Read Online Toxic Secrets by Jill Patten - Free Book Online Page B

I opened my mouth, inviting him in as I felt his tongue brush along my bottom lip. Voraciously accepting my invitation, our tongues intertwined intensely, becoming more sensual as the kiss grew into heated passion. My hand bravely found the lean muscle of his waist under his shirt. I easily glided my hand over his smooth skin, gripping him tightly, and I heard him faintly moan in my mouth. I felt myself losing all control as the kiss deepened further, then abruptly he broke the kiss. Jaxon pressed his forehead to mine, breathing heavily with his eyes clenched shut.
    As if he were struggling with emotions, he whispered, “I can’t… you can’t… we can’t.”
    I could only stare at him as he battled his inner thoughts. He inhaled a deep breath through his nose, then slowly exhaled a shaky breath as he released my face, rocking back on his heels.
    “I’m sorry, Courtney. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you. You’re in a vulnerable state right now, and if things move forward…” he paused shaking his head, “well, let’s just say we both would be weighed down with regret in the morning.”
    A rush of humiliation seeped into me as his words registered into my inebriated brain— rejection. He didn’t even look at me as he dismissed my actions. I was so overwhelmed with embarrassment that I wanted to cry, but I was too overcome with anger. I couldn’t talk. My words of fury caught in my throat with the tears I held back.
    He finally looked at me, and I prayed he couldn’t see the tears of hurt and anger stinging the back of my eyes. “I still want us to be friends while I’m here. I don’t want things to be awkward between us,” he said with sincerity. “Are we good?”
    I kept silent, not wanting to make a fool of myself any more than I already had, not wanting him to hear me choke on my words. I gave him a small nod.
    “Can I hug you,” he asked with eyes seeking forgiveness. What the hell? More like, could you torture me some more? I wanted to ask, but instead I nodded again.
    He bent down to me, sliding his thick arms around my back in a tight embrace. He squeezed me briefly with a couple of friendly pats on the back before letting me go. I returned the friendly hug, knowing our minute of passion was over. He stood up from the couch, hesitating before walking away.
    “I’m going to make some coffee. Do you want some?” I heard him call from the kitchen.
    I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t answer him. When he walked away, I had turned my body to face the back of the couch. I hid my face as the tears of shame fell. How could a beautiful night full of promises end feeling empty?
    That damn tequila was turning me into a blubbering mess. I was tougher than this. I had just met him, hadn’t even know him for twenty-four hours, so why did his rejection tear up my insides. Pretending to be asleep, I prayed the sandman would find me soon, and fortunately he did.

Chapter 8 ~ Sweet Cheeks with a Touch of Honesty
    Bright lights blazing behind my eyelids woke me up. Did I fall asleep in the tanning bed again? Peeking through a small slit in my eyes, I found the sun shining directly in my face. Ugh! Why can’t my mother ever leave my blinds alone? I had cotton mouth from hell. Now I knew why they always told people to drink plenty of water with alcohol.
    Turning over in the tangled sheets, I flopped onto my belly, and stuffed my face in my pillow only to discover it smelled like men’s cologne. Actually, it smelled just like the cologne Reed wore. I shot up, resting on the palm of my hands looking down and around at the bed I was in. Holy crow! I was in Reed’s bed. Kendra was going to kick my ass. Sitting up on my knees, I looked down at myself in relief to see that I still wore the same clothes I had on the night before. The remnants of which suddenly came crashing into my mind— Jaxon… dancing… Jaxon… tequila shots… Jaxon… kissing… Jaxon rejecting me. That last thought sent a shot of