Hooked for Life Read Online Free Page B

scrolls of wood in the roof peaks and the big wraparound porch. She had never been inside it and had always been jealous of Lissa for hanging here with Darren and the others.
    The windows had little lights in them and the walk was lit with solar lights. Darren came around to open her door and offer his hand to help her out of the car.
    But he didn’t let go as he led her down the walk and up the few stairs. Opening the door, he ushered her inside and Brady stopped cold when she got a look at the sprawling open floor plan.
    But it wasn’t the rooms that made her stop. It was what he had done to them.
    There were lit candles on every available surface and a huge vase of white roses on the low coffee table. They were her favorite.
    “Darren?”
    He was watching her and she caught his gaze. “Did you do this for me?” She sounded a little breathless but it couldn’t be helped.
    “Yeah. It’s for you but I had a little help.” Just then Old Marge herself came out of the kitchen.
    “I thought I heard you out here, Darren. Brady! Is that really you?”
    “Hi, Marge, how are you?” Brady said, smiling at the gray-haired woman who hadn’t changed a day.
    Marge surprised Brady when she wrapped her in a bear hug and was shockingly sturdy for the tiny woman she was.
    “I’m just fine, child, and you look amazing! I always knew you were special.”
    “Thank you.” Brady didn’t know what else to say.
    “Darren, dinner is all set, I’ll just be on my way.” Within seconds she had her things in hand and was out the door.
    “Slowed down, huh?”
    Darren gave her a sheepish smile and shrugged. “Maybe not so much.”
    “You do realize the whole town will know we had dinner in an hour.”
    “I know, is that a problem for you, Brady?”
    “No, not at all.”
    “Dinner first or a glass of wine?”
    “Wine would be great.” Brady hoped it would steady her racing heart and shaking hands.

Chapter Four
     
    Brady took a seat on the couch as Darren poured them both wine. The smell of the roses filled her nose and the candles made the whole room glow. It was a perfect setting for seduction and she no longer wondered if that’s what he had in mind.
    “How did you know I like white roses?” she asked as he handed her a glass and joined her on the couch.
    “I remembered it was what your parents gave you when you graduated.”
    He was right and she had forgotten about that. He was full of surprises these days.
    “So tell me, Darren, what do you do with yourself now?”
    “I started a couple online marketing websites that have done well.”
    “Really?”
    “Don’t look so surprised. I’m not a dumb jock.”
    “I never said you were.” Is that really what he worried she thought of him? It couldn’t be further from the truth.
    “Your new book comes out next month?”
    Brady took a sip of her wine and just looked at him. “Don’t tell me you read them?”
    “I do and maybe before you go you would sign one for me?”
    Brady didn’t understand why but it struck her as funny and she couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling out.
    When she looked at his face and saw the confusion there it only made her laugh harder.
    After she had wiped the tears from her eyes and had pulled herself together somewhat, she said, “I’m sorry, Darren, I just didn’t expect that.”
    “You are gorgeous when you laugh.” He was staring at her very intently and she felt a shiver race up her back.
    He leaned over, setting his glass down on the table. Very deliberately he took her glass from her fingers and set it next to his, never taking his eyes off her.
    He leaned in close and the last of her laughter died. His hand came up to her face to brush against her cheek and Brady trembled at the touch.
    His normally bright-blue eyes had gone dark and intense and she couldn’t look away.
    Suddenly his hand snaked around to capture the back of her neck and pull her slowly forward. Her eyes drifted closed at the last second before she felt