Dark Waters (2013) Read Free

comedy. The story line had been comfortably predictable, mildly amusing. Peter didn’t seem to mind chick flicks, which was a bonus, although she wasn’t really sure their relationship was going anywhere.
    He was cute, though. Auburn hair cropped short enough to disguise the natural wave most women would envy. Guileless blue eyes and a smattering of freckles. He wasn’t particularly athletic or tall, which suited her fine because at twenty-six years old and five feet three inches she didn’t need towering height or abs of steel—at least not outside the movies.
    The evening breeze swished her cotton dress around her knees. The scent of roses drifted heavy and succulent on the breeze. A robin sang.
    She sighed. It was perfect. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
    “It was my pleasure.” He raised her hand to his lips and gave her a look that told her he really wanted to kiss her somewhere else entirely.
    Maybe it was time to take a chance. What the heck. They’d dated for six months and she’d been taking it slow, even by her snaillike standards. But experience bred caution, and she was exceedingly cautious. She took a step closer. His eyes widened as she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up to press her lips to his. His arms tightened for a moment before he returned her kiss.
    There were no fireworks, but that was OK. She didn’t want uncontrollable passion—she didn’t want uncontrollable anything. She opened her mouth under pressure from his firm lips and tried to calm her pulse that pounded for all the wrong reasons.
    Sweat on his palms seeped through the thin cotton of her dress, then his fingers dug into her skin. She pulled back, uneasy.
    “Anna, come on. Let me in.” His voice was deep and gruff. He dove for her lips again and crushed them in what was probably supposed to be an ardent kiss, but was wet and full of hard enamel.
    Fighting for calm, she tried to gentle the exchange, but he was having none of it. His hand cupped her bottom through her skirt, bunching up the material, exposing her legs to the summer breeze. His knee pushed against hers. She grabbed his biceps, digging in her nails in a message to slow down and back off. His hand rose to smother her breast.
    No, no, no
. She clamped her lips and legs shut. He groaned, oblivious, consumed by lust, which might have been flattering had she reciprocated. His scent enveloped her. His heat washed over her, making her nauseous. Willing herself not to panic, she tried to turn her head away, but he used his other hand to grip her chin and then pushed her up against the door, his arousal obvious against her stomach.
    For a moment fear made her freeze. Her heart hammered, lungs imploded as she struggled to escape. She finally tore her mouth free, blood sharp on her tongue, and shoved against him. “Let go of me, Peter. Now.”
    He released her immediately and took a step back. A flush rode his cheekbones, confusion and frustration rushing over his features. “We’ve been dating for months but we don’t…that is…we never…” He ran agitated fingers through his springy hair. “We don’t make out, let alone have sex. So I thought maybe you were waiting for me to make a move. You know, take charge.”
    “No.” Revulsion curled around her body like a constrictor. “You thought wrong.”
    “Sorry.” He grimaced, then his lips curved into what was supposed to be an endearing smile. “I’ve messed up, haven’t I?”
    Shudders ran down her spine. She wrapped her arms around herself and wished she was someone else. Someone stronger. Someone unbroken. “You need to leave.”
    “Is it because I can’t have kids? You said it wasn’t a problem but—”
    “It’s me, OK, Peter?” Her voice was loud. Shrill. “It’s
all
me. So just get your perfectly normal butt off my deck and leave me alone.”
    “You’re overreacting.” His expression darkened and he moved forward an inch, but she shoved her palms against his chest and