Connections Read Online Free Page A

herself to ‘play it cool,’ she was tugging open the door.
    Alex’s lips quirked up at her apparent eagerness but he said nothing about it.   Instead, he took in her emerald green dress at the same time she took in his dark green sweater that stretched deliciously over his broad shoulders.
    His brows rose as his gaze lingered on her outfit, “I didn’t get the memo that we were matching, darling.”
    Olivia groaned out loud.
    “Oh God, people are going to think we’re one of those couples now.”   Sighing, she opened the door wider, “Come in.   I’ll go change.”
    The sound of his laugh followed her into the bedroom and he appeared in her doorway a moment later.   Leaning against the door frame with his hands casually tucked into the front of his pressed dark grey slacks, he watched as she rummaged through her closet.
    Which didn’t help Olivia’s focus at all.   She could feel his gaze on her.   She imagined stripping out of her dress for him slowly, wanting him to lose control around her like before.
    Olivia’s ‘no sex’ rule was backfiring in her face.   She was realizing that now.   She’d forgotten just how potent her attraction to him was.
    She finally grabbed a lavender dress that she’d once worn to an old friend’s baby shower.   It was a flowy dress that cinched at the waist, which flattered Olivia’s hourglass figure.   And it was perfect for an engagement party.
    She turned to Alex with the hanger in her hand.
    “I, um, need to change now,” she said hesitantly, her eyes on his.
    He gazed at her with his lips set in an even, soft line.   But the heat in his eyes made her want to shiver.
    “Okay,” he replied smoothly, shifting subtly on his feet.   But he made no move to leave.
    Olivia’s eyes narrowed a fraction.   He was testing her.   Or maybe he was testing himself.   It didn’t matter.   Regardless, her heart began to thump wildly in her chest.
    Damn, he’s handsome , she thought with a mental shake of her head.
    His hazel eyes pierced her from the doorway and something in her wanted to tease him.   Something in her wanted to wreak havoc on his control, the very control that she’d foolishly demanded from him.
    She raised her hand to the strap and his eyes tracked her every movement intently, as though in anticipation.   But just as she pushed the strap off her shoulder, Alex pushed off the doorway suddenly and retreated to the living room.   A part of her was relieved.   A part of her was startled.   A larger part was disappointed.
    But with a quick glance at the alarm clock perched on her night stand, Olivia decided she didn’t have time to ponder over his reaction.   They would be late if they didn’t leave in the next few minutes.
    Olivia emerged from the bedroom a few moments later, struggling to zip up the back of the lavender dress.   Alex was sitting on the couch, silent, with his elbows propped on his knees.   He was staring at the blank screen of the television, seeming to be deep in thought, so she stepped closer to him.
    “Alex, can you help me with this?” she asked quietly, almost in embarrassment.   He stood up wordlessly, his eyes skimming over her half-bared back.   He ran a strong hand over his mouth and he caught her eyes for a brief moment before she faced forward.
    Olivia held her breath as he stepped closer.   He was so close that she could feel the warmth radiating off of him.   She felt his fingers grasp the delicate zipper of her dress and she had to bite her lip to keep from moaning as he slowly—ever so slowly—pulled it up the length of her back.
    She felt flushed and overheated.   The feeling intensified when Alex lightly swept her hair off to the side so he could secure the zipper at the top of the dress.   Olivia shook when his fingers brushed her sensitive skin and when his breath fell hot on her neck.
    Alex froze, his fingers still on the fastening.   But then he jerked away from her.   “Ready to go?” he