Read In A Heartbeat (The Shameful Regret Series) for Free Online Page A

my
plate off the table. Leaning back in my chair I say “Never come between me and
my sweet treats. You will lose a finger.” I don’t know where this flirty
confidence is coming from, but I decide to go with it. I pinch off another bite
for myself and put it in my mouth.
    Connor continues to stare at me. It’s like he’s trying to
decipher some mystery that he sees inside me. “I will remember that for
tonight.” His eyes dart towards my mouth.
      “Huh? What about
tonight?”
    “Tonight. You. Me. Dinner before our show at Silver.” Connor
says matter of factly.
    Ok. So I guess this is his way of asking me out. Well, more
like telling me instead of asking. “I don’t date.” I tell him looking down at
my lap. I’ve only ever gone out as a group a handful of times in high school
and college, and those times were always uncomfortable for me. My anxiety
levels are starting to rise.
    “You are going to dinner with me, then you are going to
Silver with me. Your friends can meet us at Silver if you want. I’ll leave word
at the door that they be allowed in cover free.” Connor’s deep voice is like a
balm for my nerves. His take control attitude is having the opposite effect of
what I would have expected.
    Michelle picks this exact moment to make her presence known.
I wonder how long she was watching and listening to us, because I know it
doesn’t take that long to go in and get more coffee. “Hell yeah! She’ll be happy
to go tonight! Gabbi and I have been dying to check Silver out! It’s impossible
to get in!” she exclaims and puts her hands on my shoulders.
    “Good. Just go to the front of the line. Tell them that
you’re with me.” Connor tells Michelle then picks up my cell phone from the
table and starts typing. I hear his phone buzz in his pocket, then he hands my
phone back to me.
    I look down at the screen.
    Me: Of course I’d love to go out tonight! I will be ready
at 7! Nae-Nae  
    That’s the text he sent to himself from my phone. He even
programmed his number into my contacts.
    My head snaps up and I cut my eyes at him. “If you don’t
stop calling me Nae-Nae, I will seriously have your ass!” Oh shit! I can see by
the look on his face that my feistiness is something he seems to enjoy.
    “Babe, you can have my ass any time you want. All you have
to do is ask.” Connor smirks getting out of his chair. He leans down placing
his hands on the arm rails on both sides of my body. “What’s your address?”
Connor is so close. If I lean forward just a few inches I could kiss him if I
wanted to. I can feel his warm breath on my skin. I can smell the cinnamon on
his breath. That and the scent of his cologne is enough to make my head spin.
    “Archdale Commons. Apartment 5507.” Are the only words I can
formulate at this moment. My senses are overwhelmed. He is all I can see, smell
and hear.
    Connor closes the distance between us and places a small
kiss to the tip of my nose then whispers “Seven o’clock. Be ready.” In my ear,
then stands up and walks down the street without looking back.
    I release the breath that I didn’t realize I was holding and
sag back into my chair.
    “Holy shit!” Michelle squeals bouncing around me to sit in
the seat that Connor just vacated. “Come on bitch! We have to get you ready for
tonight!”
    What did I just agree to? I haven’t been out on a date with
a man alone since that night. It’s just dinner. I won’t allow myself to be put
in that situation again. That night was my fault. It was in a secluded parking
lot with someone much bigger than me. I won’t let myself be taken advantage of
again. I’m older now and smarter. It’s time I learn to be the woman that I know
I can be.
    Fingers snapping in front of my face pull me out of my daze.
“Hello! Earth to Nae-Nae!” Michelle is waving her hands at me. “I know you’re
nervous. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you go out on a real date in all the
years that I’ve known you. It will