Saying Goodbye, Part One (Passports and Promises Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

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    “No.”
    Worry flashed across his face. “What’s wrong?”
    I stomped up to him, standing on my tiptoes so I could pull him close, my hands tangled in his silky hair. I pressed my lips to his. Once. Twice. Three times. With each kiss, I grew bolder, but he remained as still as a statue. I sensed the tension in his muscles and felt the acceleration of his heartbeat beneath my fingers, but he held back.
    “I promised you it was just dinner. No attachments. Only food.”
    I made a noise that sounded a bit like a growl. “Shut up and kiss me, Dylan.”
    I’d given him the permission he needed. He wrapped his arms around my body, pulling me against his warmth, his mouth capturing mine.
    Dylan Hunter didn’t kiss like other guys. He didn’t do anything like other guys. Instead of rushing into the kiss, he savored it, exploring my mouth softly with sweet little kisses before tugging gently on my lower lip. When he finally tasted me, his tongue meeting mine in a sweet caress, I melted, moaning into his mouth and pressing against him.
    When Dylan ended the kiss, we were both breathing hard. I didn’t want him to stop, but he stepped away, composing himself as he brushed a shaky hand through his hair.
    “I’m sorry,” he said softly.
    “For what?” My words sounded a little more irritated than I intended due to sexual frustration. A lot of it.
    He cupped my face in his hands. “I want to do this perfectly.”
    I swallowed hard, finding it difficult to stand this close to him and not kiss him again. “So far, so good.”
    He shook his head. “I want you to know I respect you. That means no kissing on the first date, right?”
    I covered his hand with mine. “Definitely old-fashioned, but since I was the one who kissed you, I guess that means you’re off the hook.”
    He brushed his lips against mine, a butterfly kiss, his mouth barely touching me.
    “Goodnight, Samantha Barnes.”
    “Goodnight, Dylan Hunter.”
    He walked backward to his car. “Dream of me, okay?”
    I laughed, but didn’t answer. I knew quite well I’d dream about him all night. He watched me until I opened the door of the Theta house and was safely inside before he drove away. I turned around, my back to the door, and leaned against it, hugging my arms to my chest.
    Part of me leapt with excitement to feel this way again, and part of me was filled with dread. I’d been hurt before.
    If you can’t swim, don’t jump into the lake.
    I rolled my eyes. Now I was hearing the voice of my mother in my head. Great. But, if I were completely honest with myself, she may have been right. I always jumped into relationships before I was ready and always ended up regretting it.
    Bethany came out of the kitchen, a tub of ice cream and a spoon in her hand. She skidded to a halt when she saw me. Her hair had been pulled into a messy bun on top of her head and she wore my fuzzy, pink slippers.
    “It’s about time. We’ve been texting you all night. We waited here to make sure you got home safely. Why didn’t you answer us?”
    “Sorry.” I sighed.
    Bethany froze, and then called over her shoulder. “Gabriela. She’s sighing. Get in here.”
    They came up to my room as I undressed, carefully placing the beautiful dress back on a hanger. I told them every single detail of the night. When I got to the kissing part, I thought Gabriela might swoon.
    “He didn’t want to kiss on the first date? How romantic.”
    “More frustrating than romantic, but I got my way and kissed him anyway.”
    Gabriela played with the hem of her shirt. “That’s what I want. Love. Romance. If it weren’t for both of you, I would have lost my virginity last weekend on a washing machine. Yuck.”  She shook her head in disbelief.
    I gave her a squeeze. “Zach is not the kind of person you want to get involved with. Trust me on this.”
    “I guess,” she said, brushing her dark curls out of her eyes. “But he’s always been so nice to me.”
    “He wants in your