Free Perfectly Able by Suzannah Daniels Page B

was feeling a bit more like my old self. Doubt still lingered, though, and I wanted to put it to rest for good.
    I stuffed my hands in the shallow pockets of my blue jean shorts, which I had pulled on over my bikini bottoms. “Do you want to play truth or dare?” I asked, latching on to a moment of confidence. The sun had burst into a thousand colors as it signaled the end of the day. Soon, it would disappear entirely.
    He eyed me warily . “I know a challenge when I see it. You’re on.”
    “Truth or dare?” I asked.
    “Truth.”
    “Does the fact that I’m an amputee bother you?” I asked timidly, feeling sweat prickle my skin as soon as the words were out of my mouth . Why had I asked that?  A lump of dread settled in the pit of my stomach as I admonished myself for such a stupid idea.
    “Yes,” he said.
    “It does?” I asked, my voice sounding small as I felt all the insecure feelings that I had sought to escape crash upon me like ocean waves smashing against a rocky coastline.
    “It’s bad enough being shown up by a girl, but I’ve been shown up by a girl with one leg. Now, I’m going to have to go home and train twice as hard for the triathlon just to make sure I don’t finish behind you.”
    I smiled, relieved to see that he was only joking.
    “Why the hell would you ask me that, Ava? I know we’ve only known each other a week, but I would have hoped that you would have gleaned enough information from me to know that I’m not that kind of person.”
    He was right . I did suspect that it didn’t bother him. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I guess I just wanted to hear you say it.”
    “The fact that you’re an amputee doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, if anything, it makes me think that you’re an incredibly resilient, strong, and determined person. All of which I find to be extremely sexy traits in a woman.”
    “Sexy?”
    “Sexy. Now, don’t ever ask me that question again. Contrary to popular belief in the world of estrogen, not all guys are asses.” 
    “I didn’t mean to insinuate….”
    He shook his head and put a finger over my lips to shush me. “It’s fine,” he whispered.
    I swallowed hard at the feel of his warm finger against my lips, and I found myself imagining his fingertip trailing lower over my collar bone and dipping beneath my bikini top.
    “Truth or dare?” he asked, dragging my mind back to reality.
    “Truth.”
    “ I haven’t collected my prize for winning hangman, and we’ll be leaving in the morning. Do you want me to kiss you?” he asked, taking a step toward me.
    My heart pounded until it felt like it would bur st from my ribs. My line of vision fell to his chest, and his fingertips lifted my face to his.
    “Do you?” he asked again, closing the distance between us.
    He knew I did, didn’t he? I couldn’t find the words, but I nodded my head, my eyes locked with his. That was all the encouragement he needed as he backed me against the railing, his lips warm on mine, gently teasing me. He licked my bottom lip, and I opened to him, his tongue skillfully delving into my mouth. His hands were warm against my cheeks as he held me firmly in place. It was warm and gentle and euphoric. I felt safe with Ridge…comfortable…and I knew in that moment that I wanted something more with Ridge Sutherland than a fun week in a mountain cabin. I wanted more, but would I have the courage to go after it? Or would I let my fears snuff out the flame that had just ignited for him?
    Surely, I deserved to be happy, didn’t I?
    One arm slid around my waist, his fingers pressing against the small of my back. His warm mouth captured the tiny moan that escaped my throat as he pulled me against him, his hardness evident against my lower abdomen.
    Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him to me, lost in the moment . I returned his kiss fervently, and then, he pulled away.
    “Is something wrong?” I asked, afraid that he had changed his mind about me.
    “No,