Emerge Read Online Free Page A

too many occurrences.
    “You want a drink?”
    “No thanks, Matt. How are you getting home tonight?” He’s not a completely bad guy and I for sure don’t want to see him hurt.
    “I don’t know. Wanna gimme a ride?”
    “I didn’t drive tonight.”
    “That’s okay; you can still give me a ride.”
    Oh, isn’t he clever? His drunken innuendo doesn’t warrant a response and it’s not the right time for Evan to walk up, I assure you. Matt’s legs are dangling in the air before I even register it completely, as he’s lifted by his shirt collar in one of Evan’s huge hands.
    “You’ve got five seconds to apologize to the lady,” Evan growls.
    “Geez, sorry, Laney, I was just kidding,” Matt musters insincerely.
    I don’t tell him it’s okay, because it’s not, but I do say, “put him down, Ev, so not worth it.”
    “You sure, Laney? Your call.”
    “Yes, I’m sure, Brutus. Put him down and let’s take a walk?” I don’t have to ask him twice. Matt’s flat on his ass and Evan’s at my side in a flash. Walking away for a little breather, I latch my arm through his. “What’s up with you?” I nudge him.
    He shrugs. What’s this? Evan never broods. He’s my rock, my Mr. Grain of Salt.
    “Evan, it was no big deal. Just a drunk comment by a boy scorned. Why are you stressing over it?”
    “I can’t stand the way he talks to you. Not to mention, he’s always staring at you and talking about you; he’s obsessed. I don’t like it one damn bit, I’m on to him. If I find out he’s the one stalking you…” He runs his hand through his hair and blows out a breath. “I’ll kill him.”
    The silence seems to go on forever, but Evan needs a minute to calm down and I don’t dare chance saying the wrong thing right now.
    “And the first guy brave enough to hit on you, and that’s how he goes about it?”
    “What does that mean? Brave enough to hit on me?”
    “You really have no idea, do you?”
    I just stare at him, my expression reminiscent of my “trying to solve quadratic equations” face.
    He sighs and cast his eyes down. “Laney, you’re that girl. The one guys make up in their head when they put all the best parts together to make one perfect girl. The man who gets you to actually pay attention, well, he’ll be the luckiest guy on the planet, and he’ll know it. All that, and the fact that you never date, is pretty damn intimidating.”
    There’s a flutter in my chest; does he mean I’m the perfect girl made in his head?Is he intimidated by me?
    He moves closer now, I can feel the heat coming off his body. Yes, Evan, find the courage. And then his hand is cupping my cheek, and I instinctively lean in to it, a little gasp of air escaping my lips.
    I’ve never imagined this with Evan, it’s never occurred to me to even dare hope what he felt for me was more than a protective best friend. Good thing, I would have done the fantasy no justice. His thumb brushes my bottom lip and I realize…I could be swinging a bat, casting a reel, and driving a truck all at the same time, but I’m still 100% woman.
    I think I speak out loud. “Are you intimidated, Evan?”
    He leans over, touching his forehead to mine as he takes a deep breath. His nose brushes along mine, his whisper on my lips. “Not anymore, I’m done with that, and I’m done not kissing you. All you have to do is say no, precious girl. But please, please….just say yes.”
    As I whisper “yes,” his mouth takes mine. His lips are soft and gentle, sending a sizzle throughout me. His hand glides from my cheek to the hair behind my ear, stroking it slowly, over and over again. He breaks contact to lean back slightly, meeting my eyes, and a whiny protest from the loss escapes me. I’m positive he sees a confusing mixture of happiness, shock, and…lust?
    “Again?” he asks me in a low grumble.
    I leave the question unanswered, putting one hand firmly on the back of his neck, the other over his heart, feeling that hard