One Reckless Night Read Online Free Page B

She couldn’t believe Dane had been attracted to her and she
    hadn’t even noticed. What was wrong with her?

    Any rational woman…any normal woman…would have known. Bayleigh wasn’t ready for
    this. Wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Yes, Dane was attractive, but date him? That was a serious
    step. She also knew it was one she wasn’t prepared for. Her past relationships had been disasters and
    she wasn’t ready for another one.

    “Bayleigh?” She jumped in surprise, pressing a hand to her chest. “Look at me, Bayleigh.”

    It was difficult, but she managed to drag her eyes upward. His expression of concern
    touched her. He was such a good friend and she didn’t want to lose that.

    “I know this is a lot to think about. I also don’t expect an answer tonight, but I had to tell
    you.”

    She gave him a brief nod, not sure how she should respond. It was times like these she
    wished she could switch places with Tasha. Her younger sister was the outgoing one, the one who
    always knew what to in a social situation.

    “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say Dane. I never thought about us as anything other
    than friends.”

    “Is it because I’m white?”

    Bayleigh gasped. “ No, Dane! You know me better than that.

    Race doesn’t matter to me. It never has and you know it.”

    Dane sat down his fork. “Then what is it?”

    The corners of her mouth curled up into a small smile. “You’re my friend, Dane. I’ve never
    thought about you in any other way.”

    Bayleigh forced the small lie out, relieved when Dane gave her a look of understanding. He
    reached across the table and took her hand in his. She felt a jolt that had never been there before. It
    was the same sensation she felt last night when his lips touched hers for the first time.

    “I understand Bayleigh. But I hope you’ll at least think about it.”

    Bayleigh nodded. After everything that had occurred in the last twenty-four hours she’d be
    lucky if she could think about anything else.

Chapter Two

    “Okay, spill it.”

    Dane looked up at Isaac, his best friend, and frowned. “Spill what?”

    “Tell me what has you drinking the same beer for an hour and ignoring the last three women
    who came on so strong, you could probably have one of them in bed by now.”

    Dane shook his head. “Sorry, I’m not good company tonight. My mind is a little
    preoccupied.”

    Isaac laughed. “You don’t say? The question is, what has you so preoccupied?”

    Dane closed his eyes. He didn’t want to get into this. Even with Isaac being his best friend
    since elementary school, he didn’t think Isaac would get it.

    Things were bad enough as it was. Since his dinner with Bayleigh four nights ago, she had
    avoided him. Unless it dealt with work, she wouldn’t talk with him. Even then she was brief,
    professional. The warmth she normally showed him was gone and he wasn’t sure he could ever get it
    back.

    Bayleigh meant a lot to him. It hadn’t been until two years ago that he realized he had fallen
    for her. Yet when he thought about why he had, it would be easy for anyone to understand.

    She was easy to talk to, sweet, caring, and easy to get along with, but reserved.

    There was a lot he knew a lot about her, but he didn’t know everything. She kept parts of
    herself hidden from others and he had no idea why. Anytime he tried to talk to her about her secrets
    Bayleigh would shut down. She had been hurt in the past. He knew first hand by whom and the jerk
    hadn’t been worth her time. Dane sighed. If she were willing to give him a chance he would show
    her how she deserved to be treated.

    Bayleigh was the woman he had been looking for. The woman he wanted a future and family
    with. She intrigued him on every level a woman should intrigue a man. She had him in knots with
    trying to figure her out, wondering what his next move should be. How could he convince her that
    getting involved with him wouldn’t be a mistake, wouldn’t