Taking Chances Read Online Free Page A

fingers and a couple of fries, she dug into
the coleslaw. Her hunger had disappeared, but she needed the distraction.
    On nights when the Bulls played at home, Lydia’s
routine included getting barbecue and sitting on the couch eating and yelling
at the TV. She would have no problem finding something else to eat tonight.
Maybe she would pick one of her other favorites. Deep dish pizza had the gooey
cheese and spicy sausage or maybe an Italian beef sub where the juices tended
to slide down your arms. Yummy decisions were the most fun.
    They sat eating and reading like nothing had
happened, like she hadn’t just had her tongue on his finger. Her brain tried
again to stay on task. She read slower than Jake. She suspected she spent more
time on the smaller details, which slowed her pace. Taking everything in was her
specialty. Not missing any piece of a puzzle inspired her to work hard.
    “You know you’ve ruined my dinner, right?” She hoped
to distract them both or prove she wasn’t thinking about how close they were
sitting.
    “What?”
    “Well, I was going to get some Smoke Hut before the
game tonight.” She was working too hard to calm her nerves and not look at him.
If she wasn’t careful, he’d notice. She didn’t have a lot of practice with
nervous chatter. “Do you like the Bulls?”
    “The Bulls?” He
scooted back in his chair.
    “I love the Bulls. I watch as many of their games as
I can.” The change of subject began working its magic. She released some
tension from her shoulders and relaxed into the conversation.
    “They’re looking good this year.” He tilted his head,
and his brows rose a bit.
    “I know, right? I usually get some barbecue on my
way home, and now I’ll have to figure something else out.” She attempted to look
put out. Her jutting bottom lip might not have pulled it off.
    “Maybe I’ll have to make it up to you?” he said with
a smirk.
    “I think that’s the least you can do.”   She reached her finger out and poked him in
the chest.
    Her smile disappeared when he took hold of her
finger. It must have been contagious, because his face lit up. She tried to
yank her finger from his grasp, but it seemed to only encourage him to increase
his hold.
    “Hey, you let go.” She laughed and continued
struggling to regain control over her finger. His amused expression made her
giggle, but in the next second it was gone and his stern business face
returned.
    “Okay, sorry, but don’t poke me. Next time, I might
not be willing to let go.”
    His expression confused her. His pinched brows
warned her off, but the glow in his eyes tempted her to push back.
    “Oh, really?”
    “Yeah.” His
brow softened, as did his posture.
    He had done a terrible job of discouraging the
poking. They sat there shaking their heads at each other like high-school kids.
She made a mental note to poke him again as soon as the situation warranted.
    Wait a minute. What was she thinking? Seduction wasn’t
her style. Her stomach quivered, warning her to be cautious. When did she ever do
anything outside of her comfort zone? Ah, never.
    She had to get out of the room. Her nerves were on a
one way ticket. She refused to have a panic attack at work and not in front of
Jake. Peace and quiet were what she needed, a moment to think through her
actions. The alternative would be a hot mess.
    “I’m going to wash my hands,” she said calmly,
hoping Jake didn’t hear the shakiness in her voice. “I’ll be right back.” She
rushed from the room.
    ****
    He’d scared her. He knew it for certain. It wasn’t
what she said as she left, but he wasn’t listening to what she said. Her face
said it all. She’d shut him out.
    The Dom in him ached to get out and not simply
because he found her attractive. Something in her demeanor pulled on him and commanded
him to push her limits. His hand smacked the table as frustration swept through
his body. It was hard to ignore his instincts. Even now he wanted to go to her