Rocky Ride (Thompson & Sons) by Vivian Arend Read Free Book Online Page A

she gasped out one word at a time.
    He released her wrists, pulling her over him and petting her. Rubbing lightly, kissing her face. Taking her down slowly from the extreme high he’d propelled them to.
    First night of their changed relationship, and the evening had been spectacular in so many ways. She still had a ton of unanswered questions, especially regarding how the rest of her work team would take the news she was officially dating Mitch.
    Yet whatever direction this ride she’d agreed to take with him went, one thing was for certain.
    It wasn’t going to be boring.

Chapter Five

     
    O NE WEEK LATER and she’d been too busy to even complain about how busy life had become. There’d been a rash of kids pulling crazy stunts, and sure enough she’d ended up scheduled to work the entire Thanksgiving weekend.
    If she wasn’t buried in the RCMP office, she’d been run off her feet responding to call-outs while the staff rotated through strange shifts because of the holiday. Monday of the October long weekend rolled around, and she’d basically missed breakfast and lunch trying to keep up with one disaster after another at work.
    “Anna, you’ve got a visitor,” the front-desk clerk called.
    “One sec, Claire,” Anna shouted back. She saved her final notes on the break-ins she and Nick had attended, then grabbed her work jacket, tugging it on as she headed to the entrance.
    There had to be a lull at some point.
    She approached the secure area that separated casual visitors to the station from the staff. Claire gave her a strange look but moved aside, obviously wanting to ask some questions, but resisting temptation.
    A moment later the reason became plain as Mitch’s dark brown eyes met Anna’s. He was dressed from top to bottom in black. The perfectly cut jeans hugging his legs looked a lot fancier than usual, his leather jacket pulled over a heavy knit sweater that made her fingers itch to see if it was really as soft as it looked. The thick layer of scruff on his chin produced chills as memories of him rubbing the rough texture against her tender skin leapt to mind.
    And the grin? Dangerous and addictive.
    Anna wanted to sweep open the door and jump him, but she had to keep things somewhat professional. “Mitch. What can I do for you?”
    He raised a brow, eyeing the glass and metal separating them. “I was in the area and thought I’d stop by. You nearly done for the day?”
    Anna checked her watch. “Half an hour, and I’m off.”
    Mitch nodded. “I know you missed your family gathering, so can I take you to the café for a late supper? They’ve got turkey with all the fixings on the menu tonight.”
    “Cranberry sauce as well?”
    “You know it.”
    His invitation shouldn’t have pleased her so much, but she was willing to admit, at least to herself, that it did. “I’d like that.”
    Another cocky grin. “You want me to wait for you or meet you there?”
    Anna considered. “You have your bike or your truck?”
    “Truck.”
    She leaned closer to the glass. “How about this? Go get your bike, and a helmet for me, and you can pick me up at my place. It’s a nice night. After we eat you can take me for a ride.”
    His gaze locked on her lips, his voice dropping to a bare whisper. “I’d never turn down the offer to take you for a ride .”
    A decadent thrill shot through her at his suggestive comment.
    Lovely.
    Mitch stepped backward, his gaze still fixed on her face. “I’ll see you there, then. Do you need a jacket as well?”
    “No, I’ll get changed at my place.”
    He winked, then pushed through the exit door, the security buzzer announcing his departure. Anna stared until the door closed and the dark shading on the glass obscured the view of his very fine ass walking away.
    She ignored the unasked question in Claire’s eyes and made her way back to her office to finish up the final paperwork.
    Nick was waiting for her, deep concern on his face as he examined the file she’d