Rev Girl by Leigh Hutton Read Free Book Online Page A

against the swinging door. It shut with a loud bang .
    â€˜Hey,’ she said. ‘We really need to talk.’ She’d managed to get through two dates, including dinner after watching one of his home games, but had only just escaped with her pants on.
    Dallas stopped her words with the palm of his hand, and then slipped it back under her jacket, onto her belly.
    â€˜Ah, ah, ahhh no you don’t!’ Clover grabbed him by the hands.
    He let her pin him against the door.
    â€˜There’s something I’ve gotta say.’
    â€˜So say it.’
    Her stomach tensed as Dallas pulled one of his hands free, and burrowed it up under her jacket, and bra. Clover yanked his hand out and pinned it beside his head, jumping back, with her palms facing out in self-defence. Dallas crossed his arms and rested back, wearing an ‘I-know-I’m-gonna-get-my-way’ look that drove Clover to distraction. ‘Okay, Miss Kassedy,’ he said. ‘You have the floor.’
    She squared her shoulders. ‘Okay, well … ’ She hadn’t had time to consider exactly what form this totally awkward talk should actually take. She only knew how much she liked this perfect guy and that she needed to draw the lines, as much for herself as for him, like, right away. She was pleased to be seeing a boy behind her parents’ backs that was exciting, but sleeping with one … it was all happening too fast for her to keep up. She wasn’t ready to go all the way.
    â€˜Is there something you need to say, or can we … ’ the look on his face reminded Clover of a hungry kid staring at the last chocolate in the box. She shoved her hands into her jean pockets and looked down at the floor. ‘I, I’m not going to sleep with you.’ Then her words started tumbling from her mouth and she knew she was babbling, but didn’t know how to stop. ‘I mean, I like you, obviously, a lot. But I don’t want to go there, I mean, I’m not ready to go there, not right now. I had a bad experience with this guy from racing. The truth is, he really scared me.’
    â€˜Who?’ Dallas’s fists clenched. His aggression scared her, and she took a step back.
    â€˜Just, a guy it was a long time ago, now, and he quit racing and moved away, so, it doesn’t even matter.’
    â€˜Of course it freaking matters! Tell me who he is.’
    â€˜Seriously, Dallas?’ She felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. ‘Can I get back to what I was trying to say, please?’
    He clenched his jaw, and was silent. Not helpful.
    â€˜I just, wanted to make it clear from the get go, I’m sorry if I upset you. But I wanted to be honest with you. Not that we’re even together, or anything oh man, this totally isn’t sounding right.’
    Still silent. She sneaked a glance at Dallas from under heavy lashes.
    His face seemed to be twisting, his hands relaxed. He stood for a moment, studying her face. He looked as though he was fighting to contain a silly grin and she wanted to smack him.
    â€˜C’mon! I’m trying to be serious here. Don’t make it worse, I already feel like a loser.’
    â€˜If you’re a loser, you’re the sexiest one I ever saw.’ He unfolded his arms and reached for her, scooping her up in a warm hug before she could tell herself it was a bad idea.
    She buried her face in his sexy-cologne-scented team jacket and suddenly felt safe. Safe from her lonely past when she’d felt she didn’t belong in Silvertown, or anywhere, for that matter. Safe from the boy who’d scared her. Safe.
    Dallas clasped her chin and tilted her face up to his. ‘I’m a little surprised to be saying this,’ he said. ‘But, I’m not gonna pressure you. I’m sorry if it’s been too hot and heavy, but I can’t help it. And it seems, neither can you.’
    Clover’s cheeks went red. ‘I know! I’m