Read Wrecked (Stories of Serendipity #8): #8 for Free Online Page A

watching them, a forlorn expression on his face. She almost felt bad, except she’d been telling him forever dating him would be incestuous.
    “I’m a graphic designer for a firm in Houston.”
    She deflated. A few of the clouds she was walking on lost some of their oomph. He wasn’t staying. “Oh?” She forced a cheery tone into her voice. “What brings you to Serendipity?”
    “My dad. He’s having some troubles, and I’m staying a couple of weeks to get him straightened out. Hopefully.”
    She wasn’t sure if he was hopeful he would stay a couple of weeks, hopeful his dad would get straightened out, or hopeful he would go back home. It was vague, and Renae chose not to ponder the question. The two margaritas she’d had, plus the tequila shot Alyssa had insisted on, were doing their damnedest to make her a carefree woman tonight. And care free she would be.
    “Well, good luck to you on that. I know parents can be difficult at times.” Thinking of her own difficult-to-please mother made her voice genuine. Although thinking of her mother didn’t really do much for her mood.
    The song ended, but Jason didn’t let go of her. Instead, he looked at his watch and said, “I still have ten minutes or so of my break. You want to go somewhere and talk a little more?” His eyes looked hopeful and Renae shrugged again, feigning nonchalance, when all she really wanted to do was haul him to a back room somewhere and kiss him senseless. He grabbed her hand and led her to the bar to order a beer for him and another margarita for her. She really should stop, she but was having too much fun. This was the first time ever a man she was attracted to had paid her any attention, and she was going to enjoy it. Today was the first day she was actually succeeding at the whole living for herself thing.
    “So… enjoying a night out with friends?” He asked her before taking a drink. Renae couldn’t stop focusing on the way his lips caressed the mouth of the beer bottle.
    “Yeah.” She nodded. “I don’t get out much, and they sort of forced me tonight.”
    “Homebody, huh? Me too. I’d much rather stay at home and listen to music.” His elegant fingers grasped the bottle lightly, swinging it back and forth, while his blue eyes danced across her face. “Although it’s usually better with someone interesting to talk to.”
    “Yeah,” she agreed weakly. His eyes bored into hers and she realized they were such a light blue they were almost like shiny aquamarine gemstones. “You have really pretty eyes.” Wow. And now her filter was gone. She felt the flush rise to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.” Her hands rose to her cheeks to feel the burn.
    “It’s okay. Your eyes are pretty too. And guys dig girls who think we’re pretty.” His grin was panty-melting, and Renae bit her tongue to keep those particular words inside. “I think your eyes aren’t all that’s pretty about you.”
    She nearly clamped her hand over her own mouth as her eyebrows rose in surprise. She was speechless as she watched his eyes trace a path from hers to her mouth, to her breasts where they lingered, before traveling down her legs to her boots. And then back up. She licked her lips with nervousness when they got back to her face.
    “In fact, I’d be hard pressed to find a prettier girl here tonight.” His eyes never left her face, and she knew in her heart he wasn’t even looking at other girls. He finished his beer and set the bottle down before tracing his finger down her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. When he got to her hand, he clasped her fingers in his and raised them to his lips, breathing warm air on them. “What are you doing later? After the show?”
    Renae tried to get her hand back, but he held on. “I don’t-”
    “I just want to get to know you a little better.” He kissed her hand before placing it back in her lap. “I think you are the bright spot I need in my life right