Crash Into You by Roni Loren Read Free Book Online Page A

Brynn peered out the window at the small park, its only occupant a lone goose wandering around one of the benches that lined the water’s banks.
    “Looks like a real popular place,” she said, unbuckling her seatbelt.
    He chuckled. “It is during the day. People just don’t realize how cool it is at night.”
    She looked out the window again. Obviously, coolness was in the eye of the beholder. “Yeah, I bet serial killers and drug dealers find it very appealing.”
    That earned her a snort from him before he stepped out of the truck and came around to her side to open her door. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
    She handed him the food and stepped down, the warm breeze lifting her hair off the back of her neck. He grabbed her hand, his fingers interlacing with hers. She couldn’t fight the smile that played around her lips. Reid was making an effort for this to feel like a date, which she appreciated. She’d been out with a few guys during high school, but usually the “dates” consisted of hanging out at each other’s houses and having awkward make-out sessions before their parents came home. Although, in her case, she always made sure she went to their place instead of bringing them to hers.
    Reid placed the bags in the bed of the truck and unhitched the tailgate. “Hop up.”
    She frowned. “Not the best day to wear a skirt.”
    “Funny, I was thinking it was an excellent choice.”
    She rolled her eyes.
    “Come on, I’ll help you. I promise not to peek.” He put his hands on her waist and hoisted her up as if she weighed nothing. The wind caught the light material and sent her skirt fluttering upward, no doubt revealing her underwear in the process. She tamped it down with her hands, but not quickly enough. Reid grinned and put a foot on the tailgate, stepping up in one fluid motion.
    She punched his thigh. “You are such a liar. You totally looked.”
    “Hey,” he said, rubbing his leg and laughing. “It happened too fast. And they’re pink panties. It was like a tractor beam. How am I supposed to turn away from that?”
    She groaned. “Guys are all the same.”
    He unlocked the truck’s steel storage bin and pulled out a flannel blanket, smiling as he spread it out. “When it comes to the chance to see up a pretty girl’s skirt, you’re probably right. I’m sorry. Guess I shouldn’t have made a promise I couldn’t keep.” He took the burgers and fries out of the bags, uncapped the two bottles of soda, and then patted the spot next to him. “Still willing to eat with me?”
    She should’ve been annoyed—the wicked glint in his eyes said his apology was less than authentic. But instead, his unrepentant playfulness only drew her to him more. Even with the effect he had on her hormones, something about him put her at ease—made the air around her feel lighter, the stress of the day not as daunting.
    If she hadn’t been working with him, she would’ve assumed this was how Reid went through life—always cracking a joke, enjoying every moment, not a care in the world. But she hadn’t missed his switch in demeanor when his aunt and uncle werearound. As soon as one of them walked through the office, it was as if Reid had a steel rod shoved up his back and all that easy confidence seemed to drain away.
    Brynn wasn’t sure which version of Reid was the real one—the self-assured charmer or the wary political son. Maybe neither.
    She scooted over to his side and unwrapped her sandwich. “So what’s so cool about this place?”
    “Besides the fact that
we’re
here?” He sipped his drink and glanced at his watch. “You’ll see. Should start anytime now.”
    They ate their burgers for a few minutes, the song of the cicadas and frogs providing the only chatter. She wanted to lean into him, to know what it would feel like for him to wrap his arms around her, to taste his kiss, but she glued her butt to the spot. This was just a burger. He’d said so himself. She needed to enjoy it for what