Stacked Up: Worth the Fight Series by Sidney Halston Read Free Book Online

point?”
    She snorted.
    “Okay, dumb question. Every woman wants kids.”
    “But not men, huh?”
    “Yeah, I’m sure some men do. It’s not that I never want kids. It’s just not something I’ve really put a lot of thought into. Listen, I know JL’s told you that our mom was completely whacked. Fucked our childhood up. I don’t want to do that to a kid, you know?”
    “You wouldn’t have to. You could choose to give a child a great life. Kids aren’t burdens. They’re special and bring joy to your life. You’ll fall in love with JL’s kids.”
    “Yes, but mostly because I can visit them and then leave. No commitment. Anyway, this isn’t something I want to think about tonight. Right now kids just seem like more of a bother than a blessing. I’m sure they’re cute and all, but they shit all over the place and cost a fortune. Not to mention they’ll fuck up my plans. I want to see the world. That’s my dream. One day—many, many years from now—maybe I’ll be up for kids.”
    She shook her head as if trying to understand what he was saying.
    “I mean, come on. Tell me it wouldn’t be nice if I called you next weekend and whisked you away to the Caribbean to soak up some sun by the beach. That’s what life’s about. Can’t do that shit with a kid.”
    She didn’t respond, and he sensed that he needed to lighten the mood immediately. “I mean, I can’t think of a better view than you in a little bikini lying next to me on the beach, all shiny from the sun. Although, darlin’, I can’t imagine what you would do to me if you smelled like salt and sun. I think I’d have to take you right there on the beach.”
    Her gasp reminded him that she was sheltered and probably not used to his forwardness.
    He pulled her close again. Damn, she smelled so good—and she felt even better in his arms. His dick sprang to attention. She definitely wasn’t drunk, but she was a lot looser then he’d ever seen her.
    He ran his nose along her neck and right below her ear. “Wish we didn’t have company.”
    “You do?” she said, surprisingly breathless.
    He ran a finger down her neck to her collarbone. “Yes. I want to do things to you, sugar.”
    She swallowed, her brown eyes wide.
    “Fuck,” he growled against her neck. “That Goody Two-shoes thing you have going on gets me so hot. Dunno why, but it does. I can’t be the only one feelin’ like this.”
    —
    The truth was, she wanted him too. She knew it wasn’t the time to let loose. It wasn’t the time to have a one-night stand. It wasn’t the time to be irresponsible. But for the first time in her life, it was the one thing she wanted. She deserved to be a twenty-one-year-old woman. She had desires, desires she never acted on.
    And that was what made the scale tip. She had desires! She didn’t know when she’d have an evening without Belle again or be on a date with a man who wanted her. A hot man who wanted her. A hot man she wanted just as badly. Plus, for some reason, she felt safe with him. He would be gentle if she needed him to be gentle. Once she made that decision, she felt butterflies take flight in her stomach.
    His arms were still wrapped around her, and his eyes were fixed on hers. She threw her arms around his neck, got on the tips of her toes, and pressed her lips against his. For a split second he didn’t respond. He must’ve been as surprised by her move as she was. Unsure how to proceed, she froze—until he pulled her in even closer and coaxed her mouth open with his tongue. Her hands somehow ended up fisted in his hair, pushing his cowboy hat off his head. As the kiss intensified, his hand wrapped around the back of her neck and the other slipped under her shirt, touching the skin right next to her spine.
    “Get a room!” someone catcalled.
    Embarrassed, Penny tried to push back, but he wouldn’t let her go. He rested his forehead against hers. “Damn it, sugar. That was all on you,” he said, his breath labored.
    “I