Ride It Out Read Online Free Page B

leave.
    "Is it okay if I sit?"
    The question seems to flip a switch in her and bright color flushes her cheeks. "Of course. What was I thinking? Have a seat, please."
    The intensity of her gaze as she watches me transfer makes me a little uneasy. Since I came back from rehab, everyone looks away. I fumble a little and finally manage to get my wheels out of the way and stashed at the end of the couch.
    The big TV across the room catches my attention. “What about watching a movie? Come sit with me.”
    “Oh!" She's flustered, hands nervously tucking her hair back. "Yes, okay." She moves toward me a few inches then stops. "You know what? I’m thirsty. You thirsty? I’ll go get us something to drink.” Her voice is high-pitched and she’s talking a mile a minute. She rushes out like the room is on fire, leaving me to sit and wonder if she has coke and rum.
    After a few minutes she brings back a tray with two drinks and a bowl of chips and salsa. “Here, fruit punch and a snack.” She sits it down on the coffee table off to the end of the couch.
    I reach for a glass. This woman surprises me at every turn. “Fruit punch, huh? Didn’t see that coming. No beer or wine for yourself?” I sit back and take a little sip, instantly reminded of long summer days as a kid at the beach.
    She's quiet as she parks her chair and transfers to the couch. Her slight weight barely sinks into the cushion. Too far away, but at least she's beside me. “I don’t drink much. Okay, any. Fruit punch is my favorite anyways.” She takes a sip. Her tongue slides over her bottom lip to catch the single drop left there.
    With any other chick I would think she’s doing that shit on purpose, to get my attention, but I know she’s not like them. Regardless, she has my full attention and then some now. I scoot closer, and her hand trembles as she takes one last sip before placing it back down.
    As my arm slides behind her, she makes a little dive and grabs the remote. “What would you like to watch? I have The Notebook or The Longest Ride .” All her attention is riveted to the TV.
    An involuntary chuckle escapes me. “Chick-flicks Anne? Anything with action?” While I might rather not watch either of those, I'd watch whatever she wants just to spend the time with her.
    “Um, I have Titanic . It has some action in it.” She sounds timid, as if the suggestion might offend me, but serious at the same time.
    The movies I normally choose would probably scare the daylights out of her. At least that might offer a chance to hold her. I resolve to bring a hard-core action movie next time. “Anne, sweetheart. That’s also a chick-flick. How about you pick? Whichever you want, we’ll watch.”
    Damn, she's tense. Brushing her hair off her shoulder, I rub slow circles there to try to help her relax a bit. Her shoulders tighten even more for just a second before they start to loosen.
    “Ok. Let’s watch The Longest Ride . I haven’t watched it in a little while. It’s one of my favorites. Have you seen it? Are you hungry? Maybe I should go make us some popcorn.” There she goes again. Speaking so fast, not even letting me answer her. Almost like she’s having a conversation by herself.
    “Anne. No popcorn. Just stay here with me. Relax, it’s just a movie. I won’t let anything happen to you. Well, nothing that you don’t want.” I wink and give her my trademark smirk—the one guaranteed to get me laid.
    Laughing, she relaxes. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m so nervous. You’re right. Just a movie.” Pressing start, she leans back a little, getting closer to me.
    The lights somehow dim right when the movie starts. After a second of being startled, I realize the feature must be on the remote. I need to look into getting that for my place. Make things a hell of a lot easier.
    As we watch whatever's happening on the screen, the impulse to kiss her takes over. Images of those lips earlier pop into my head, testing my self-control. Other