Kiss Me Forever (Bachelors & Bridesmaids #1) by Barbara Freethy Read Free Book Online Page B

gaze reflective, a bit confused, but there was also a hint of respect. "Okay."
    She waited for him to elaborate, but he seemed content to hold her, to look at her, which might have been an even better move on his part, because now that he wasn't pressing for a kiss, she found herself wanting him to make that move.
    Or maybe she would. How crazy was that?
    She licked her lips, swallowed hard, trying to resist the attraction that sizzled around them. She couldn't remember feeling so lit-up, so on-edge. The only good thing was that Alex had definitely taken her mind off the swirling sea.
    "Second thoughts?" he asked with a hint of amusement, his intense gaze reading her too well.
    "You should let me go," she said finally, her voice a little too breathless. "Go downstairs—see your friends."
    "I told you I won't leave you alone up here."
    She drew in a breath, turning her head, hoping to see the harbor just seconds away, but they were still off shore.
    "No escape route," he said.
    "Stop reading my mind."
    The boat took another lurch, and she stumbled against him. His arms tightened around her.
    "The universe is trying to tell you something," he said lightly, his breath warming her cheek.
    It certainly was. She was having enough trouble fighting her own attraction, much less his, and now the ocean had to get in on it.
    And then another long dive changed everything as a huge wave broke over the boat, soaking them both in icy water. She gasped, her heart skipping a beat at the shocking spray. She looked at Alex. He appeared just as bewildered as he wiped water from his eyes.
    Then his gaze turned to her and he started to laugh. "I guess the universe is on your side after all."
    "They do say Mother Nature is a woman."
    "I have no doubt about that," he said dryly. "We should go downstairs and dry off. You're going to freeze up here.
    "I'll take the cold over the nausea any day, but you go ahead."
    He shook his head. "We'll stay close, keep each other warm."
    She sighed as he moved closer. Maybe the universe wasn't on her side after all.

Chapter Four
     
    An hour later, Andrea jumped off the yacht with overwhelming relief. She was so happy she almost kissed the ground, but she'd already embarrassed herself enough as it was. She muttered some quick goodbyes to Alex's friends, who seemed even more curious about her relationship with Alex after seeing them both descend from the upper deck in wet clothes. But at this moment, she didn't care what anyone thought. She'd dried off since the ocean had given them both a cold shower, but she was still cold and a little queasy. She just wanted to get dry and warm and hope her stomach would settle down.
    After getting in the car, Alex turned the heat on high and sent her a quick look. "Feeling better?"
    "Immensely."
    "You're getting the color back in your face."
    She pulled down the visor and was horrified at the way her tangled, damp hair was falling out of her ponytail. She pulled out her hairband and ran her hand through her hair, which didn't do much to improve her appearance. There was more pink in her cheeks now, but the little makeup she'd had on was completely gone. She did not look at all like any of the other women who'd left the party in the same condition in which they'd arrived.
    "Checking the damage?" Alex asked. "You don't look that bad."
    "The mirror says otherwise. But I am happy that at least I didn't throw up on you."
    "I'm happy about that, too."
    She put the visor back up and settled in her seat as the heat finally began to stop her shivers. "Are we going back to your house?"
    "Yeah. I'll drop you off at your car."
    "I was hoping we might have time to talk or that you could give me a tour of your home."
    "Sorry, but I have an appointment. We'll talk later at the cocktail reception for the mayor."
    "Another party?"
    "You wanted to see how I live. This is what I do on the weekends," he said with a shrug.
    "Actually, I want to get to know you, not just follow you around. Is there