Free from Pain to Pleasure (Gainesville Book 1) by Bella Jeanisse Page B

a bit and hoped that enticed her. She had never reacted that way. He took advantage of it, kissing her deeply and unleashed his passion for her.
    Danielle quickly pushed him away when she felt her body react to his arousal. “I don’t know why I did that.” Her panties were wet with her own need. How does he do that to me? Her hands shook with fear that someone saw them. What if Brian finds out what I did?
    He put her down but held her close. “Because you wanted to. That’s why.” He kissed the top of her head. “It was the best greeting I ever got from you.” He closed his eyes and thought about her pussy against his dick. He silently groaned, frustrated. Why can’t she just break up with that loser?
    “I shouldn’t have, though,” she replied, trying to push him away. His erection against her body brought on guilt. She wanted him badly. “I’m still with Brian.” Frantically, she scanned their surroundings. No one paid them any mind.
    He drew her tighter against his body. “But he’s not here, and I am.” He kissed her cheek, dying to feel her lips against his again. “You could be that happy all the time.”
    That much was true, but fear still ruled her life. She laid her head on Alex’s chest, glad no one watched them. “I know.” However, the risk was too great. To her and him. She needed to protect him from Brian’s insanity.
    “I’m sorry.” His hand rubbed her back slowly, in circles. “I didn’t mean to push.”
    “You didn’t.” She tried not to shudder and failed. “I just can’t.” Her tears then flowed freely, and she gripped his shirt.
    He faked a smile as he held her. Inside, he fumed. It was ridiculous that he could only be her friend. His feelings for her were so strong they overwhelmed him at times. He had never felt anything other than lust for a girl. Even the few he dated more than a few times in high school didn’t do it for him. He only wanted her, all of her, no matter how long it took him. It was the strangest thing for him to want only one woman.
    Danielle clung to him. How can I string him along like this? It wasn’t fair that she used him for a shoulder to cry on when he actually cared about her. She could never admit that she had started to feel something more than just sexual attraction. That would make him pursue her even more. I need to stop this before it gets too far, and we both get hurt.
    Lips touched her forehead, and she looked up. Alex smiled, but his eyes told quite a different tale. He obviously hated to be only friends with her. She wished she had the strength to tell him to get lost. Her chest ached at the thought of him no longer in her life. She was thoroughly confused. How can I want something so unobtainable?
    Alex felt the tension and wanted to ease it. He let go of her and took off her necklace. “Thanks for letting me borrow this.” He put it around her neck. “Have you had it a long time?”
    “A few years.” Her gaze shifted downward. “My grandma gave it to me. She said it would protect me.”
    He lifted her chin. “From Brian?” He cringed inwardly. Yeah, that’ll ease the tension… Not!
    She nodded, unable to say it. “Please…”
    Then he realized that maybe getting it out would help her. “You can talk to me about it,” he whispered. He didn’t want the few people around them to hear. “I’m a good listener.”
    She closed her eyes. “You are, but some things…” She bit her lip. Some things, she never wanted him to know.
    “Nothing’s too much for me to handle.” He caressed her face as he felt her shake. “What just went through your mind?”
    A shiver ran up her back. The horrible memory of the first time Brian punished her was so vivid. She saw him hold her hands over her head while he forced his way into her on her bed. She could feel the excruciating pain and hear her own screams. Afterward, the look of approval in her father’s eyes made her sick. He and Brian exchanged knowing looks, and she knew her