Cautious (Sequel to Disastrous) by E.L. Montes Read Free Book Online Page B

in a freaking dress for Christ’s sake! I
was sure I looked ridiculous. I stood and stared down as I rocked in the blue-and-red
bowling shoes. My eyes darted to Marcus at the sound of him chuckling. “What?”
I asked.
    “You look adorable.”
    Suspiciously, I flashed him another glare and grabbed my martini.
I sipped on my drink as he entered our names onto the screen. The last time I
went bowling was probably a few years ago with some college friends in
undergrad. No, it was with an ex-boyfriend, the one who’d cheated on me with my
roommate. Good times!
    Marcus was up first. He searched for a bowling ball. Once he
found the perfect one, he turned and winked at me. “Babe, don’t be discouraged
if you don’t win. It’s a learning process; you’ll get better with each try.” I
cocked a brow at him. He laughed at my expression and then turned around,
slowly walking toward the edge of the lane. Straightening his position, he took
a deep breath. He took the game seriously, I could see. Marcus gently stretched
his arm back with the bowling ball in hand and then tossed it down the lane. It
gently rolled down the smoothly waxed wooden surface. His aim was a little too
far to the right, so by the time the ball hit the pins, only three went down. He
tried again and missed completely as the ball rolled into the left side gutter.
    “My fingers were stuck.”
    “Yeah, sure they were.” After downing my drink, I went and
searched for the perfect bowling ball. I settled for a nine-pound orange one.
Walking toward the edge of the lane, I straightened my position and scooted
lightly toward the right. Staring down the lane, I focused on the first pin.
Keeping steady, I swung my arm back and tossed the ball down the lane with no
hesitation. All I could hear was the sound of the ball rolling along the wooden
surface at a rapid speed until it collided with the middle pin. My eyes and
mouth spread wide open when all ten pins were knocked down. Strike! Turning, I
ran toward Marcus, who was just as shocked as I was, and jumped into his arms.
“Oh my God, I got a strike on my first try!” I squealed.
    “That’s awesome.” He laughed.
    The next few rounds, I continued with my strikes. I was on a high,
beating Marcus. He was failing miserably. I found it hilarious that he came up
with a ludicrous excuse every time he missed the pins or didn’t bowl a strike.
The more I drank my martinis, the looser I got and the better my aim was
getting.
    It was beginning to get crowded in the bowling alley. Groups of
people chatted and sang along to the loud music playing. The lights were dimmed
as colorful strobe lights flicked through the space. I was actually having a
really great time.
    It was Marcus’s turn again, so I decided to help him out. I
walked up behind him, and he must have sensed I was near, because he looked
over his shoulder. “Here, let me help you.” Placing my hand behind his, I
straightened the ball in his hand. “You want to have a straight angle.”
    “Mia?” He arched a brow.
    “Shh, listen, don’t be discouraged if you don’t win. It’s a learning
process. You’ll get better with each try.” I threw his words back at him then
innocently batted my lashes.
    Laughing, he shook his head. “I’m not sure if I should kiss you
or kill you.”
    Looking aside, I raised a finger toward my chin. “Mmmh. Decisions,
decisions. I would prefer the kissing.” I nodded and looked back at him.
    His eyes brightened as his smile widened. Tossing the ball in his
hand down the lane, without bothering to see if it hit any of the pins, he
turned to face me. He picked me up in his arms. My legs wrapped around his
waist as he kissed me eagerly. He bit on my lip playfully, forcing me to laugh.
    He slightly pulled away from our kiss, allowing me to rest my
forehead against his. The humor in his eyes was gone. “What would I do without
you, Mia?”
    Tightening my arms around his neck, I pulled him in closer to me,
our lips mere