Knead: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 1) by Aspen Drake Read Free Book Online

hand slides across the back of the couch until he reaches my hair. There’s a slight tug as he winds a lock of my short strands around his finger. “I’m honored.”
    “And I’m embarrassed.” I choke out a laugh. “I guess she doesn’t think I can find a guy on my own.”
    “Why would she think that?” His voice is quieter now. I don’t know when he got so close, but I can smell his clean scent under a subtle cologne.
    “Proven track record.”
    “Do you trust her judgment?” He leans even closer, just inches from my face.
    I nod, not looking away from his dark blue eyes.
    Joe considers that consent and closes the distance between us, pressing his lips against mine. My mouth opens in shocked surprise, and he works his tongue along my lips, taking full advantage of the opportunity.
    I quickly get into it, not even trying to hold back or stop him. It feels so good to be wanted by a sexy man that knows how to kiss. And Joe definitely knows how to kiss.
    Pressing me back, I lie down on the soft cushions. Joe holds his weight on one arm, hovering above me as his lips trail up my jaw then down my neck.
    By the time his teeth scrape against the swell of my cleavage, I realize my mistake. Lying down is not a good idea. The room is spinning and not in a good way.
    “Uh, Joe.” I close my mouth and swallow the saliva pooling there.
    “Hmm?”
    His tongue dips between my breasts and my body shutters, then my belly does. Shit!
    “Get up. I’m gonna be sick.”
    It takes him a second to realize what I’ve said before he springs off me like he’s been electrocuted. I stand to run to the bathroom but it’s too far. There’s a short waste basket under a side table so I drop to my knees and bury my face in the bucket.
    My body wretches violently…and loudly, if the noises bouncing around in my head are coming from me.
    Joe holds my hair back like a gentleman, but I’m too mortified to even appreciate it. I just want to die.
    As soon as the alcohol is out of my system, I feel a million times better. But I need to leave. Immediately.
    Without looking him in the eye, I stand up and grab Lisa’s makeup case. “I’m so sorry. I’ve got to go.”
    “Becca, wait. It’s okay.”
    “No, it’s not. I’ve got to go.”
    Running through the crowded bar, I pull Lisa from the booth and hand her the huge purse hanging behind her chair. “We’ve got to go.”
    “Becs, are you okay? What’s wrong?”
    “Let’s go. I just puked.”
    “Oh, honey, what happened?”
    As soon as we’re outside, I slow my frantic pace and spit the vomit taste from my mouth. “You know that guy you took the picture of?”
    “Yea.”
    “I was making out with him.”
    “What!” Lisa grabs my arm, stopping me in the middle of the sidewalk. “When?”
    “Just now.” I spit again. “Then I puked.”
    “Oh.” Beth makes a face.
    “Yeah. And I need to get home. Now.”
    “Why the rush? If it’s out, it’s out. You should feel better now.”
    “I do.” I start walking again. “But, uh, it came out both ends.”

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
    Beth
     
    The day with JR has been more pleasant than I expected. He didn't answer the phone at all when it rang, and he's been a model father, doting over everything Isla says and does. He even won a stuffed rainbow bear for her at the basketball hoop game while we were waiting for pizza.
    I'm hoping that when we get up to leave, he’s just as reasonable as he has been. A busser clears our plates and boxes up the few slices that are left. I glance at my watch, anxious to be done with this night so I can go home.
    “I really appreciate the time you spent with Isla this weekend.”
    “It's been my pleasure. She's my daughter, and I want to be in her life now.”
    Taking a deep breath, I focus all my energy on maintaining my calm smile. I think I manage but I know it's a little less genuine than it was a minute ago. “I know she'd like that. The next couple of weeks will be busy for us, but