Toeing the Line (The Complete Serial) by Allyson Lindt Read Free Book Online

He was as interested as she was. If she could change out of her ruined top here, she didn’t need to go home. She dropped into the passenger seat. “Don’t move.”
    She reached behind her back to unclasp her bra, and his eyes grew wide.
    “Do you want me to turn around?” he asked.
    The flush was sexy, and the propriety was endearing. If he hadn’t already turned away, maybe he was still considering what she’d said. She let out a tiny laugh, trying for seductive but—she was pretty sure—coming off as nervous instead. “I said, don’t move. You’re my human curtain.”
    In a single fluid gesture, she managed to pull off her soaked shirt and bra and slip the new one on without completely exposing herself. As she poked her head through the top of the shirt, she caught a glimpse of him forcing his gaze from her chest back to her face.
    “That takes talent.” A tiny quaver ran through his voice.
    She ducked her head, feigning shyness. “Thank you for what you did in there.”
    He leaned against the frame of the truck, studying her. She couldn’t read the thoughts behind his eyes, but she could almost convince herself the worst thing she saw was uncertainty.
    He finally spoke. “Does this mean you don’t need to go home and change after all?”
    So she hadn’t completely ruined things. Relief flooded her. “Not yet. Did you have something in mind?”
    “Let’s drive and talk.”
    He closed her door, and seconds later, he was seated and pulling onto the road. However, he wasn’t talking. His gaze stayed fixed on the road, his hands on the steering wheel.
    Riley shifted in her seat. What should she say? She hadn’t planned to proposition him, but as the night wore on, the idea had climbed into her head and refused to budge. It made perfect sense. And when he all but laid out that ultimatum, she had to grab her chance.
    Though she was done falling for every guy she dated, and the best way to break the habit was to stay single, she still missed the sex that typically came with being half a couple. More than six months without a guy to cuddle up against, clothed or otherwise, left her with a longing that her toys didn’t sate.
    Zane made sense. He wasn’t looking for commitment, and they already knew so much about each other. Besides, she didn’t love him—not like that. In all the years they’d been friends, it would have reared its head long before now.
    She watched the road fade into the darkness, as his truck climbed farther away from the houses dotting the side of the mountain. They were on the east side of the valley, high above even the multi-million-dollar homes. The valley floor with its endless lights made the sky and its stars look like a reflection.
    They pulled onto the shoulder of a familiar dirt road. Riley didn’t know how many nights they’d spent on the side of the mountain, either wanting a view of the fireworks shows below or just plain talking.
    He shut off the engine and stared ahead, gripping the steering wheel. He finally turned to her. Something heavy and sad lingered behind his pale eyes. His smile was weak. “I hope this is okay.”
    “Of course.” Her fast reply sounded too loud—too chipper—to her ears.
    He climbed out. “You coming?”
    She scrambled to follow him to the back of the pickup. He dropped the tailgate and slid into the bed, back to the wall, one knee pulled up to his chest, and arm resting on top.
    She hid her frown. His posture wasn’t a good sign. There had been a time when they’d have lain down in the back of the truck to watch the stars, her head on his shoulder, and never thought anything of it. Now he looked as though he didn’t want her anywhere near him.
    They could talk through this. It would have been nice if he’d agreed to take things to the next level, but she’d said no hurt feelings if he wasn’t interested. She crawled into the truck bed opposite him and leaned forward, legs tucked to the side.
    “So, not that it’s a big