Heart's Reflection by P R Mason Read Free Book Online Page B

though
what?" he said with lips quirking.
    "You said I
had to sleep with you...and we didn't...you know."
    "You did
sleep with me. We woke up together just a few minutes ago. Don't you
remember?"
    "But—"
    "Shhhh."
He placed a finger to my lips to stop my words. "I don't want your first
time to be like that. With me forcing you into something."
    "You aren't
forcing me. Don't you remember what I told your parents? Should be memorable
since your dad's getting a retaining wall out of it." I joked.
    "I remember
every word," he said in utter seriousness. "But even if it isn't
force, I don't want you to be with me as some kinda deal or bargain either.
Let's just take it slow. Although it might kill me, I want to wait. I've waited
a long time for you to be with me. I can wait until you're ready to go further.
Now that I know we have a future, I can do anything."
    Oh Lord. I'd let
him think we were a couple.
    Strange, but the
idea of the two of us didn't freak me out. In fact, happiness blossomed inside
me like a flower unfolding. Was I in love with Keagan and not Liam? Yes, I
admitted to myself. How horrible was that? Was I an evil person for switching
so quickly from one brother to the other? Then I acknowledged it hadn't been
quick. I'd always been fighting an attraction to Keagan, but I'd been afraid.
There had been safety with Liam where not a bit existed in Keagan. My heart,
soul and entire being lay in jeopardy with him.
    "But you're
my girl now, right?" he asked.
    "Are you sure
that's what you want? All those other girls—"
    "Those other
girls...none of them were you. I tried to make them sub for you but they
couldn't."
    "Then this
isn't just because you want to stick it to Liam?" I asked, happy but
continuing my wander into uncharted, scary territory.
    "No. I want
to stick it to you, not my brother." He laughed. "I don't hate my
brother. Liam isn't the problem. It was just that he had everything I wanted.
I'd almost gotten used to the difference between how my parents treated me and
how they treated Liam. I coulda lived with it, but then you came along. You
were a little girl of ten with hair the color of wheat and the most amazing
hazel eyes. And you went straight for Liam. You barely had anything to do with
me."
    "I'm sorry.
I'd just lost my parents and went to live with Gran. I blamed myself for my
parents' death. I couldn't cope with anything frightening. I wanted a restful
place to heal."
    "And Liam is
'restful'?"
    "Well, you
have to admit you aren't restful, peaceful, or safe. Whatever synonym you want.
You aren't any of those things. You are dangerous and exciting. Not what a
frightened ten year old could cope with."
    "Sexy?"
    "Yeah, that
too."
    That statement
earned me another kiss. Then another and another after that.

Chapter Five

 
    Away from the
coast, a fog enveloped the car as Keagan drove us back into town. But the white
wisps seemed like a haze of happiness to me. We held hands over the parking
brake and couldn't stop smiling at each other. No realities were permitted to
get through the haze and reach me until we entered downtown. Then all of the
problems I'd been trying to ignore drifted back into my thoughts one by one.
    Gran would be
worried and angry—if she hadn't fallen asleep. On the off chance she had,
I didn't try her on my cell phone. Slipping in without her ever knowing how
late I'd been out was still a possibility. I didn't even remember I'd turned my
phone off until we pulled up in front of my house.
    "How are you
getting home?" I said as he parked. "We should have stopped at your
house first."
    "No." He
shook his head and squeezed my hand. "I didn't want you driving alone in
this fog. I'll walk home."
    "That's
crazy," I said. "Take my car. You can pick me up in the
morning."
    He grinned, before
pressing a soft kiss on my lips. "Perfect."
    After I
reluctantly withdrew my hand from his, I opened the door but hesitated about
getting out.
    "What is
it?"
    I'd spotted a
light inside the house.