Cravings (Fierce Hearts) Read Online Free PDF

you?”
    Tizzy slanted her head. “Is there a problem?”
    Warmth crept up her neck, and she was grateful her cheeks wouldn’t divulge her blush. “No, no problem.”
Drat!
Next time she’d know better than to stir suspicion. The intense impulse to escape from her attraction to Asher had overridden her control. Her skin prickled at the idea of being vulnerable to her emotions and Asher’s appeal. “I just wondered.” She offered up her best fake smile and ran around to the passenger side of his truck and climbed in. She waved at Tizzy, but not before she caught the two of them exchanging a sober look. She interpreted it as a directive for Asher to keep track of her.
    Kennedy leaned her head against the headrest and drew in deep pulls of air.
    “So how was school? Did those little brats drive you nuts?”
    His remark grabbed her attention, and she spun her head to him just in time to collide her gaze with those beautiful, sparkling eyes. Just as abruptly, she turned back to the passenger window and started counting the cars driving by. It was a tactic she’d perfected as a young girl. Focus strongly on something completely unassuming and unremarkable to tune out from discomfort, pain, fear, or anxiety. “Actually, they weren’t brats, you dork. But it was very hectic and over-stimulating.”
What? What am I doing? The next thing I know, I’ll be spilling all my inner thoughts and telling him I think he’s gorgeous.
The thought of it sent anxiety trembling through her body. She started touching each finger of her left hand with her thumb, one way and back again.
    “Oh yeah, kids are great. But I can only stand them in small doses. Our senses are so keen, all the noise and chaos that goes with groups of kids can shoot a lot of input into our brains.” He rubbed his hand through his hair. “Serenity now!” he joked.
    Kennedy let a smile slip from her lips. “Thanks for that.” She dipped her head, and they sat in silence until Asher pulled into Lara’s driveway. “You don’t have to treat me like I’ll break, you know. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” She dared a glance at him. His eyes again grabbed at her, throwing her control into turmoil.
    “I’m just being myself, Kennedy. If I felt you were fragile from all that I imagine you’ve been through, I probably wouldn’t feel the way I do.” His voice was steady, solid.
    A lump formed in her throat and she shot him a stern glance. “What does that mean?”
    “I want to get to know you, help you feel comfortable around me.” He held her gaze. “And I don’t want to rush things; I want to really understand you. ’Cause right now, you’re a big question mark for me.”
    She wrenched away from his entrancing eyes. “Don’t mess with my mind, Asher. And don’t try to get close. You won’t like what you find.” She shoved open the truck door and ran up the sidewalk, sorrow chasing her.
    She’d never known anyone who could be trusted. Even her mother had called her a freak of nature and wanted only to use her. No one had seen her as a person, a person who was worth knowing. No one except Griffin Kreger. She clenched her teeth, hard, thinking of her only teenage friend. And even he had been taken away.
    She walked through the door to Lara’s apartment, and warmth enveloped her. The three-bedroom apartment was spacious, even more so because of its spartan rooms. Lara’s former roommate, Michelle Slade, had recently moved out and taken half the furniture, it appeared.
    The scent of coffee brewing wafted around her. Ambiance of a genuine home coaxed her to relax her defenses. She stood there in the cozy living room, aware of the voices in the kitchen and knowing Asher had marched past her to join them, but she remained rooted there, her mind spinning, reaching for familiarity. Something inside her screamed silently, knowing what was familiar was horrifying. Being beaten for reading too slow. Forced to run extra laps around the track on