Jinxed by Inez Kelley Read Free Book Online Page A

sent a crackling current straight up her arm to her chest, where her heart started to pound. Her body reacted even when her mind was holding up a neon stop sign. Somewhere along the way she’d lost her direction. She wasn’t sure exactly when but just looking into his eyes, feeling his warm breath on her fingers and the gentle strength in his hands, had confused her. Why was she fighting him again?
    “Frannie, please, listen to me. I understand how this looks. Just trust me, will you? Trust me and see where this leads? What could it hurt? Worst-case scenario is you have a good time for a few weeks.”
    Drowning in the depths of his tender gaze, she struggled to remember what she knew when he wasn’t around. He was McHottie and she was Simple Suzy. Sexually, they had a chemistry that was undeniable. The man gave off sparks like a bumper skimming asphalt. Paint probably blistered when he walked by. She was nothing special. She was just the object of the minute in an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of women. She would end up crying into her pillow when he realized not even a ball gown and a fairy godmother could change her into his dream girl.
    Mind wandering as she watched his lips move, she recalled their taste and the feel of them against her skin. He befuddled her. She hated that. Although she was normally levelheaded and practical, his unpredictability knocked her for a proverbial loop. And loopy was his department, not hers.
    Shaking off the euphoric web he spun, she pulled her hands away from his. “I can’t think when you go around proclaiming how perfect we are for each other. You have to stop asking me to marry you. Or rather telling me you’re going to marry me. Not only is it a mere product of your delusional mind, it’s annoying.”
    Lights lit in his eyes. “Okay, I promise I’ll stop proposing. After we’ve gotten to know each other more, I’ll get down on one knee and ask you to marry me one last time. If by then you can’t say yes, then I really am wrong and will leave you alone. Can we try that? Can we try and let whatever this is between us just happen?”
    His gaze pleaded with her to take a chance. Closing her eyes against a sudden rush of unnamed emotions, she gave up. He’d worn her down, bowled her over and captivated the private corner of her heart that she never let anyone see. She couldn’t fight him any longer. Somehow he knew her secret. She wanted desperately to be cherished. He tempted her with her most private fantasies. When faced with what you have never even admitted to yourself you want, willpower was useless.
    A deep sigh signaled defeat. She nodded. And then he kissed her. Softly, sweetly, as if she was the most prized possession in the world. Resigned, she shook her head. “And right after that, I’ll have you committed.”
     
    {
     
    “You are crazy!”
    “What? It’s just a restaurant, Frannie. We’re supposed to be celebrating and celebrations mean chocolate. This place has the best dessert menu in town.”
    Tiny snowflakes circled in the brisk wind, dancing like drunken ballerinas. Frannie shivered and hopped from one foot to the other. It was finally time to drag out her winter coat. Tomorrow she would do that. Provided she did not freeze to death tonight.
    “The Blue Jay’s too fancy. We can’t go in dressed in jeans.”
    “Sure we can. Come on.” Jinx grabbed her hand and pulled her into the brightly lit restaurant. The welcoming warmth began to thaw out her frozen hands but Frannie backed out of the polished glass doorway.
    “We can’t do this.”
    “Yes, we can. Come on, Frannie, live a little. Cut loose and have some fun. You’re wound so tight you’re going to break any minute.” Jinx rubbed her upper arms through her not-quite-heavy-enough jacket.
    Frannie glared at him but the shivering robbed her body of any real emotional expression.
    “This isn’t difficult, dollface. It’s just dessert, not a wedding reception.” Jinx’s voice was like hot