Secret Storm Read Free Page A

something." She watched him
happily finish off her fries. "Austin just ditched you." Why am
I hoping something earthshaking is about to happen?
    "It wouldn't be the first time."
    Make it happen! "I'll give you a ride
home."
    "Thanks. I'd like that."
    Has his smile always been so sexy? A
little shiver ran down Sara's spine. Yeah, more than happy to
give him a ride. "My pleasure."
    ***
    Jack couldn't be happier that Austin had
ditched him. Maybe now he could stop imagining the possibilities
with Sara and take some action. "Have you decided where to go to
grad school yet?"
    "I applied to three. I got into two of them,
but I'm waiting to hear back from Greenwood University in Forest
Glen. That's where I really want to go. They have the best academic
program, the best faculty, the best internships...."
    His heart sank. Forest Glen was four hours
away from Bayfield and at least half a day's drive from his home.
Time and distance allied against him. He sat next to her in the
separated bucket seats of her compact Honda Civic, so close he
could touch her if he shifted his arm—after three and a half years
of having to keep her at arm's length, he still didn't know how to
close the gap between them.
    "What about you?"
    "Hm?" Sara's question shook him from his
thoughts. "Oh, I'm still looking for a guidance counselor position.
Doesn't matter where." I could move anywhere. "I need to
find a high school that wants a football coach too. I gotta get the
right job now so I can get on the path toward my dream."
    "Your dream is to be a football coach?"
    "Yeah, I just can't imagine my life without
football. I had an interview last week at Woodlawn High School,
which needs both. They called me this morning and scheduled a
second interview for next Monday."
    "That's great. I hope you get it."
    "Yeah, me too. This is the job I've been
searching for."
    Sara parked next to his Mustang. She got out
of her car and ran her hand along the shiny hood. "What a beautiful
machine." The classic muscle car drew attention wherever Jack
went—fire engine red with perfectly polished chrome.
    "Pretty on the outside but unpredictable
underneath." Like you. He leaned back against the Civic and
watched her long blonde hair spill over her shoulder as she leaned
down to get a closer look in the window.
    She flipped her hair back with slender
fingers, her blue eyes sparkling prettier than the chrome. He could
tell she liked the car. Maybe she even wanted to ask for a ride,
but did she want more? Sara had as much skill hiding her emotions
about him as he did with reading them in other people. Jack could
read Austin like a peewee defense, but Sara threw him for a loop.
Her fingers skimmed over the roof, and he got so damn jealous of
the car he skimmed his fingers over her shoulder before he could
stop himself.
    She jumped, jerking away from his touch.
"Oh!"
    "Sorry." He snatched his hand back. So she
doesn't want me to touch her.
    "It's okay. I didn't realize you were so
close."
    Neither had he. She didn't move away, though. Does she want me to touch her? "I was... ah... gonna ask if
you wanted a ride." He reached for the door handle, brushing closer
to her body, his arm caressing her waist.
    "Oh." She stood between him and the open car
door, flipping her hair over her shoulder again. "I can't tonight.
I still have to unpack. Spring break is over and classes start
tomorrow."
    "Yeah, okay." It would be so easy to grab
her and kiss her senseless.
    "I should get home."
    She moved closer to her car, and he should
have stepped back to give her room, but he didn't. Squeezed close
in the tight space between cars, their bodies kissed. He opened the
door for her and they touched again.
    "Goodnight."
    "Goodnight, Sara." Had he just shut the door
on their future? He watched her back away, his body aching to be
near her again. He needed to say something—anything—to make her
stop, but his brain refused to cooperate.
    "Jack." Sara stepped on the brakes and rolled
down her window.