Torn by Love (Scarred by Love #4) by C. A. Harms Read Free Book Online Page A

my head back against him. I had grown so accustomed to his closeness that this felt like an instinct. It was comforting, and not even remotely sexual.
    The room was silent except for ESPN on the television. Tanner was completely engrossed in the broadcast, and I took the opportunity to watch him. His brows shifted between arched and crinkled in question as he listened to the rundown of today’s games. His phone rang, and he lifted his hips to pull it out of his pants pocket. After looking down at the screen, he quickly lifted it to his ear. “What’s up?” he asked. He continued to watch television as he listened to the person on the other end. After a few seconds he looked over at me, smiling. “Yeah, I’m with her. We’re at her place.” He paused once more. “It’s not like that, man. We’re just friends.”
    Well if that wasn’t a kick in the stomach, I’m not sure what would be. Granted, I had told myself the same thing not even an hour ago, but I hated the sound of it coming from him. I rose from the couch and went to the kitchen. Pretending to need a drink, I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge to busy my hands. I could still hear him talking on his phone in the other room. I tried hard not to let what he’d just said get to me, but it was pointless. I had to admit it hurt.
    “Hey, Lil?”
    I yelped, placing my hand on my chest.
    “Shit, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Tanner chuckled, and I threw the half-empty water bottle at him. He caught it just before it connected with his head, still chortling.
    “Ass.” I glared at him.
    “Honestly, though, I am sorry. Where were you just then? It was like you were a million miles away,” he said, placing the water bottle on the counter as he slowly scanned my face. “You okay?”
    “Yep, I’m fine,” I insisted.
    He stepped closer, and I backed up into the counter. “We’ve been hanging out every day for what?” He narrowed his eyes. “For like three and a half weeks now.”
    “Yeah, so?” I replied.
    Tanner took another step, and his chest bumped against mine. He was breathing deep, and I felt it fan out over my cheek.
    “Over that time, I think I’ve learned more and more about you. I’ve sort of figured out your moods, how to read them.”
    My heart was racing. I had no idea where he was going with this.
    He leaned in closer, his breath warming my neck, and whispered, “I know why your mood shifted just now. I only told Mason we were just friends because I know you aren’t ready for more. Because if you were, we would be well past that status. I’m waiting for you, Lil. The next step is up to you.”
    My breathing was more like panting. His cologne had engulfed me and left me unable to function. That combined with his hard chest only inches away and his large frame towering over me, and I was one hot mess.
    “Waiting for me,” I whispered.
    “Uh-huh, the ball is in your court. You have the control of where we go from here.” I looked up at him, and he skimmed my jaw with his thumb. “I’ll wait, but you need to know I could never only be your friend, Lily. I want you entirely too much. I would never survive the temptation.”
    Chills rushed up my arms and covered my back. An overwhelming heat rose in my neck, and I squeezed my thighs together.
    I was in trouble. I was in the deepest trouble I had ever been in. Who the hell was I kidding? There was no way I could avoid this man. He was a craving that was taking over my senses, and I needed just a taste.
    I rose up on the tips of my toes and brought myself eye level with him. “I think I need a little sample of what I’ll be getting—that is, if I chose to take that step.” I had to keep up with Tanner. If I expected to ever hold on to a guy like him, I had to make things interesting.
    Tanner grinned, oozing the cocky attitude he wore so well. “Well, you’re in luck.” He licked his lip. “I just so happen to have something real good I can share with you.”
    Oh, I had no