Tell Me You Want Me by Amelia James Read Free Book Online Page B

can't keep. I won't fall in love, and no one gets hurt."
    He won't fall in love. That's exactly what Sara had said. How did she know him so well? "Love doesn't have to hurt."
    His eyes questioned her.
    "Love can heal."
    "Ha." He snorted.
    "Look at my family. My mother is a super-religious, overprotective, uptight control freak. She's afraid I'm going to meet a guy and not finish college like she did, so she doesn't approve of anything I do, and she's constantly judging me."
    "You're telling me that doesn't hurt?"
    "It hurts a lot. But instead of trying to protect me from the 'sinful world,' my dad sent me out into it. My mom wanted me to stay home and study all the time—and I mean all the time —but my dad got me involved in sports. He taught me to play baseball, took me to games, and even let me have a sip of his beer."
    "Way to go, Dad."
    "My mother did not approve. It was a constant battle between them."
    "So your parents hated each other."
    She shook her head. "Not at all. They loved each other like crazy."
    Austin frowned. "How is that possible?"
    "I don't know." Jane had to think about that. "It just worked out for them because they were right for each other."
    He laughed. "That only happens in the movies."
    "They balanced each other. She worried about everything, and he worried about nothing. She felt guilty all the time, while he laughed and enjoyed life. They were good for each other."
    Silence descended, and she jumped when Austin finally spoke. "You're talking about the past. Something bad must've happened to them."
    Her voice caught in her throat. "My dad was killed in a car accident two years ago." Tears suddenly flowed down her cheeks.
    "Oh, Janie, I'm so sorry." He gently rocked her.
    "After he died, my mom thought she was being punished for all the fun she had with him, so I told her something he once said to me."
    "What's that? Love is all you need?" He sneered.
    She ignored that. "He said falling in love with her was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he wished she believed that too."
    "Did she?"
    "Yes, but it was too late." She scowled and plucked the grass beside her, yanking it from its roots and tossing it aside. "She's still judgmental and overprotective."
    "And that's why I don't believe it. If love healed her, then why does she still hurt you?"
    Jane bit her lip, pitying the girl who ever fell in love with Austin. That would hurt more than anything. Another tear escaped her eyes.
    He brushed her cheek with his thumb and whispered softly, "Hey, why are you crying on our first date? I haven't even looked at another girl."
    That earned a little smile from Jane. "It hurts to know you think love is so worthless. Don't you ever get lonely?"
    Pain and loss flickered in his eyes, but he glanced away. When he looked back at her, his usual naughty grin had reappeared. "There are plenty of cheerleaders around to keep me company."
    "I don't believe that."
    "Not enough cheerleaders? Maybe I'll start dating the women's soccer team."
    Jane punched his arm and he laughed. "I can change your mind."
    "Think so, huh?"
    "I'll prove to you love doesn't have to hurt."
    "Good luck with that."
    "You don't think I can?"
    "No one can." But even as he spoke, he pulled her closer. "I decided a long time ago that love is not an option."
    She sighed. "I guess I should be careful what kind of questions I ask you. I forgot how honest you are."
    That comforted her somewhat. Sara had said a lot of bad things about Austin, but she'd never once said he lied.
    "Don't ask questions you don't want answered." His voice warned her, but his eyes played.
    But he was hiding something else... something he didn't want her to see.
    "Maybe we should keep walking." She stood up and wobbled, nearly tumbling down the riverbank.
    Austin grabbed her arms and held her steady. "Are you sure you can handle this trail in those shoes?"
    "I can take them off."
    "Or I can carry you."
    She squealed as he picked her up and tossed her over his