When in Paris... (Language of Love) by Beverley Kendall Read Free Book Online Page A

we’re going to be friends are we?” It’s on the tip of my tongue to point out how close we haven’t been the last four years but I don’t want him to think I care.
    “Well there are friends and then there are friends . Which one is up to you.”
    At his panty-tossing bedroom voice, the pulling sensation in my lower belly is making its way south in a hurry. I swallow hard as my heart slams against my rib cage. Okay, what on earth does that mean? Of course he doesn’t explain and I don’t ask him to because I’m not sure I really want to know. Getting friendly with Zach is the cause of all kinds of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
    But being alone with him, being pinned under his unwavering blue gaze completely unsettles me. I do my best to shake it off.
    “Look, Zach, I’m not sure what the deal was back in high school but just so you know, I don’t have anything against you. So if you want to start fresh, I’m okay with that.”
    He doesn’t immediately respond, just stares at me with such heated intensity, I’m afraid if I inhale to calm the choppiness of my breathing, I’ll lose my breath completely. His gaze drifts down to my mouth and it’s like a physical touch. This close to him, his beautiful eyes are mesmerizing. His lashes are thick, gently curved and long enough to have me dying of envy…and lust.
    “I’d like that,” he says and I’m not sure if it’s my imagination or not but his voice sounds deeper. Sexier.
    Oh God, have I just agreed to be Zach’s friend?
    There are friends then there are friends .
    What am I, insane? I catch myself before I descend into a girly meltdown. I don’t do that. That’s not who I am or have ever been. Argh! It’s all Zach’s fault for making me crazy. I’m not sure if he’s still messing with me now or what but I’m pretty sure that after four years, he’s not all of a sudden trying to get with me. Being friends with us means no more ignoring each other or acting as if the other doesn’t exist. It’s shooting the breeze when the occasion warrants. And that I can do.
    “Cool. Sounds good to me.” I’m proud of how nonchalant I sound.
    His mouth lifts at the corners in a sinfully wicked smile. My heart goes all rogue on me and I pray I won’t have to endure many more of them. Having any kind of real, meaningful feelings for Zach would be a lesson in misery and no one ever accused me of being a masochist.
    “So whatcha you want to do now, shake on it?”
    My problem is, I don’t know how to read him. I can’t tell if he’s serious or not. There’s a teasing quality to his voice but his eyes…good Lord his eyes are so—so intense. But even the thought of something as innocent as a handshake causes tiny butterflies to cavort in my stomach.
    I send him a grin and hope it hits the right teasing tone. “I think we’re good. Unless there’s money being exchanged?” I crook an eyebrow. “There isn’t, is there? I hope there aren’t Vegas odds on how long this friendship will last.”
    My remark—okay joke—elicits a quiet chuckle from him and I’m relieved. We’re on firm ground. Floating up in the clouds may be an exhilarating joyride but the crash down to earth can be deadly.
    The sound of a door opening down the hall heralds April and Troy’s return. When they appear, their smiles are muted and their expressions questioning.
    “So did you kiss and make up?” April asks, plopping back down in her chair.
    Searing heat suffuses my face. I’m an actress, a good one, but it seems my acting skills are rendered useless when it comes to anything to do with Zach. I don’t trust myself to try to convincingly make light of her comment, so I do the safest thing and keep my mouth shut.
    There are several long seconds of silence as Zach watches me over the rim of the can as he tips his head back to take a long swallow. Gaze still on me, he places his drink on the table. “Yeah, we did,” he says, his voice softly mocking, each word drawn