Turbulent Kisses Read Online Free Page B

hands drop onto the top edge of her butt, resulting in a wonderful warmth spreading from the location of his hands on her back throughout the rest of her body.
    Pearl stopped resisting and leaned closer into him, inhaling his masculine scent, her mouth salivating to taste him. The sensual swaying of their bodies in absolute sync transported her into a dreamland, full of wonderful fantasies.
    His strong arms wrapped around her, cocooned her into a safe place, where none of her problems mattered. It was nice for a change to feel safe and taken care of, almost like a baby in his mother’s arms. But after a minute or so into their dance, the slight twisting motion was killing her knee.
    Shit. Why do I have to be reminded of reality? She didn’t want the feeling of safety in his arms to end and tried to ignore the increasing pain for as long as she could, but when she couldn’t take it any longer, she pulled away from him. “I’m sorry, but I need some fresh air.”
    If Chase was offended by her pulling back, he didn’t show it. He just nodded and led her towards the side exit, his hand never once leaving its spot on her lower back. Pearl did her best not to show the pain, but to no avail.
    “Are you hurt? You should have said something?” he said with a genuinely worried face.
    Pearl opened the door before he could do it for her. “I’m fine. And no, I’m not hurt.”
    He’d noticed. How sweet. But then she freaked out because he had noticed. She’d been doing her best to hide her injury from everyone. No one except the doctors knew about the extent of damage to her knee, and it needed to stay that way.
    If someone was to find out and leak it to the press, her career in high diving could be over before she ever got a chance to prove she was healed up.
    Just as they stepped outside, her cell phone beeped. She glanced at the caller I.D. and rolled her eyes with a groan. It was her trainer. Again.
    He’d been calling her for weeks now, harassing her about the next season, but she’d been avoiding a definite answer. She was afraid to tell him the truth, a truth she hadn’t even accepted herself yet. That she might not be able to compete – maybe never again.
    She needed more time to make a decision and sent the call to voicemail. Pearl glanced up just in time to see Chase raising his eyebrow in question at her. Now he’ll think the worst.
    “Is everything okay?” His warm and caring voice was like melted chocolate. It warmed the insides of her chest before she quickly pulled her armor of steel around her heart again. She needed someone to capture her heart like she needed another injury.
    Pearl shrugged, intending to brush him off, but his genuine worry for her had caught her off guard. With no warning, the weight of her future seemed larger than life. Without being able to stop them, the words tumbled out of her mouth. “No. Everything is far from alright.”
    Chase’s eyes showered her with concern and interest, while he guided her back towards the bar. “Let’s go find someplace to sit and talk.”
    She followed him back inside, pleased when he snagged their beers and led her over to a quiet booth in the back of the bar. This man surprised her time and time again. He was nothing like the first image he’d given her at the beach.
    Considerate hadn’t registered in her mind as one of his character traits. When they’d met in the bar earlier, she had believed all her prejudices confirmed as he seemed to know each and every person, especially females, and tossed out a charming smile and a greeting to everyone.
    But once he’d zoomed in on her, he seemed oblivious to the more-or-less-friendly stares the female population in the bar was sending his way. I’m sure any number of them wish they were in my place right now.
    A pang of jealousy hit her guts and had her questioning her own sanity. She was so not interested in Mr. Shirtless Playboy. Pushing that unpleasant thought away, she slid into the booth and