Breathe Me (A 'Me' Novel) by Jeri Williams Read Free Book Online Page A

loud? I just called him a serial killer, smooth.
    “If I was, I probably would have taken you the first night I saw you.” He smirked, and I’ll be damned if it wasn’t the sexiest thing I had ever seen.
    “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that out loud.”
    “Been called worse, babe. Don’t sweat it.” He got out and leaned against his car, watching as I fidgeted with my cellphone as I tried to figure out something to say. No one had ever called me “babe” before.
    “Do you want a ride?” He arched an eyebrow. The double meaning wasn’t lost on me.
    “What?” I felt the heat sting my cheeks again.
    “Do you want a ride someplace? It’s late, and this part of town isn’t safe. Anything could happen to you.”
    It’s nothing that won’t happen to me at home, I thought. Sometimes I thought that it would just be better to live on the streets. I thought anything would be better than living at home, but I was still not entirely convinced I was right.
    “No, thank you, I’ll be fine.” I started walking down the street. He followed. “You’re just going to leave your car?” I eyed it. The neighborhood wasn’t known for robberies, but he had a nice car, and I didn’t trust people.
    “It’s good. No one will fuck with her.” He kept pace with me, not seeming to have a care in the world.
    “It’s a woman, of course.” All guys like him dubbed their car a “she.” Typical.
    “I wouldn’t want to ride anything else.” He glanced my way, gauging my reaction, then smiled his full he-could-take-my-virginity smile at me.
    I didn’t know where I was walking, but we walked in silence for a while, neither one of us daring to speak. I had already acted highly suspect and called him a murderer, so I didn’t want to risk saying any more embarrassing things. He finally broke the silence by touching my arm, lightly stopping me.
    “Babe, are we walking a hole in my boots because you think I am a killer and you don’t want me to see where you live?”
    “I’m sorry…for keeping you,” I said, feeling guilty. He was just being nice, and I was keeping him from whatever or whomever he would be doing now instead of walking the slightly awkward bookstore girl home.
    “You’re not. You just look…” He stared at me, and I swore he could see it all in that stare. The sadness I had, the fear, the lies I hid behind, everything. His hand slowly came up and pushed a stray hair that I hadn’t even noticed had come loose behind my ear, his thumb making brief contact with my cheek. In that small, intimate touch, I felt a spark . A tingle that started at the point of contact and shot down my entire body, all the way to my toes. I couldn’t move. I stood there, paralyzed, staring at him like an idiot. Again. Breathe, you moron!
    “Breathe, you moron!” Wait, was that last one out loud?
    “The fuck?” he said, his voice laced with a hint of laughter.
    “I’m a little light-headed,” I lied. Why couldn’t I say things coherently like I did with everyone else?
    He cupped the sides of my face gently and stared into my eyes. Well shit, now I really was light-headed.
    “Is that why? You sure it’s nothing else?” he muttered.
    “Nope. That’s…eh…that’s all.” Yeah, even I wasn’t convinced by how I sounded. And his stare, it stripped me bare, and my tank top and yoga pants suddenly became unbearable to wear. His eyes strayed to my cheek, and I was sure he noticed me blushing.
    He leaned in closer so I could feel his warm breath on my cheek. I couldn’t take it. His smell was strong and uniquely him, pine mixed with a hint of mint, and it filled my nostrils and took over all my senses. I knew I would forever remember his smell, his touch, his warm breath on my face. I started to take a step back, but he anticipated my withdrawal within a split second and matched my steps. My heart started racing, and if he moved forward anymore, I was sure he would be able to feel it. I was scared shitless, not