Read Online Stroke Of Fear by Alla Kar - Free Book Online Page B

mouth. “Well, you did slap him in the face, Aubrey.”
       “I know. I wish I hadn’t. He is so …aggravating, but so sexy at the same time. It’s driving me insane.”
       “Hmmm, well, maybe you should make the first move. Just grab him and kiss him.” She gives me a sly smile.
       “No,” I groan into my pillow. “He is old school. He has to ask me out, I’m not going to come off as some pushy Yank to him.”
       Cassie sighs. “Well, just see if it happens. Oh, how did horseback riding go today? I saw you with Heath earlier.”
       I shrug and flip over to stare at the ceiling. “Fine. Heath is nice. He talks a little too much for my taste. Especially about himself.”
       “Blah,” Cassie says. “I thought girls were supposed to do the talking. Some guys just don’t get it.” Cassie gets up and starts changing into her bikini.
       “Where are you going?” I ask, sitting up on my elbows.
       A sad look crosses her face. “All the counselors are going to the cliff to swim. I would have invited you but…”
       I take my lip between my teeth. “I totally get it. You go have fun. I have a thousand books on my Kindle to read.”
       I screw my eyes closed when I feel Cassie sit on my bed beside me. “Do you want to talk about it? I mean…you’re obviously afraid of the water, Aubrey. Why?”
       Why? God, I want to tell her. More than anything in my life. To just say it. Get it off my chest, but I don’t. Instead I shrug one shoulder. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
       She presses her pink lips together and pats my leg. “Call me if you want me to come back. I promise I will.”
       I nod and turn to bury my head in the side of my pillow. I listen as Cassie gets her things together and leaves. An ache in my stomach starts to burn. I want to go with them. I want to go so badly it hurts, but I can’t.
       I don’t kno w how long I’m asleep for. Three loud bangs against our door wakes me up. Sleepy-eyed, I tip-toe toward the door.
       Tanner is standing on the other side, leaning against the frame. His white T-shirt hugs his upper body, not to mention his holey jeans that hang just right on his slender hips. It brings things to mind that aren’t exactly chaste.
       “Hey,” he says. “I figured you would be here. I’m heading into town to get a new phone . Mine broke. Want to come with me?”
       Yes! I gesture for him to come in. The door clicks behind him. “Let me get into some jeans and then we can go. I’m really glad you came by.” Heat rushes toward my cheeks. Way to sound desperate, Aubrey.
       “I figured you didn’t want to be by yourself.”
       “I don’t.” I change into my jeans in our bathroom , and Tanner leads me outside.
       I follow him to an old, blue pickup truck. It’s rusted, but looks like it can go if needs to. Tanner reaches for my door before I can touch the handle and opens it for me.
       “Thank you,” I mumble, sliding into the truck. It’s neat, leather and it smells nice.
       Tanner gets behind the wheel and his truck roars to life. He glances over and lifts an eyebrow. “What?”
       “Your truck is clean .”
       A smile tries to form on his lips , and he tries to hide it. “Did you expect it to be messy?”
       I nod. “Actually, yes. I just figured it would be dirty like other guys, I guess.”
       Tanner snorts. “ I can assure you dirty things are allowed to happen in here, but no trash.”
       I laugh, it feels good coming through my throat. This guy is the biggest flirt.
       “You obviously don’t know guys very well. A real man loves his truck.” He slaps the steering wheel. “A real man t akes care of his truck like he takes care of his woman. That’s why most men call their trucks ‘she.’”
       I don’t know why , but that turns me on. Tanner stretches his arm over the back of the seat as he leans back. I watch as his muscles move underneath his tanned