Read Online Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) by Kelli McCracken - Free Book Online
Authors: Kelli McCracken
Ads: Link
wasn’t sure if he deserved the truth.
Of course, not telling him would give him a reason to doubt her. He’d believe his assumptions were right. No way would she give him undue satisfaction. He needed to be set straight and she needed to be on her way. It wouldn’t get her an apology, but knowing his guilt was eating at him served the same purpose.
“What you witnessed was a six-year-old scar reopening. The guy my friend was flirting with is the man who broke her heart. She didn’t recognize him at first. Neither did I. He has changed quite a bit.”
As the final notes of the song rang through the air, Mike peered toward the stage, most likely at Jonah. He didn’t know the McCabes or the history Ally and Jonah shared. Still, something about the way he worked his lips said he was doing more than processing everything she’d told him. Exactly what, she didn’t know, nor would she find out until they spoke again in private.
“Listen, I need to get my friend home. She isn’t feeling well. What do I owe you for the drinks?”
“Nothing, sugar.” He refocused on her. “It’s on the house.”
“Mike—”
The crowd broke into applause, but Cassie’s plea wasn’t silenced by the noise. Mike pressed his finger to her lips and leaned closer. All the jealousy she’d sensed in him before had vanished. In fact, the desire he normally held for her showed in the way he trailed his finger across her lips. Then he did the one thing she wasn’t expecting.
He kissed her.
It wasn’t just a peck, either. It was a good kiss. A full on, lip sweeping, panty-drenching kiss that left her speechless when he eased away. He’d never been so bold to do such a thing. The owner frowned upon the bartenders fraternizing with customers while working. Mike would be reprimanded if his boss found out.
He didn’t appear the least bit concerned. His mouth lingered close enough that the scent of his cinnamon gum filled her nose. “No arguing, doll. I’m not charging you for the drinks. It’s the least I can do for being an ass. Go get your friend. I’ll call for a cab.”
Cassie didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her mind continued spinning with confusion. Mike had flipped a one-eighty, going from a testosterone-fueled jerk that thought the worst, to a guy who’d risked his job just to kiss her. The craziest part of it all—she’d seen neither side of him before.
What had changed?
“You okay?” Mike’s voice cut through the questions tumbling in her mind, but she didn’t answer, only nodded. He smiled at her response as his eyes lowered to her lips. “If your plans end up changing, you know where to find me.”
She held her breath when Mike moved in for another kiss, this one being rougher than the last. It filled her with a rush of excitement. While she didn’t approve of his jealous behavior, she didn’t mind the part of him that wanted to control her body.
As much as the thought made her heat with desire, reality came flooding back. She turned toward the once crowded dance floor and blinked in disbelief. The music had come to an end, and the band, as well as Jonah, were nowhere in sight.
* * *
Cassie scurried across the bar, in the direction of the restrooms. Of all the idiotic things she could do, getting sidetracked shouldn’t have been one of them. She knew what was at stake, yet the feel of Mike’s lips on hers took her by surprise.
Damn her body, and damn the way he made her forget things…
With each step she took, she worked her way through the crowd, scanning the many faces for Jonah’s. None proved to be a match, nor did she notice his bandmates anywhere. Of course, spotting one of them would be like spotting a blind date. She had no clue what to look for.
Aside from a quick view of the singer’s back, and the bass guitarist’s profile, she hadn’t paid much attention. They could have been sitting beside her at the bar and she wouldn’t have known the difference.
She rounded the corner
Of course, not telling him would give him a reason to doubt her. He’d believe his assumptions were right. No way would she give him undue satisfaction. He needed to be set straight and she needed to be on her way. It wouldn’t get her an apology, but knowing his guilt was eating at him served the same purpose.
“What you witnessed was a six-year-old scar reopening. The guy my friend was flirting with is the man who broke her heart. She didn’t recognize him at first. Neither did I. He has changed quite a bit.”
As the final notes of the song rang through the air, Mike peered toward the stage, most likely at Jonah. He didn’t know the McCabes or the history Ally and Jonah shared. Still, something about the way he worked his lips said he was doing more than processing everything she’d told him. Exactly what, she didn’t know, nor would she find out until they spoke again in private.
“Listen, I need to get my friend home. She isn’t feeling well. What do I owe you for the drinks?”
“Nothing, sugar.” He refocused on her. “It’s on the house.”
“Mike—”
The crowd broke into applause, but Cassie’s plea wasn’t silenced by the noise. Mike pressed his finger to her lips and leaned closer. All the jealousy she’d sensed in him before had vanished. In fact, the desire he normally held for her showed in the way he trailed his finger across her lips. Then he did the one thing she wasn’t expecting.
He kissed her.
It wasn’t just a peck, either. It was a good kiss. A full on, lip sweeping, panty-drenching kiss that left her speechless when he eased away. He’d never been so bold to do such a thing. The owner frowned upon the bartenders fraternizing with customers while working. Mike would be reprimanded if his boss found out.
He didn’t appear the least bit concerned. His mouth lingered close enough that the scent of his cinnamon gum filled her nose. “No arguing, doll. I’m not charging you for the drinks. It’s the least I can do for being an ass. Go get your friend. I’ll call for a cab.”
Cassie didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her mind continued spinning with confusion. Mike had flipped a one-eighty, going from a testosterone-fueled jerk that thought the worst, to a guy who’d risked his job just to kiss her. The craziest part of it all—she’d seen neither side of him before.
What had changed?
“You okay?” Mike’s voice cut through the questions tumbling in her mind, but she didn’t answer, only nodded. He smiled at her response as his eyes lowered to her lips. “If your plans end up changing, you know where to find me.”
She held her breath when Mike moved in for another kiss, this one being rougher than the last. It filled her with a rush of excitement. While she didn’t approve of his jealous behavior, she didn’t mind the part of him that wanted to control her body.
As much as the thought made her heat with desire, reality came flooding back. She turned toward the once crowded dance floor and blinked in disbelief. The music had come to an end, and the band, as well as Jonah, were nowhere in sight.
* * *
Cassie scurried across the bar, in the direction of the restrooms. Of all the idiotic things she could do, getting sidetracked shouldn’t have been one of them. She knew what was at stake, yet the feel of Mike’s lips on hers took her by surprise.
Damn her body, and damn the way he made her forget things…
With each step she took, she worked her way through the crowd, scanning the many faces for Jonah’s. None proved to be a match, nor did she notice his bandmates anywhere. Of course, spotting one of them would be like spotting a blind date. She had no clue what to look for.
Aside from a quick view of the singer’s back, and the bass guitarist’s profile, she hadn’t paid much attention. They could have been sitting beside her at the bar and she wouldn’t have known the difference.
She rounded the corner
Similar Books
