Morning Light: A Day of Pleasure, Book 1 Read Free Page A

the edge of town. Her face brightened even more and she offered him her lopsided smile as she settled into her seat.
    She was beautiful. He’d always known it. She had that girl-next-door quality with a wide-open smile, rich brown hair falling to her shoulders in one straight wave, and direct golden-hazel eyes.
    She wasn’t dressed to impress him. Once in college they’d both considered that avenue. Neither was willing to risk their friendship for a fling. They had been young and it certainly would have been easy to fall into bed together. Fortunately, they’d both known they weren’t ready for anything long term at that point and wisely opted to stay just friends.
    He had never regretted it. She would always be his closest friend and he didn’t ever want to risk losing her in any way. Even if what it would have been like had crossed his mind a few times over the years.
    Here she was, dressed to the nines to hang out with him and his brother. His brother?
    Damn. He hadn’t seen this one coming. Was Noah interested in Tenn as well? It gave him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Was he jealous? Or worried?
    They were pulling into the Drunken Duck’s parking lot before he realized Tenn was talking to him.
    “What? I’m sorry, I was zoning.”
    She offered him a sharp glare. “I was saying how convenient it is your girlfriend is already here.”
    “You have got to be kidding me.”
    “No, I’m not. She’s standing by the door waiting for you.” She casually pointed in the general direction of Lexie as she turned into an empty parking spot.
    He turned in his seat and practically lunged at her. “You’ve got to save me tonight, Tenn.” He clasped her hands in his. “She will not take no for an answer. Pretend to be my date!”
    Scowling, she tugged her hands out of his. “Are you crazy? She knows better than to think we’re on a date. We spend every Friday night together. How is tonight any different?”
    “But you’re all dressed up. All you have to do is hang all over me and stake your claim.”
    “No.”
    “You’ve done it before. Why not now? You’re such an effective deterrent with the crazy chicks.”
    He watched as she hesitated. She’d saved him before, but it was obvious tonight was different for her. He also knew she would never explain to him why. She would rather walk over hot coals before she admitted any such girly thing. She was on the make and would never tell him that out loud.
    He pleaded with his eyes. Knowing her weaknesses, he mouthed, “Save me!”
    “Fine. But after this, you have to tell this girl to take a hike.”
    Handing her the pair of sexy red heels she’d tossed on his side of the car, he leaned in and offered her a quick kiss on the lips. “Done.”
    “You’re the designated driver tonight. And you’re buying all my drinks.”
    Whatever she wanted. “Done.”
    “I have to be up at eight tomorrow, so not too late tonight. Bo’s coming by for our breakfast date and I cannot be late.”
    Chris nodded sagely and asked, “Who the hell is Bo? And why do you have a date at eight in the morning?”
    “You are such a terrible date.” She rolled her eyes in Chris’s general direction. “Bo is the stray dog I’ve been feeding. He comes by twice a day and I don’t want to disappoint him. Once he gets used to me, I want to adopt him.”
    “Bo is a dog?” Looking incredulous, he said, “You have a breakfast date with a dog?”
    “Yes. And he’s very handsome. I think he might be a Lab. One of these days I’m going to get him in the house and get him to Doc Mallory.”
    “Okay, okay. I’ll even make sure you’re home tonight so you don’t miss your dog date in the morning.”
    “Excellent.”
    Grinning from her apparent triumph, Tenn exited the car. Chris caught her hand in a tight grip before she had fully rounded the rear of the car. She sighed, rolling her eyes again. “It’s going to be a long night.”

Chapter Three
    There was an unrelenting