Tangled Vines: An Australian Rural Romance by Nicole Flockton Read Free Book Online Page A

perhaps he wouldn’t have awakened to chaos.
    “Why is that?” Jordan laughed and he liked the sound of it. “Too many Saturday nights spent getting hammered drinking cheap cask wine?”
    “Something like that,” he muttered. He pointed his fork toward Jordan’s plate. “How’s your food?”
    “It’s good.”
    He thought he heard disappointment in her tone. Like she wanted to continue their wine conversation. He had to admit that, for the last few moments, words had flowed easily between them. Unfortunately, the moment had passed and he couldn’t retrieve it.
    He continued eating. The steak had lost a bit of its flavor and he refused to blame it on the fact he’d stopped drinking the wine or because he’d annoyed Jordan.
    “Would you like dessert?” he asked after the waiter had cleared their plates and placed dessert menus in front of them.
    “No thanks. I’d rather head back to the house. I’ve got an early start in the morning.”
    “Sure I can’t tempt you with some?” Kyle looked at the menu. “Double chocolate cheesecake maybe?”
    “I’m more a cheese platter type of girl.”
    “With a nice dessert wine to go with it, I’m guessing.”
    “As a matter of fact, yes. Care to join me? See if I can’t use it to convince you just how good wine can be?”
    A smile broke out over her face again as she spoke, lighting up her green eyes, striking Kyle right in the gut. He liked her smile and wanted to see more of it. He didn’t understand why. Only this morning he’d been wanting her as far away from him as possible.
    The peace that filled him seconds ago dissipated quickly. He knew in a few short days the darkness and memories would surface. He would become more of an asshole than he had already been to her. This was why he went away to be alone. No matter how tempting it was to grasp at the lightness Jordan could bring to his soul, he knew he had to resist.
    “Actually, on second thought I think I’ll skip dessert.” He glanced at his watch. At nearly ten, it wasn’t late by anyone’s standards. But now, now, he wanted the night to be over.
    Another flash of disappointment dulled the spark of fire in her eyes. “Probably a good idea. As I said, I have an early start in the morning.”
    Jordan pushed her chair back. Did she plan to walk out on him? “Where are you going?” His question sounded harsher than he had intended.
    “I’m going to the bathroom. If that’s okay?”
    He nodded and watched her retreating back. Why did the thought of Jordan walking out on him affect him so much?
    • • •
    Jordan let the cool water run over her wrists. It had been a hell of an evening. She felt like she’d just played a game of tennis. One minute things were easy between them. Light-hearted banter volleying across the table. Then, wham, a comment whizzed pass with the force of an ace, knocking you out of the game.
    Turning off the tap, she wiped her hands and reached into her purse to slick on some lip-gloss, although she wasn’t sure why. Did she want to encourage Kyle to give her another kiss?
    Yes
resounded loudly in her mind. Even though it was complete madness. Giving herself a mental shake, she walked out of the bathroom and back into the dining room. Kyle stood as he saw her approaching, a half-smile on his face, the slight uptick of his lips enticing.
    “Did you pay the bill already?” she asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Oh.”
    “Is that a problem?” he enquired mildly as he cupped her elbow and led her through the restaurant to the front door. Heat radiated from his hand, through her body, warming her even though she wasn’t cold.
    “I wanted to split the bill with you,” she said as they made their way toward the car.
    Kyle stopped abruptly. “Let me get this straight. I asked you out to dinner. I pay for said dinner.”
    Whoa. She hadn’t meant to offend him at all. She’d just wanted to split the bill. She and Don had done that early on in their relationship. Maybe she should’ve