Flawed Beauty Read Online Free

thing for us to see each other outside of work.”
    He watched her curls bounce around
her face with intense interest before responding lightly, “Why not? I’m single…
I assume you’re single. Right?”
    “Yes, but I don’t do… the whole
dating thing. I don’t have time between work and school. And even if I did, I
wouldn’t date a guy in the band. Too risky, too much competition, too much…
well everything,” she finished on a rush.
    “Fine. Done. I’m
out of the band. Tonight will be the end of my fledgling singing career,” he
said with a grin.
    She almost faltered at his flash of
teeth. But with a quick shake of her head, and a sad smile on her lips, she
said, “I’m sorry, but I just… can’t.”
    Jace studied her with his brilliant baby
blues before giving her a sexy little smile. “This isn’t over, Tate. Thor
warned me you’d be a challenge… and I do love a good challenge. This should be
interesting.”
    Before Tate understood his
intentions, Jace leaned forward and captured her
cheek in one palm before lightly pressing his lips against hers. She inhaled
sharply at the intoxicating allure of his touch.
    He brushed his lips up to her ear
and whispered, “We could be so good together. Can’t you feel it?”
    Without another word, he swung
around and headed off towards the parking lot, whistling.
    Tate brought her trembling fingers
up to press them against her lips as if to keep the memory of his kiss just a
moment longer as she sank down to the sit on the step. As small as the kiss had
been, she’d felt it down to her toes – almost like lightning. She’d never felt
anything like that in her life. She felt a catch in stomach at his
demonstration of gentleness. She’d never experienced that before, either. He
was so far out of her league. She didn’t understand the rules of his game.
    She tilted her head as she thought
about the first time she remembered being kissed – she’d been fifteen –
and the guy had been Bradley Rivers. She hadn’t understood the rules of his game, either – much to her travail.
    Bradley Rivers had been her
chemistry lab partner at school. He’d been a nice-looking redhead, smart,
funny, and never entered her personal ‘forbidden’ territories – meaning, he
never made sly innuendos or suggestive comments. He’d asked her out and she’d
nearly turned him down, but he’d seemed safe enough.
    He’d picked her up promptly at seven
from her foster parents’ home, had introduced himself to them – ever the proper
gentleman. He’d told them they were having dinner, along with game night, with
his parents, and wouldn’t be out late. Tate had been impressed and excited. He
must really care about her to introduce her to his parents, right?  He’d
driven them directly to his house, where he’d assured her his parents were
really out of town for the weekend. Her first feelings of unease had begun to
filter through. Not wanting to make a big deal out of it, she’d remained
silent. The minute he’d shut the door behind them, he’d led her to their game
room, which boasted a massive green-felted pool table in the middle. Okay,
she’d thought, just a friendly game of pool – still okay.
     He’d pulled her into his arms
and pressed his lips against hers as he’d slowly walked her backwards. Her
heart had been pounding so hard – weren’t all girls nervous like this when they
were kissed? Not wanting to seem un-cool, she’d kissed him back. Even when he’d
parted her lips and forced his tongue into her mouth, she’d not stopped him or
protested. This was all part of being normal. Right? He’d continued backwards until her hips were pressed against the pool table.
Pulling back from her and breathing heavy, he’d smiled, and she’d smiled back.
    “I’ve always had this fantasy about
doing it on the pool table. What do you say? You game… so to speak,” he said,
laughing at his own pun.
    She couldn’t stop the horrified
expression which had