Read Precious Embrace (Embrace Series) for Free Online Page B

and hummed while he bounced him.
    A lump formed in her throat. He was the sweetest thing. She could have watched them all day if she hadn’t felt the regret of Micah’s father. How could one wholly unrelated man be so tender and caring with her baby when that baby’s own father ignored him? Unable to hold in her tears she quietly went to find the bathroom.
    Ali waited for the moment to pass, her hand pressed to her mouth, urging the heat from his kiss to go away. Several minutes later, when she went back to the kitchen, Johnny’s eyes were still focused on Micah. She wasn’t sure he even noticed her absence.
    He’ll be a great father one day. With the realization, she rubbed at the pain in her heart. He wasn’t here for her…she loved that he felt so attached to Micah, but she wouldn’t be with someone only because they loved her son. She rolled her eyes, reminding herself she didn’t want someone at all.
    “Are you pursuing me because you want a replacement child?”
    “What?” he said, his smile changing to a look of disgust.
    She walked around the bar and leaned against the counter, facing him. “Why are you here? I don’t understand.”
    “You’re clueless.”
    She lifted her brow. “Did you call me clueless?”
    Johnny walked toward her with both hands draped around Micah. “Yes, woman, I did.” He leaned in close. “You don’t realize the power you have.” He came closer, pinning her hips with his and leaning in, so close she inhaled and held her breath.
    His lips brushed down her jaw line, setting her on fire and forcing her held breath out in a gushing exhale. She braced her hands on the counter, gripping it tightly—holding on to something to keep her hands off him.
    He nibbled his way down along the line of her neck. “Maybe it’s this sweet cream skin.” He tucked his nose behind her ear making goose bumps erupt on her skin. “Or maybe it’s these silky strands of gardenia scented hair.” He rested a gentle kiss on her cheekbone. “Or maybe it’s these luscious, full, mouth-watering lips.” He took her mouth hard, leaning in even further, squeezing Micah between their bodies.
    He pulled away slowly. “Just maybe,” he whispered to her lips, pulling away slightly to meet her eyes. “Just maybe it’s what I see every time I look into your beautiful golden brown eyes.”
    Johnny’s sea-blue eyes were intense, mesmerizing…and locked on hers, holding her there until she could regain her senses. She ducked out from between him and the counter and paced away, fighting for fresh air. She rubbed a hand over her chest to ease her racing heart. No way would she survive in a relationship with him, hell he oozed sensuality…that kiss alone was nearly enough to melt her into a puddle on the floor. When she could hold a coherent thought together, she turned and said, “It’s time for us to go.”
    “No, don’t leave.”
    Ali nodded. “I think it’s best.”
    “I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.” She looked at his hands. “And my lips,” he said with a lopsided grin.
    “You have to stop, please…” She dropped back into her chair. “I don’t need any more grief in my life right now.”
    “How am I causing you grief?” he said. “I’m actually pretty easy to get along with.”
    “Not you, everyone else. I’m already considered a slut in this town. I don’t need to add fuel to the fire.”
    His eye grew dark. “Who said that?”
    “Nobody to my face, but everyone behind my back…it doesn’t matter.”
    “I think you’re feeling a little self-conscious?”
    “I’m feeling more than a little self-conscious.” She conceded with a half-hearted smile.
    “Three guys in thirty-three years make you a slut?”
    Ali widened her eyes. “How do you know that?”
    “I can do math. Good lord, woman. You said Mark was your first. Carl had to be your second. I find it unlikely you cheated more than once.”
    Ali felt a little heat in her cheeks. He had easily summed