Free No Boundaries by Donna K. Ford Page A

make up for my earlier behavior. I’m afraid I gave the impression of being a bit too eager when I asked you out. But I could really use a friend. I really wanted to get to know you, and tonight was perfect.”
    Andi regarded Gwen for a moment, very aware of how tender her voice was. Gwen wasn’t at all what she had expected. She had convinced herself Gwen was cocky and looking for a fast hookup, but tonight Gwen had been different. She was confident and self-assured, but not arrogant. She seemed warm and open and something about her made Andi feel safe. She watched Gwen’s smooth gestures as she lifted the beer to her lips and took a drink. Andi stared at a bead of the golden liquid clinging to her lips and watched as her lips parted and her tongue moved across the surface to wick away the moisture.
    “I’ve enjoyed it,” she said, realizing it was true. “I should be going though—Zeek here is looking a bit tired.”
    “Are you sure? I think there’s another beer left, if you’d like to stay a while longer.”
    Andi hesitated, hearing only sincerity in Gwen’s voice. “I appreciate it, but I should call it a night. I’m already over my two-beer limit.” Andi lifted Zeek’s head and pushed back her chair as she stood. “It really was a nice night. Thank you.”
    Gwen followed Andi through the house and out to her Jeep. “Are you okay to drive?”
    Andi turned to face Gwen, her hand resting on the top of the small half door of the Jeep. She looked up the street and considered her options.
    “Well, I could walk home, but then I’d have to retrieve my Jeep tomorrow, and the neighbors would have a scandal brewing by morning. Or I can just take it easy. I only live one mile from here, and I’m sure I’m okay to drive. I only had three beers in”—Andi looked at her watch—“oh my goodness, four hours,” she said, surprised by the time. “How did it get so late?”
    Gwen was still smiling at her. “Well, if you’re sure you’re okay.” She placed her hand over Andi’s for a brief moment, her fingers brushing across Andi’s skin, a featherlight touch that made Andi shudder. Andi’s eyes drifted to Gwen’s lips, which were slightly parted, and she imagined how they would taste.
    “I promise I’m okay,” Andi said, drawing her hand away. “Thank you again for dinner.”
    “You’re welcome. Have a good night,” Gwen said, taking a step back from the Jeep.
     
    *
     
    Andi could barely make out Gwen’s silhouette standing at the end of the drive as she looked back through her rearview mirror. But she could tell Gwen was watching her drive away. She rubbed her fingertips across the back of her hand, savoring the feel of Gwen’s touch against her skin. It had only been a moment, but she had trembled at the connection. She had felt the heat melt into her own skin, and she realized they had touched only twice the entire night. Gwen had more than kept to her promise—dinner, friendly conversation—and regret needled at Andi. A gentle prick had started at the back of her mind, and something within her knew she would continue to crave Gwen’s closeness.
    What am I doing? Andi sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She was confused. Her life was too complicated to even entertain thoughts of Gwen, but here she was, letting fantasies and images flood her mind. She had known better than to come tonight, but she didn’t know how to keep pushing Gwen away.

Chapter Seven
     
    The next morning, Andi tightened the straps of her PFD and walked her paddleboard into the water. The sun was just beginning to crest over the mountain, and the sounds of morning stirred in the air as the birds sang out like the voices of angels.
    She loved the lake in the morning. The water was so still it was like glass. Not many boats were out this early, and she had the lake to herself for the most part. Holding the paddle firmly in her hands, she focused on the feel of her stroke, keeping her balance centered over the