Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) by Victoria Adams Read Free Book Online Page A

Westland or do time. End of that conversation." His tone was sharp. "Next question."
    She bit her lip, looked out at the pasture, took a big breath then blurted, "Did you and Tricia…you know."
    "That's so not what I figured for your next question. What's it to ya?"
    "Inquiring minds want to know." She shook her head. "Lame, I know. Tricia and I haven't talked and I'm curious."
    "Bold too." And cute as hell . He ran his fingers through his hair. "Tricia and I hooked up. If some female throws herself at me, I'm gonna take advantage of it. 'Sides I figured I deserved a little. Trish is usin' me, so I used her. Still wanna talk to me?" He clicked his horse.
    "Yes." Her heart pounded. "Because we're talking about things I don't talk about with anyone else." Sex. We're talking about s-e-x.
    Calling over his shoulder he said, "Maybe you should get some new friends. Someone who's interested in you rather than themselves."
    "I thought I had found a friend." Julie spoke to Robert's back. Talking to it was easier than to his face.
    He twisted around in his saddle. From his puzzled, but surprised expression, Julie knew her admission caught him off guard. "I'll never be able to explain you to my friends or to my father. Before you ask, I owe you something for rescuing me the other night, and the only thing I can pay you back with is my friendship. I figure you could use one ally at Westland. Friends?" She stuck out her hand.
    "Friends." They shook. "Now let's get you back to the rest of the group."
    ***
    Robert hopped off his horse then hurried over to help Julie off hers. When her feet hit the ground, her legs wobbled and her bottom tingled. "Ooh, I think I'm better on my feet than on my seat." She rubbed her backside.
    He grinned. "I guess we're not good enough friends for me to massage that cute little behind."
    If only I were brave enough to let you. "You said a man's got to have dreams – well, keep dreaming." She laughed, waved and walked across the yard to the waiting wagon.
    Feeling strangely chipper, Robert watched as the wagon pulled away. He'd had a great afternoon, too bad she was Westland. He might stand a chance of becoming a friend but never a lover. He shrugged, turned and entered the barn.
    The girls jumped off the wagon, shouted thank you to Carl then walked over to the patio where Mrs. Murran sat waiting, with a pot of tea and a plate of cookies. While everyone chatted about the day's adventure, Julie stared towards the stables. If Trish hadn't known Robert was there, Julie wasn't about to let out his secret. All too soon, the girls agreed it was time to go home. With sad thank yous, Julie and her friends left the Estate.
    As she nestled down to sleep, Julie wondered how she should handle this friendship. She hoped her friends might understand. She wondered if her family would. Julie wished it was Monday, so she could see Robert, even if only across the classroom. Things should be calmer at school, after all, he'd survived two fights. What else could go wrong?
     
     
     

Chapter Four
    Mornings, especially Mondays, were crazy hectic in the Anderson household. This week, it was Tricia's turn to carpool, and Julie was her first stop. As Julie grabbed her books and a wrapped parcel, she reminded herself that nobody knew about her conversation with Robert. As hard as it was, she had to pretend not to know what had happened at the dance.
    She pulled open the door of the little, red Focus, slid in, and set the parcel at her feet. "Quick, before we get to Francine's. Is it true? Did I read your Facebook wall right? You and Robert did it? Oh yea, good morning. How are you?" Julie buckled her seatbelt.
    Putting the car into reverse, Tricia peered over her shoulder to back up. "We found this little secluded spot and we kissed and he undid my blouse and I let him." She giggled. "Then we did it."
    "Patricia-Ann! You didn't?"
    "We did."
    "How could you? You barely know him."
    "You're just jealous." Tricia pulled into Heather's