Between the Vines Read Online Free Page B

sleeping. Taylor hoped the others were too as she walked quietly down the drive. She’d left a note to say she’d gone out for a walk. She was, that was true, but she’d omitted to say she was meeting Ed for breakfast.
    A shiver swept over her in spite of the warmth of the air. Edward Starr was one good-looking guy. He was the reason she was escaping from her friends. She was meeting him at a cafe for breakfast. She turned out into the street and set off towards the shops, following the directions he’d given her last night. A truck rumbled past along the main road and then another, their engines loud in the quiet street. The motel was around a slight bend in the otherwise straight main drag, lined either side with stone houses. She passed gardens full of beautiful roses, their sweet smell wafting in the air. It was a pretty town with plenty of space, a world away from the noisy streets of Adelaide and her small flat.
    A dog barked as she approached the corner. Second street, turn left, look for an old weatherboard cottage. She could see it ahead along the wide flat street, nestled amongst similar buildings still in use as homes. It had market umbrellas in the garden and an old sign hanging from a wooden frame over the gate. She paused as she relived the feel of Ed’s hands on her body, the delicious male scent of him.
    He’d walked them back to the motel from the pub. Each bump against his arm had sent a tingle through her. Cass had madeherself scarce. Alone outside Taylor’s room he bent to kiss her. It was a brief brush of her lips. She’d wanted more and so had he apparently. Before she knew it she was pressed against the wall, their lips together, tongues probing, hands searching.
    Taylor bit her lip. She took a deep breath to slow her thudding heart. Somehow she’d extricated herself from his arms. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man and she wasn’t going to give in to a one-night stand. Not that it had helped with Larry. They’d been on several dates before they tumbled into bed. Waiting hadn’t made any difference to her bad choice. He’d managed to keep his visits home to his wife a secret.
    She took one more deep, calming breath and continued on to the cottage. Ed wasn’t in the garden. She bent to get in through the low doorway and glanced around. Two couples seated at tables but no Edward.
    She ordered coffee and checked out the seating. Outside was best. Keep it casual. This was the new Taylor. No jumping in headfirst anymore, besides she was only here for a weekend. There was no harm in a casual get-together with a good-looking bloke but that was as far as it would go. She took a seat at the rustic wood table and flipped through one of the magazines scattered there. Several more people came in, all couples and groups. The coffee arrived, and she drank it. Perhaps he’d changed his mind. They hadn’t exchanged phone numbers. She glanced at her watch. The girls would be up by now surely. It was time to go back.
    â€œSorry I’m late.”
    She looked up into the rugged face smiling down at her. Once more she couldn’t control the surge of excitement that coursed through her.
    â€œIt’s fine,” she squeaked. She cleared her throat. “I had a coffee while I was waiting. It’s a nice spot.” She glanced around at the now-full tables in the garden.
    â€œLet me get you another. Do you want breakfast? My shout.” Heflashed his charming smile and disappeared inside before she could respond.
    Taylor pushed her sunglasses firmly against her face, sent Cass a quick text to say she’d catch them later and leaned back in the sunshine. She was trying to avoid spending money and drifting from shop to shop with the girls would be too tempting. She was happy to let Ed get breakfast. She wanted to know more about him but his physical presence sent her common sense out the window. If they were sitting across