Out of the Ashes by Kelly Hashway Read Free Book Online Page A

my face. I know if she leans into me, even the slightest bit, I’ll cave. I’ll take her in my arms and kiss her until neither of us can breathe.
    “I wish my mom could see you like this. Open and vulnerable. Maybe then she’d understand…”
    “Understand what? Are you saying you feel something for me right now? Other than pity?”
    “I don’t pity you. I can see you’re hurting, and I want to make it stop.”
    “You can.” She’s the only one who can. “You did it again, you know.”
    Her brow furrows. “Did what?”
    “You said something you said to me over the summer. Your mom was trying to keep us apart and you said you wanted her to see the way I am with you because then she’d have to like me.” This has to mean something. It can’t be a coincidence that she’s repeating herself.
    “You really think kissing you will make me remember?”
    It takes all my might not to pull her to me, but this has to be her decision. “I do.”
    She reaches for my arms, like she’s steadying herself. “What if it doesn’t work? I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have.”
    “If you don’t kiss me now, it might kill me.”
    “I feel like you’re putting everything into this one kiss.”
    “That’s because you don’t remember how amazing it is when we kiss.”
    She blushes slightly and leans toward me, giving me permission. I tilt my head toward her, breathing in her cinnamon scent. God, how I’ve missed that. It’s intoxicating. I want to crush my lips to hers, but I hold back. I want her to enjoy every second, feel every sensation. I inch closer, hoping I’m teasing her and making her want this as much as I do. My bottom lip grazes hers when someone yells, “Logan!”
    Cara pulls back and I stifle a slew of curses. I’ve never hated Linette, but right now I do. Cara looks at me briefly before swimming to the shore. Linette meets her, ranting and arms flailing. Cara takes off running home.
    I squeeze my hands into fists, afraid if I get out of the water and go anywhere near Linette, I’ll break my rule of never hitting a woman.
    “Logan Schmidt, you get your sorry behind out of that water this instant!”
    “Believe me, Linette, you don’t want me on the shore with you right now. Go away.”
    “Mister, you locked me in the bathroom and ran off. I have every right to be angry with you. I stuck up for you.” She waves me over. “Get out of the water. I’m not screaming all this to you.”
    I make her wait, knowing she can’t talk about the Phoenixes out in the open like this. We might be the only people at the falls right now, but someone could easily walk up and overhear us. I calm myself down, trying not to focus on how close Cara’s lips were to mine. God, one more second and I would have had her back in my arms. I know it. At least she’d been willing to kiss me. That means I still have a chance. I have to get her alone again. Away from her house and the other Phoenixes.
    When I reach the shore I glare at Linette. My drenched running shorts and t-shirt are plastered to my skin. “I’m not apologizing, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you may as well leave.”
    The anger drains from her face. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m not only protecting you. I’m protecting Cara. I saw what almost happened between you two.”
    “Yeah, almost , thanks to you.”
    “You can’t be with her, Logan. You’re only going to hurt her. I get that you’re torn up inside about losing Cara, but how do you think you’ll feel having to lose her all over again? Let her go. Do both of you a favor and walk away.”
    “I can’t. Cara is the only thing I have left.”
    She places her hands on her hips. “So you’re choosing to be selfish? You’d willingly hurt her so you don’t have to feel this way anymore?”
    “I’m not trying to hurt her. I’m trying to remind her that she loves me. That’s not a bad thing.”
    “For her it is.”
    “Is this about her mother? Because I