Just Friends Read Free Page A

and what she’d said worried him. He had a
feeling even bigger changes were coming.
    And he wasn’t going to like a single one of
them.

Chapter Two
    Alannah put away the dishes and then walked
quietly back to the living room where Trenton was fast asleep.
After the South Korean flick they’d watched a full episode of Law & Order , but fifteen minutes into the second episode
she’d glanced over and saw his eyes were closed.
    Despite being a member of one of the
wealthiest families in America, no one could ever accuse Trenton of
being a snob. His total lack of pretentiousness wasn’t limited to
his friendships, and even extended to the clothes he wore. Tonight,
for example, he’d dressed down in a simple polo shirt and jeans,
and it wasn’t uncommon to see him do something as unorthodox as
pair a department store shirt under a Brunello Cucinelli
jacket.
    As Alannah watched his six-foot-three body
loll on the sofa, legs outstretched and head resting on the back of
the chair, she smiled. Full lips, way too luscious for a man, were
partially open in the deep throes of sleep. She should take a
picture and blackmail him with it, but even in this comical pose,
he managed to be endearing and was still the most attractive man
she’d ever laid eyes on. Sexy and with an abundance of
testosterone, he had an impressive build of lean, taut muscles that
traversed his body from top to bottom.
    His height could be imposing, particularly
since she was a full nine inches shorter than him, but there was
nothing threatening about Trenton. He smiled too often and had an
arrestingly beautiful and friendly face that made him well liked
and put people at ease. In fact, he couldn’t stand to see anyone
upset and was that rare type of person beloved by both men and
women. He’d even figured out how to remain friends with his exes,
including the ones who swore undying love to him.
    Her gaze skimmed his wide shoulders and the
colorful tattoos staining his muscular arms like shirtsleeves,
hidden under pricey suits Monday through Friday but today fully
exposed because of the navy-blue polo shirt. Dark jeans hugged
muscular thighs and long legs that strode with confidence wherever
he went. And his big, masculine hands easily swallowed hers every
time he’d ever taken her hand in his.
    Alannah bit down on the inside of her bottom
lip, fighting back the soul-crushing longing of wanting to touch
him the way his lovers could. What did his mouth taste like? What
would it feel like to have his powerful body take possession of
hers?
    Between her legs tingled from the arousing
thoughts and she closed her eyes. She’d never know. Why even allow
her mind to go in that direction, where she dwelt on her pathetic
feelings and desires for her best friend? She’d had plenty of time
to think, and she intended to carry out her plan. Boring, quiet
Alannah was a person of the past. Exciting, sexy Alannah would make
a splash in Seattle and date up a storm.
    She walked over to the sofa and shook
Trenton’s shoulder. His head popped up, eyes fluttering open. They
were a brilliant green color, the same shade as English peas or the
fresh blades of grass that emerged in the spring. The pupils
appeared hazy and then focused on her as he came fully awake.
    “I fell asleep?” He stifled a yawn.
    “For a little while.”
    “I better get out of here.”
    He stretched as he stood, reminding her of a
mountain lion—big, golden, and powerful. He even moved like the
dangerous predator, with an economy of motion that suggested he was
never in a hurry, but always ready to pounce on prey. She envied
the women lucky enough to be his victims.
    “If you’re tired, sleep in the guest room,”
Alannah offered.
    Trenton shook his head and rubbed his hairy
jaw. “I need to head home. I’m going to the club to play squash at
eight.” With a big yawn, he trudged toward the door.
    She followed, ogling the way the jeans hugged
his tight butt, and stifled a sigh.
    Trenton turned