Tracing Holland (NSB Book 2) by Alyson Santos Read Free Book Online

exactly what I mean. That wasn’t even an
intrusive question. But your instinct forces you to defend. To
hide. Mine’s Elizabeth. Holland Elizabeth Drake.”
    She sighs, and when her eyes change, I find myself getting
drawn in all over again. “Like I said, you’re an enigma, Luke. You’re a dark,
beautiful painting locked high on the wall behind a protective shield of glass.
We all love to approach at a safe distance, but that’s it. We admire, we stare,
we even drool, many mock and hate, but none of us can imagine trying to touch
it, to solve the mystery and get behind the glass. You wouldn’t let us even if we wanted to. You’re comfortable up there, out of
reach.”
    I almost snort as I’m finally able to force my eyes away. “Oh
yeah? You got all that from two conversations?”
    She laughs softly. “Heck, no. I got all that from hours of
listening to Callie gush about you. Our two conversations just reinforce it.”
    My gaze turns to a glare as the blood starts to boil.
“Callie told you all that? She wouldn’t do that.”
    She seems affected by my heated reaction. “Of course not.
She only talks about you as a friend whom she loves and respects. I read into
the rest on my own, comparing what she says in sharp contrast to your
reputation and what everyone else thinks. I trust her judgment, which means it’s obvious people don’t really know you. That there’s something else going on. Am I wrong?”
    I stare into the distance again, not sure how to answer
that, but positive I don’t want to.
    “Do you always just say whatever you think?” I counter instead.
    She laughs. “If you think this is bad, you should hear all
the things I’m not saying right now.”
    I glance over, and despite the momentary darker mood, can’t
help but crack a smile at her expression.
    “Really? How intriguing.”
    She shrugs, but doesn’t resist my gaze.
    “Ok, fine. You want to play this game?” I challenge. “What
were you going to tell me on the bus yesterday but didn’t?”
    Now, she definitely does blush and looks away. “I was right
not to say anything. It’s not going to come out any better now.”
    I continue staring at her, determined to throw her off her
game as well. I can be a damn stubborn painting when I want to be. Finally, she
mutters a curse.
    “Ok, ok! I was going to tell you that I don’t hook up with other
musicians, especially on tour. I just wanted you to know that up front. Nothing
personal, just a rule I have.”
    My eyes widen in disbelief before bursting out laughing
again. Her audacity is so funny and so freaking hot I can’t help it. “Seriously?
You were just going to dump that on me right out of the gate? Do you start off
every relationship with that warning?”
    I can tell she’s embarrassed, but amused at the same time.
“No. Only when I think my rule could be an issue for me.”
    There it is again. The sudden rush of searing
blood. Shit. I draw in a deep breath.
    She grins. She caught me, knows she got to me. “Come on,
Luke. You’re an insanely talented, walking, talking Greek god bad boy. You even
have the sexy accent, tortured soul thing going on. Is there a woman on this
planet who could resist you if you wanted her?”
    I smirk to hide my own reaction to her words, and tear my
eyes away from her. “I can name a few.”
    “Besides Callie,” she laughs. “And let’s face it, Casey Barrett
isn’t exactly far off himself.”
    I grin and shake my head. “I’ll tell him you said that.”
    “You better not. I love Callie. She’d kill me.”
    “No she wouldn’t. She’d laugh and tell you you’re absolutely
right. Then thank you for noticing and ask if you wanted some tea.”
    Holland chuckles. “She would. It’s true.” She quiets.
“Anyway, sorry if this is just making things more awkward. I just…I don’t know.
Life’s too short to play games with people. I like to be open and just put the
truth out there. How else can we deal with it and know where we