of her hand and proceeded to dial his phone number into it. Almost immediately Ruthie heard ringing come for his jacket pocket. Cash handed her phone back, smiling.
    “Of course!” Ruthie answered enthusiastically, reaching for her phone. Once again their fingertips brushed and she couldn’t help the