Read And Then He Kissed Me for Free Online

milestone birthday. While there, you will get a long-overdue lesson in having fun.”
    Temptation tugged at Abby and stirred something dormant in her soul. She longed to do something wild, something spontaneous and completely out of character. Her whole body vibrated with excitement. The prospect of plain Abby Ridgeway spending the evening with the fabulous Nick Marchetti was the stuff of fantasy.
    Then her cautious, practical nature reared its ugly head and told her to turn him down.
    â€œI don’t know, Nick,” she said, not quite able to listen and obey her sensible side.
    â€œThen consider this—if you say no, I’m planning to throw you over my shoulder and carry you off. I thought you’d learned never to mess with a Marchetti determined to have his way.” He sighed. “Somehow I suspected it would come down to brawn over rational thought.”
    Abby found she was leaning toward a yes, and it wasn’t his phony threat of physical force. How could she turn him down? He seemed to want to do this and had taken steps to make it happen, including thinking of Sarah. A girl who said no would have to have her head examined.
    â€œThen in an effort to preserve my dignity, the answer is—okay.” Then she thought of something and said, “What should I wear?”
    â€œA cocktail dress. This is an occasion for dressing up. I have a special place in mind.”

    She touched his arm, ignoring the tingle in her fingertips. “Thank you, Nick.”
    â€œNo need to thank me. On top of the motivations I listed, there’s one I left out. Ma says I’ve been working too hard and should have some fun. Maybe now she’ll get off my back.”
    She met his gaze and gave him a stern look. “You’re lucky to have her.”
    â€œThat was a joke. Now I’ll leave you to your responsibilities.” He tapped her nose. “I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. Be here. Be ready. Be prepared. No excuses.”

Chapter Three
    â€œO h, Nick—” Words failed Abby.
    They had just been seated at a window table in an exclusive restaurant high above the San Fernando Valley, and she looked down at the lights.
    â€œYou like it?” he asked.
    She smiled at him. “I’d sure hate to be responsible for the electric bill. But yes. It’s wonderful.” She gazed at the sight again. “It takes my breath away.”
    â€œYeah,” he said.
    She darted a glance at him and realized he wasn’t looking outside. He was staring at her. Her breath caught for the second time in thirty seconds, and it had nothing to do with the view and everything to do with the intensity in his gaze. He’d never looked at her like that before.
    â€œIs something the matter?” she asked. “Lipstick on my teeth? Mascara under my eyes? Is the dress wrong?”

    He shook his head. “You look just fine,” he answered.
    â€œThen why are you staring at me?”
    â€œIt’s just—” He shrugged, a gesture that told her he didn’t have the words. Maneuvering Marchetti always had the words, so this was a noteworthy occasion. Noteworthy good or bad, she wasn’t sure.
    â€œJust what?” she prompted. A personal compliment from her boss bent her rule. But heck, just for the evening she could relax. Couldn’t she?
    â€œYou don’t look like this at work,” he finished lamely.
    â€œDoes that mean the outfit is okay?” It was the only decent dressy thing she owned. She’d worn the long-sleeved, short-skirted, black, lace-covered sheath to the company Christmas party the year before. Obviously he didn’t remember. She ignored the prick of disappointment. It was better to overlook what you didn’t understand, and couldn’t do anything about even if you did.
    Just then the waiter appeared. “Can I get you something from the bar?”
    Nick ordered a Scotch. Abby asked for a glass of white