Read Online Jane's Gift by Karen Erickson - Free Book Online

was a fleeting sadness in her eyes that made him yearn—yearn to make her happy, make her smile and forget all her troubles.
    “Well, I think you look amazing,” he finally murmured, breathing deep. The smell of her shampoo and whatever other hair products she used filled his senses. A heady scent that made him close his eyes and savor it.
    She didn’t answer, didn’t even look at him as the lights dimmed, giving her the perfect excuse to focus on something else. The previews started and Chris figured they were in for a long haul so he focused his attention on her instead.
    He didn’t stare, just watched her out of the corner of his eye. Her eyes widened as she stared up at the screen, taking it all in. She brought her hand to her mouth, dropped a few pieces of popcorn in. He caught the subtle swipe of her tongue across her lips once she’d finished chewing and he held in the groan that wanted to spill.
    Sexy—and she didn’t even know it. The way she subconsciously tucked her dark hair behind her ear, how she smoothed her fingers over that little red earring, then slid them down to mess with the neck of her sweater… Damn but he wanted to get his hands beneath that sweater. Was it wrong of him to think like that? Especially since he knew he had no chance?
    “You want some popcorn?” She offered him the bucket, her mouth in a tempting little pout.
    The popcorn didn’t tempt him whatsoever.
    “All right.” He reached over and scooped out a small handful, shoved it into his mouth. Chewed thoughtfully as she resumed her position, popcorn bucket in her lap, eyes locked on the giant screen.
    Reaching over again, he grabbed another handful, his arm brushing hers, invading her space. She invaded his head, his thoughts, and he found it only natural to return the favor as much as possible.
    Chris had always been about returning favors. He liked to give as much as he received.
    …
    “You’re staring,” Jane finally whispered to Chris, after enduring almost an hour of one of the worst movies she’d ever seen.
    It didn’t help that the man sitting next to her distracted her so much she could hardly breathe, let alone think. His close proximity, the warmth from his body seeping into hers was almost too much to bear. He smelled so good, like spicy pine and clean, strong man.
    “Sorry.” He offered an apologetic smile but didn’t look away, which made her nervous. She had a feeling he wasn’t sorry at all. That he enjoyed setting her on edge.
    Every time he reached into that bucket of popcorn, she couldn’t help but notice his arms, his hands. He’d pushed up the sleeves of his dark blue thermal, revealing strong forearms. His skin was tanned, smooth, with a faint covering of black hair and the occasional vein that stood out in stark relief against his flesh.
    The urge to feel those arms around her was so strong, but she tried to deny it. She tried to deny the buzz of electricity that seemed to surround them whenever they were together, the way his gaze lingered on her mouth when she spoke. As if he might want to kiss her.
    Jane wanted to kiss him back.
    Just once, just to know what it felt like to have his firm yet sensual lips pressed to hers. She’d kissed her fair share of guys—she hadn’t grown up a sheltered nun—but no man’s mouth had captured her imagination such as Chris’s did.
    She had a feeling he would be an expert kisser, that he would know just what to do, just how to coax a delicious response from her. Would he taste sweet like the chocolate he’d been snacking on?
    Dread filled her and she breathed deeply, desperate to focus on the movie, on anything but the man beside her. The date had been a mistake. She wasn’t ready for anything like this yet.
    But then when would she get her chance? She was still young. Most twenty-eight-year-old women were having successful careers, single and dating or just married. They certainly weren’t the mothers of three, without a husband and with a