Just a Taste Read Online Free PDF Page B

have let her have that last drink, but she was relaxed and having fun, so he didn’t want to stop it. He started the car and while it warmed up, he studied her face.
    Her hair cascaded across one cheek and her light pink lips parted slightly. Even as she rested, she appeared to be smiling. Then he noticed she hadn’t buckled her seat belt. Damn. He shifted his body and reached across to grab the belt, careful not to catch her hair.
    She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. “Whatcha doin’?”
    â€œBuckling your seat belt.” He yanked to get some more slack and did his best not to notice how the belt ran across her chest, making her breasts even more prominent.
    While he focused on snapping in the buckle, she stroked his jaw again, like she had at the bar. “I like this. It makes you look different. Sexy.”
    Oh, man. He pushed back to his seat and shifted the car into drive. She settled against her seat again with a small sigh. The ride to her house was short and he didn’t know if he should be grateful or disappointed. He’d enjoyed their night out. Carmen wasn’t quite the same girl he’d known years ago, but he saw hints of the girl in the woman she’d become.
    Parked beside her house, he walked around to her door and opened it. She took his offered hand. Again he wrapped an arm around her to keep her steady and guilt tugged at him. She’d probably be hung over tomorrow and feel like crap.
    She pulled her keys from her pocket and studied them like she couldn’t remember what she was supposed to do. Liam took them from her palm. “Let me.” He held the keys and added, “Drink lots of water before you go to bed. It’ll help with the hangover.”
    He turned to the lock and she leaned against the wall. He began to doubt she’d even make it to her bed.
    While he tried to figure out which key belonged to this door, her finger traced his jaw again. “I’ve never kissed a guy with a beard before.”
    Crap. His fingers twitched with the keys and he finally figured out the right one. He pushed the door open and removed the key. “Are you going to be okay from here?”
    Her lips bunched before she spoke. “Yeah.”
    Sadness and disappointment reappeared. She’d expected him to kiss her. Hell, he wanted to, but it wouldn’t be right. She was drunk and grieving. He couldn’t take advantage of her. He also didn’t want to be the cause of any more sadness. With one finger he slid her hair away from her cheekbone. Her skin was flawless and smooth. “I had a great time tonight. Thanks for coming out with me.”
    She tilted her face up. “Do you want to come in?”
    It was an offer that intentionally didn’t sound like an offer.
    â€œAs much as I’d like to”—and he really hoped she understood how much he wanted to—“it’s not a good idea.”
    He stepped back to allow her to go through the door. “Give me a call if you need help with anything. I mean it.”
    She pressed her lips together and added a tight nod. Then she closed and locked the door.
    Liam had the uncomfortable feeling that he’d just messed up somehow.

    Carmen woke the following morning, late morning, with a pounding headache. She should’ve listened to Liam and drunk more water. She’d downed one glass before crawling into bed, and now she didn’t feel like she could climb out to get more. The simple act of lifting her head from the pillow required great effort and caused much pain.
    Her phone bleeped at her and she checked the screen. A text from Rosa:
    Â 
    I’m off work today, so I’m coming over.
    Â 
    Carmen focused on the little letters on the screen and told her cousin not to come.
    Rosa immediately called. “Why don’t you want me to come over?”
    â€œBecause I don’t feel good.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    â€œI have a pounding