Read The Santinis: Leonardo, Book 1 for Free Online

father, but they’re freaks.”
    When he didn’t respond, she looked up at him. He was staring at her with the strangest look on his face.
    “What?” she asked looking down at her chest to see if she dropped food on herself, then glanced back at him.
    “Nothing, just it’s nice to see that you’re so close to them. We’re the same way. People on the outside, they don’t understand.”
    On the outside. Yeah, that was a good way of putting it. Military life for kids could be bad, wonderful and everything in between. Sometimes, the only friend you had was a sibling, and you had to count on each other more than other families, especially in this fast paced world.
    She nodded. “We were close. Maybe it was losing Mom when we were all so young, but I know part of it is the brat thing.”
    Her mind wandered back to Jack and whatever news he had been saving for her. Leo touched her hand and she looked up at him.  
    “I’m sorry I made you sad.”
    “Not sad, worried about Jack, but that’s okay. It will all work out in the end.”
    He nodded. “So, how about I tell you horrible stories about my brothers to make me look good.”
    And just like that, she couldn’t help but smile. “Sounds like a plan, Santini.”
    *   *   *   *
    By the time they reached their apartment complex, Leo was ready to scream he was so damned hot. She hadn’t flirted, hadn’t even tried to. She had been herself, and that was more of an aphrodisiac than anything else. It was the first time in a long time that he had been this attracted to a woman just based on their interaction.
    Okay, that sounded bad in his head.   More than bad. If his mother could read his thoughts… Whoa, no reason to go down that road. He didn’t have time for therapy right now.
    After parking the truck, he looked over at Maryanne. “So?”
    She glanced at him. “I had a good time, but I’m not sure we should keep going out. First dates can never tell you everything, and it could be an anomaly. Like some kind of freak accident.”
    “A freak accident is like you hitting me.”
    She snorted. “No, I meant to do that.”
    He chuckled. “Okay, why don’t we test my theory? You still think we should remain platonic, then I’ll agree.”
    She frowned. “What theory?”
    He undid his seatbelt, then hers.  
    “Leo.”  
    He knew she was warning him, but her voice came out all breathy. The sound of that sweet southern voice slipped beneath his skin. He cupped her face as he leaned closer. She licked her lips and he groaned as he pressed his mouth against hers.
    Just like before, she tasted of heaven and sin wrapped in a bundle of need. He slanted his mouth over hers and deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue inside. Sweet and tart, just like the woman. Damn, he could just imagine how her flesh tasted, not to mention other more intriguing places.  
    His heart beat against his chest, and his cock hardened. Just like the other night he found himself lost in her. Everything around him dissolved into the background as she slipped her hands to his shoulders. He slid his hands down to her waist and pulled her closer. The heat of her body, the taste of her and the sweet scent made for a heady experience. He was contemplating leaning her back against the seat when there was a loud knock on her side of the truck. He ignored it at first, but the knocking got louder. He tore his mouth away from hers and glared at the intrusion. Her brother Jack was giving them both a death stare. Maryanne didn’t make it any easier. She slid her hands to the back of his head and tried to pull him down for another kiss.  
    “Uh, Maryanne, your brother.”
    Her eyes opened slightly. “What?”
    Oh, god, he wanted her. Wanted her like he wanted to breathe, but with her brother standing there looking ready to lob off various appendages, he was pretty sure that it would be a no go tonight.
    “Your brother is staring at us.”
    Her eyes widened as she tipped her head back and looked. The