Read A Season for Hope (Sarra Cannon) for Free Online Page A

sure at this point, it’s one too many.
    I’m not about to push it away, though. I like this version of me.
    “Do they have to be alive?” Judd asks, then tosses back the last of his beer.
    I squint my eyes, thinking. “Yes,” I say. “Wait, no. Living or dead. Best, most amazing concert of your life. Who would it be?”
    “The Beatles,” he says. “Hands down, no contest.”
    My eyes widen. “The Beatles are my life,” I say. “What year? Early years Beatles or Abbey Road Beatles?”
    “Abbey Road,” he says, lifting a single eyebrow. “Stupid question.”
    Abbey Road is my favorite album on the planet and the fact that he just gave that answer makes me want to crawl across the bar and kiss him.
    Without thinking, I grab his hand. “You are my soul mate,” I say.
    An electricity passes between us when we touch. His eyes meet mine and time stands still for one long moment. My heart races inside my chest, and I’m so in love with this feeling I don’t ever want it to end.
    “Let’s dance,” I say. I slide off my chair and pull him toward me.
    I expect him to act like Preston always does, refusing to dance and acting like I’m stupid for wanting him on the dance floor.
    But he doesn’t. Judd smiles and stands, walking with me hand-in-hand to the dance floor.
    I stumble a little, my sense of balance totally screwed from all the vodkas. Judd reaches to steady me and as his strong arms circle my waist, my breath catches. I press my body close to his and start moving to the music.
    The song is fast, but we move slowly at first, exploring those first tentative touches.
    He presses his palms flat against my lower back, pulling me closer.
    I lift my hands to his arms and run them slowly from his elbow up his bicep, electrified by the feel of his skin against mine. I look into his eyes as I touch him, letting my fingers explore every ripple of muscle.
    Something deep inside me responds and my whole body grows warm and eager. Any inhibitions and sadness I felt on this dance floor a few hours ago are gone, replaced by a desire that rocks me to my core.
    Who the hell is this guy? And where has he been all my life?
    Right now, I’m not even thinking about the future. I just want him right now. I want this. And in my drunken haze, I feel so incredibly attracted to him, I suddenly wish we were in a more private place so I could explore more of him than just his biceps.
    My mouth is so dry, I can barely swallow. I let my lips part slightly so I can breathe and his gaze dips to them. Desire flashes in his eyes and it makes me feel beautiful.
    Brave.
    I want to kiss him, but the raw, sudden need for it scares the crap out of me. What am I doing?
    I lower my hands and pull away slightly, not knowing exactly what I want. Or what I should want.
    I close my eyes and lose myself to the music instead. A new song begins and the bass is thumping hard. I let myself go, feeling free after so many weeks of feeling hopeless and broken.
    I turn around, pressing my back to his. We move together, our bodies pressed close. Judd’s hand circles around my waist, resting at the spot where my shirt meets the band of my jeans. Sometimes when I move, his thumb brushes the bare skin on my stomach. Every touch of his skin is like fire against me, burning me up.
    Sweat trickles down my back. I left my hair down tonight and it’s so long, it falls all the way down my back to my waist. After a few dances, it’s so hot, I have to reach up and pull it away from my neck. I gather it all into a bun high up on my head.
    Behind me, Judd blows cool air on my neck and I shiver.
    I turn around and he swallows as I lift my eyes to his.
    I’m breathless, wanting him and completely helpless to deny it. I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or the look in his eyes, but I don’t care. I just want to lose myself in this feeling of being wanted.
    I place one hand on his chest and his lips part. I grab his shirt into my fist and pull him down toward me. Our