One Little Thing by Kimberly Lang Read Free Book Online Page B

like to see their names and pictures in a real paper. A blog entry just doesn’t quite measure up, somehow. Plus, the tourists expect a small town to have a small-town paper.”
    â€œThis place seems stuck in time. But it’s nice. I’m glad I came back.”
    He looked at her. “So am I.”
    A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth, but Sophie turned and looked out at the dark beach. Was that a blush? It was hard to tell in the half-light. But that was definitely a smile.
So not such a dork, after all.
His next move remained a mystery, but at least he knew Sophie would probably be receptive to it. There was no need to rush the matter.
    Then Sophie looked back at him, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.
    Oh, yeah,
that
was the reason to rush.
    But Sophie was on her feet, stacking the bowls and silverware back onto the tray. That was his hint, and while he didn’t relish taking it, he would, nonetheless. “Let me carry that.”
    She relinquished the tray without comment, following him through the main rooms and holding the kitchen door open for him. “Just set it anywhere.”
    â€œWell, thank you for dinner.”
    â€œThank you. It was nice not to eat alone.”
    â€œI’d still like to take you out, though.”
There. I did it.
    She smiled. “I’d like that. I’m going to be busy the next couple of days—the furniture comes Monday, so I’ve got a lot to do tomorrow to be ready for that, and then Monday will be insane, of course . . .”
    â€œHow about I call you Tuesday? If you’re caught up or just ready for a break, then we’ll make a plan.”
    â€œThat sounds good.” She followed him to the front door.
    â€œAnd if you need anything before then, just call.”
    â€œI will.”
    The end of that exchange left them standing awkwardly by the door, the ease of their earlier conversation completely gone. The tension felt thick—or maybe it was just him feeling it—but Sophie was close, closer than strictly required, and not moving away.
    Just do it.
    You’ve got nothing to lose.
    To his surprise, Sophie met him halfway.
    She was tall, so her lips easily reached his. It was a light, almost hesitant touch that melted into a sigh, her body leaning in against his. Quinn anchored his hands on her hips at first, but as the kiss deepened, he let his hands slide around her back to pull her closer.
    And that’s when things got
really
interesting.
    Sophie’s arms draped over his shoulders, and the caress of her fingers against the nape of his neck sent a shiver through him. Sophie gasped as though she felt that shiver herself, and what started as a simple good-night kiss turned hot. Hungry.
    His fingers tangled in her hair and the other hand cupped her jaw, and Sophie’s hands tightened on his shoulders, her nails biting through his shirt and into his skin.
    How long that kiss went on, he didn’t know, but Sophie was breaking away, gasping unevenly for air. She didn’t release him immediately, though, burying her head into his neck and pressing temple-to-temple against his.
    His heart was thumping hard in his chest, and he wasn’t feeling terribly steady on his feet, either.
Damn.
He held her quietly for a moment, waiting for his pulse to even out, then pressed a kiss into the tangle of curls above her ear.
    â€œDamn, Quinn,” she whispered.
    It was an appreciative statement—a nice stroke for his ego—and one he’d like to echo, provided he could ever manage a full lungful of air again. Instead, he just nodded and let his fingers play along the dent of her spine until she caught her breath and peeled herself off him.
    Her mouth was dewy and her eyes were dark, but she smiled carefully as she put space between them. When she lifted a hand to push her hair back off her face, he was pleased to see it shake a little. After one more deep sigh, she’d moved far enough