Free Outside The Lines (Love Beyond Reason Book 2) by Beth Rhodes Page A

us.”
    With the ache of her passion worn down and her orgasm turned into that wonderful mellow glow, Maria relaxed and took his hand. Being with him was the easiest thing in the world. That had to mean something.
     
    ~*~
     
    They closed Quinn’s, playing pool, knocking balls into corner and side pockets. They talked, like they’d known each other their whole lives. When he was near enough to her, her breath shortened and her heart pounded.
    The small cove at the back of the bar seemed to have been made for couples, tucked in the corner, no view of the seating area. David’s grin held charm— she’d forgotten— and he turned to sink the eight ball.
    Her eyes drank in the sight of his butt. Clearing her throat, she quickly looked away as he turned back to her. “Game.”
    She lifted her brow at him.
    “I win.”
    The pulse in her neck made her lightheaded. She couldn’t look away.
    “What?”
    Maria stepped up to him and placed her hands on his waist. Was he the winner?
    Call her crazy but…
    She rose to her toes and placed her lips against his. He gently accepted, and his hand cupped the side of her neck. His thumb came to rest at the pulse point. Her ache grew, and she gripped his shirt, wanting more, wanting—his tongue claimed her mouth—yes.
    …she was pretty sure she was the one who’d won.
    Maria woke to that sweet, familiar ache, stretched, and reached for him. The cool, empty space next to her had her rolling over and sitting up. Just dreams.
    The room was decorated in pastels—pinks, yellows, and greens. The white furniture was minimalist, but she appreciated the small desk in the corner and the chest of drawers against the wall near the closet.
    Rubbing a hand through her hair sent the tingle of remembered ecstasy over her skin, and she shivered. The flowers on the night stand looked real from her seat, and taking a deep breath, she thought she could smell the subtle aroma of the baby’s breath.
    But then she smelled him, too. That gorgeous, musky scent of David. That hadn’t changed. But this wasn’t his room. No. He’d brought her to a guest room. She’d been both grateful and disappointed. He’d wanted her, but had held back, saying he wanted her to be sure.
    Waiting for marriage? She almost laughed out loud.
    She got up and crossed the plush, beige carpet to the closet. Empty.
    Well, okay. Fine.
    They’d have to work up to the connection they’d had in California when she’d woken up in his arms, with his strong capable hands brushing through her hair.
    “Hey,” David’s voice broke through her thoughts.
    She turned to him, smiled hesitantly, and stepped forward. “Good morning.”
    The smile he gave her left her bereft of the want she’d woken up with. He’d created distance again. Give him time.
    “I just got off the phone with my dad. We can see the Justice of the Peace on Wednesday.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Wednesday?”
    “Is that okay?”
    She swallowed. There was no reason to wait with the decision made. Just do it. “Yes. The sooner the better.” And less time to chicken out!
    His ties with the Justice of the Peace were handy, and though she regretted not being able to be married in a church, with a priest, in front of her family, she wanted to get this done and move on. Start her new life, with David. Maybe he was just as anxious as she.
    “Good. Things will be easier once that’s out of the way.” He didn’t waste any time. He’d made his decision, and he moved on it, quickly. A reminder that he was a business man. And business was why he agreed to the marriage.
    Fool . Her head was spinning as they went downstairs to eat.
    And after breakfast, they called her sister.
    Lena cursed a blue streak and cried too, which startled Maria so much, she had to hand the phone to David in order to compose herself. Her family would take her news hard, but to have her sister cry made her stomach hurt.
    She looked up to Lena who was so tough and independent.
    “She’s