No Strings Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I’m glad. So what else do you want to do?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe meet a handsome guy and do something really wild and crazy.”
    His lips turned up in a grin. “You mean in the bedroom?”
    “Oh, uh …” Ever since Jessica had told her a little about how exciting she found it to be dominated in the bedroom, Melanie had dreamed of trying that herself, but she hadn’t meant to let that slip.
    She glanced at him and his eyes twinkled with mischief. Her cheeks flushed hotly.
    “I just meant we wouldn’t do the same old boring things.” This was not making it better. “You know, like dates where we go to the movies or whatever.”
    As he gazed at her speculatively, she stared at her wineglass, wrapping her fingers around the stem.
    “I don’t intend to fall into old patterns,” she continued. “I want to push the limits on everything I do. At least, for a while.”
    She took the conversation back to her art, and before long, the waiter took away their empty plates, offered dessert, which they declined, and the bill arrived. They stepped out into the warm evening air and walked toward his big motorcycle.
    “May I give you a ride home?”
    “Thank you. I’d like that.”
    She climbed onto the big machine behind him and they sped across the city to her apartment building. Too soon he pulled up in front of the entrance and got off the bike, then retrieved her bag from the storage container and walked her to the glass door.
    “Thanks again for dinner. And the ride home.” She opened her purse and pulled out her key. She gazed up at him. “And I really appreciate you staying with me while I got the tattoo.”
    “It was my pleasure. You know, today I saw a whole new side of you, and I found it very intriguing.” He smiled warmly. “I’d really like the opportunity to get to know you better.”
    She gazed at his handsome face, mesmerized by his twinkling, sky blue eyes, and returned his smile. “I’d like that.”
    She longed to reach up and stroke his spiky, dark hair. They stood in silence for a few seconds and she realized he was waiting for her to open her door.
    It had been a wonderful evening and she didn’t want it to end, but she was sure as soon as she opened her door, he would say good night and be gone.
    “I … uh … do you think it was a good choice? The tattoo I mean?”
    “Yours or mine?”
    “Yours is gorgeous,” she said. “Do you think mine looks as nice?”
    “Yours is lovely. I can’t believe I didn’t know you had such artistic ability. And you said it represents freedom. Because you’re spreading your wings?”
    She nodded. “Freedom and happiness. The bluebird of happiness taking flight.”
    He smiled. “I like that. And I like that I got to see the tattoo that only a few special men will ever see.”
    The warmth in his eyes sent a quiver through her. It had been embarrassing pulling down her top to reveal her breast with Rafe there. And exciting at the same time.
    “Along with the stranger who put it there,” she said.
    Oh, man, why had she ruined the mood by saying that?
    He laughed. “I guess that’s true.”
    “Um …” She gazed up at him. “Do you want to come up and see it again?”
    As soon as the words left her mouth, she thought she’d die. How could she say that?
    Their gazes locked, and he hesitated.
    “Oh, God, I shouldn’t have said that.” She stuffed her key into the lock and turned it, then pulled open the door. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” Of course, she had meant it exactly the way it sounded, but his hesitation had spoken volumes.
    The uncertainty in his eyes prompted her to continue. “It’s just that I’ve never had a tattoo before and … well, I’m just being silly wanting you to look at it when I take the dressing off. I’m sure it’s fine.”
    “If you’re really concerned—”
    “No, really. It’s fine. Thanks anyway.”
    Oh, God, was he really buying that? But she definitely didn’t want him to come up