Pieces of You by Lisa Marie Read Free Book Online

gets licked by flames, and the sizzle causes my stomach to growl loudly. Looking back into the house I watch as Riley moves comfortably around my small kitchen. Finding the plates with ease and setting the table. I'm staring when she looks up at me and smiles brightly. I have to admit, her charisma has gained my attention.
    It doesn't take long for the steaks to be cooked, so I turn off the grill and promptly remove them from the fire, carrying the tray into the house. "Thanks for setting the table."
    "No problem. Thanks for giving me your meat." She stops and instantly turns a light shade of red. "I mean. Thanks for the steak."
    In an attempt not to embarrass her, I overlook her blunder and place the meat on her plate. "I hope that you can eat all of that. It's a big chunk of meat."
    "I like meat." Her face reddens some more. "I'm going to stop talking now."
    "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist when I saw you blush. I had to see more. You have some adorable dimples when you're embarrassed."
    "My thing," she whispers into her hands as she covers her face.
    "Excuse me?"
    "You found my thing." She shakes her head and dishes up the salad on both of our plates. "You have turtle and I have dimples. My thing," she finishes as I look at her puzzled but intrigued.
    "Oh that thing." I smirk. "Your secret is safe with me." I wink at her and start cutting my steak. "Or maybe now I have a secret weapon." I raise both my eyebrows and raise my fork to my mouth.
    Watching Riley cut her steak and place it into her mouth has got to be my new favorite thing. She's a serious carnivore. Tearing through the meat and bringing it to rest on her tongue before closing her eyes and savoring the flavor. My mouth drops open, and I shift slightly in my seat as I listen to her quiet moan.
    When she moans a second time, I drop my fork and clear my throat. "Sorry." I offer. She smiles and continues to chew quietly while I try not to stare.
    "So, you lost your fiancée. May I ask how?"
    I don't know how to answer this without losing my cool, so I take a deep breath and hope the man upstairs can give me peace as I try to tell her. I rest the tines of my fork on my plate and braid my fingers in front of my chin while searching for the easiest way to tell her.
    "We were in a car accident. Got blindsided by a semi on our way to Vegas. It was the worst day of my life." I rest my forehead on my folded hands and close my eyes. Flashes of Mel run through my mind. I try to chase them away.
    "How long had you been together?" she asks and I open my eyes and tilt my head so I can look up at her.
    "I'm sorry. Just tell me to mind my own business." She apologizes.
    "It's okay. I just haven't talked about this with anyone in a long time." I chew the inside of my cheek and tug on my facial hair.
    "You don't have to." She reassures me leaning back in her chair and drinking from the water glass in front of her. Regret covers her face. She didn't know. How could she?
    "It felt like we were together forever. We finished each other's sentences. We just... "
    "She was the one, huh?" Riley asks softly, her chin resting on her folded hands.
    "Yeah. She was." I agree and take a drink from my beer bottle. "But she's gone and I'm still here so I have to remember that."
    "Were you hurt too?"
    "Yeah. My leg was broken in four places. Took a while for it to heal. Have a few nice titanium pins in it now. I'm almost a superhero." I chuckle and the room grows silent at my awkward attempt to lighten the conversation.
    "For what it's worth. I'm glad you're here." Riley reaches out and takes my hand in both of hers. The shiver that travels up my spine from her touch is new. It's something I think both of us feel as she shudders when my hand accepts hers.
    "Thanks."
    We sit awkwardly holding hands across the table. Our eyes meet and we just kind of watch each other for a few minutes. Offering one last squeeze, she takes her hands back and pushes her plate to the side. I follow her lead. I don't think