Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase Read Free Book Online

from—or save your money from the bachelor auction if you need to."
       "Oh, no. It's not the money." He turned to face her and rested his hand on hers.
       A slight electric zing traveled up her arm and raised goose-bumps. Her breath hitched, but Jason didn't appear to notice.
       "I've heard nightmare stories from some of the guys on my team about those stupid auctions."
       "Like what? Blue-haired old ladies with no teeth who want to grope you all night?"
       He laughed. "I haven't been through anything like that yet, but it's certainly a risk. No, I'm talking about society women trying to marry for money. They think our off-season is their hunting season. I don't want to get duped into anything less than love."
       "So, you consider falling in love the better way to be duped?"
       His jaw dropped. "No!" He shook his head, furiously. "That's not what I meant."
       "I know. I was kidding."
       A moment later, he trailed his finger up her arm, making her quiver.
       "Do you believe in love?"
    She smiled. "Of course. Don't you?"
       "Yeah, I've known some very happy couples. Professional sports can take a toll on relationships, but that doesn't mean it's not worth trying."
       "So, it sounds like you're planning to fall in love sometime. What are you looking for these days? Are you playing the field? Trying out relationships? Just want to be friends? You don't have to answer, but I try to be upfront whenever possible, and just so we're clear, this is a test."
       He leaned back and laughed. "Well, I appreciate your candor."
       "Have you ever been in love?"
       His expression turned somber. "I thought I was in love once," he said softly.
       "Oh, what happened? If you don't mind me asking."
       "No, I don't mind. Baseball can take a lot of time away from relationships. Things were shaky anyway and it affected my game. And then I was traded to Boston. She didn't want to leave Minnesota and I didn't have a choice." He took a deep breath and continued.
       "I already played the field and that wasn't very satisfying. I guess I'm trying out relationships. Friendships are nice too. I have nothing against going that way if you're not ready to get involved with anyone—especially the first person you met after moving to the city."
       She grinned. "I like friendships too, but I have nothing against relationships, either. We could always begin as friends and see where it leads."
       "That sounds okay to me. Friends are nice— but…" He heaved a sigh and muttered, "Oh hell," then pulled her into his embrace and lowered his lips to hers. They shared a long, deep kiss. Merry felt her body weaken. Her temperature rose as their tongues sought each other and explored. A deep longing built in Merry's gut and she craved his touch. She slid her hands over his broad, warm back and he caressed hers in kind.
       He lowered her to a supine position and never removed his lips from hers. For several minutes, Jason continued his drugging kiss and Merry lost all track of time. Their kissing and caressing may have gone on for an hour or more for all she knew. His tongue occasionally left her mouth and suction fused them together, then she found her tongue chasing his. Her insides liquefied as she realized they were lying next to each other. Anything could happen from there. Anything…
       "Jason!" His aunt's voice invaded her dreamlike state.
       He sat up. His body leaving hers abruptly chilled and surprised her.
       What the… Merry lifted herself to a sitting position. Sure enough, his aunt hovered in the doorway with a key card in her hand.
       "I didn't expect you two to be here. Um…" She smiled and her pale skin took on a rosy blush. At last she added, "Well, I thought you'd be downstairs."
       "No, we had dinner up here. Is there something you wanted?"
       She cleared her throat. "Um, yes. I was going to leave you a note about the women in apartment 3B.