Secret Identity Read Online Free Page B

friends.
     
    She remembered all the fun times they had with Mitchell, the three of them growing up together. All the laughter. Even some of the arguments she looked back on fondly. Carter and Mitchell are what mattered most to her. Every time she thought about heading back to the hotel, Carter would order another drink for her. Finally, just after midnight, she pushed her empty glass away and kicked him under the table when he tried to order another drink for her.
     
    As they were walking out, he grabbed hold of her arm to steady her and she leaned against him for support. She didn't usually drink this much and the feel of his arm around her caused her to let her guard down for a while. They walked back to their hotel, which was only a few blocks away, with her leaning heavily on him.
     
    The chill in the air caused her to pull her coat closer, and she could see her breath in the night air. “I always liked this time of year up here. It reminds me of visiting your grandparents’ place for Christmas.” She looked at the row of lights that lined the street. If she squinted, she could just imagine them as Christmas lights, lining the road.
     
    “I miss your grandparents.” She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. When he wrapped his arm around her more tightly, she closed her eyes for a second.
     
    “Hmm. Me, too. Do you remember the last time we were all up there together?”
     
    “Yes, the party.” She stopped and turned to look at him. His face was shadowed in the street light that shined behind his head. “The kiss.” She looked at his lips now and wondered if it would feel as good now as it had then. Maybe she'd built it up in her mind over the years? Maybe he wasn't as great of a kisser as she remembered?
    She hadn't realized that she'd leaned into him until his arms came around her shoulders.
     
    “ Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that.” He frowned a little and she watched his mouth, thinking of how soft his lips would feel next to hers.
     
    “Did you ever notice that we talk too much about everything?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her.
     
    She was right; his lips were soft and warm and felt like heaven. She moaned and pushed her hands through his thick hair. His hands flexed on her hips before they journeyed up her back as he pulled her closer. She could feel his heart beat against her chest and mentally cursed the layer of clothing between them.
     
    “Eve?” Carter pulled back and rested his head on her forehead. “It's starting to rain.”
     
    “Mmm.” She looked up into the dark sky and realized she felt alive. Pulling away from him, she did a quick spin, only to end up back in his arms when she almost toppled over. She was laughing as she looked up into his face. “I like the rain. I like Chicago. I like kissing you. Can we do it again?”
     
    He laughed and pulled her along the sidewalk. “Sure, let's get out of the cold first.”
     
    She walked next to him and at several points along the short walk even closed her eyes as she leaned against him.
     
    When they walked into the lobby of the hotel, the warmth hit her and she felt a little steadier on her feet. Her mind kicked into gear and when she got into the elevator, she stood with her back against the wall as Carter hit the buttons. She closed her eyes, leaned her head against the cool glass, and took a couple deep breaths.
     
    “Eve?” When she opened her eyes, Carter was standing right in front of her. “I can see you're already regretting the kiss.” He smiled down at her.
     
    She shook her head lightly. “Not regretting, just questioning.”
     
    “Questioning what?” He moved closer and put his hands on her hips, pulling her up and closer to him. When he touched her, it was like her brain refused to think again.
     
    “You. Me.” She looked at his mouth. Somehow, now, it was worse knowing what he could do to her with his mouth. Why did he have to be so good