Page 66 of Forbidden Harmony

“We weren’t flirting,” Addison said.

“Oh yeah? Because you gave him a couplefriendship bracelets,” Kira said.

“Oh my God, I’ve given all my friends thebracelets.”

“Girl, seriously, just consider him,” Kirasaid.

Addison leaned against the kitchen counter.It was only her and Kira in the kitchen, everyone else was in the back yard, butshe lowered her voice anyway. “Lucas isn’t interested in me.”

“Are you kidding? He asked you to go yarnshopping with him,” Kira said.

Addison laughed. “It’s for his mom’s birthdaypresent. Apparently, she’s been knitting since Lucas was a kid.”

“He’s good looking and sweet,” Kira said. “Youreally should at least consider him as your new casual lover. He’s not in arelationship right now and I don’t think he’s really looking for one. Plus, he’sthe exact opposite of Harrison. He’s easy going and funny, and he’s probably ahell of a lot of fun in bed.”

“He’s not my type,” Addison said.

“You don’t know that. Maybe you secretlylove the fun and flirty guy. Besides, you’re not looking for a relationship,just a casual banging partner. Right?”

“Right,” Addison said. “But he’s just not…”

“Not flicking your bean for you?” Kirasaid.

Addison laughed again. “Now you sound likeGracie.”

“Don’t I?” Kira said with a grin. “Youknow what we need to do? We need to take you out to the bars. We need to introduceyou to a bunch of different guys and figure out what kind of guy you want to getdirty with just for fun. What do you think?”

“Um, yeah, sure, why not,” Addison said.

“Look at you!” Kira put her arm around Addison’sshoulders and squeezed. “Stepping out of your comfort box and trying newthings. I’m so proud of you, honey.”

“Thanks.”

“You okay?” Kira studied her. “You’vebeen on the quiet side this afternoon. Did the news about Grace and Gideon’s engagementupset you?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“It’s okay if it did,” Kira said. “That’snatural and -”

“It didn’t upset me. I’m really happy forboth of them,” Addison said. “I swear, Kira.”

“Okay.” Kira hugged her again and pickedup the pitcher of lemonade. “C’mon, let’s get back out there.”

“You go ahead. I’m going to use the washroomfirst.”

“All right.”

She waited until Kira left the kitchenbefore walking toward the guest bathroom. She wasn’t upset about Grace’s engagement- she really was thrilled for her. It was being around Preacher that had herall tied up in knots. He’d basically ignored her for the entire barbeque, whichwasn’t unusual. They rarely talked at the social gatherings. Why would they? Theyhad nothing in common.

But that was before she knew what it waslike to have him inside of her and now that she had, his ability to pretendthat there was nothing different between them was… well, it was kind ofhurtful.

Stop it, Addie. See, this is why a casualthing isn’t good for you. You’re not in a relationship with Preacher. Hell, he’snot even going to continue lessons with you, so stop acting like such a baby.You got to have sex with him a couple of times, enjoy it for what it was and moveon.

She stopped in front of the bathroom door,worrying at her bottom lip with her teeth. Inner Addie was right. The weirdlittle interaction with Lucas aside, Preacher was clearly sending her a messageand that message was –

“Hello, Sunshine.”

Preacher’s low voice brought immediate lustto her belly in a slow wave. She froze with her hand on the handle of the bathroomdoor as his hand smoothed around her hip and rested against her lower abdomen.He brushed her hair away from her throat and pressed a kiss against her skin.

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