Read Anxious Love (Love Sick #1) for Free Online

home."
    "Oh, what a gentleman."
    "It will be my pleasure, little lady," I said in my own cheesy Southern accent, but it must have come off better than I thought.
    "God, he's sexy," Sophie loudly whispered in Leah's ear.
    Leah blushed.
    "I'm going to run in and close out my tab. I'll be right back."
    Leah nodded.
    As I re-entered the bar, Allie retreated behind the bar. Mark poured more drinks to the group as others joined them.
    I waved, and Mark walked over.
    "I'm going to walk Sophie and Leah home. Let's close out."
    Mark pulled my card off the counter and handed it to me.
    "No worries, man. It's going to be a good night. You can get them next time."
    I nodded, shook hands with Mark, waved at Allie, and went back outside to find the girls.
    I walked between them, placing my hand on both their shoulders, and steered them into the street. "So ladies, which way is home?"
    "Dumaine and Decatur," Leah answered. We headed down Iberville.
    "Can we walk down Royal instead of Decatur? Fewer people," Leah asked.
    "Sure." I pulled Leah closer; my hand rested on her hip. She stiffened at first but relaxed and leaned into me. Sophie walked next to us. At the next block, she peeked over at Leah and mouthed something. She removed my arm from her shoulders and continued walking in front of us.
    When we reached Dumaine, we turned right. Halfway down on the next block, we followed Sophie as she led us to a doorway next to a hat shop. She keyed a code in the keypad, and the door buzzed and opened. She marched up the stairs and stopped on the first landing and fished her key out of her pocket.
    She unlocked the door but stood at the entrance.
    "Soph, you okay?" Leah asked.
    She turned and wiped the tears from her face.
    "You fuck up and hurt my friend, I will hurt you. You understand?" She tried to sound tough and strong, but regret lingered in her voice.
    Leah shook her head. "Wait for me for a second."
    I nodded, and Leah pushed Sophie into her place and shut the door behind her. I heard muffled sounds from behind the door. Five minutes later, Leah opened the door.
    "I'm so sorry about that." Leah hugged herself.
    "No, it's fine. She's just looking out for you."
    She shrugged her shoulders.
    "My friends are a little overprotective of me."
    "It must be nice to have people looking out for you like that," I said.
    "They're like family. We try and look out for each other."
    "You're lucky to have them. They care about you a lot."
    "Yeah," She nodded. "But how about next time, we leave them at home?"
    "So there is going to be a next time?" I said as a goofy grin spread across my face.
    Leah grinned back and started up the stairs. After a few steps, she turned back around so we stood eye to eye. She reached out and placed her hands on my shoulders. I leaned into her, and she pulled me close. She placed a kiss on my neck and the instant her lips connected with my skin, it happened again. Instant wood.
    Fuck me.
    "Call me," she whispered in my ear and let go, turned around, and headed up the stairs. I stared at her backside, admiring the shape of her ass as she reached the top of the stairs. When she opened the door at the top of the stairs, she turned back to me. "Thanks for tonight."
    "You're welcome."
    "You know, if you are looking for a family, I think Sophie would personally sponsor you into our fold?"
    I chuckled. "What about you?"
    She narrowed her eyes.
    "Do I get your vote?"
    "We'll see." She licked her lips, smiled, and disappeared through the door.
    I remained on the steps a few minutes more, hoping she would come back out and invite me in.

As I entered my place, I exhaled and smiled, feeling pretty proud of myself. I’d had a good time.
    I held out my hand, remembering what Ryan's hands felt like in mine. He smelled so good, and his scent lingered in the air. His huge hand on my hip as he walked us home had a protective, close to possessive hold on me, and I liked it.
    I heard a noise from downstairs and thoughts of Sophie interrupted