Into the Fire (Bridge Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Well, actually you’re in luck.”
    “Darren, I can’t—” Vanessa shook her head.
    “It’s fine. I’ll get it.” I reached for my wallet and tossed the woman my credit card.
    Vanessa started fumbling with her own wallet. “I can’t let you do that.”
    “It’s four hours to George Town. I need a strong drink and good company. You’ll be doing me an incredible favor by letting me.”
    She began to protest again, and I pressed a finger to her lips. Full and the lightest shade of pink, like a dusky sunset.
    “I insist,” I said.
    I dropped my hand slowly, and when her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth, my dick noticed. Goddamn, I wanted to taste her. I blinked away the brief but potent vision of all the ways I could use those lips. And the soft pink tongue that darted out over them.
    The bottle blonde handed us our tickets, and we hurried toward the gate where they were already boarding. I put our carry-ons into the luggage compartment, gave Vanessa the window seat in our first-class row, and we settled in. The flight attendant took a pass up the aisle.
    “Can I get you a beverage, sir?”
    I offered a tight smile and looked her up and down because I couldn’t fucking help myself. Killer lips. Stacked. Engagement ring. Or according to her shiny name tag, Ann .
    “Bloody Mary, please.”
    She lingered until I broke away and she looked to Vanessa.
    “Ma’am?” she asked sweetly.
    “Coffee, please.”
    When she left, Vanessa closed her eyes, resting her head back against the seat. Ann brought our drinks, but still Vanessa stayed quiet. Something had shifted between us, and I was pretty sure I knew what it was. I cleared my throat, trying to figure out how I was going to do this.
    “Listen, Vanessa, I’m sorry about last night.”
    She lifted an eyebrow. “What are you sorry about?”
    I ran my teeth over my lower lip, gauging her words, her mood. She seemed tired, and if I didn’t know better, disinterested. I decided to go with some version of the truth.
    “I didn’t mean to ditch you at the bar. Ian wanted to talk to some girl. I didn’t realize—”
    “You don’t need to apologize. Seriously.”
    She waved her hand, like it meant nothing at all, but I knew better. At least I hoped I did.
    “I wanted to stay and talk to you. I looked for you, but you were gone.”
    She reached into her purse, grabbing her phone and earbuds. Shit, I was losing this battle a lot quicker than I’d anticipated.
    “The truth is I wanted to get to know you a lot better the first night we hung out, but…”
    “But what?” She pursed her lips together. Her red hair lit up with the bright morning sky shining in through our window. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was red anywhere else. Now definitely wasn’t the time to tease about cuffs matching the collar though.
    I shot her a smile that I hoped would get her to relax. “But the truth is, I was told that you were off-limits.”
    That comment earned a small smile, though she tried to hide it by looking out the window. “Really,” she said, though she didn’t sound at all surprised by my admission.
    “Cam didn’t think it would be a good idea for me to pursue anything with you if it complicated things with Maya. I respected his wishes, very begrudgingly.”
    She turned, meeting my gaze. “And what’s changed?”
    I frowned. “They’re getting married. Not an issue anymore.”
    “She’s still my friend, and you’re still Cam’s brother.”
    I laughed and looked up at the ceiling. The seat belt sign was on. I had her captive for the next four hours. I could do this.
    “There’s got to be a statute of limitations on this sort of thing. We’re adults. I think we can figure it out on our own, don’t you?”
    She stared down at her hands, picking at her fingernail and ignoring her steaming coffee. “Darren, I’m pretty sure I’m not your type.”
    I shook my head. “Completely untrue. Any man with a brain and who isn’t dead below the