Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5) by SJ McCoy Read Free Book Online Page B

slow.
    He looked up as she came back out onto the patio. She smiled, but it was the shy smile again. He realized she was probably nervous about what might come next.
    “This is my third time asking, so are you going to let me walk you home?” he asked when she sat back down. Yep, that was definitely the problem. She was blushing again.
    “That's okay, thank you. We should pay for this and then I can see myself home.”
    “I already got it, and you know I can't let you walk the dark and dangerous streets of Summer Lake by yourself late at night.”
    She was flustered now. “How much was it? I need to give you my half.”
    He shook his head. “Nope. This one's on me. No arguments.”
    “But....”
    “If that's a problem, then you'll have to take me out next time. Come on.” He stood up and grinned at her. “And you can't stop me from walking down the street beside you either. So let's go.”
    She laughed. It was such a sweet sound. He wished she'd do it more. “You don't take ‘no’ for an answer do you?”
    He shook his head. “Not from you, I don't. I've learned I just have to keep working my charm till you tell me yes.”
    It wasn't what he'd meant, but the shocked look on her face told him what kind of ‘yes’ she thought he was after—it also told him that she'd say it in the not too distant future. It was his turn to take a deep breath as he adjusted his pants and followed her out into the street.
    By the time they reached her front gate, he'd already decided how to handle it. It was pretty clear to him that the slower he took it, the faster he'd get there. So when she stopped and looked up at him, he deliberately kept his distance. “Thanks, Meggie. I had a great time tonight.”
    That smile worked all kinds of crazy on him. “I did too, Michael.”
    Wow. She admitted it! “Can I get a hug good night then?” He opened his arms but didn't move closer. It had to be up to her to come to him. He knew he was grinning like an idiot when she did step towards him. She put both hands on his chest and smiled up at him as he closed his arms around her. “You were wrong about one thing.”
    “What was that?”
    “ You are a lot of fun.”
    She met his gaze. “You seem to bring out the best in me.”
    He couldn't help it. He found the clip in her hair and unfastened it. Her eyes grew wide as long blonde curls fell around her shoulders and down her back. Blimey! She was gorgeous! “It's time to let your hair down, darl'.” He curled one arm around her waist and drew her closer. He tangled his other hand in her hair as he lowered his mouth to hers. She was trembling against him, but her hands kneaded at his chest as she lifted her lips to meet his. Michael fought every instinct he had and managed to keep it tame. He placed a slow, sweet kiss on her lips, then lifted his head and smiled. “You'd better get inside while I still have the self-control to let you go, little one.”
    She searched his face. Then reached up and touched his cheek with a smile. “Goodnight, Michael.”
    He closed his eyes for a second when she stepped away from him. He wanted to pull her back into his arms and kiss her the way he needed to. Instead he watched her walk up the path. She opened the front door and turned back to give him a little wave.
    “G'night, Meggie.”

Chapter Five
    M egan sat in the kitchen watching Ollie chase his breakfast around. He pushed the bowl into the corner where the cabinets met. Instead of  staying still to eat, he barked and pawed at the bowl until he moved it out and then continued on his way. She laughed. He was certainly a character. She'd only had him for a few months, just since she'd moved out here to Summer Lake. She had stopped at a rest area and he had been running around loose. He had come to sit with her while she ate her sandwich and refused to leave her side. When she'd said goodbye to him and gone back to her car, he'd followed her and jumped right in. He'd sat there in the passenger