Read Online Love Is Louder by Antoinette Candela, Paige Maroney - Free Book Online Page A

takes my hand and leans in to kiss it, causing the same intense rush of electricity I felt when we first met. “I hope the washer is working okay.” I inhale a delicious blend of spice and manly scent. His hair is styled as if he ran his fingers through it and gave up on it, giving it an unruly appearance. His defined jaw is covered in a few days’ stubble, but the pants and dress shirt do nothing to hide the body that I had the pleasure of admiring from his visit.
    “Yes. Thank you for coming out and fixing it.” I slip my hand away from his and smile at him and his date.
    “That’s what I do best. Fix broken things.” The tone of his voice is softer, and I notice the tiniest downturn to his smile as his eyes touch mine.
    “Dana, this is James and Brie Fleming. James is the DA, and Brie is his wife .”
    “I know Mason from high school. We graduated in the same class,” James adds impatiently.
    So that explains the look.
    “Yeah, we crossed paths at the Bull and Bear last week. It was great. Right, James?” He slaps him on the shoulder. “Like the good old days?”
    James throws back his drink and glares at Mason.
    Must be some old high school rivalry.
    “Mr. Fleming, your table is ready.”
    “Thank you,” he acknowledges the hostess as he sets his drink onto the bar. He clenches his one hand to his sides and slowly takes my hand in the other. “Nice seeing you again, Mason.” James stares at him with narrowed eyes.
    “Oh, the pleasure is all mine.” Mason chuckles as he steps closer to the bar and wraps his arm around his date.
    I peek over my shoulder and connect eyes with him, and there is no smile, just his eyes that emit no light but lock with mine with intensity. I’m desperate to look away, gather my wits, but his eyes penetrate right through me.
    Is that sadness or frustration?
    I blink and manage to turn away, gripping James’ hand tighter as we leave. The tension between Mason and James was combustible. Whatever went on between them hasn’t been resolved, and I don’t understand why. It must be about a girl.
    Isn’t it always about a girl?

    “Who is she, James?” I breathe out shakily.
    “What are you talking about?” he whispers as he lightly brushes my cheek with his thumb. I blink, admiring my fiancé and cupping his cheek. This is not happening. He wouldn’t do this to me. We’re getting married in less than a month.
    “I saw you talking to her in front of the coffee shop when we visited your family for Memorial Day weekend.” I stare at him. My chest rises and falls with uneven breaths, and my arms are hugging the pillow.
    I witnessed the intimacy, the contact when she touched his arm, and how he smiled at her like she was the only one in the world that mattered to him at that moment. I didn’t know if I should have been angry, jealous, or just let it go. I’ve seen him talk and carry on with plenty of women through college and even now at the law firm. Women have always gravitated to him, just like I did. A moth to a flame.
    “B, not this again.” He sighs as he lies back onto the pillow. “She’s nobody. Just an old friend. She means nothing.” He takes a deep breath and leans on his elbow, looking down at me.
    Closing my eyes, I’m desperate to believe him. I’ve never been the jealous type. I saw him with her during the holidays, right before Christmas. She was stunning. I watched him hug her as I stood behind the Christmas tree where Santa was asking kids what they wanted for Christmas. I wanted James, and I got him. I was engaged to him two days later on Christmas Eve under the falling snow next to the lake. It was beautiful, but all I remember is him hugging her. It killed me inside, even though I knew he loved me, and he proved it to me.
    So, why am I lying here in bed next to him acting insecure?
    We’re going back for our wedding in less than two weeks. Closer to her. I nibble on my inner cheek as I allow my thoughts to run wild. Will he get in touch with