Shattered Puppet (Rag Doll) by Ava Catori Read Free Book Online Page A

the key and headed to their room. On opening the door, the couple walked in. “I’m going to grab a shower,” he said, tired from all of the driving.
    As the water sprayed to life, Cree curled up on the bed and closed her eyes. What was she doing? What was she doing here? She couldn’t run forever. She’d have to face life eventually. This would have to be her last night. It was time to go back. It was a good distraction, but her life wasn’t on the road. They both had things to do.
    Carter came out with a towel wrapped around him. Looking over at his travel mate, he noticed how sweet she looked, curled up and sleepy, almost angelic. Funny to call a hooker angelic, but for a moment, she could have been any woman he’d met previously in his life.
    Cree rolled over and looked at Carter, who was now standing with a towel that wasn’t doing a very good job at hiding his newly formed erection. “Oh geez,” she groaned and rolled back over.
    “Sorry,” he shifted and pulled out some clothes. “I’ve got to wash some of this stuff. Do you want me to wash anything of yours? I think there’s a laundry room at the end of the hallway.”
    “I think I’m ready to go back.”
    “Back? You’re going back?” Carter was surprised. He didn’t really think about much more than the current moment when she was around.
    “What did you think this was a never ending road trip?” She couldn’t very well stay on the road forever. She had to work and figure out what was next for her.
    “I don’t know. I guess I’m just not ready to go back to my life yet.” His truth wasn’t going anywhere. He’d have to face the fire eventually.
    “Then stay with me for a while.” She suggested.
    Carter looked at her. “What is this? You? Me?” Were they something? They were certainly stuck together for some reason, but neither was sure what was going on. We’re they running away from life, or trying to find their way to each other?
    Cree stood up and went to him. She reached for the towel and yanked it off. He stood naked, unflinching, and unapologetic for his hard on. “I’m afraid, okay? I’m afraid if I do something, if we do something together that I’ll have feelings. I’m afraid of feeling things.” She looked away.
    Carter’s hand went up to her cheek, turning her back to him. The smolder between them was real. He looked into her eyes and leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers. “I want you,” he whispered. “I want to touch you, to taste you, and to feel you.”
    Cree swallowed hard. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I’m afraid if I like it, I’ll be shredded to pieces inside. I’m afraid I’ll want to hold onto you forever, and that will be the moment you walk away.”
    “I’m here now, aren’t I?” There was nothing else to say.
    “Why?” She wasn’t even sure what pulled them together. They were like a pair of mismatched toys, neither knowing what to do next.
    “Because I feel it too and it’s bigger than both of us. You can’t deny the attraction, can you?”
    Cree looked down. “I’ve never done that…with feeling.”
    “Then let me be your first.” His voice was tender.
    Cree held her breath. She reached out her hand, touched his body, his naked body, and didn’t let go. She was melting. Something was there. She couldn’t deny it. She was afraid if she felt something it would be ripped away from her. Could she handle that kind of pain?
    Carter’s gaze locked onto Cree. No more words were spoken. They stood frozen in place, unsure what to do next. Carter took a deep breath and leaned in to kiss Cree.
    Couldn’t she see there was something between them, some magnetism that pulled them closer? He wanted to hold her, touch her, taste her, but he was as broken as she was at this point. Would he cause more trouble than she needed? Was it simply lust and desire filling his soul, feeding the fire? Or was he growing more attached to the girl that fell into his life?
    Cree swallowed