Breathless (Meadowlarks) Read Online Free PDF Page A

“You're so fucking sexy,” he growled at me. “I have wanted this for way too long.”
    “Have it,” I breathed, heated by my thumping heart.
    With my dress in my hand, I pull ed my phone from my pocket and called Alex.
    He answer ed in two rings. “Hello?”
    “Hi, babe.” I smile d when I heard his deep voice.
    “Oh, babe. I miss you.”
    “I miss you.” I frowned.
    He sigh ed into the phone. “How's everyone? How's Scarlett?”
    “They're good. She's great. Fell asleep on my dad after dinner. What are you up to?”
    I could hear the sound of the TV in the background.
    “Just watching the game. Bruins are winning four to one.”
    I’m not sad I'm missing it. “Sounds awesome. I’m going out with the girls tonight.”
    “Oh, are you now?” H e breathed.
    I smile d, knowing this would probably get him going. “Yeah, just looking at something to wear. I’m not sure though. I think I'll just settle for this boring coral dress with a lace back. It's comfy.”
    “Riley, you know I remember that dress. I remember everything you wear, especially what I take off of you.”
    My insides shift ed and clenched. I licked my lips, thinking of Alex's hands on my body.
    “Are you really going to wear that?” he ask ed dryly.
    “Well, yeah. Why?”
    “Put it on and take a picture. Send it to me.”
    I laugh ed. “Anything for you babe. Love you.”
    “I love you. Be good,” he said huskily.
    “Bye, Alex.”
    I tossed the phone on the bed and pulled off my clothes, swapping my regular black bra for a strapless one, I pulled the dress over my body. It still fit like a second skin, like it had been painted on my frame.
    I curl ed my long black hair, twisting each thick tendril in my fingers. I applied enough eyeliner and mascara to enhance my eyes and add touch of gloss to my lips. I was ready to go by the time Leah texted me that they would be here in five minutes to pick me up.
    A quick selfie in the mirror with my cellphone a nd I sent the picture to Alex. Eat your heart out handsome .
    He text ed back within seconds. Come home. NOW.
    “Holy shit, Riley! You look amazing!” Camille is the first to bounce from Leah's BMW as she skipped up the stone walkway to hug me.
    “Hey, girl!” I hug ged her tightly, as I miss them all so much.
    Zoe and Leah join our embrace and we stood, giggling and hugging for a few minutes.
    “Okay, my mascara's gonna start to run if I start crying, so let's go!” I laugh ed, and the sound of eight high-heeled shoes clicked down the stone quickly.
    I wasn’t sure why I expected things to change in my absence, and, like my parent's house—minus Scarlett's bedroom, The Club hadn't changed either. It was still the same, and when we walked through the double doors it seemed the crowd inside hadn't changed much either.
    I fe lt different though, like I had turned in to someone else. Someone I still had yet to fully recognize and accept.
    “What can I get you?” The huge- breasted bartender shouted to me from behind the counter.
    “Tom Collins!” I shouted back and smiled.
    She nod ded and started working on my drink.
    I pull ed out the straw from the glass she handed me, and I chugged back the tingly drink in one shot.
    The girls all gape d at me and I laughed. “What?”
    “Well, let's dive right in, shall we?” Zoe snort ed.
    “Why not?” I said with sass and took their hands, pulling them all behind me onto the big dance floor. “Besides, when will the four of us be together like this again? Little Miss Marshall is too busy gettin’ famous!”
    Leah blushe d and curtsied. She surprised everyone by quitting her accounting job to fulfill her dream—to be a singer.
    Suddenly I was twenty-seven again, the single mother of one child who was sleeping peacefully at our home on 870 Milestone Avenue with my parents just down the hallway. I was bouncy and fun and invigorated. I shook my hips and danced my ass off, swinging to the pulse of the music and smiling at the three