Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

tease you back?”
    “I’m ticklish.”
    I pull into the parking lot and turn off the car. I turn to him. “Really?” I reach over and tickle his stomach. He laughs, and it makes me laugh too. He pulls me against his body, and holds my arms to stop me.
    My palms are on his chest and the definition of his muscles ripple beneath them. I catch my breath when Christian takes my face in his hands. His eyes shift back and forth as he studies me. He lets out a sigh. “So not sure it’s a good idea.”
    Why not? My heart sinks and I pull away. “Yeah, we should go inside.” I get out of the car quickly so he can’t open my door.
    By the time we’ve traveled the pavement to the door, I’ve swallowed the rejection and am ready to focus on house hunting. Christian guides me through the door, as usual, with his hand at my lower back, and I do my best not to flinch from his touch.
    A smartly dressed woman greets us. “Hi, I’m Sandy, and you must be Christian. Is this your girlfriend?”
    I snap a response. “No. Just a friend.”
    Christian throws me a scowl, and a wave of nausea passes through me. Shit . My excitement is gone, and now I wish I had a way to get out of this.
    As soon as we get to the first house, my mood softens. It’s a beautiful log-cabin design that’s common for this area, and I begin to enjoy myself as we get the tour.
    Continuing through the morning, I learn a bit more about Christian. He likes open kitchens, hardwood floors, and high-ceiling great rooms in addition to finished basements. Everything my house is.
    By the time we’re ready for lunch, I’m completely over my snit and am even receptive to his flirting again. Only this time I know better, and I don’t read more into it than is really there. I was foolish to think Christian doesn’t do this with all women.
    The afternoon flies by, and we’re done by five. The temperature has dropped, and I huddle in my jacket when we walk to the car. Our breath turns into vapor when we exhale. I say, “We saw so much, but I think you’ve got a lot of good choices for what you like.”
    “I do. What should we do about dinner? Maybe something from town and bring it back?”
    “Sure. How about Thai?” The engine of my Land Rover hums when I start the car.
    “Perfect. And I think we need to stop by that coffee shop where you wanted me to tie you up. I’m craving”—he pauses for effect and then adds—“dessert.”
    I shake my head but don’t flush. Now that I know it’s just a game, I can take it easily.
    I pull into a parking spot a few blocks away that is between the two restaurants. Because the mountain isn’t open yet, cars only dot the sides of the road. I say, “Why don’t you go get the desserts, and I’ll get dinner? We can meet back here.”
    Christian reaches for my arm to stop me from getting out of the car. “Hey.”
    I turn to him and he says, “Look, about earlier. I really did want to kiss you—”
    “Don’t. It’s okay.”
    “No, Nika. I know you were hurt, and that wasn’t my intention. I wasn’t rejecting you.” He strokes my cheek, and I can’t help but feel a wave of heat travel through me. “I’m attracted to you, but I’m not sure getting involved with the sister of my soon-to-be brother-in-law is a good idea.”
    I nod. “You’re right. It’s not a good idea. We’ll have to see each other no matter what, and if things get ugly it will be awkward. I get it.”
    He smiles. “Forgive me if I don’t stop flirting with you. Your charm is hard to resist.”
    I chuckle and say, “Like I could stop you. Somehow I think it just spills out of your mouth.”
    “Nope. Very few people bring out this side of me, I swear.”
    As much as my ego wants to believe that, my head tells me not to be an idiot. I watch his fine male body walk away before turning in the other direction. At least my brother’s wedding will be fun.

Chapter 7

    Just in from a run with the dogs, I pick up my phone to read a text from