Read Unbound (Crimson Romance) for Free Online

her that afternoon, and now she was hoping he’d touch her. She had to be tired.
    “It’s warmer.”
    “I suppose so,” she replied.
    He didn’t bother answering, which at first wasn’t bad. The silence continued, though, and instead of trying to think of something to say, she found herself wondering what it would be like if he did touch her. Maybe all the girls’ teasing had gone to her head, or maybe Bridgett’s happily-ever-after fever was spreading. Whichever the case, she couldn’t help stop thinking about it.
    Would his hands have calluses? Would his hair tickle against her cheeks? What would his mouth feel like against hers?
    “We’re here,” Dean announced, shaking her out of her musings.
    “Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it.”
    He put the truck in park behind her car in the driveway. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
    “Oh, no. That’s all right. This is good. Really.” With the thoughts rolling around in her brain, she definitely didn’t need him any closer.
    He ignored her and got out of the truck. He started to walk around to her side, but she met him at the front of the truck.
    “This is good. Really. Thanks again.”
    He took her by the arm gently and walked her toward the porch. “I said I’d take you home. That means I’ll make sure you get in.”
    Bossy? Maybe. Turning me in to goo? Definitely.
    “I’m sure I’ll get in,” she protested anyway. “I always have my keys. Besides, I have an extra under the doormat. It’s ten steps. I’ll be fine.”
    He walked her up the stairs of the porch to the door.
    “Where are your keys?”
    “My purse.” She unzipped her purse to root through it. “In here. Somewhere.”
    He watched her as she dug through the purse that was the size of a small state. It might have been her favorite, but under his gaze she wished it were smaller and better organized so she could find her keys faster. She’d dropped them in on top after locking the door to the diner, but inevitably they always fell to the bottom.
    “Got it!”
    She turned to unlock the door and push it open. She stepped inside. “Want to come in?”
    Please say no. Please say no.
    “No, thanks.”
    Looking at him standing under the porch light with his hands in his pockets, she felt a tug low in her stomach. How had she not noticed him?
    Send him home before you say something stupid. “I’ll let you go now. Thanks for the ride.”
    Almost before she finished talking, he caught her hand and pulled her to him. He closed the distance between their mouths before she could take a breath. His lips grazed hers gently despite the suddenness of the kiss. Just a brush, then he let go and stepped back.
    She stared at him.
    He kissed me. Dean kissed me.
    She took a shallow breath. He had kissed her, and it hadn’t been nearly enough.
    Two quick steps and she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. His hands latched onto her hips as his lips pressed against hers. His cold fingers slid under her coat and shirt to brush against her warm skin. When she gasped at the cold touch, he took advantage with a long, open-mouthed kiss.
    She shivered as his tongue delved deep inside her mouth. The tug she’d felt earlier turned into full-blown desire. She felt her hands tighten on his face when he shifted to pull away. She returned his kiss with a desperate need to show him she wanted more. More of his mouth against hers, more of his hands roaming across her back, more of everything.
    He shifted again and pulled his mouth from hers.
    “Dean,” she whispered.
    He rested his forehead against hers for a moment. Then he nudged her back into the house.
    “Goodnight, Payten,” he whispered, brushing one last kiss across her cheek. He pulled the door shut as he moved away from her.
    She felt her breath shake as she stared at the door.
    Where had that come from?
    As the sound of her heartbeat quieted, she noticed the rumble of his truck in her driveway. She dashed into the living room and peeked