A Million Kisses or More by A.C. Warneke Read Free Book Online Page B

graduating?” he asked, his heart pounding a strange, heavy rhythm in his chest.
    “That does seem to be the best time,” she murmured. She made a face as she leaned in again and admitted, “It’s strange, though. I applied for this job way back when I was sixteen as part of a class project. They ended up offering me a full scholarship to the college of my choice, within reason of course, if I agreed to an internship after I graduated. But doesn’t that seem like a long time to wait for an intern?”
    Two years seemed about right to him but she was still young and probably didn’t have a lot of practice waiting. Maybe when the year was over, and she came back, if she came back, she wouldn’t be too young. Of course, he’d be another year older as well but when he took into account all of the life experience she’d receive out west…. But then she also had four years of college to attend and he had no idea how that experience was going to change her. “You know, you don’t have to take Jolie trick or treating. I’m sure her grandparents wouldn’t mind taking her.”
    “Are you trying to let me down gently?” she asked, looking at him with an almost hurt expression. At his questioning look, she added, “I mean, if you don’t want me hanging out with your daughter, I totally get it. Here I am, a crazy stalker girl and you’re looking out for your child…. I get your concerns. I’m not sure I’d want me around my kid, either.”
    He had to let her words sink for a few moments before he found his tongue to refute them. Putting his hands over hers, ignoring the way his blood started to race at the contact, he said, “I’m a decent judge of character, Ana. In my line of work, I sort of have to be.”
    “Being a cop or an author?” she asked softly as she slowly raised her lashes and pinned him in place with her eyes.
    “Um, both?” he answered, no longer sure where he was going with the conversation because his brain had just short circuited. Her eyes just sucked him in, making him believe in the impossible. Without a doubt, she was dangerous. “Um, you should go.”
    She blinked her eyes at his words. “Pardon?”
    “I need to sleep while Jolie is at school,” he explained, hoping she couldn’t hear the desperation in his voice. She needed to leave before he forgot himself and pressed his lips against hers. He recognized the desire that burned in her eyes because he felt it in his blood. Despite being rusty, he knew it wouldn’t take too much effort to ease her out of her clothes and into his bed and that would be incredibly stupid. Clearing his throat, he stood up and pulled her to her feet, warring desires making him clumsy. Grabbing her coat, he wrapped it around her as he hauled her to the door, “If I don’t get enough sleep, I’m a bear.”
    “Okay,” she managed, awkwardly putting her arms into her sleeves as she stumbled after him. At the door, she forced him to a stop, refusing to take another step until he looked at her. “Did I say something wrong?”
    “No,” he said quickly. Unable to help himself, he cupped her cheek, reveling in the smoothness of her skin before he forced himself to step away from her. “Look. You’re eighteen years old. I’m too old for you.”
    She did that blinking thing again before she slowly said, “Um, okay. And how old are you?”
    “I’ll be twenty-nine on my next birthday,” he admitted, feeling every inch a dirty, old man.
    “Okay,” she murmured and he could see her thoughts whirling in her head. Slowly, she asked, “And when’s that?”
    “September.”
    “So you just turned twenty-eight,” she said, almost to herself. As if ten years wasn’t so insurmountable. At his nod, she gave him a brilliant smile before planting a quick kiss on his lips. Before he could grab her and give her a proper kiss, she was out the door, calling over her shoulder, “Bye, Harrison! Get some rest and I’ll see you later.”
    He groaned at the unwanted