Free Bonded (The Raegan Mason Trilogy) by Cheryl Courtney

through me.  Yuck!”  I shook my head in disgust and shivered at the thought.
    “Incest? You’ve got to be kidding me.  Weren’t you a little bit interested in what he had to offer?  There are a lot of girls that have had his special treatment, if you know what I mean.”  She grinned still trying to convince me what a good choice he would be.
    “Even more reason to avoid that scenario.  I know you think I’m a prude for waiting, but I can’t just give that part of me away to just anyone.  I know there’s someone out there for me that has endured as much peer pressure as I still am enduring!”  I glared at her to emphasize the “peer” I was referring to.  “I want someone that will respect me for who I am, not what pleasures I can stir in their loins.”  I held up a silky pale green top and quickly switched it out for the brilliant blue one instead.  I think a certain blue eyed god was influencing my color choices.
    “That blue would look amazing on you.  Go try it on.”  Julie started pushing me toward the dressing room.  She grabbed a pair of dark blue skinny jeans along the way and shoved it in my arms.  “Try these on with it.” She insisted.
    I took the clothes in the fitting room and began to change.  I kept thinking about Kyler and the way he treated me last night.  He wasn’t like other guys.  He could have tried a lot more with me, but he didn’t.  He held my hand for over a mile and was clearly interested in me and the kiss on my hand was completely romantic.  I couldn’t help placing my lips over the burning his lips left on my hand last night hoping to feel that burning on my lips.  That addictive warmth spread through me as I remembered his touch and magnetic force field that drew me in.  I had to shake my head and focus before Julie started wondering what was going on.  I finished changing into the new clothes and opened the dressing room door to show her.
    Julie was waiting patiently for me to change.  “What took you so long?  Oh, wow, you look great!”  She reached out to turn me around to get the whole view.  As she did that, she ripped off the tags and took off running for the cashier.
    “Julie!  What are you doing?”  I stumbled after her trying to catch her.
    “You’re going to wear these right now.  You look too stunning to go around in a t-shirt and shorts.”  She handed the cashier the tags and her credit card.  “Go get your other clothes to throw in the bag.  We can burn them later.”  She smiled and waved me off with her hand as she signed the receipt.
    I shook my head at her and returned to the dressing room to collect my clothes.  At least I got to keep my sandals on.  I grumbled on the way back.  “I’m overdressed to be shopping.  I’ll end up sweating and looking ridiculous.”
    “The mall is air conditioned, and you’re not overdressed.”  She linked her arm in mine and started dragging me through store after store. 
    We shopped for hours.  My feet were killing me and I was hungry.  “Hey Julie, can we take a break?  I’m starving.”  She eyed me trying to determine if I was faking or not.
    “Okay, we can stop to eat.  Let’s go to that new seafood restaurant near the Aquarium, Captain’s Quarters, I think.”  Julie switched her bags to her left hand and grabbed my hand with her other and started dragging us back to the parking lot where her VW Bug was parked.
    The drive didn’t take too long and Julie was kind enough to keep the top up and the air conditioning on so I wouldn’t sweat too badly in the new clothes she bought.  We drove up to the restaurant and the parking lot was packed.   I knew we’d end up waiting for a table.  “Can’t we go some place quick?  I don’t know if I can wait to be seated and then wait for food.”  My stomach was growling loudly now.
    “Don’t worry, Rae.  I’ve got connections here.”  She winked and pulled me to the entrance.  Like I predicted, there