Read Connections for Free Online Page B

but that was it.
    “Swing out,” Alex ordered her.
    Olivia eyed the two foot drop down to the balcony and then looked at Alex, biting her lip.   “Are you sure it’s safe?   Was this even meant to be a balcony?”   Alex grinned widely, careless strands of hair dusting his forehead.   Olivia almost choked on a breath at how handsome he was.   And he’s mine , she thought.
    “The previous owners originally meant for it to be decorative, but they made it sturdy enough so that it could be used.   You just have to know how to get back up,” he said, winking at her.   That didn’t reassure her at all and she told him so.   “Liv, it’ll be fine.   I won’t let you fall, I promise.”
    He sounded so sincere that she chose to trust him.   She bunched her dress around her knees so that she wouldn’t unnecessarily flash Alex, although a part of her knew he’d enjoy it.   He’d probably even encourage it.
    He seemed to read her thoughts because his eyes twinkled devilishly and his lips quirked up.   She gave him a knowing look and she swung her legs over the ledge once she’d scooted onto the window sill.   His hands reached out to grasp her calves and Olivia raised a brow.
    “I’m just making sure you don’t fall,” he assured her innocently.   Well, as innocent as a man like Alex Matlock could be.
    She gave him an exasperated look that made him back off and with a deep breath, she gently pushed off the ledge and landed a couple feet down on the balcony.
    “Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Alex asked, reaching out to brush a loose hair from her face.
    “Oh, be quiet,” Olivia said, swatting his arm playfully.   She redirected her attention to the view in front of her and she took a few hesitant steps to the balcony railing.   They were higher up than she imagined, but then she recalled the height of the first floor ceilings of this gigantic house.   Luckily, she wasn’t afraid of heights, so she was free to enjoy the sweeping view of Napa Valley in front of her without fear.
    “Did you come out here a lot when you were growing up?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder at Alex.   His hazel eyes were soft as he looked at her and he seemed more calm than he’d been all evening.
    He nodded, “I came out here almost every night.   Even when it was raining.”
    Her eyes swept the small space, figuring he must’ve been pretty cramped here.   Something white caught her eye.   She spotted something wedged between where the concrete and the railing met.   Peering at it closer, she realized what it was, even though it had clearly been there for quite some time.   “You used to smoke?”
    He frowned at the old, smashed cigarette butt and he shifted on his feet.   “No, not really.”
    “‘ No, not really ,’” she repeated incredulously.   Then she laughed when he seemed uncomfortable.   “I’m not going to tell on you, Alex,” she said, smiling.
    “Luke used to.   In high school and a little throughout college.   He came up here sometimes because it was the only place in the house my mother wouldn’t catch him,” he explained.   Then he grinned mischievously, “I might have bummed one off him every now and again, but I never really cared for smoking.   Pot, on the other hand…” he trailed off, shaking his head.   “I wasn’t the best kid.”
    Olivia smiled, leaning back gently against the railing.   “I guess that makes me the best kid, because I never tried either.”
    Alex stepped closer to her, not that he needed to.   The space was already small, but he somehow made it feel even smaller.   “Really?” he asked, raising a brow.   “Well, I’ll be damned.   I’m dating ‘the good girl.’”
    “I wasn’t always good,” she protested immediately, flustered by his closeness.   No matter how much time she spent with him, she always felt like it was their first time together.   He still gave her butterflies.
    “Prove it then,” he said, his voice