Head Start (Cedar Tree #7) by Freya Barker Read Free Book Online Page B

Neil’s arm which he has casually draped over my shoulder, but he moves right along with me. Both his hands end up on my shoulders and he slowly turns me around until the small of my back is wedged against the counter. His hands drop down to brace on either side of me and his face is mere inches from mine.
    “I can wait,” he says in a low voice, keeping me trapped with his eyes.
    “Neil, I...” I barely get the words out before his mouth is suddenly on mine. Soft, gentle, pulling my bottom lip between his. With a languid stroke of his tongue, he traces the contour of my lip before letting it slowly slide from his mouth. Oh boy . Somehow my hands have fisted in the front of his shirt, and time has ceased to exist. I’m in trouble . “We can’t...”
    “Hush,” he says, leaning in for a soft brush against my mouth. “I’m going to hook up your Internet and put together your bed while you get your groceries. Take that time to wrap your head around what just happened here, because the way you just responded to that kiss tells me a much clearer story than the crap you’ve been feeding me for the past year. Not gonna let you push me away after that, Pup.”
    I can barely think. The deep timbre of his voice and the way his nose rubs against my cheek as he talks has me mesmerized. That’s why, when he steps back, I almost lose my balance. My eyes fly to his face and I see he has a hard time not smiling.
    “I tripped,” I lamely say. Naturally, now he chuckles. I’m an idiot .
    “Of course you did,” he teases before touching the tip of his finger to my nose and walking out of the kitchen, leaving me wondering what the hell I’m supposed to do now.
    Groceries, that’s what. I dig in the cupboard under the sink where I stuffed some grocery bags, grab my purse and head out the door. I’m about to get in the RAV when I hear Neil calling.
    “Kendra, can you bring back some True Blonde Ale? Those yellow cans. I think Safeway carries it.” Neil is hanging out of the window of my bedroom toward the back of the house.
    “Sure.” With one last look at his ear-to-ear grin, I slip behind the wheel. I’m in trouble, all right.
    All the way back to my apartment, I practice what I will say when I get back. It’s not original. I’ve said all of it before and he’s made it clear he doesn’t consider those good enough reasons. Not anymore. Regardless, there’s no way I can start anything with him, however tempting he is. I know in my heart I don’t have it in me to recover if he breaks me. And I have no doubt he will. Before long, the hot fling with the older woman will lose its shine, and I’ll just be alone again.
    Walking down the hall to my apartment, I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts, I don’t notice something leaning against the front door. Not until I pull out my keys and look down. A beautiful field bouquet, in yellow and purple. Wrapped in clear foil, I can see the edge of a card stuck between the tulips and heather. I pick up the bouquet, unlock the door, walk in and drop it on the counter.
    I don’t like this. The card is printed on one side with the word Sorry , and I carefully peel back the wrap to pull it free. On the inside, written in tidy small letters is a note:
    -
    I t was wonderful meeting you, and I hope you’ll forgive my enthusiasm.
    I would like to see you again.
    Lars, xox
    -
    I mmediately, my eyes scan the hallway. That’s a little freaky. I don’t remember telling him where I live and I don’t think he could’ve followed me home last night. Closing the door, I notice my heart is beating a little fast. I toss the flowers on top of a box by the door and do one last walk through of the apartment. Confident I’ve got everything, I load the remaining boxes in my SUV and go back to pick up the last one. The flowers are still on the last box by the door and, on impulse, I tuck the little card in my purse, before dumping the bouquet in the garbage can in the lobby. The whole thing leaves me