Strawberry Wine Read Online Free PDF Page B

black lashes that would make a mascara model green with envy. Alli had to remind herself to breathe.
    Jason was fascinated by the way Alli’s skin bloomed when she blushed. Her blushes started in her cheeks, then spread all over. He wondered how far down that blush went. He shifted his weight in an attempt to accommodate the swelling in his jeans without her noticing. This was ridiculous. It was like he was nineteen again.
    Alli’s stomach gave a loud growl. She laughed in embarrassment. “And on that note, I think it’s time I get home for dinner. Will you be around tomorrow?”
    “I should be. I’ve got a few odds and ends to take care of, but you’re welcome to come loiter if you want.”
    As if she could stay away! Alli smiled coyly. “Maybe I will.” She untangled her legs and stood to go. “Have a good night.” She shot over her shoulder with forced casualness.
    Jason watched her leave, appreciating the subtle sway of her slender hips.

 
     
     
     
    “Okay, open your eyes!” Alli opened her eyes and stared at the new painting hanging above the small fireplace.
    “Well? What do you think?”
    The painting was that of a woman on a beach. The sun was setting and she was mostly in silhouette, but you could still see certain details. She was in profile, and you could just make out the hint of a smile on her lips. “It’s lovely.”
    “So you like it?” Greg was eager for praise. “It’s by the same artist that did the mural in the café you’re so fond of. I thought this one would go well here. She reminds me of you.”
    The fact that Greg had gone to the trouble of seeking out an artist for her was really touching. “It’s perfect. Thank you. I can’t believe you went to all that trouble.”
    “It wasn’t really all that difficult. The artist turned out to be affiliated with my mother’s foundation. He has a local gallery. Buying this piece was actually tax deductible.” Greg couldn’t keep the smugness from his answer.
    Alli laughed at his look of accomplishment and thanked him again before hugging him and giving him a kiss.
    Greg pulled back a bit, but kept her firmly wrapped in his arms. “Well, it’s a birthday present, but I was also hoping it would be a house warming present.”
    Alli could feel her face taking on its deer-in-headlights look. She had been putting Greg off for the better part of a year now. He had mercifully refrained from asking her to marry him, but that hadn’t stopped him from pushing to have her move in with him. Alli was running out of excuses. She was also running out of time. If Greg kept up the forward momentum of this relationship, Alli was going to be forced to either step up or step away.
    The thought was frightening. She hadn’t felt bad about their relationship in the beginning. As far as Alli could tell, Greg was initially attracted to her for her looks, as well as the added bonus of her serving as a gateway into her father’s prestigious law firm. Greg’s shallow reasons for pursuing her were what made her agree to date him in the first place.
    Alli was damaged goods. She was incapable of giving her heart to a man, but she couldn’t deny the benefits of having a boyfriend. Having Greg around gave her peace. Peace from Margot’s pitying looks. Peace from her father’s suspicious scrutiny. Peace from her mother’s dejected head shakes. Being Greg’s obedient little girlfriend was a fair price to pay for such peace.
    It hadn’t been easy at first. Alli had struggled with her moral compass, trying to convince herself that being with Greg wasn’t the same thing as prostitution. She tried desperately to fall in love with Greg. He was quite a catch - handsome, rich, intelligent... But he wasn’t Jason.
    Alli didn’t think Greg loved her either. He said he did, and he may have even convinced himself of as much, but Greg didn’t really know what love was. Alli did. Alli knew what love felt like, and it wasn’t this . So now she was faced with a