Love Gone Wild: A Contemporary Romantic Comedy by Michele Bardsley Read Free Book Online Page B

but so far, Dane was the only man she'd met that produced in her a peculiar heart-pounding, breath-catching response—just by thinking about him. Hmmm. She needed to analyze these feelings and figure out how they were reproduced.
    "I meant what do you do for a living?"
    "When I'm not working at the TeenCenter as a counselor, I'm a pilot."
    "Private or commercial?"
    "Instructor. I teach people how to fly." He grinned at her. "What do you do?"
    The question startled Marissa. She chewed her lower lip as she thought about it. She'd never considered a career. Her life was one of luxury. She could have just about anything she wanted, except her freedom, by asking for it. The idea of a job—of doing something productive with her time—interested her. "I don't really do anything. How does one go about finding out what to do with one's life?"
    Brent blinked. "Huh?"
    "Don't go there," said Dane. "You've got enough to do on your current list without adding anything else. In fact, you should probably pare down the list. Get rid of a few items." Like the one-night stand? Not likely. "I'm not giving up a single thing." She sized up Brent. Handsome with a to-die-for body, he was a prime specimen for a sexual encounter. She resisted the urge to squeeze his biceps, only because she didn't want him to feel like a choice bit of meat. Dane had made it clear he would not ask Brent to engage in a one-night stand with her.
    If Dane wouldn't ask, she would. "Brent, I know we just met, but since you're a good friend of Dane's, I feel comfortable asking if you would consider—"
    "We're here," interrupted Dane. "Just stop the truck by the building. You don't have to park and come in."
    "Wouldn't dream of it," said Brent.
    Dane opened the passenger-side door and grasped Marissa's arm. "C'mon, princess."
    "But what about—"
    "Later."
    She scooted to the edge of the bench seat, attempting to resist his grip. "Can I just ask if—"
    "No." Dane grabbed her purse from the floorboard, slung it over his shoulder, then grabbed her by the waist and slung her over his other shoulder. Her T-shirt threatened to ride up and expose her lacy panties.
    "What are you doing?" she said, feeling rather alarmed.
    "Saving you from yourself."
    "That's ridiculous." She huffed out a breath. "I'm feeling a bit light-headed." She looked down and saw the view. "Oh, my. You do have a wonderful butt."
    She heard Brent's choking laughter, then the slam of the truck's door. "Thanks for the ride, Brent."
    "Sure you don't need any help there, buddy?"
    "Get outta here. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
    Marissa heard the clank of the gearshift and the truck motored off.
    "Honestly, Dane, I'm perfectly capable of walking."
    "You're perfectly capable of getting into trouble." He put her down in front of a staircase. "My apartment is up there. Number seventy-one."
    His eyebrows nearly touched his hairline and "don't mess with me" glittered in his eyes. Marissa realized Dane wasn't in a negotiating kind of mood, so she tucked away her questions about sexual relations with his friend and jogged up the stairs. His low groan stopped her movements. She turned around. "Are you—"
    Dane crashed into her. She stumbled back, gasping when his arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close. Pressed against his naked, muscled chest, she felt a delicious chill skitter up her spine. She grasped his arms, holding on tight since her legs felt wobbly. Her nipples pebbled. The thin T-shirt nightgown didn't provide much of a barrier and she heard Dane's teeth click as his clamped his mouth shut.
     "Princess..."
    Her breath left her lungs in a whoosh. He looked so dangerous, so kissable. Dane was such a beautiful specimen. She wanted to explore the planes of his face, trace the firm full lips, stroke the strong cords of his neck... "Is-is it warm to you?"
    "It's like living in hell."
    She swallowed. Dane's gaze had dropped to her mouth and her lips tingled. "I suppose you should let me go—unless you'd like