Free Discovering Delilah (Harborside Nights, Book 2) by Melissa Foster

today building up my courage just to sit down and cryabout it. Ashley sees me as I push my way through the crowd. I’m sure I have a scowl on my face, and if smoke could come from my ears, it surely would. My entire body is corded so tight it feels like it’s going to explode as I reach for her hand and pull her behind me through the crowd. She stumbles to keep up as I break free from the throng of partygoers and head around the far side of the house.Away from the band. Away from the lights of the party and the prying eyes of our guests. I want her all to myself. Her full attention without any distractions. If I can’t have that, I know I’ll chicken out.
    We step out of the light and into the shadow of the house, and I release her hand. She steps in close, breathing hard.  
    “Jesus, Delilah. What’s wrong? Did I piss you off or something?”

    It’s pitch-black, but I still feel too exposed. I pull her into the dark alcove by the laundry-room door. The second we step onto the decking, I feel buffered from everything and everyone, like there’s only me and Ashley. I don’t have a plan, and I definitely don’t know what I’m going to say. I’m breathing so hard I hope I can manage something intelligent. I hear her breathing at the same franticpace as I am—probably from being dragged away from the party by a crazy person.
    I step closer, trying to bring her face into focus. Our thighs touch, and fire races through my chest. It’s a whole different feeling from what I experienced last night when I was with Janessa. This is hotter, sexier, more real. Ashley tightens her fingers around mine. I know she feels it, too. I want to see hereyes, and I don’t know if I’m using the darkness as an excuse or not, but I step impossibly closer, pressing her against the wall. Our lips almost touch, and her eyes— God, her incredibly sensuous brown eyes —go as dark as the night sky.
    “Are you dating Drake?” I hate myself for saying it like an accusation, but I can’t stop myself.
    “What? Why?” She squeezes my hand tighter.
    “Just answerme, Ash. Yes or no.”
    “No.”
    Relief washes through me.
    “No,” I repeat.
    “No. Why?”
    “I…” I’ve never done anything like this, and fear sinks into me, stealing the courage that drove me here in the first place.
    She leans forward and presses her breasts to mine. Holy freaking hell. Never in my life have I been so turned on.
    “Tell me,” she says in a heated whisper.
    I cansmell the wine on her breath and the scent of desire rolling off of her, but I still don’t trust my instincts. She’s here with Drake. Even if she’s not dating him, she was hanging on to him like she wanted to be his. Drake’s, not mine . My lips part, but I can barely think. How am I going to speak?
    She moves forward, pushing against me until my back connects with the rough cedar siding of thetight alcove. She lifts my hand and presses it against the wall next to my head, then steps in closer so we’re connected again from knees to chest, and— oh, Lord —I can’t even think.
    “What is it, Delilah? Why did you drag me over here?”
    I. Can’t. Speak.
    My body trembles with need and fear and so much rampant lust I know she can taste it.
    “You need to tell me, Dee.”
    I can’t forcea single word from my lungs. Every silent second feels like a lifetime.
    “If I’m reading you right, then I’m going to do something neither of us will regret.” She stares right through me. “But if I’m reading you wrong…it could destroy our friendship.”
    “Are you…?” My mouth goes dry, and I force myself to continue. Now or never. Now, now, now!  
    “Are you into girls?” It leaves my lipswith desperation.
    “No.”
    She holds my gaze as my heart splinters inside my chest.
    “I’m into you,” she says before sealing her lips over mine.
    Her entire body pushes against me. I press back, wanting, needing, craving every inch of her. She nudges my legs open with her knee and