No Boundaries Read Online Free Page B

home.”
    Gwen smiled, acknowledging the awkwardness. “I really am sorry for all this.”
    Gwen looked down at her hand still holding Andi’s. Heat rose to her face as her body responded to her attraction to Andi. She wanted to reach out and touch her. She let go before she made a complete fool of herself. Gwen’s skin cooled in the absence of Andi’s touch, and she instinctively closed her fist, trying to hold on to the lingering sensation of the touch. This was turning out to be a very good day.
    “No harm done really.” Andi looked around the room, taking her eyes away from Gwen for the first time. She needed a distraction so she could get a grip on herself. She searched for a way to put more distance between her and Gwen so she could think more clearly and settle the stir of attraction that had her out of sorts. Andi spotted Zeek lying sprawled on the floor at their feet, her big brown eyes looking apologetically from Gwen to Andi, making her eyebrows dance up and down.
    “What kind of dog is Zeek?”
    “Neapolitan mastiff.”
    Andi knelt beside Zeek, taking the big muzzle into her hands. Zeek raised her head, and Andi planted a kiss on top. “I’m sorry too, Zeek. I hope we can be friends.”
    These seemed to be the magic words. Zeek jumped up, tail wagging like a giant propeller as she lumbered out the back door.
    “Guess it’s back to squirrel patrol,” Gwen said with an exasperated laugh.
    Andi laughed too. “Guess so. Well, I really should get going. I still have to finish my run, and it looks like you have your work cut out for you.”
    Gwen winced and looked around at the mess. “Unfortunately, you are correct.”
    “Do you need any help?” Andi asked, and then looked away regretting the words. What was she doing? She didn’t know Gwen, and it wasn’t like her to offer to spend time with someone she didn’t know.
    “Thanks, but I think right now I just need to return the truck and make a plan. But I’d love to get together for a drink or dinner later.”
    Andi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Thank you, but I can’t.” She was still trying to make sense of the feelings Gwen had stirred in her, and the thought of spending even more time with Gwen was both exciting and terrifying. Part of her cried out for some connection, but Andi knew better than to follow those feelings. She reminded herself that her life was much simpler if she didn’t allow anyone close.
    “Are you sure? I’d like to make this up to you.” Gwen gestured to the bandage on Andi’s hand.
    Andi could feel Gwen’s gaze as if she had been touched. She recognized the interest lingering in Gwen’s eyes and felt increasingly uncomfortable with the closeness of Gwen’s body. “You don’t even know me,” Andi said with an edge of distrust in her voice.
    “That’s the point in getting together, isn’t it? So we can get to know each other.”
    Andi couldn’t believe this was happening. She hadn’t had time to understand her feelings and felt at a loss to explain. She wasn’t used to being thrown off balance by anyone, and her words came out sharper than she had intended. “Thanks, but I’ll have to pass.”
    “Why?” Gwen asked, moving closer. “It could be fun.”
    Andi swallowed, trying to clear the lump that was forming in her throat. She felt a stab of disappointment at the aplomb of Gwen’s gesture. She wasn’t used to women asking her out, and she certainly wasn’t used to being so affected by anyone. “I’m sorry, I really can’t. I need to go.”
    Gwen smiled playfully at Andi. “Okay. Maybe another time then.”
    Andi looked away, caught off guard by Gwen’s apparent interest.
    Gwen shrugged, unused to women saying no. “Fair enough.” She’d noticed the sudden change in Andi’s behavior and realized Andi was uncomfortable with the conversation, but she wasn’t certain why. She was disappointed by Andi’s rejection. She knew she had seen interest in Andi’s eyes. It was one thing for a