The Love Game by Emma Hart Read Free Book Online Page A

girl able to render me speechless? I have an answer for everything.
    Granted, it's usually a swear word or sex-related, but it's still an answer.
    I slide my hand from her shoulder down her arm. I slip my fingers between hers and squeeze gently. “You're really strong, you know that?”
    “No. I'm just me.”
    “Doesn't change it. You are strong.”
    “What about you?” she says suddenly, the mist clearing from her eyes. That's all I'll get out of her today. But if she opens up, she trusts me, right? That is what it means? And trust leads to love. Where is Megan when I need her?
    Shit. I'm a prize dick for thinking about that shit when she's just bared her soul to me.
    “Not much to tell.” We start walking again, our clasped hands swinging slightly between us. “Grew up in Palm Springs with Megan, lived the good, easy life, then spread my wings and came to college.”
    “With Megan.”
    “Yeah. We made a pact we'd go to college together. I'm only two months older than her, and we saw each other every day as we grew up. She's like my sister.”
    Maddie nods, and I can tell she understands. It's a relief because it'll make the whole “dating” thing easier, but not even the guys get why I'm so protective over her. Touch her and you die kinda protective.
    “I think it's nice you're so close,” she says. “I miss having that closeness with someone. Maybe I'll find it again one day.”
    “I'm sure you will. Who knows? We might be that close one day.” God, I really am laying it on thick today.
    She turns up to me, a smirk on her lips and her eyebrows quirked. “Presumptuous.”
    “I prefer hopeful.” I grin. She laughs and shakes her head. “Seriously.”
    “Okay, Braden.” She's still shaking her head. “It'll be a miracle if this ....” She motions between us. “....lasts beyond tonight.”
    “Is that what you think?” I challenge her, stopping in front of her and holding her other hand.
    “Why wouldn't it be? I've had your attention for oh, six days. That's a miracle in itself.”
    I shake my head. She's fucking smart, and now I have to play it just as smart. It's all a game. Love or be loved. I don't do the first one, so it's gonna have to be the second. Megan's made me watch enough chick flicks in my life. I can fake this mushy shit.
    “Angel,” I say softly, running my thumb across her cheek, across the tiny freckles I've never noticed until now. “What if I ask you to give me a chance?”
    “A chance? At what?”
    “A chance to be more than your friend.”
    Her eyes flick across my face, checking my sincerity. Luckily I'm good at holding a mask in place.
    “And?” she asks.
    “And what?”
    “And what if you mess up? What then?” Maddie looks down.
    “Then I give you full permission to set Kay on my ass,” I say quietly, tilting her face up. “I promise. I'm not perfect, Maddie, I'm nothing like perfect, and I'm the first to admit it. But, if you'll let me, I'll try and be perfect for you. So you can have that closeness you want.”
    I'm a prick.
    “Fine,” she says after a moment. “One chance, Braden. That's all.”
    I smile slowly at her and rest my forehead against hers. My breath fans across her mouth, and she closes her eyes. Kiss her, and I've sealed the deal.
    I lower my lips to hers, and my fucking phone rings. I sigh and step away from her, putting it to my ear.
    “What?” I snap.
    “Oho, did I interrupt something?” Ryan snickers.
    “You have the worst timing ever.” I glance at Maddie, and she blushes a little, looking away.
    “Do I now?”
    “Yep. What do you want, asshole?”
    “Are you coming back here? Lila wants to know how your date went. She's having fuckin' kittens here, man.”
    I cover the bottom of my phone with my hand and look at Maddie. “Wanna head back to the house? The girls are there already.”
    “Sure.” She smiles up at me.
    “We're on our way,” I say into the phone. “See you in a few.” I hang up and shove it back into my