Faith, Honor & Freedom by Shannon Callahan Read Free Book Online Page B

…”
    “Honestly Hoss,” I say, interrupting him. “You are the absolute last person I want to see right now. Can we do this later?” I ask, moving past him to search through my take out pamphlets again.
    “I’m sorry for punching the hole in your wall, I really am. I’m not sorry for what I said, though.”
    “Excuse me?” I ask, looking up at him. “Did you really just come all the way over here to tell me you’re not sorry?” I ask, incredulously.
    “Lana, you’re better than I am. You always have been, always will be. Don’t mix yourself up with people like that. Don’t let them take advantage of you,” he pleads.
    “What makes you think he was taking advantage of me? You don’t even know who the hell I slept with so how do you know I’m better than him? You don’t! Is it that hard to believe that maybe I liked it? Scratch that, maybe I loved it,” I say, taunting. My blood is boiling, and at this moment, screw the wall, I’d like to punch his face in. Of course, I never would, but it’s fun to imagine.
    “You’re lying,” he hisses.
    “Fuck you. Stay out of my life, Hoss, before I permanently block you out of it,” I threaten.
    He runs his fingers through his hair as he paces back and forth. I hear my phone ring and rush to it, not even caring who’s on the other line. They’ve got to be easier to talk to than Weston Hoss.
    “Hello?” I answer a little snippy.
    “Lana?” he drawls. I know exactly who it is, and I feel myself tense and get excited, all at the same time. He’s definitely dangerous, but in the best way possible.
    “Yeah, sorry,” I mutter, feeling Hoss’s eyes bore into the back of my skull.
    “I got your number from your phone last night before I left. I hope you don’t mind. You were off in a hurry so I just wanted to touch base and make sure everything was all right.”
    “Yeah, sorry about that, everything’s fine now. Her son was sick; he ended up needing surgery, but he’s doing well now,” I answer, walking out of the room and away from Hoss.
    “I’m glad to hear that. I’m actually just wondering if you wanted to go out tonight. I’ll be out of town soon on a contract, but I wanted to see as much of you as I can before I leave,” he says in that incredibly sexy voice of his.
    My stomach jolts, and I wonder if it’s in hunger, or if I’m truly scared. I know he wouldn’t have hurt me, but I just can’t shake this bad feeling. I feel Hoss come up behind me, and I make a decision I’m not sure I should.
    “Sure I’d love to. What about dinner?” I ask, patting my stomach.
    “I’ll pick you up at eight,” he says, hanging up the phone.
    I glance down at my watch; it’s already seven thirty!
    “Where are you going?” Hoss growls.
    “None of your business. Look, we’re done here,” I say, pushing past him and walking into the bathroom. I close the door and start to strip down. He can let himself out.
    I wash and shave my legs quickly, barely feeling the water pounding against my skin. I mentally pick out my outfit to try and save some time. I blow-dry my hair hurriedly, throwing in some hair spray to give it volume. I do my make-up and then rush out of the bathroom toward the white and grey empire-waisted dress hanging in my closet.
    Instead, I run smack dab into Hoss’s chest. Did I forget to mention I was naked?
    We stand staring at each other like deer in headlights for what feels like a decade, but is probably more like ten unbelievably long seconds. I feel his eyes burning into my flesh, and I start to wonder if he actually likes what he sees. I blush at the thought, before snapping back to reality. What the hell do I care what he thinks of my body? He passed it up long ago. He must have known I liked him in high school, and he’s never made a single move on his own accord.
    “What are you still doing here, Hoss,” I yell, running back toward the bathroom to grab a towel. I come back out to find him still rooted to the same spot