QuarterLifeFling Read Online Free Page A

meditation
or something. I’d try that some other time… I didn’t want to keep Jude waiting.
    If he was waiting.
    I tried to ignore the sudden niggle of doubt.
    “How long are you here for?” Zara asked.
    “I’m scheduled to leave on Friday. I was supposed to come
here with my best friend, but she got sick at the last minute. What about you?”
    “I’m leaving next week. My mom wanted me to take some time
off, chill out a bit.” She hesitated. “My sister died a couple months ago.”
    “I’m really sorry to hear that.” We stopped walking now that
we were some ways away from the main complex. The only sounds were the faint
rustlings of wildlife as they settled in for the night.
    “I guess I’m still taking it pretty hard. I broke up with my
boyfriend two weeks ago, so that was a double whammy. Anyhow, I don’t want to
burden you with all my troubles.” Zara forced a laugh.
    “It’s no burden.” I felt bad for ever considering my life
hard. By comparison, it was just boring. “I can find out more about Salvador if
you want.”
    Zara shot me a surprised look. “Really? How?”
    “I’m, uh…hooking up with his boss tonight.” That felt weird
to say. I was such a goody-two-shoes that I was blushing, not that anyone could
tell in this darkness. But that was part of the beauty of all this—removed from
everything familiar, I was free to become a different person. At least temporarily.
    “Oh, no kidding? I’d better let you go, then. Tell me all
about it tomorrow morning!”
    Zara waved cheerily, disappearing toward her cabin and
leaving me free to make my way back to my own place—and Jude. I walked slowly
but steadily, enjoying the freedom, peace…and hot anticipation.
    * * * * *
    Jude lit the last of the candles and stood back to survey
his handiwork. He had rushed to get the cabin ready for Alanna’s return and was
still sweaty from the day’s work. He planned to take a quick shower while she
enjoyed the chocolate he’d brought back for her.
    He hadn’t meant to get involved so deep and fast. But he
didn’t regret it one bit. This was the kind of relationship that was supposed
to progress quickly—it would either be over by the end of the week, or…or
they’d actually have to make it work somehow. Which was a little bit crazy, but
also surprisingly exciting.
    Restless, he walked outside to wait on the porch. With
summer winding down, the Central Valley nights were still balmy and he was
looking forward to a leisurely motorcycle ride with Alanna. He waited, growing
more and more impatient until he heard the crunch of footsteps in the distance.
    Moonlight limned her form, shining bright as she continued
toward him. He couldn’t wait to see her gorgeous dark-brown eyes. She might be
a little bit shy and self-conscious, but he hoped to get to know her a lot better tonight.
    “Hey. I’m glad to find you here.” Alanna stepped onto the
porch and he immediately opened his arms, drawing her into an embrace.
    “I’m kind of dusty from digging up a flowerbed,” Jude said.
“You mind if I use your shower real quick?”
    “Go ahead— oh .” She’d peered through the door and seen
the candles. “Did you light those? They’re beautiful.”
    “Yep. You were right about the whole no electricity thing.”
He grinned as she flashed him a suspicious look. “Just kidding, babe. I thought
it would be a cool surprise. I got you some chocolate too.”
    “Awesome. The dessert tonight was melon.” She made a face.
“And I had to listen to some girl complaining about everything.”
    “Takes all kinds to make the world go ’round,” Jude
commented. “I like melons, though.” He reached down, tracing one finger across
the underside of one of her breasts. She shivered, pressing closer to him, and
he couldn’t resist a smile. He was already hard—had been from the moment he saw
her—and at this rate he needed to get his jeans off and get into the shower
before things went too far.
    “Come