Read Online Seaglass by Chris Bridges - Free Book Online Page B

his hand and then continue talking about the kitchen or the tile, or whatever. But he didn’t. His hand stayed there and she kept her eyes locked onto his.
    “Maddie.” The deep rumble of his husky voice did something that turned her knees weak. She didn’t know what to think, but instead decided to let her body take over.
    Maddie stepped forward and watched the flare of his irises. Her confidence grew a fraction as she reached out and touched his other arm. The heat of his skin radiated through her fingertips and she felt herself holding her breath.
    He lowered his head and moved the hand that had been on her hair lower until it was on the back of her neck. She watched him as he moved closer still, and then closed her eyes. His lips touched hers for only a fraction of a second and then he pulled back slightly.
    She saw the smile on his face. “Hmm.” He whispered, and then before she could respond, he dipped his head and kissed her again; this time longer. She relished in the softness of his lips and slightly rough texture of the day’s growth of stubble on his cheek. He smelled like sawdust and solvent, but there was also a hint of something else...something wild.
    Now he stepped back fully, but ran his hands down her arms until he held her hands in his.
    “I had to do that.” He reached up and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “I’ve wanted to for a while now.”
    She smiled. “I did too.”
    He smiled at her and was about to speak when the loud rumble of a dump truck interrupted his train of thought. “I think the disposal crew is here.” He released her hands and moved quickly toward the front door to let in the crew.
    Maddie stood in the kitchen with her hands on her flame-red cheeks. Had that actually happened? Had she just been kissed by the most handsome man she’d ever met while covered in dirt, dust and grime? Had she just had the most magical first kiss of her entire life? She smoothed her hair into place and tried to calm the sound of blood rushing in her ears. Yes, she thought. Yes, that just happened.
    xXx
    Two hours later, the truck was gone and the heavy plastic was finally removed from her dining room. She walked over to the wooden built-ins and touched the now-exposed wood.
    “I knew it’d be unstained.” He’d said from behind her.
    He’d startled her again, but this time she smiled as she turned. “It’s like a little Christmas present.”
    “It’s amazing that someone splashed globs of paint on this wood when it was brand new.”
    “It was meant to be stained. A medium oak tone, I think.”
    “That’ll look nice.” He reached out and ran his hand along the top. “Still needs to be sanded, though.”
    “I can handle that. You’ve done more than enough, Knox.”
    “I like doing it.”
    “Then you can.” She laughed.
    “Good.” He reached out for her and was rewarded when she put her hand in his. “I like coming to work with you.”
    “Me too.” She said softly. “I didn’t think I was lonely, but…” she shrugged and looked down. “I think I was. Having you here has been…nice.”
    “Nice, huh?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Well, how ‘bout we try ‘nice’ on a date? Friday night. My house.”
    “Sure.” She smiled. She felt him squeeze her hand and then release. Friday was two days away. Could she manage to keep the gigantic grin off her face for the next two days while they worked together? She doubted it.
    xXx
    “I like your house.” She said as she wandered through the small, but charming front room. She let her hand run along the wall of bookshelves. There had to be a thousand books here. She pulled a few titles out and studied them. He had everything from popular science fiction to ancient Greek poetry.
    “Thanks.” He said as he came back in with two glasses of wine.
    She met him and took the wine from him, sipping slowly in an attempt to calm her nerves. “You have so many books.”
    He shrugged as he sat down on the mission style couch. “I