Read Blue by You for Free Online Page A

shoes.”
    “Why?”
    He pointed up.
    “I’m wearing a skirt,” she pointed out.
    “I’ll help you. It’s not hard. When I was a kid, I nailed some steps on the other side and built a fort up there with the wood I pilfered from Dahlia Hall.”
    Blue slipped out of her shoes. “Why steal? There’s old wood all over Esterbrook.”
    “Stolen wood is always better.” He raised a hand toward the steps nailed into the tree. “You first.”
    “Are you going to look up my skirt?”
    He chuckled. “I’m going to try like hell.”
    He helped her to the first branch, and they climbed higher. Up more steps, higher to the next cluster of branches. Blue stood on the last step and peered over the top of a large platform secured in the thick limbs. “Will this hold me?”
    “Of course.” He put his hand on the seat of her behind and shoved one time, pushing her onto the platform.
    She looked down at him. “Thank you.”
    He grinned. “Anytime.” He hoisted himself up and helped her to her feet.
    “Is this going to hold both of us?” If felt solid, but it had been constructed by a kid.
    “Of course. I know how to build things to last.” Leaves overhead cast lacy patterns and shaded parts of his face as he pointed to a thick branch. “Look.”
    She took a few steps and leaned her face closer. In the old bark, someone had carved a heart and placed the initials A. B. T. with T. P. P. inside.
    “Did you have a great-great-great-aunt by the name of Abigail Beatrice Toussaint?” He put his arm around her waist, and she had to admit it felt good. Safe and secure and like an anchor.
    “Yes, but Abigail joined Sisters of Charity and changed her name to Sister Mary Benedicta.” Blue lifted her fingers and traced the letters. “Whose T. P. P.?”
    “Thomas Paul Pennington.”
    “They were in love. Lovers do you think?” She looked up into his face. His beautiful face.
    “Probably. This tree would have been about half the size it is now.”
    “Does everyone in your family know about this?”
    “I don’t believe so. Thomas died in the war, and I don’t think anyone saw it until I was about ten and climbed up in this tree to build my fort.”
    “I wonder if my aunt joined Sisters of Charity after your uncle died.”
    He shrugged. “I never investigated it. We lost a lot of family in the war, and we’re not absolutely sure when Thomas died.”
    “That’s sad.” Blue traced the heart with her fingers. “And tragic.”
    He looked at her out the corners of his eyes. “Are you getting all girly?”
    She nodded. “And romantic.”
    He slid his arm farther across her waist and brought the front of her skirt to rest against his zipper. “Me too.”
    “You’re feeling girly?
    “Romantic.” Against her pelvis, she could feel just how romantic he felt. “You didn’t come here today to return my shirt, Blue.”
    She was pretty sure that’s why she’d come. And maybe to catch one last glimpse of him if she could. “Why did I come?”
    He lowered his face and softly kissed her lips.
    Her breath caught a little in her throat and she lifted her breasts. If she stayed, they’d have sex. She’d known it when she’d seen him by the pile of wood as she’d driven up. All hot and sweaty. If she stayed, she’d succumb to a morally corrupt Pennington, but she wouldn’t be the first. She ran her hands up his hard chest, covered in a gray T-shirt. Beneath her touch, his muscles bunched, and his breathing got deep.
    “You know what happens if you stay, cher?”
    She nodded and rose onto the balls of her feet. “Yes. I know.”
    His nostrils flared. “Are you sure you want to give me your virginity?”
    She smiled. “Are you sure you want to take it?”
    He groaned, just above a whisper, “Hell yes.” His mouth opened over hers, and his tongue swept inside. He tasted a little like beer and something else. Something she’d never had before last night. Hot, intoxicating, desire focused directly at her. She should be