Read Held by You for Free Online

then she’d go back in.
    A knock came at her window, startling her into raising her head. The window was partially steamed and it was dark outside save for the intermittent flash of red and blue lights, so she couldn’t tell who the dark form was as it peered in at her.
    She quickly locked the doors, something she should have done to begin with. Who knew who was out there? It could be Floyd or any of her stepbrothers’ other friends. The person knocked on her window again. She bit the inside of her cheek as she wiped away the steam with her sweater sleeve.
    Her chest ached when she saw that it was John. For a moment she closed her eyes and did nothing. A moment later, she took a deep breath and buzzed down the window. Cold air flooded the car, chasing away the heat.
    “Unlock the door and move over,” he said.
    She blinked at him but found herself obeying him without question and moved. When she was in the passenger seat, he climbed inside, shut the door behind him, and buzzed up the window.
    For a long moment he looked at her, but she turned her head away. He captured her chin in his hand and turned her face so that she was looking into his brown eyes.
    “Don’t leave like that again.” His voice was firm.
    She looked at him in surprise, feeling like she wasn’t hearing him quite right. “What?”
    “There’s no mistletoe in here.” He slid both hands into her hair. “But as far as I’m concerned we don’t need any.” He brought his mouth down on hers.
    She gasped in surprise as he took control, his lips moving over hers in a firm, slow kiss. For a moment she was too stunned to move, but then she braced her hands on his chest, feeling the heat of his body through her palms as she kissed him back.
    His unique, spicy, masculine scent filled her, making her want even more. All of her senses blazed…she reveled in his taste, the feel of his stubble against her face, and the calluses on his palms sensitizing her soft skin.
    She didn’t feel cold anymore. All she felt was the heat of his body, his presence wrapping around her like a cloak.
    When he drew back and took her in with his gaze, she was barely conscious of grasping his shirt in her fists, wanting to pull him back to her for another kiss, wanting everything he could give her.
    “Don’t run away from me.” He stroked her hair with his fingers. “Your stepbrothers may be bad news, but that has nothing to do with you and me.”
    “Me and you?” She felt confused and like she hadn’t heard right.
    “Maybe I’m rushing things.” He wrapped a lock of her hair around his finger. “No, there’s no maybe about it. I do know I’m rushing things. But I know what I want and follow my gut. I want to date you, Hollie. I want to get to know you. And I don’t want those damned stepbrothers of yours getting in the way.”
    She swallowed, her mind spinning, refusing to accept what he had to say. “Why me?”
    He shook his head as he stroked her hair. “Why not you? I told you I think you’re special and I meant every word. I’ve been watching you for a while.” When she raised her eyebrows he gave a little grin. “Not like it sounds. I haven’t been stalking you. Every time I’ve seen you somewhere in public, I’ve wanted to talk with you. This morning gave me the excuse. Like I said, I know I’m pushing things too fast, but I know I want to get to know you better. A lot better.”
    “Oh,” was the only word that she could get out.
    “Say yes.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheek as he looked into her eyes. “Say you’ll agree to see me.”
    He had completely taken her off guard. “Wow.” She knew it was lame and she blurted out, “I want to see you, too.”
    For having such harsh features, his smile was meltingly sexy. “I wouldn’t have let you say no.”
    Her lips trembled as she smiled back at him. “Is that right?”
    He gave a slow nod. “Yep.”
    Again he kissed her. It was the sweetest kiss she’d ever experienced. Not that