Read Online Take a Chance on Me by Susan Donovan - Free Book Online Page B

Ray and listen to the crickets and tree frogs."
    Thomas's hands froze and a frown marred his smooth forehead. He kept his eyes away from hers. "So Ray is the guy you're seeing these days?"
    Emma nearly snorted with laughter, but stopped herself out of respect for the pained look on Thomas's face. He really did like her! It wasn't just her imagination!
    "Ray's an old, blind, three-legged Shepherd cross with a flatulence problem."

    He did it again, Emma saw—he rubbed his mouth with one of his big hands to hide his smile.
    "You know, I won't be offended if you let your guard down every once in a while, Thomas. You've got a killer smile."
    He shot up from the booth and threw down a tip, then crossed his arms over his chest and looked around nervously. It seemed to Emma that it took everything the man had not to bolt through the door without her.
    Once in the parking lot, Thomas jerked toward her, his face stern. He stuck out his hands. "I should probably take Hairy now."
    "Oh! Sure." Emma unrolled the sweatshirt from around the sleeping dog and leaned closer to Thomas for the transfer. He reached in, accidentally pressing his hands on top of hers, his skin hot and rough.
    "Would you go out on a real date with me, Thomas?" The question spilled from Emma without the tiniest bit of forethought, and she closed her eyes in embarrassment. She felt him reach under her hands to find Hairy, then pull away.
    When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her, absolutely stricken.
    Her heart fell to her feet. "Thomas?"
    He was suddenly on her, cupping her face in one of his hands, rubbing his scratchy cheek against her smooth one. He ran his fingers through her hair and down the side of her neck, and pressed his body close to hers, Hairy squished between them.
    Emma's heart pounded. She had to lock her knees to remain standing. What was happening?
    Then Thomas put his lips against her ear and … oh, God! He flicked his tongue into the tender hollow underneath, then bit down sharply on her earlobe just before he whispered, "I can't, Emma. I'm not the man for the job. I'm so sorry."
    Thomas stepped back, tucked Hairy into the crook of his arm, and jogged off toward his shiny, yuppie car, leaving her blinking in disbelief.
    Her body buzzed with shame and surprise and the sizzling rush left behind by his touch, his tongue, his teeth, his voice. It suddenly dawned on her that Thomas Tobin's rejection was hotter than all the actual dates she'd had in the last year—combined!
    Tears stung her eyes. She didn't understand! She could have sworn … but he seemed … he said …
    Talk about words and actions being in direct conflict! Talk about abnormal men!
    As the car pulled away, Emma watched Hairy jump up and press his little face to the glass as if to say goodbye. As the car turned, she got a look at the bumper sticker on the rear fender, illuminated by the first light of dawn: Life Sucks. Then You Die.

    * * *
Uh-oh.
    I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure you're an idiot when it comes to females. Why did you leave Soft Hands? Why did you rub up against her like that and then make her cry?

    Turn around, Big Alpha! Turn around and go back! She's wonderful! She likes you! What's wrong with you?
    Humans can be such fools.
    Oh, quit your complaining. Yeah, I just pushed aside the towel and peed all over your precious car seat—
    and I did it on purpose.
    Serves you right.

Chapter 4
The Love I Lost
    « ^ »
    T he Volga . The Volga . The Russian river that empties into the Caspian Sea is the Volga , you total flat-liner.
    "The Danube ?"
    Augh!
    "I'm sorry. That answer is incorrect. The question now goes to number forty-seven for the grand prize.
    Would you like me to repeat the—"
    Leelee jumped from her folding chair and headed toward the microphone before the man had to waste any more of everyone's time. "The answer is the Volga River ," she said softly, then returned to her seat.
    As the last remaining geography bee contestant on stage. Leelee