Covered In Paint: Book Five of the Art Of Love Series Read Online Free PDF

self-preservation.” Brooke laughed as she gathered her teaching materials into her arms. “My mother was my best friend, but I still wanted to put her on the longest leash I could manage. I didn’t want to debate every decision of my college life with her. That independent-woman-always-in-control thing Mom does is not just an act for the benefit of handsome men. In reality, she would have made a great prison guard.”
    “In that case, Ohio was probably still risky. I admire your strategy even more.” Drake held the room door open for a laughing Brooke to walk through. “I just have to ask though— what could Jessica Daniels possibly disapprove of with a daughter more conventional than she is? Your mother walks to the beat of a drum I’m certain no one else ever hears. I have great admiration for Will because I have yet to make an accurate guess about any viewpoint she might have about anything.”
    Brooke laughed at the dryness of Drake’s tone as well as at the truth of his words. “Don’t let that cavalier artist persona fool you into thinking my mother is not conventional. Mom likes her daily rituals. And she requires a lot of quiet alone time to ponder her work. I disturb her space when I’m around, especially since I like to watch TV and listen to music. Mom and Will are quite well-matched. All the dating she did finally paid off with finding the perfect guy.”
    “Ever found yourself ‘well-matched’ with anyone?” Drake asked the question innocently, but grinned when Brooke slowed her walk to turn an interested gaze to him. He fell immediately into her amused eyes, unable to see anyone else around them. More amazing was he had no reservations about falling this time. Desire for the younger woman rolled over and through him. Suddenly, he was tired of fighting the feelings she stirred up. He just wanted to be with her even though he had no idea how to make it happen.
    “Me, well-matched with someone? No. Not so far.” Brooke made the remarks casually, choosing to ignore the thorough inspection of Drake’s gaze running over her in a possessive manner. “And I think my luck is getting worse. The current guy I’m trying to date keeps standing me up. He makes these lame excuses about having to help his child who seems remarkably talented at attracting chaos. I’m kicking myself daily because his ‘concerned parent’ routine charms me, even when I end up alone at the end of every evening I’ve tried to spend with him.”
    “I assure you all my child crises are resolved for the moment. And I swear the man you’re trying to date is just as tired as you are of having to leave you every time.” Drake narrowed his eyes, pleased at Brooke’s flirty laugh to his rebuttal. There was a time not so long ago he thought Brooke would never be so relaxed with him. “Trust me, Ms. Daniels. I’m ready for a real date and one which ends a hell of a lot better than our others.”
    Brooke spied an empty classroom near the end of the hallway they walked. She picked up Drake’s hand and dragged him inside the dimly lit room with her. When they were tucked along one wall, she whispered “kiss me”—pleased when he did exactly that with no hesitation at all.
    Drake’s mouth moved on hers with the same level of confidence she always heard in his voice. She put a hand on his chest to keep a bit of distance between them, mostly because she didn’t trust herself not to escalate the kiss into a whole lot more.
    When Drake finally removed his mouth from hers, they were both breathing hard. Brooke shook her head at the way her heart was trying to beat its way out of her chest. Drake kissed well, but how did the man reduce to her to a mass of quivering nerves every time?
    Her inquiring gaze met his focused, determined one. An honest-to-God shiver ran down her spine.
    “I seriously want to do this with you until I get my fill,” Drake said hoarsely, moving to avoid the bulge from the armload of books she carried.