Free Same/Difference (The Depth of Emotion #4) by D.D. Lorenzo

with equally bridled passion. His tongue pressed for entry and I allowed him to explore. I was tingly with unexpected passion, the sparks igniting from my lips to my core. He was dangerous. When, he pulled away, he left me breathless.
    “Tomorrow?” His voice was husky and thick as he said the words against my ear.
    “Tomorrow.” I nodded.
    He backed away and gestured toward the door with his chin. “Go on, now. I’ll wait until you lock the door.”
    I disappeared into the room and turned the lock. Leaning my head against it I listened for his voice.
    “Good girl. Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
     

     
    O h my god…
    I couldn’t remember having such a good time on a date—but then when had I really gone on a date? Most of the men I met were just for drinks and a hookup. The possibility of anything more never entered my mind. Certainly not a relationship. But this was a date. Something I never had.
    When I was a teenager I knew enough about how to dress and how to do my make-up so that I was pretty enough to get asked out. The problem was that the same girls that teased me in elementary and middle school now went to my high school. Anytime the little witches started their whispers I knew it was about me. I had no doubt that they informed the boys exactly how much of a freak they thought I was. So I decided to beat them at their own game and never went out on dates. I would talk to the boys in school, but never more than that. I refused to put myself in a situation where I would be pitied or ridiculed any more than I already was. The girls didn’t bother me so much because they were more concerned with their social game than they were with me. They had already done enough. Why beat a dead horse?
    After the second year of high school, I never gave it much thought. It became my normal. I did the same thing in college, instead concentrating on my grades. I had more than enough time on my hands to develop my own style. Thanks, mom! By the time I graduated, people took me seriously. Women wanted to be my friend, men wanted to date me, and my professors listened to what I had to say. It was the perfect testing ground for my future goals. I was listening to a finance lecture and the proctor said that real estate very seldom lost its value; it almost always appreciated. I knew it was where I wanted to concentrate my efforts, not just selling it, but investing in it. As long as I was eager and hardworking, I could further my agenda of being financially independent. I didn’t want to rely on anyone for anything. I imagined myself living a very solitary personal life, while having a very social professional one. But one date with Falcon made me wonder; should I take a chance?
    I thought back to when I first met him. I’d become quite the actress over the years. Although I loved the idea of the party, I was feeling a bit claustrophobic. When Falcon asked me if I’d like to take a walk I jumped at the chance. All I expected was fresh air. Of course, I was polite to him. He was Carter’s friend. I planned on doing my usual of nodding politely and feigning interest, but even then I knew Falcon was different.
    I’m not certain if it was his looks or the tone of his voice. He pointed things out throughout the walk that I found beautiful, and I wasn’t reserved in telling him what I saw. An icicle wasn’t just an icicle. When we came upon a bare bush encased in ice, I saw them as melting crystals in the sun. After a while, he began to see things through my eyes. He’d lived there a long time and was desensitized to the beauty that I saw. My breath caught in my throat when I saw a red cardinal against the backdrop of untouched snow. He got very quiet and we watched it until it flew away. Something happened that afternoon, to me and to him. My life had become so black and white going from home to work and back again. Same routine over and over. I forgot to enjoy myself, and only did so when I went on vacation. This