Read Online True Connections by Clarissa Yip - Free Book Online Page B

She couldn’t take her eyes off the nauseating couple. She watched as Max threw his head back and laughed, his deep baritone rumbling through the room. Her gaze narrowed as Trina’s hand touched his arm. The urge to cross the room and rip the woman’s fingers off tempted her, but Lia fisted her hands by her sides.
    This was insane.
    What if Max decided to pick Trina? Or believed she was the perfect woman for him? As much as Lia wanted to dislike the woman, she couldn’t. Trina, like all the others, had been searching for Mr. Right. Whereas Lia didn’t believe in Mr. Right. If he was Max, then she’d better pack her bags and get out of town. If only he hadn’t walked in with a smile and socialized like nothing had happened last night.
    Without another word to Karen, Lia crossed the room and strode up to the couple. Max’s eyes lit up as she approached, and her heart skipped a beat.
    “Hey.”
    “Yeah, hi,” she said stiffly, and turned to Trina. “How did the date go last night?”
    Trina frowned. “It was okay. Ben is a nice guy.” She nodded to the professor-looking stud two groups over.
    “He is a nice guy.” Lia hoped she sounded convincing. “So what are you guys up to?”
    Max grinned, an amused glint in his eyes. “Trina was just telling me about her work at the pet hospital. She helped save a dog that was hit by a car today.”
    Guilt struck her. They were just innocently conversing—there was nothing wrong with that, right? But she didn’t want him paying attention to another woman. “Glad you guys are having a good time.”
    She turned to leave, but Max latched on to her elbow. “Dance with me.”
    Lia glanced at Trina, whose mouth dropped open as Max led Lia to the dance floor. The band started a slow ballad, and the lights dimmed slightly as he wrapped his arms around her. Setting her fingers on his broad shoulders, she allowed him to pull her close. Memories of what happened on the couch played in her mind. She swallowed hard.
    “You and Trina seem to be getting along.” She spotted the woman glaring from the sidelines. She definitely needed to find Trina her own date. Max was off-limits, and—what was she thinking? It wasn’t as if he belonged to her.
    “You jealous?” Laughter softened his hard features.
    The usual need for defense bit her. “No. Why would I be?”
    Before she could say more, he moved in closer and his breath brushed her ear. A shiver ran down her spine. “You feeling better?”
    The angst she felt earlier dissipated. “I’m fine.”
    “I couldn’t sleep last night.”
    She leaned back. His eyes sparkled, and her insides warmed. “You couldn’t?”
    He smiled. “I was thinking of you.”
    The urge to look around her to see if he was talking to someone else made her pause. “Really? You mean about the pact I’d mentioned.”
    He frowned. “Stop that.”
    “What?”
    “Just relax.” Drawing her closer, he brushed his lips over her ear. Desire pulsated through her. “I did think about the pact, but…” He paused and threw a glance to the sidelines where Trina stood, sipping her punch.
    A sliver of fear shot through Lia. He’d picked Trina to bring to the party. She should have been relieved since it would mean she didn’t have to sacrifice herself, but the thought of anyone else in his arms shredded her insides. Had he been playing her like he did the other women? The memory of Lindsay Forks came to mind, and her own stupidity slapped her in the face.
    “If Trina is who—”
    “What are you talking about?” Max drew back, confusion masking his features.
    An ache blossomed in her chest. She had no hold on him, and he could date whomever he liked, no matter how much she hated the idea. “I think Trina would be a great person to bring to the party.”
    He gave her a hard look before his features softened into smile. Before she could say anything, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. A small voice in the back of her head reminded her she