Hard Ride, Part 2 by Opal Carew Read Free Book Online Page B

friend.”
    Liv pursed her lips and nodded. “I just … I don’t know what to do with that.”
    He stroked his hand along her back. “Why do I get the impression that you don’t really know what it’s like to have a close friend?”
    To her horror, Liv felt tears prickling at her eyes. Shock ran his thumb under her eye, wiping a droplet aside.
    â€œFuck, Liv.” Then he pulled her into his arms and held her.
    It would be so easy to let go. To let the tears flow and sob in his warm, protective embrace.
    But she didn’t. She stiffened and blinked back the tears.
    After a moment he drew back and gazed at her. Then he sucked in a breath and climbed onto the bike. She hung on tight as they drove into the night.
    * * *
    When they arrived back at the house, Liv got off the bike and handed Shock her helmet, then went in the front door, not waiting for him.
    Now they were going to go to the bedroom where he would make love to her. Her heart raced at the thought, longing to be in his arms. Or he would forgo sex and just cuddle her close, being understanding because he knew she was upset. Which made her heart ache.
    She couldn’t do this. Let herself want him so much.
    Instead of heading for the stairs, she walked into the kitchen. Through the big windows, she could see the freeform-shaped pool edged with violet, blue, and red colored lights, setting it aglow. Colored mosaic stained glass globes lit the granite pathways leading from the house to the pool to the hot tub and to the lovely sitting area beyond. Farther away, moonlight glittered on the lake.
    She opened the French doors and stepped onto the patio.
    â€œWhat are you doing, Liv?” Shock asked behind her.
    â€œI think I’ll go for a swim.”
    â€œWithout your swimsuit?” he asked.
    She glanced back at him. “Do I need one?”
    She unbuckled her jeans and dropped them to the ground.
    Shock smiled. “Not as far as I’m concerned.”
    She pulled her T-shirt over her head as she continued walking through the dimly lit yard. Then she shed her bra. Shock followed her, shedding his shirt and jeans, too. Leaving on her panties, she sped up as she approached the pool and dove in. When she surfaced, she shook her head and glanced around.
    â€œUh … just wanted to let you know I’m here.” Wild Card’s voice caught her off guard.
    He was hard to see in the softly lit pool, sitting on the walk-out steps at the deep end with a beer sitting on the stone deck beside him. She’d forgotten that Wild Card had decided not to go out with them this evening.
    She realized she was practically naked in the pool with him, and Shock was standing on the edge of the pool behind her in his boxers.
    Part of her wanted to cover herself and swim away, then skulk out of the pool and hide. Another part thought this was a perfect opportunity to distract herself from her desire for Shock and start convincing herself that other men could fill that need. After seeing them all together earlier and being surprising by how arousing she found it, she wondered if Shock was right to encourage her to push herself sexually. And it would have the added benefit of easing her heartache about him.
    She swam toward Wild Card, then tread water in front of him. The soft colored lights set her naked breasts aglow. Wild Card gazed at them with admiration.
    â€œWhat are you doing, Liv?” Shock said with a warning tone.
    â€œYou told me that you all share your women.” She smiled at Wild Card. “I thought that might be fun to try tonight.”
    She swam close to Wild Card and rested her hands on his thighs so she could stop treading water. “What do you think?” she asked him.
    He glanced up at Shock, so she moved into Wild Card’s arms and kissed him, not wanting to give Shock a chance to protest. Wild Card’s arms slid around her and he pulled her close, her naked breasts crushed against his