Into the Fire (Bridge Book 2) by Meredith Wild Read Free Book Online

moment.
    “Mom.” He leaned in and gave Diane a polite kiss on the cheek.
    Her hard expression softened. A crack in her armor. Maybe she did have a heart in there somewhere.
    “Where’s Dad?” Darren asked.
    She glanced over his shoulder. “Frank is arranging some tours for us this week. You know he can never sit still.”
    “Cool. Well, if you don’t mind, I need to steal Vanessa.”
    “Do you?” Her voice was even cooler, and her perfectly plucked brow lifted a fraction.
    “Important wedding party business.” He shot her his dazzling smile.
    I smiled and let him take my hand. Relief, warmth, and a giddiness I couldn’t ignore coursed through me as he led us away. I glanced back, grateful that Cameron was doing the same now with Maya, and I hadn’t completely abandoned her.
    “Thank you,” I whispered.
    Darren smirked and threaded his fingers tighter into mine. “You’re welcome. I couldn’t stand there and watch that much longer.”
    “Your mom…she’s a little intense.” I hesitated over the words. I didn’t want to insult his mother. But I had a feeling “intense” was a kind word. In an instant, she’d made me feel so small and unworthy in her presence, as if she’d had a bird’s-eye view of every insecurity I’d ever had.
    He laughed. “You don’t have to spare my feelings. She’s my mom, but she’s a freight train of judgment. I have enemies I wouldn’t want to subject to her.”
    “Why is she so…cold?”
    “I don’t know.” He winced, like something unpleasant had crossed his mind. “You hungry?” We’d meandered near the tables catered with food.
    “A little.” Several trays were piled with meats that were almost unrecognizable with all the spices caked on them. The smells stirred my faint hunger. Next to them were an array of fruits and pretty desserts cut into small pieces. I made a small plate for myself and took a bite out of one of the desserts first. Coconut and a fruit I’d never had. I moaned a little. Yummy.
    “God, you’re pretty.”
    I caught Darren staring intently at me. Something about the look in his eye, more wonder than seduction, had my heart skipping a beat. I warmed, and suddenly the tropical heat had become too much. Would I ever get used to Darren’s compliments? Not likely. Still, I could spend a week listening to them, definitely. I didn’t know what to say though. Thank you? I swallowed my dessert over the little knot that had formed in my throat. Being around Darren was doing things to my body, no doubt about it.
    I stared down at my plate, my thoughts taking dangerous turns. Seconds passed and no words would form. My hands wanted to do the talking, but deep down I knew that was a terrible idea.
    “Darren…”
    “Come on, dance with me,” he said.
    I caught my lip between my teeth and sized up the area around the band. Diane’s unimpressed attitude wasn’t making me want to put on a display with Darren. If her aim was to discourage me away from her son, she was doing a great job.
    “No one’s dancing,” I said.
    “Not yet. That’s where you and I come in.” He caught my hand and pulled me toward the music. “Come on, then. Let’s show them how it’s done.”

Chapter Four
    DARREN
    T he reggae playing didn’t lend itself to any kind of beat that I was used to, so I pulled Vanessa close to me and we swayed together in a rhythm that was ours. I had to do something because watching her put exotic fruits in her mouth was giving me too many inappropriate thoughts. I was ready to kiss her, to taste whatever delights were on her tongue. I wanted to kiss her right now, but that was impossible. We were on display. Then Maya and Cameron joined us. Cameron’s military pals and their kids posted up around us…watching, talking, drinking too much.
    Vanessa sighed and settled against me. She fit nicely in my arms, like she’d been there many times, like she could easily belong there.
    I caught a glimpse of my mother’s face on our next