What Lola Wants (London Dolls Book 1) by JoAnne Kenrick Read Free Book Online

with a soft gaze. “What was it you said? That you’d be there to support me, to love me while I worked toward my goals? I could do that for you, you know. I could be there for you. Go anywhere to be with you.”
    “I’m not ready for this.” He pried her loose and strode to the door. He reached out to turn the knob but paused then pivoted to face her. “I’m not ready for you.”
    Her eyes widened, and a tear trickled down her cheek. Oh, crap. No matter how much she’d hurt him, he hated himself for making her cry.
    “You’re exhausted. We should probably get you back to Jane’s flat. Come on.” Before I say something else I regret.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    Louisa tossed and turned and fretted through her first night away from the safety net of the company. Al’s sinister, black stare had flooded her slumber and induced several nightmares. They all ended with him forcing her into his grasp and back to The Royal Ballet. She climbed out of bed and rubbed at her puffy eyes. Sucking in a breath, she fluffed her hair then pulled back her tense shoulders and painted on a smile to fake a good night’s rest. If she pretended all was well, it would be eventually. Wouldn’t it?
    But if she looked like she felt….
    Nervous energy shattered her confidence, and her hands trembled. She climbed over a pile of boxes Jane had stashed in the spare room and opened the door to sneak to the bathroom for a shower before anyone saw her. Damn shame there wasn’t an en-suite.
    Creeping through the large, open living-dining area, she admired the sparkling white kitchen set off by a long bar with high stools. Jane had given her a brief tour of the three bedrooms, two baths, and laundry room the night before, but she hadn’t really taken it all in. “Wow, this is some place.” A home better suited to a young professional than her artsy friend. Though the junk piled in the room she’d slept in last night probably housed all the glittery clutter her friend usually adored about the place.
    “Why, thank you.”
    Jane was awake? So much for the sneaky trip to the bathroom.
    She twirled. “Where did you come from?”
    Jane pulled her auburn hair into a scruffy bun. “I was about to take a shower when I heard footsteps. I figured it’d be you.” Jane yawned. “So, you like my place? I had Dennis decorate for me before I moved in, tried to go for a more grown-up feel. I’ll add a pink crystal chandelier when I find the perfect one.” Jane retrieved a ceramic mug from a sleek glass coffee table and took a swig. “Sleep well?” Decked out in candy-colored sweats and a smile, Jane’s perky attitude seemed unnatural considering the sun hadn’t risen yet.
    The sweet, warming aromas of fresh coffee and cake wrapped Louisa in homecoming comforts and eased her tension.
    “Sort of, but one of your baked delights would help wake me. And a scrub in cold water.” Louisa stretched her arms toward the ceiling and yawned.
    “Was it the bed? It’s new, so maybe a little stiff?”
    “I have a lot on my mind. And even with the double glazing, the cars zooming past kept me from falling into a deep rest.”
    “Yeah, London doesn’t sleep. You’ll get used to that again. Here, grab some coffee and a fairy cake.”
    “Don’t mind if I do.”
    She pushed her suitcase farther behind the huge sofa to keep it out the way for now, then grabbed one of the baked goodies topped with fondant icing and wrapped in a pink paper baking cup from the coffee table. Biting into the fluffy sponge, she savored the melt-in-your-mouth treat. The cake was vanilla’d perfectly, and the topping so very creamy, but it was sized far too small to stop at just one. Delish. Devouring the first, she went straight for another then washed them down with smooth, French-press coffee. “I’ve missed your breakfasts.”
    “You’re still piggy, I see.” Jane cocked her hip and rolled her eyes. “I’ll need to go shopping if I have any hope of keeping up with your