Stroke Of Fear by Alla Kar Read Free Book Online

while he’s trying to help me get the canoes ready. I would rather do anything other than this campfire right now.”
       Cassie lets out a loud laugh and falls back onto her bed. “You fell on him? How freaking classic is that?”
       After sliding out of my khakis, I shrug into a pair of yoga pants and a thin T-shirt. “It was horrible that’s for sure.”
       Cassie stands up, and pulls her hair into a high ponytail. “Oh come on, just admit it. He is smoking hot and you love it.”
       My heart thumps an extra beat thinking of the warmth of his skin, the closeness , the long muscles hiding underneath that tanned skin. “He is pretty cute, but…he’s an ass.”
       “Really? An ass who saved your life and helped you get the canoes ready? Yeah, doesn’t really seem like an ass to me.”
       “It’s not that. I mean he’s a gentleman, but he has this look on his face.”
       “ What kind of look, Aubrey?”
       “Like … ‘I know I’m hot.’”
       “Well,” Cassie says, placing her hands on her hips, “he has every right to think that. He is hot. And that’s confidence. It’s sexy. Plus, Jake has that same attitude, but he’s not a gentleman.”
       That’s so true. Instead of responding, I slip into my flip-flops and grab Cassie’s hand. “Let’s get this over with.”
       The smoke is heavy in the air the closer we get to the campfire. Most of the camp counselors are already there, too. Mrs. Jones is passing out marshmallows and chocolate for the s’mores. She has that crazy Energizer bunny smile on her face. She just keeps going.
       The fire is hot, cozy , and logs are set up around it in a circle. Some of the campers are whispering, hiding their jokes behind their hands. Cassie drags me, and I look up just in time to see Tanner. He’s leaning against a tree close by, eyes locked on mine. I try to wriggle from Cassie’s grasp, but she pulls me harder.
       “What’s up, ladies?” Eric asks, wrapping an arm around Cassie’s shoulder.
       Giving him a small wave, I fold my arms around my stomach. I’m nervous. How long has it been since I’ve been really nervous around a guy? Or wanted to…flirt? I can see Tanner from the corner of my eye but I can’t get the nerve to look at him. “You gonna stand over there by yourself all night? Or does the thought of talkin’ to me repulse you that much?”
       Unable to stop them, my lips turn up at the corners.
    “Ah, she smiles,” Tanner says, a hint of laughter lacing his voice.
       “Hi, Tanner .” His name coming off my lips sounds right. Like it was always meant to be said from my throat—that one day I’d say it over and over again. Maybe scream it. Moan it.
       Cracking a smile, he pushes off the tree. “Good evenin’, Aubrey.”
       I try not to snicker, but I do. His voice is so slow…so fucking sexy. Cassie is one-hundred percent right. He’s sexy. As Hell .
    “What’s so funny ?” he asks.
       I shake my head. “Your accent. It’s so…” I trail off. I’m so not going there with him. I can’t. I bite my tongue to keep from saying it —screaming it.
       His breath is on the back of my neck, hot and heavy. A shiver grabs a hold of my spine and trails a line down my back. “So, what?”
       A breathy sigh escapes my lips. Did I just really sigh? Fuck. My. Life.
       He chuckles, it’s small, but I hear it. Feel it against me. “It’s so what, Aubrey?”
       God, don’t make me say it. I so don’t even have to say it. But, I want to. I screw my eyes shut and tighten my fists. “Sexy.”
       Not a sound comes from his mouth. Or maybe it does, my entire vision is blackening out, slowly. I’m sure my face is red. I hope no one can tell I’m completely turned on and the boy hasn’t even put his hands on me…yet.
       “Counselors, it’s time to eat s ’mores and tell spooky stories.”
       My eyes start to focus again, and I feel myself pressed against