Mixing Temptation Read Online Free

belonged to Lily’s boyfriend, Dominic Fairmore. On any other Saturday, she would have climbed into the truck. Lily—­a Forever, Oregon, native, kindergarten teacher extraordinaire, and for a few weeks most Big Buck’s patrons would rather forget, bartender—­knew Caroline’s secrets. And Lily still grappled with her own set of fears, though she now faced them with Dominic by her side.
    But today Dominic wasn’t riding shotgun. Caroline didn’t recognize the man in the passenger seat. She knew the uniform though—­air force dress blues.
    â€œI can walk—­”
    â€œRyan won’t mind making room,” Lily said as she guided the truck over the shoulder on the opposite side of the road.
    â€œBut you’re headed out of town,” she protested again. Lily might trust the man in uniform, but Caroline couldn’t take that risk.
    â€œWe’ll drop Ryan at his parents’ place first and then I’ll take you to Big Buck’s. I’m guessing you have plenty of time before you need to be at work.” Lily nodded to the passenger door. “Come climb in.”
    Lily Greene, I’m never sharing a plate of Josh ’s brownies with you again.
    Lily knew damn well she had plenty of time. She’d planned to walk to work. “Lil, I don’t want to take you out of your way. And I need to get in early. I fell behind on the dishes last night,” she lied.
    â€œThen we’ll turn around and drop you first,” Lily said. “It’s a lot faster by car than on foot.”
    Caroline couldn’t think of another reason not to accept the ride. If she kept protesting, Mr. Air Force would start asking questions.
    â€œFine.” Caroline looked left, then right, and crossed the street. When she reached the other side, she found Lily’s passenger standing beside the open door.
    Maybe Lily had been right to dismiss Caroline’s concerns. This man looked like he’d walked off a movie set with his chiseled jaw and perfect brown hair.
    But then her gaze swept over the line of medals on his chest. Those were real and she doubted this smiling God among men had swiped them from an air force officer to complete his costume.
    â€œI’m Ryan,” he said, holding out his hand. “Old friend of Lily’s.”
    â€œHe’s one of the original three musketeers,” Lily called from inside the truck. “Dominic and Noah’s best friend from grade school. He played football with them.”
    Caroline glanced over her shoulder at the man holding the door for her. Football? He was pretty, but he didn’t exactly have Noah or Dominic’s imposing build.
    â€œI was the kicker,” Ryan explained as he climbed up behind her. “I left to join the military when they did. But while Noah went to the Marines and Dominic to the army, I made the right call, seeing as I’m the only one still serving, and settled on the air force.”
    â€œDominic would still be a ranger if he hadn’t been injured,” Lily pointed out.
    â€œTrue,” Ryan said. “But I think he’s better off here with you.”
    The front bench in Dominic’s pickup could technically hold three ­people. Still, it was a tight fit. Caroline felt Ryan’s hand brush against her leg as he buckled his seat belt. But after that, he shifted toward the door. No physical contact. But he was giving her a curious look.
    â€œSo what brought you—­”
    â€œRyan’s back in town for Noah and Josie’s wedding,” Lily cut in as she executed an illegal U-­turn. She glanced across the crowded cab as she drove them back toward downtown. “I went and picked him up at the airport so that he could surprise his parents. He didn’t tell them that he’s taking a full two weeks off. Isn’t that sweet?
    â€œAnd now when does Helena get in?” Lily continued without waiting for an answer to her