Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller (hot novels to read .txt) 📕

Hayden nodded. Her words convinced him that something had to be done about the state of downtown Maple Falls, but right nowhe couldn’t focus on anything but Riley. He glanced at the back door again.

“You want to go check on her, don’t you?”

He thought about lying, but Erma would see right through it. He nodded. “Just to see if she’s all right.”

She smiled. “I think that’s a good idea.”

Hayden shot up from the chair and dashed out the door. Riley was standing by an old tire swing that was probably as bustedup as everything else seemed to be in this town. Her back was to him, and he slowed his steps, not wanting to surprise her.Her arms were wrapped around her body, her shoulders hunched. He took another step forward, and to his surprise, she turnedaround and straightened her shoulders, her expression as unapproachable as always.

“Did you and Mimi figure everything out?”

The sun had dipped below the horizon, dimming the light to dusk, but he could clearly see her guarded expression. It was asif she had transformed from the vulnerable woman who ran out of the house to someone who was completely in control. He wasstarting to understand that it was just a mask, that underneath the veneer of calm was a turbulent storm.

“Are you okay?” he asked, knowing full well she wasn’t.

“I’m fine.” She took a step back and bumped into the swing. As he suspected, the tire was sagging in the middle and part ofthe treads were hanging off. She steadied the swing but didn’t look at him again. “After Mimi and I discuss the budget, Ican write up the agreement—”

“Would you shut up about the agreement?” He moved closer to her. “I don’t care about some dumb contract between you and me.I trust your word. I’d like to think you trust me . . . but I can see that’s not the case.”

She glanced up at him. “It’s . . . it’s . . .”

“It’s what, Riley?” He softened his tone. “You’re hurting. I can see that. I just don’t understand why.”

She turned away. “You don’t know me, Hayden,” she whispered.

That was the opening he’d been hoping for, despite everything. He moved closer until his chest was nearly pressed againsther back.

“I want to, Riley. I’ve wanted to get close to you since I saw you at the airport. I don’t know why, and I don’t think itmatters anyway.” He swallowed. “What does matter is you. And if you want me to go away, I will. Just say the word, and I won’tbother you again.”

*  *  *

Riley shivered but couldn’t bring herself to face Hayden. She couldn’t believe what he was telling her, even though she’dheard him say the words. He wants to get close to me. How could that be possible? He’d always been in a different league. She’d always been the outsider and still was. He didn’tknow her past or her family. And if he found out—

“Riley?”

She closed her eyes at the low, smooth sound of his voice close to her ear. When he put his hands on her shoulders, she couldn’tpull away. Something broke inside her, and she leaned against him. This fantasy would end soon enough, but right now she desperatelyneeded Hayden’s touch.

He wrapped his arms around her and drew her against him. She marveled at how the back of her head nestled perfectly againsthis broad shoulder, how safe and secure she felt at this moment. When his hands moved down to her waist, then clasped aroundher, his palms covering the band of her jeans as he embraced her tighter, it was as if he’d given her something she hadn’tknown until this moment she was starving for. Closeness. Connection.

“Riley,” he whispered in her ear.

Hearing her name broke the spell, and she pulled away from him, her heart hammering. Embarrassed, she couldn’t meet his gaze.She’d had a moment of weakness, and she couldn’t allow it to happen again. Steeling herself for his anger, she said, “Youshould go.”

A pause. “Not until you look at me, Riley.”

Slowly she turned around, keeping her distance. Instead of censure, she saw acceptance.

“Thank you,” he said, his smile gentle.

Stunned, she blurted, “For what?”

“For giving me your trust, even for a moment.” His smile widened. “I intend to earn the rest.”

Unable to help herself, she asked, “Why? Why would you bother with me?”

His smile dimmed, but the sweetness in his eyes hit her very core. “Because I want to. The last thing you are to me, RileyMcAllister, is a bother. I aim to show you that truth too.” He took a few steps backward. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“What?” she asked, fighting to keep her feet in place so she didn’t make a fool of herself running after him. “Why would youdo that?”

“So we can figure out a schedule for the repairs. Operation Erma must go on.” He grinned, then turned around and walked away.

Was he actually whistling? What nerve. If he thought things had changed between them, he was wrong.

She was lying to herself and she knew it. When she remembered how good his well-muscled arms felt around her, the feel ofhis heartbeat against her back . . . she couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

Chapter 8

The cell phone on Riley’s nightstand buzzed, jerking her out of a dream. A wonderful dream about her and Hayden and . . .Well, she would savor that dream for a long time to come, but right now she had to answer the phone before she threw it againstthe wall. She picked it up and looked at the screen. Melody. Sitting up in bed, she answered the call.

“Hi,” she said, her tangled hair falling in a curtain around her face.

“You’re up?” Melody sounded surprised. “I figured you’d still be asleep. I was going to leave you a message.”

“What time is it?” She squinted at the old clock radio on her nightstand. Seven a.m. She should have been up an hour ago.“I’m putting you on speaker,” she said as she scrambled out of bed, then switched over the audio. “I’m running late.”

“For