Awakening Kiss (Watcher's Kiss Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

boys.” She loved her mother dearly, but the dates never amounted to much and she hadn’t had a serious relationship in years.
    She knew her mom didn’t want her to be alone, the way she had been, raising Enza. Her dad had never been in their lives.
    “Wicker Park?” Rhys’s deep baritone cut into her thoughts.
    “Yeah. Take the next exit.” She eyed the fancy interior of the big car and idly wondered what Rhys would think of her street. It was pretty far from the Gold Coast, literally and visually. Not the nicest street, but not the worst either. The whole neighborhood was slowly growing economically, which made it affordable for her. “Have you lived here long?”
    “Couple years.” He rolled his shoulders.
    “I’m guessing you guys are pretty familiar with the neighborhoods?” She half-turned to the back, where Brenin sat absorbed in his phone. Colors from the screen flashed in the dark interior.
    He looked up from the screen, eyes glittering. “We know it well.”
    The car idled with a low rumble at the exit’s stoplight. Rhys ran a hand over his hair. “It’s good to know where you should and shouldn’t go.”
    Questions about what he did bounced around in her head. But just as she was insanely curious, her brain was nearing overload. Tonight had been overwhelming and all she wanted was her bed. Quiet, cozy, and familiar. She just wanted to pull the covers over her head and be glad she was alive.
    In a few minutes they reached Wicker Park, and she directed him to her apartment. To her surprise, Rhys got out and met her on the sidewalk. “It’s late. Do you have to work tomorrow?”
    “No, thank god.” She fidgeted, shoving her hands into her pockets. “Looks like I’ll be at the phone store, replacing my phone.”
    He grimaced. “That sucks.” He eyed her building. “Tell me you’re not on the first floor.”
    “No, third.”
    “Good. That’s safer.”
    “I have three locks. And the door has a code.”
    He scowled. “I know tonight was crazy. I want you to be careful where you go, especially at night. No more alleys.”
    “Okay.” She appreciated his concern, delivered with sincerity. In the light of the streetlamp, she could see the strong line of his jaw, and full lower lip. Technically, she could say goodbye and be done with him. She had no reason to see him again.
    But she wasn’t sure she wanted that. She didn’t understand what he did, but he had brought her home safely. And that fact melted her worry that he was crazy or dangerous. She ground her sneaker toe into the sidewalk as the right kind of parting words escaped her. “So… thanks for the ride home. Good luck with, uh, your work.” What did he even call it? Evil-creature-tracking?
    “You too.” He angled his head toward her apartment. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
    She nodded and ducked her head in an unsuccessful attempt to hide a grin. Big and protective and, apparently, a genuinely nice guy to boot. His arm brushed hers as they took the one step up to the door. Warmth bloomed in her chest.
    “Um.” She flipped up the plastic cover for the keypad, hand hovering, thoughts melting like chocolate in a double boiler. Her mind drew a total blank. What was her code again?
    Rhys leaned an arm on the brick next to her and tilted his head. Heat rolled off his frame and she met his twinkling brown eyes. “Need help?”
    “Um, I…” feel like an idiot . In the glow of the light above the door, all his features came together to form a magazine-worthy picture of hotness. How was it possible for a guy to seem laid-back and alert at the same time? He stood a fraction of an inch away. Sudden images swept into her brain of when his arms had been around her tonight. When he’d held on to her as they fell. When he’d grabbed her when she tried to run. The smolder in her chest crept up, heating her cheeks.
    The bulb flickered on and off three times and Rhys shot a glare at it before looking back at her. “Does it do that