Read Online Unworthy Heart: The Donnellys, Book 1 by Dorothy F. Shaw - Free Book Online Page A

resisted, but then moaned and opened for him. His kiss swallowed the deep sound. Was that resignation he heard? He cupped Maiya’s cheek in his palm, stroked her satin skin with his thumb, and then moved his hand to bury his fingers in her thick, red hair. A zing of arousal shot down his spine and he caressed the soft strands between his fingers, massaging the back of her head.
    She moaned again, this time sounding much like a plea for more. He took the cue and deepened the kiss. She tasted like coffee and…strawberries? Yes! Ryan nibbled at her bottom lip, and then sought her tongue again. When he pulled away, they were both breathless. He brushed his lips over hers once more, lingering for a bit, enjoying her sweetness, and realized he could kiss her forever. “Sorry, I just…needed that.”
    She licked her lips. “Mmm.”
    “So, dinner?”
    “Mmhmm. Yes.”
    He gave her a final quick kiss. “Good. Let’s go.” He stood.
    “I have to shut down my computer.” Still in her seat, she looked up at him. “And I need to drop my car off at the hotel.”
    Ryan gazed at her and his stomach knotted at the sight. Lips, swollen from his kisses, cheeks a little flushed. “You’re beautiful.”
    She tilted her head to the side and her gaze softened, and so did his heart.
    They were both quiet while they made their way down the elevator. When they got away from prying eyes, Ryan held her hand and walked her to her car in the parking garage. “See you at the hotel.”
    “Okay.” She smiled and closed the door.
    As he followed her rental car, anticipation of what the night would bring pumped through him. She parked in the hotel garage, and then emerged and slid into his front seat.
    “No, you’re not driving.” He made a stern face, baiting her.
    “I wasn’t even going to ask, stud.” She stuck out her tongue.
    “Oh, ho, ho, ho…you so were. You know you want to drive my car.”
    She gave him a sideways glance, lips pursed, one perfect brow raised. “Awfully full of yourself. Might need to take you down a peg or ten.” Maiya crossed her arms as if deciding she’d be the perfect woman for the job.
    He’d make a deal with the devil for the chance to see that. The woman was remarkable. She made him feel calm one minute, and then pricked his temper in the next—sometimes she left him with both emotions at the same time. Hot and cold. Push and pull. Ever the constant challenge. Running his hand over his mouth, he shook his head. The conflicting feelings confused him, and yet made perfect sense. “Would love to see you try.”
    Maiya watched the passing scenery out of the side window while they drove onto the freeway. “So, where you taking me?”
    “It’s a surprise.”
    She shifted to face him and frowned. “I hate surprises.”
    “Seriously?”
    “No.” She laughed. Maiya had to mess with him. Just a little. Why on earth should this be easy for him?
    He was taking her somewhere, Lord only knew where, and she wasexcited. Beyond excited. However, she still needed to take off the edge of seriousness starting between them with a little bit of their familiar banter. Maybe she was addicted to the chaos. Could be why she’d always chased the bad boys.
    They were a predictable kind of chaos though. With the familiar, she knew what to expect. They’d stay around for a short time and she’d have some fun. And then they’d go. Sometimes it stung, most times not. Ryan was a whole different bag of beans. Her attraction to him was so very unusual compared to the others, and she didn’t know how to navigate the unfamiliar terrain.
    About thirty minutes later, they pulled into a parking lot and up to the valet attendants. The spotlighted sign above the building glowed with the word, “Elise.”
    He opened his door and handed the keys to the attendant. “Have you been here before?”
    “No.” She startled a bit when her door was opened, but then took the offered hand of another attendant.
    Ryan came around the