Free If Only (The Willowbrook Series Book 1) by Ashlyn Mathews Page A

couch.
    “I know what you’re trying to do.” She jabbed her finger into his chest. “You want me to say the words. Well, I won’t.” She shoved, and he stumbled back. “I might be human, but I won’t bare my heart and soul to you again only to have you reject me. And there is no other guy. It’s always been you. Only you.” She covered her face to hide her hurt.
    He grabbed her hands and lifted them away. “Prove I’m the only one for you, the most important person to you. Come back with me to San Diego.”
    She shook her head in confusion. Again, Rhys did a three-sixty. When had he started this? In their past conversations, he’d kept to the subject.
    He gripped her waist, bringing her back to the present. “Look around you. Willowbrook is dying slowly with its empty businesses. A new city would be good for you.”
    “I can’t. There’s the café, the senior center, Sandy’s son. They need me.”
    “Maybe it’s the other way around. Maybe you need them more. Personally, I think they’ll survive a couple of months without you. Take a chance, Asa,” he said setting his forehead on hers. “We’ve been apart long enough. I miss you, and you missed me. Admit it.”
    “I do miss you, missed you like crazy, but I can’t go back with you.”
    “So, what then? Our weekly phone calls and text messages again? I want more than that. I want to hold you, touch you. Don’t you want the same?”
    “What you’re asking is too much.”
    He groaned. “Step away from the routine of your life. Live a little.”
    For some reason, his words grated on her nerves. “Live a little?” Her voice rose. “I have. Every chance I get. Just because I’m not in front of a crowd or traveling from city to city doesn’t mean I live a dull life, Rhys.”
    Not caring that she had no shoes on, she charged past him and out the door. “Get the hell back in the house, Asa,” he called after her.
    Ignoring him, she hurried toward her place. Breathe in, breathe out. Don’t cry, don’t show your anger. That’s what her father would say to her if he were alive. Too bad she was faltering in following his teachings after less than forty-eight hours with Rhys.
    She wanted to be with him, she really did. But if she left Willowbrook, Asa wouldn’t have a way to release her feelings, to get her natural high, and have the recharge she needed when she rode the track. Parties weren’t for her. Neither was the appeal of alcohol or drugs. And definitely no sleeping around.
    Catching her by surprise, Rhys came from behind and snatched her by the waist. Blood roared in her ears, her heart thumped fast, and she couldn’t contain her anger. An angel she wasn’t, and if he was okay to see the real her, she’d show him her temper.
    Pumping her legs and twisting, she tried to smack him upside the head, but he was twice her size and easily grabbed a hold of her wrist with one hand while securing her to him with the other. She elbowed him in the stomach. He grunted and released her.
    She ran, and breathless, stopped in front of her shed. If Rhys loved her and she dared to show him her emotional side, how long would he put up with her before he got tired of it and left her?
    Just now, he hadn’t been able to handle her temper, and she felt bad for jabbing at him. Yanking the door of the shed open, she snatched her riding boots from the corner, and jerking them on, she grabbed her helmet off the handlebar, and wheeled the dirt bike out. Before he could stop her, she hopped on the KTM, revved the engine, and sped to the dirt track.
    The sun was high in the sky, its heat rapidly melting the snow. Slush covered the ground, and she could see patches of dirt. Now or never . She needed to ride like she needed her next breath of fresh air.
    Why? Why did she have to move to San Diego? Why couldn’t Rhys live in Jo’s home? Why did she have to change for him? Dammit! She rode hard and braced for the whoop at the next corner.
    She took the whoop and rode