Beautiful Chances (The Beautiful Series) Read Free

Why didn’t you just wake me?”
    One large hand was firmly holding my thighs, and the other supported my upper back, tucking me against him. A fluttering sensation was growing in my belly, and it was a frightening response to have toward someone I’d only just met.
    “I tried, but apparently, you sleep like the dead, so it was easier to carry you.”
    Kyle’s laugh came from low in his chest, vibrating me from our close contact. The fluttering continued, and even though my mind wanted to fight it, it could not be stopped.
    Not a good day to have a cabin on the far side. My insides will crumble by the time I get there. “Oh, my bag! I have to go back!”
    I tried to wiggle out of his hold, but it was pointless. His large muscles wouldn’t budge.
    “Got it. It’s on my back. I must say that it’s the first time I’ve carried a pink glitter bag.”
    He released a wicked grin on me. The light from the few lampposts on the sidewalk illuminated the contours of his face, and it was a very sexy sight to see.
    “I have a few others if you’d like to borrow one. In fact, if I can take a picture of you with it, you can keep it.” To my utter shock, I relaxed in his arms as I awaited his response.
    “Not going to happen.” He chuckled, low and deep. “Consider it a neighborly favor that I’m carrying it now, and that’s only because it has your valuable possessions in it. It’s a one-time deal though unless you get a different-colored bag.”
    We rounded the corner to my cottage.
    “I felt your eyes on me at the beach…after we met. Why were you watching me?”
    When his body tensed slightly at my question, I immediately regretted asking, but I had to know if there was a deeper meaning of his intentions.
    “I’m not sure. I just seem to be drawn to you. I couldn’t leave you unprotected on the beach. You looked so peaceful yet so vulnerable. I’ve been here for a few weeks and noticed you around here and there. I’m here on business, and I’ve been enjoying some down time on the beach when I’m not working or commuting to my other business obligations.”
    His head tilted toward me, and his eyes bore into mine. They were intense, mesmerizing, and beautiful.
    “Oh, thank you for helping me, but I can take care of myself.”
    I did not like him being able to see any vulnerability in me. It made me feel small and weak, and I didn’t want to feel that way. I was trying to move forward now, working on a stronger, more confident me.
    As I struggled to free myself again, he held me tight. The gesture should have frightened me. Instead, I let him speak, not knowing what to make of his unwillingness to let me go.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” His stride hesitated briefly. “It’s okay, Lily. I won’t hurt you.”
    His words instantly put my mind and body at ease. He had a look of concern on his face as he took in my expression.
    Okay, time to snap out of it. This is a stranger, not a friend. You should not be feeling crazy butterflies. It’s a good lesson not to fall asleep outside.
    My mind flashed in warning. This man was intense. He had the power to consume me with his penetrating and possessive personality.
    “Who are you?” I pondered out loud.
    The emotions flashing through his eyes told me he understood my deeper meaning.
    “Someone who doesn’t plan to be a stranger for long,” he answered confidently, still looking at my face as if he were trying to memorize each detail.
    I blinked while swallowing hard, trying to control the overwhelming draw I was feeling toward him.
    “See you tomorrow, beautiful Lily.”
    As he slowly released me, the whole left side of my body slid down his hard, toned chest. I felt him suck in his breath as he felt the sensations, too. I wrapped my fingers around his bicep as much as I could to balance myself. His hands came down firmly on my waist to brace me as my feet hit the ground.
    Wow, nothing could have prepared me for that. For such a small