Hope Smolders by Jaci Burton Read Free Book Online Page B

illegal intentions?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe. Like I said, I don’t get out much. I might want to let my inner bad girl out tonight. What if I want to go skinny-dipping in the lake?”
    “I can make that happen.”
    She laughed. “And you’d protect me when our local law enforcement shows up to arrest me.”
    “I just happen to be best friends with local law enforcement. So, yes, you’re in the clear.”
    “Good to know.” Not that she’d ever do that, but it was fun to think about.
    Will watched the myriad of emotions cross Jane’s face.
    God, she looked pretty tonight, her hair down like a dark cascade around her shoulders. And those bare shoulders were driving him crazy. He wanted to kiss them. Or at least start there, and work his way up to her neck, maybe nibble on an earlobe, then her lips.
    Her mouth was distracting. She had lip gloss on tonight, calling attention to her lips, which were full and kissable. He was getting hard, probably a bad thing to do at the restaurant.
    He adjusted his napkin in his lap.
    She’d been so tense and nervous earlier, which was cute, because it was so obvious she wasn’t used to going out on dates.
    Hell, he was a little rusty, too. He wanted this night to be good for her. He wanted everything to be good for her. He wanted to make her laugh, and then later, he wanted to make her scream—in the fun way.
    “So, are you ready to get naked and do your skinny-dipping now, or wait until after dinner?”
    Her lips quirked. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not even dark yet. And the park is still open. Way too many people wandering around to see my naked butt.”
    “Okay. We’ll do it after dinner. When the park closes.”
    Jane loved Will’s sense of humor. And speaking of dinner…her continued buzz reminded her they needed to order. She picked up the menu and perused it. The next time their waitress wandered by, they ordered food.
    She wanted this to last all night.

CHAPTER SIX
    F or the next hour, Jane lost herself in conversation and one of the best meals she’d had in too long to remember. By the time Will paid the check, she was stuffed, and her buzz had lessened somewhat.
    “Thank you for that,” she said as he held the door to the car open for her.
    “It was my pleasure.”
    No, it was definitely hers. She’d remember this for a long time.
    Figuring he’d take her home, she was surprised when they headed downtown, and even more surprised when they ended up parked across from Cain’s Ballroom.
    “I thought maybe you’d like some music.”
    “I love music.”
    He held her hand as they crossed the street and continued to hold it when they went inside. “There’s an indie rock band playing tonight. I’ve heard they’re pretty good, so I thought we’d give it a shot.”
    They were more than pretty good. She and Will were ontheir feet the whole time, dancing and getting down to the band’s music, which was a little alternative, a lot loud, and raucous. She had worked up a good sweat by the time the band took a break and they headed toward the bar.
    “A beer?” he asked.
    She shook her head and opted for a soda instead. Will did the same.
    “You don’t have to turn down a beer just because I’m not having one,” she said.
    “I’m not. I’m driving, and the drinks I had at dinner were more than enough.”
    And he was responsible, so unlike her ex—who she reminded herself she wasn’t going to think about tonight.
    They leaned against the bar. Jane took a long swallow of her drink to cool down.
    “I love this band,” she said. “It was so thoughtful of you to bring me.”
    “I’m glad you’re enjoying them. A friend of mine heard them the last time they were in town and had good things to say about them, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to pop in and check them out. They’re better than I thought they’d be.”
    “Obviously you like music,” she said.
    He nodded. “All kinds. And I try to get out to listen to a lot of different music