FAST RIDE by DEBBY CONRAD Read Free Book Online

them.
    “I feel like a rag doll,” she said on a sigh, once she could speak.
    “And I feel like a pressure cooker, ready to explode.”
    The realization of what had just happened hit her hard. “I’m sorry,” she said, pushing herself to a sitting position.
    Kenny lifted his head and locked gazes with her. “Sorry for what?” he asked, his black brows furled. “For coming? For enjoying yourself?”
    Even after what he’d done to her, his words embarrassed her. “For being so greedy. Selfish. I mean, what about you?”
    He chuckled. “Next time.” Pressing the control on his wheelchair, he backed up a few feet. Although he’d distanced himself from her, he did nothing to hide the fact that he was still clearly aroused beneath his gray sweat pants. It was something Holly noticed immediately.
    “But I can’t just leave you like . . .” Her gaze drifted to his lap again. “Like that,” she added.
    “Holly, trust me, I’ll be fine. Anyway, this is pretty much the state I’ve been in for the last few months now. I’m used to it.”
    She felt awful. It wasn’t fair. Surely he didn’t want her to leave, or did he? Getting down from the table, her bare feet hit the warm, maple wood floor. She reached for her discarded shirt and tugged it over her head. “Kenny, is there going to be a next time ?”
    He stared at her long and hard before answering. And then finally, a smile lit up his handsome, rugged face. “Well now, that depends.”
    “On what?”
    “On how long it’ll take you to go to the drugstore and back.”
    When Holly could only blink in response, he added, “Protection, remember?”
    And then it sunk in. “Oh!” she said excitedly. Like a fumbling idiot, she scrambled into her overalls and flip-flops. “I’ll be right back.”
    She walked across the kitchen, trying not to show how giddy she was feeling. She’d been about to open the patio door, then changed her mind. Turning to face him, she asked, “Any particular brand? Type? Size?” Although remembering how long and thick he’d felt in her hand, she figured the large size might do the trick. “Large, right?”
    “Come here,” he said with a laugh.
    Tentatively, she made her way across the room and stopped directly in front of him. Kenny tugged on her arm, pulling her down to his eye level. Gently, he kissed her mouth. It was hardly the mother of all kisses, but that kiss somehow spoke volumes.
    Straightening, Holly brought a hand to her scorching lips, reveling in the lingering intimacy of Kenny on her mouth.
    “Surprise me,” he said, “and hurry back.”
    This time, she ran to the door.
    * * *
    The longer Holly was gone, the more Kenny began to lose his nerve. He was scared, plain and simple.
    His hands were trembling, and although he considered himself an idiot for feeling this way--sex was something he’d done hundreds of times--there was nothing he could do to change it. He was afraid he’d disappoint her.
    Surely, this first time would be awkward, to say the least. He quickly admonished himself for thinking there would ever be anything but this first time.
    Okay, pal, since this may be the only time you’re ever going to have sex with this woman, or any woman, you’d better make it the best damn sex of your life.
    And that was the problem.
    Having great sex sometimes took practice, patience, and sometimes love. Kenny wasn’t about to kid himself. He didn’t love Holly, and she sure as hell didn’t love him. Even if he’d just put a smile on her face.
    Making love with someone for the first time was usually pretty exciting, but it could also be clumsy while trying to learn your partner’s likes and dislikes, at the same time expressing your own preferences. And he being in a wheelchair was only going to complicate matters even more.
    Holly had made it pretty clear she only wanted sex from him. Which had him wondering, why him. Surely, she had her pick of dozens of men. Why not one who could stand on both legs? One