Garrett Read Online Free PDF Page A

something juicy to tell, and you better spill every bit of it to me.”
    I grin. His mood for some scintillating gossip excites me and expels all my troubles out of my head momentarily. I’ll take the reprieve.
    “Okay,” I say conspiratorially. “So, I met one of the Cold Fury players and we ended up having quite the conversation.”
    “How so?” Stevie asks, his eyes twinkling.
    “He just approached me and told me some crap about how beautiful I was, and that it wasn’t a cheesy pickup line, but oh, God…it was so cheesy and completely a pickup line.”
    “Is he hot?”
    “Beyond hot,” I tell him while nodding. “He’s got dark brown hair that’s pretty long…about near his chin, but it’s cut in like these choppy layers.”
    Stevie closes his eyes and sighs at the fantasy I’m painting.
    “And the most amazing green eyes. Really light and reflective. Oh, and he’s tall, and you can tell he’s really muscular. He’s just a really beautiful man.”
    “I’m dying just imagining,” Stevie practically squeals. “So…when are you going out?”
    The grin I had been sporting as I described Garrett melts off my face. “We’re not. I turned him down.”
    “You what?” Stevie practically shrieks. “Are you crazy? You haven’t had a date since before Moses was born and now you’re being chased after by a freakin’ hot hockey player. Please tell me you’re joking.”
    I sniff with offense. “He’s just wanting to get into my panties. He doesn’t want anything serious.”
    “And?” Stevie drawls. “What’s wrong with that?”
    I open my mouth to tell him exactly what’s wrong with that, but nothing comes out. My mind whirls and I try to think back to what I was feeling when he asked me out. Warmth, excitement, maybe even a little desire. All good feelings, no doubt. So why in the hell did I say no?
    “And don’t give me that shit about being morally opposed to casual sex,” Stevie says before I can even think of that excuse.
    “I’m not morally opposed to it,” I mutter. “I’m just not that type of person.”
    I absolutely am not. Never have been. All my sexual experiences have been the products of long-term and trusting relationships.
    Stevie rolls his eyes at me. “Why typecast yourself, Olivia? There’s nothing wrong with giving in to your desires. As long as you are both consenting adults, you’re safe, and you have realistic expectations, tell me where is the downside?”
    Snorting, I cock an eyebrow at him. “You make it all sound so simple, especially when nothing in my life is simple anymore.”
    “It
is
simple,” he asserts. “Maybe something simple was put before you because you
need
simple. Damn if you don’t have a hell of a lot of complicated right now. So, the way I see it…simple is good. Not to mention…he sounds like the perfect diversion.”
    I’ve never been one for thrills or excitement. Adrenaline rushes make me nauseated and the unknown makes me break out in hives. I’ve always loved the quiet and surety.
    But now that I’m facing a potentially limited lifespan, I have to wonder if I’m missing out on something. If this disease kills me, will I have any regrets about turning my nose up at opportunity? Even if the opportunity is scary and daunting but potentially thrilling to the bone?
    “So, what you’re saying is I should just go out and have some wild monkey sex with a complete stranger?”
    Stevie rolls his eyes at me and swats my leg. “That’s a good place to start, but I think you know what I’m saying. Seize your life by the horns. What better time to do it than now? And not just with wild monkey sex. You’re getting ready to go into battle, honey, and you need to suit up with armor and get ready to kick some ass.”
    I chew my bottom lip, considering what he’s saying.
    “But,” Stevie adds on with seriousness, “I do believe a sweaty, naked night with a hot hockey player is the perfect place to start.”
    Maybe he’s right. Maybe