Because of You by Connie Lafortune Read Free Book Online

She grabs my hand trying to pull me down the hallway.
    “We can’t do this now; there’s a party going on because of you! Scott’s probably looking for you right this second and believe me it won’t be pretty if he finds you here with me. We’ll talk later, I promise. ” She needs to go, now!
    “Can I come back up here later when the guests leave?” She looks at me with those huge eyes and my heart skips a beat.
    “Why don’t you meet me down at the beach after everyone’s gone. Here, I’ll write my number down and you can text me. ” Grabbing a sheet of paper I jot down my number and fold it into her palm.
    “I’m still learning how to text. Can I call you?” Her cheeks turn pink. Funny how they were flushed moments ago.
    “Do whatever is easiest for you. ” Kissing her lightly on the lips I fix her hair before sending her out the door.
    I’m a dead man walking.

Chapter Nine

Riley
    The party’s finally over, and I’m exhausted. My face hurts from wearing a fake smile for the past twelve hours. All I want to do is crawl under the sheets and sleep for days but I told Hunter I would call him. I’m thinking it’s too late to meet him at the beach so I’ll just go knock on his door and if he doesn’t answer, I’ll leave.
    Changing into a pair of yoga pants I throw on my USC shirt before heading out. Peeking up and down the hall I make sure no one’s there before sneaking out the side door. As I climb the stairs I’m thinking of the way his mouth tasted my tongue earlier and my body starts to tremble.
    I knock on his door once, twice. I’m ready to flee when suddenly the door opens.
    Oh. My. God!
    He’s standing in the doorway with no shirt, and a pair of old pajama bottoms that sit low on his hips. When he runs his hands through his hair and licks his lips, I see those blue eyes burn with passion. Hunter’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever had the privilege to lay my eyes on.
    He scoops me up in his arms as he uses his foot to slam the door. He walks over to the couch, and sitting down he settles me in his lap. “I thought you were going to call me so I could meet you at the beach?” He whispers in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
    “It was late and I thought it would be easier to come to you. ” I gaze into his eyes and he looks mad. “If you don’t want me, I’ll go!” I try to get up before I start to cry.
    “Oh, I want you. ” He tightly wraps his arms around me so I don’t run off. “I have never wanted anyone so badly in all my life. But it won’t happen tonight, Riley. As much as I want to throw you on my bed, tasting every inch of you, it’s too soon. ” He brushes a kiss across my cheek.
    He wants to taste every inch of me? Oh why did he have to tell me that? “Are you worried what my father would do?” I have to ask.
    “Scott doesn’t worry me, but I have a lot of respect for the both of you. I would never treat you like a bar girl who’s only good for a hook up. You mean so much more to me; I’d like to get to know you first. ” He brushes his thumb over my bottom lip.
    I want to pinch myself, because I must be dreaming. This man says he wants me and I know it’s true. I see it in his eyes. I’m the happiest girl in the world right now—until I remember the date that my dad set me up with—Parker.
    “I want to tell you more about the guy you saw me with today. ” I feel his body go rigid beneath me, so I bury my face in his neck, placing small kisses there.
    “If you keep doing that we won’t get a chance to talk about Parker. ” He groans when I nip at his earlobe.
    “He’s only around till the end of July and my dad’s determined we go out on a few dates while he’s here. I also explained to my dad that I want to see you and I told him there’s nothing he can do to stop me. ” It comes out so fast I’m hoping he heard me.
    “I must admit when I saw his arm around you today, I wanted to tear him apart. I’m not crazy about the idea but I