Dune Road Read Online Free PDF Page A

tired.”
    That’s exactly what she wanted to hear from the man who made her see fireworks just by brushing a finger over her cheek.
    “I am tired, Cole. I’ve been working since early this morning. Well, yesterday morning actually.”
    “Are we still on for tomorrow?”
    “Sure.”
    Cole inched closer. He cradled her face between his hands and leaned forward. His lips softly touched hers, hesitantly, as if waiting to see if she would respond.
    Her first instinct was to push away, but before she could act on it, her body melted into his embrace. A heated fire rushed through her, filling her with a desire that was foreign. She wanted to surrender all her pain, sadness, exhaustion, and just get lost in this one moment—in Cole’s arms.
    The kiss grew more urgent, more demanding. He moved one hand down to settle at the small of her back, and supported her head with the other as he deepened the kiss. She couldn’t get enough of him. As if guessing her thoughts, he molded his body to hers until it felt as though they were one. Their hearts pounded in a combined frantic staccato, their breath came in short gasps, and…
    Ashleigh froze.
    ****
    Ashleigh stiffened, but Cole didn’t release her. He looked into her eyes as she stared back like a deer caught in headlights. He loosened his hold. “Is something wrong?” Was he moving too fast? She seemed comfortable enough, at first anyway. Had she changed her mind about him?
    “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
    A single tear trickled down her cheek. Cole leaned to catch it with his lips. Ashleigh gasped and lowered her head to his shoulder. Pulling her closer, he held her tight against him, wanting desperately to shelter her from anything that caused her pain.
    “It’s all right. Are you okay?”
    She nodded, not moving her head from his shoulder. Dampness from her tears soaked through the light cotton of his shirt. Realization suddenly slammed him with a thought. She worked so hard. Something about her past must be responsible for the sadness he sensed in her. His heart shattered. His protective instincts rose, threatening to override his common sense. He clamped his teeth together and turned his head to keep from letting his true emotions spill out.
    “I have to go, Cole. I think it would be better if we didn’t see each other again.” She pushed away and squeezed out from between him and the bar. He watched as she began to gather her belongings, her head down and tears still flowing down her face.
    “Ashleigh, talk to me. I’m sorry if I came on too strong. I guess I’m tired too. It’s late, please don’t make any decisions tonight. Go out with me tomorrow and we’ll talk then.”
    “I don’t think it’s a good idea, Cole.” She brushed her hand over her wet cheeks and pulled her keys from the bag.
    “Why not?” Ashleigh wasn’t the type of girl he usually dated so he didn’t really understand her or know how to proceed.
    “Look, Cole, I don’t have the energy to do this right now. Can’t you just let it go?” She pulled the tie from her hair and massaged her temples as the fall of blond hair cascaded down her back. Cole was once again lost. “I have a headache, and I’m going home, Cole.”
    “Will you at least see me tomorrow?”
    She sighed, as if frustrated. “I can’t keep seeing you. I’m not the kind of girl you usually date, am I?”
    “No, but what does that have to do with anything?” This woman was going to confuse him to death. Maybe that was the attraction. She was definitely a challenging puzzle.
    “You’re not the type of guy I usually date, either. I…” Her cheeks turned red as her voice trailed off. She lowered her head.
    “What is it, Ashleigh?” Surely they could work out whatever the problem was, but he couldn’t help if he didn’t know what was wrong.
    “I don’t sleep around, Cole. I know you probably won’t understand this, but I’m waiting until I get married. I’m not interested in a one night stand, or a