Carved in Stone Read Online Free Page A

pretending to be coy, and her excitement to see him was on her face. The closer Jessica got to him, the more Will was reminded of the attraction he’d felt for her in the café. Suddenly, a friends-only option didn’t seem quite so appealing. Will ran a hand over his front jeans pocket, patting the just-in-case package it contained, glad now he’d made that second stop.
    Then Jessica was standing directly in front of him, and he was surprised as he realized she was almost eye level with his six-foot-two height. Will let his gaze travel down and back up once, not missing the amusement in her gaze on him as he did it.
    “You’re very tall for woman,” Will said, trying to justify his thorough scan of her body by stating the obvious.
    “So? Are you one of those big guys who wants a tiny woman to make himself feel even bigger?” Jessica asked, crossing her arms. “I can fake a lot of things for the sake of a first date, but being short isn’t one of them. I would fail miserably. I love being tall.”
    Will ran a nervous hand over his head and laughed softly. “No, I’m not one of those guys,” he said, leaving it at that.
    There was no reason to bring up his ex or her height or anything about any other woman he had dated ancient ages ago. Unfortunately, those memories were the only things Will could think about rationally with Jessica’s long body so close to his.
    Not used to dating, Will hadn’t had to make conversation with strangers—or strange women—very much since his divorce. He could feel Jessica’s energy spiking around him, jostling his nerve endings back to life. It scrambled his brain, along with some other parts of him that had him becoming more cautious around her.
    Sighing at his lack of composure, Will flipped open a storage compartment on the back of the bike and pulled out a black helmet with bright blue and green swirls. He’d bought the colors because they just seemed like her, though he was unsure why he could think of only her wearing it. He had meant to purchase a spare just in case he got asked for a ride in the future—by anyone. Which could still happen, he told himself, looking at the helmet with serious contemplation.
    The red-haired enigma in front him was vibrating with excitement about wearing it. She charmed him with nothing more than her enthusiasm, and Will sighed at his thoughts.
    “Got a sturdy leather or heavy canvass jacket?” Will asked. “Boots would be best, but good sneakers would be okay.”
    Jessica wrinkled her face and hummed in concentration. “I think so. Be right back.”
    Will watched her dash off at the same clip she’d run out to him, and it made him laugh. The laughter died when Jessica came back out of the house in less than two minutes wearing well-worn dark brown cowboy boots and a leather jacket that molded to her impressive curves. Her comfort in her clothes and herself had his mouth watering and his hands shaking to get on her. He sighed with longing when she was standing directly in front of him again.
    Jessica grinned at Will’s sigh and liked him even more for being the kind of man whose passion was visible.
    “I ride a lot of things,” Jessica teased, the lines at her eyes crinkling under his inspection. “This is my horse gear.”
    Will stepped up to her with the helmet in his hand. She was even taller in her boots and was meeting his gaze full on. Jessica Daniels was literally the tallest woman he could ever remember going out with, even counting college, which was a hell of a long time ago. He pulled the helmet down on her head, feeling her hands come up to push it back and seat it more comfortably.
    “How’s it feel?” he asked, his hands on the straps.
    She brought her hands up to Will’s, brushing hers quickly over them to encourage him, trying to pretend not to be thrilled when he froze at her touch.
    “Feels good. Adjust the straps. I’m ready for my ride,” she said on a laugh.
    Will blinked a couple times, then moved his