Read No Strings Attached for Free Online Page B

I tasted you, I’d like you. Way too much.”
    She didn’t believe him for a second. Mac’s relationships were short, hot, unemotional. He’d kiss her and walk away. She quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin.
    Dune shifted beside her. He appeared tense. His gaze was dark and his frown deepened. He sprinkled sea salt on his sweet potato fries, then proceeded to eat in silence.
    Sophie went still. What had just happened? Dune was ticked and Mac was trying not to smile. She shook her head. She didn’t understand. Mac was incorrigible and she knew never to take him seriously. So why had Dune? She didn’t know what to say to make things better, so she picked up her knife and fork and cut into her waffle.
    “Back to the wall.” Mac swiveled right. A short time later, he flagged down Violet and ordered a second burger with extra chili.
    “Chew your food,” Sophie told him as he polished off the last of his onion rings. “Your stomach doesn’t have teeth.”
    “Parental advice,” said Mac. “You don’t look like my mother. You’re more of a—“
    “A friend,” Dune said from the corner of his mouth.
    “Could go further,” said Mac.
    “Not on my watch,” said Dune.
    Mac’s grin was easy, as if he was quite pleased with himself. He let the conversation go.
    Sophie was halfway through her waffle when Dune turned her way. She’d taken a bite of strawberry and whipped cream when his gaze settled on her lips. She slowly chewed, biting her tongue twice. She could barely swallow. The food settled like a lump in her stomach.
    She went to wipe her mouth, only to have her napkin slip off her lap. Dune passed her another from the napkin holder. Their arms brushed; a reminder of his solidness and strength and her need to firm up. She didn’t get much exercise beyond volleyball.
    “What are you plans for the afternoon?” he asked her.
    She didn’t want to worry him or have him think poorly of her. He’d shot down her ideas, which she still planned to explore. “I’m going to visit store owners,” she said, and meant it. She’d check out the shops after her session with Rick. “I need to invest my time wisely. I’m thinking Goody Gumdrops.” Shaye’s penny candy store. “Or Three Shirts to the Wind.” A popular T-shirt shop.
    “Don’t forget the Chamber of Commerce,” Dune added.
    Last on her list. “I’ll stop by.” She would poke her head in the door. That way she could honestly say she’d been there. She gave him a small smile, then asked, “How about you, lots to do?”
    “I need to stop at Pet Outfitters and buy some dog toys for Ghost.”
    She blinked. “Ghost?”
    “My Weimaraner,” he explained. “I have a beach house in Malibu, but I’ve yet to buy a home in Barefoot William. My mother’s allergic to fur, so we stay with my grandfather when I’m in town. Mac snuck in the back door and claimed a guest room, too.”
    “Where does your grandfather live?” Sophie asked, curious.
    “Frank lives in a stilt house on lots of acreage,” Dune said. He grinned. “He has a long list of repairs lined up for me to do. Today I’ll replace the broken boards on the porch.”
    Mac sucked the last of his vanilla shake through the straw. Sucked it loudly. “Beware of the nail gun, dude,” he said. “I remember—”
    “No, you don’t.” Dune stopped him short. “He has a lousy memory.”
    “I’ve got total recall,” said Mac. “You shot yourself in the foot and required twelve stitches.”
    Dune shrugged. “Small scar.”
    “Should anyone care about my whereabouts,” Mac continued, “I’m headed to Three Shirts to buy a change of clothes. Then I’ll be borrowing Dune’s speedboat to locate Tide One On . I’m going to play.”
    “You’ve got six willing playmates,” said Dune.
    Mac nodded. “Odds are good.”
    Violet brought his second burger. Mac dug in. Sophie nudged him, making sure he chewed. She was fond of Mac. She admired the way he lived life, always self-assured and