Free Love Required by Melanie Codina Page A

only hoped she was contemplating saying yes to food and not how to grab her daughter and make a quick break for it. After a few seconds she said, “Are you sure this isn’t completely ruining your plans for the day?”
    “Are you kidding?” Jason said, making his way toward her. As he opened the passenger door and gestured for her to get in, he continued, “My day is turning out better than expected.”
    TORI dropped into the front seat, shaking her head and smiling as Jason closed the door. She had seen the look that passed between the two men. That knowing look telling her she had been set up, or at least she played right along with whatever plans were orchestrated. The funny thing was she kinda liked that she did. It made her think Jason had an interest in her beyond the whole ‘helping a lady in distress’ thing. Looking in the rearview mirror, she could see Jason talking with his friend before they shook hands, and he made his way to the driver’s seat.
    When he went to get in, Tori made sure to pay attention. She watched as he bent and tucked his large frame through the open door and dropped into his seat. Her gaze followed the motion of his thick arms as he easily turned the key and started the engine. Why hadn’t anyone told her starting a car was so sexy to watch? When she brought her gaze back up to his face, they locked eyes.
    He graced her with one of the sexiest, most confident smiles she had ever seen, and all the girlie parts of her body perked up and paid attention. He seemed to be very pleased with himself. She huffed a little laugh and decided that she was also pleased with the way her day was turning out. That dangerous feeling of hope began to form, and she relished in the sensation of it.
    Answering his smile with what she hoped was a sexy one of her own, she said, “Burgers, huh? What if I was a vegetarian?”
    She smiled bigger and laughed a little at how his eyes widened and a slight look of panic crossed his face. “Uh, I’m sorry. Are you? Because I’m pretty sure they have salads, too. I know I’ve seen Allie and Gillian eating something green.” He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through as he continued to back pedal. “Madison, too. She only eats salads, and she eats there. Let me call and see if they do.”
    She let out a full laugh this time and placed her hand on his arm. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but tease you. You’ll see I’m a bit of a smartass. And don’t worry, Jason, I totally eat meat. Find me a great burger, and we’ll be friends forever.”
    Jason paused his rapid search on his phone and moved his gaze to her hand on his arm. For a split second she thought maybe she had overstepped her bounds with an unwanted touch. But when he lifted his eyes to hers, unleashing that mesmerizing smile on her again, she knew there had been no overstepping. In fact, the look was so inviting she considered climbing across the center console of his car, straddling his lap, tunneling her hands in his hair, and finding out what that sexy beard would feel like against her skin.
    His words momentarily brought her out of her fantasy. “Just when I didn’t think you could get more attractive, I find out you’re a teasing smartass. This day just keeps getting better and better.”
    The visual in her head shifted and now had him pulling her across the center console, tunneling his hands into her hair, and feasting on her lips. It was a stunningly erotic image that she could almost feel as if it were happening. Her heart rate picked up, and she took a slow, somewhat steady breath as he watched her reaction. When his hand slipped over hers, which was still resting on his arm for no apparent reason, she shivered. A warm tingling sensation slowly spread through her hand, which he now had trapped against his skin. The desire to move was strong. Not move it away, but move it around and absorb more of his touch.
    Tori let a few beats pass, enjoying the sensation of touching a man