Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) Read Online Free PDF

he wanted to say more on the subject, but thought better of it. She felt a light tug on her hand.
    “Come on, I want my dance.” That low, deep voice coupled with those full lips curved upward in a melt for me smile had her heart fluttering. His steady gaze and firm, yet gentle hand holding told her he was resolute in getting what he wanted.
      This was her one night to have fun. Taking a dose of Logan’s determination, Ava decided she wouldn’t surrender this moment because of Randall. Male predators had taken too much from her. She would dance with a man whose mere presence penetrated the numbing haze that was her life.  
    “Okay,” she replied in what sounded like a sure voice. With that one simple word the night’s energy pulsed in her veins. The sense of liberation swallowed the earlier darkness. For the first time since Randall’s retreat she could feel the vibrations of the music moving through her body. It felt good. Better yet, it felt great. “We can do whatever you want.”  
    Where the heck had that come from? Being near Logan brought out bravado that had abandoned her long ago. A genuine smile spread across her face for the second time. She was okay. She inhaled a deep, shuddered breath releasing the final remnants of Randall from her mind. She was safe. Logan must have sensed the direction of her thoughts.  
    “He won’t get near you,” he said with a set jaw. The words held such authority she had no choice but to accept them as truth. She nodded her head in acceptance.  
    “One more thing.” She looked up expectantly. The way he slowly studied her made her smile slip briefly. “Don’t say anything you don’t mean Ava. I will hold you to it.” Though delivered in a playful banter there was no mistaking the ring of truth in his voice.
    She gave a shaky laugh because she didn’t know what else to do. “Don’t hold me to a million dollar marker or anything close to it. Remember, I’m a nurse, not a pediatric surgeon.”  
    He was still studying her when she noticed her hand rested protectively in his.She started to pull back and his grip tightened. “Stay.” The sensuality in his tone took her by surprise. Her body quickened at the soft play of his fingers along her knuckles. Being near him left her exposed and reactive to her need.  
    “Excuse me?” Inhaling a deep breath to clear her rattled brain only heightened the response. Now she was busy cataloging every trace element of his scent. She had never behaved this way with a man.  
    “It’s my responsibility to keep you safe. To do that, I need you close.” The way he said close had her gaze roaming from his lips down his biceps to their joined hands, then back up to meet his crooked smile. Was she that obvious? Yes. She needed to put all the raging hormone pills back in the bottle before she danced with him.  
    “Okay Logan, come and get me when they play a fast song. I’ll be at that table.” He couldn’t know which table she referred to without her pointing it out. She tugged her arm backwards trying to extricate her hand. His grip tightened.
    “I have you now, why would I let you go?” At her quick, indrawn breath, he chuckled.  
    It was an excellent question to which she had no reply. An “um” escaped her lips before she could seal them. Say something bold and sophisticated. She looked up at him, and that was a mistake. The carnality in his expression undid her. The desire she saw on his face was the opposite of calming. It had her insides flipping, tumbling, and sinking.  
    “This is a nice song. Come with me.” He moved toward the dance area, with her falling instep behind him. The late Luther Vandross crooned So Amazing to be Loved in the background.  
    Focused on what she would say to Logan during the dance, Ava didn’t noticed the slight incline leading to the dance floor until it was too late. The toe of her shoe met with the incline edge and stayed put while the rest of her body maintained its