Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts) Read Online Free Page A

mentioned earlier you had off work. What do you do?"
    "I'm a bouncer at Rebellion." By the blank expression on her face, I was guessing she'd never heard of it. "It's a club downtown. I'm guessing you've never been there?"
    "No, I don't really go out much."
    If she were my girl, I'd take her out all the time. It made me sick that she was with that asshole. We watched TV for about an hour. Some comedy was on and she was laughing at it. I missed hearing that sound. I missed just being around her.
    She turned to face me. "So, tell me about your family?"
    "Well, I told you my mom passed away. After that, it was just me, my dad, my brother, and sister. Holly is seventeen and Anthony is fifteen. What about your family?"
    Her face dropped and she seemed to be looking anywhere but at me. "Listen, Carter, I had fun, but I really need to go. I have to study."
    What did I say? Why is she all of a sudden telling me she needs to study? I knew she didn't, but I didn't want to push her. I wondered why my asking about her family upset her so much. I wanted to ask her, but I didn't think she was ready to tell me anything tonight. "Okay, let me give you a ride home."
    "No, it's okay. I will-"
    "Come on, I'm taking you home." She reluctantly went outside and got in my car. I pulled up to her dorm and got out.
    "You don't need to walk me in. I'll be fine."
    "It's okay, I want to."
    She just nodded her head. When we got to her door, she was about to unlock it when her roommate opened it. I recognized her. She was in one of my afternoon classes.
    I gave Maddy a hug. It felt so good to have her pressed against me that I didn't want to let go. She pulled away first, but the look in her eyes let me know I wasn't the only one with feelings like that.
    "Thank you for tonight, Carter. I'll see you in class."
     
     
    Madison
     
    When Carter kissed me tonight, I did something I'd said I'd never do again-I gave him a part of my heart. I didn't want to and it scared me, but it was inevitable. I wished everything happened differently. I wished Chris didn't want me and that I could be free to be with Carter.
    Chris had been getting especially paranoid lately, telling me that I could never leave him. If I did, he'd find me and he'd make sure me and whoever I left him for would pay. I couldn't bring Carter into this.
    I walked down to the bathroom to get ready for bed. When I came back and climbed into my bed, Nicole was watching me.
    "So, Carter James, huh? I'm glad you finally came to your senses and told that abusive asshole to take a hike."
    What did she just say? How did she know? No one knew. This couldn't be happening. "What are you talking about? Carter and I are just friends."
    "Listen, girl, I went to high school with Carter. He isn't "just friends" with girls. And he sure as hell never walked a girl to her door, unless he was going in. Even then, he'd leave once they were done. Don't fool yourself. That boy likes you and if I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."
    She doesn't know what she is talking about. Sure, Carter kissed me, but I'm sure he's with a lot of girls. He probably assumed by me coming over to his house that he was going to get some. Chris is right. He just sees me as one of his whores. I felt a tear roll down my face. Why the hell was I crying when Carter and I weren't even together?
    "As for Chris, you need to get out while you can. I know you think you hide it well and you do, but I live here and I see everything. I don't know why you're with him when he does that to you and treats you the way he does. You may not think you deserve better, but you do. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."
    She lay down and started reading her book again. How would she know I deserved better? I barely ever talked to her. As much as I hated to admit it to myself, I was looking forward to spending time with Carter on this project, even though with my luck, he was probably only trying to use me. Why the hell would