Free Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) by Tricia Andersen

well as I do, Rico, if you try to help, we won’t be studying.
    He chuckled with her. “True. But I’ll be on my best behavior. Just as long as you’re on yours.”
    Avery gasped indignantly as she slapped him on the arm. I am always on my best behavior.
    “Really? So you are saying I’m the bad influence?”
    Yes. I am.
    “It is good to know we are on the same page.”
    Avery laughed again. The sound was weak but it was definitely there. Rico studied her face. Lord, she’s beautiful . Her features were normally so cool and collected. She was a Marine. Obviously, not much fazed her. It was one of the things he loved about her.
    But right now, her eyes held a wicked glimmer. She slowly reached across his seat. Her fingers weaved themselves in his hair. That sensation alone sent his heart racing. She pulled him to her and parted his lips with hers. It didn’t take long before her tongue tangled with his. Instinctively, he drew her tight against him.
    Feeling her curves mold against his body, the taste of her on his lips, set him on fire. The old Rico, the one who couldn’t remember the names of half the women he slept with, started to creep to the surface. He could take her back to his place. One night with her would be incredible.
    He looked into her eyes as the kiss broke. She was perfect. He couldn’t ruin what they had. He didn’t want her for one night. He wanted her for forever. He wanted to promise eternity to her. He wanted to raise a family with her. He couldn’t risk everything on one night.
    He nuzzled his nose against hers and brushed another kiss against her lips. He didn’t think before he spoke. The words just tumbled out. “I love you.”
    An amused smile graced her lips as she signed. I love you, too. I guess I better go in.
    “I guess so.”
    He grabbed the picnic basket out of the back seat. He wrapped his arm around her and tucked her close to him as he walked her to the house. He could see Lindsay glaring at him through the window. Rico didn’t care. As they reached the front door, he pulled Avery to him for one last, soft kiss. She sighed as she took the basket from him and looped her arm through the handles. See you in the morning?
    “ Can’t wait.”
    Rico waved to Lindsay as he held the door open for Avery to pass through. A grin spread across his face as he jogged down the steps. The whistling started again.

Chapter Five
    Rico spent every moment he could with Avery that week. Which meant he fielded a lot of phone calls from an irritated Max. Did he care if Max was angry that he kept skipping out at the end of practice instead of standing around and chatting about their upcoming fight? No. He knew the fight was important. But in his heart, Avery was far more so.
    He helped Avery study for her tests and papers every night after Hard Drive. Or at least he tried. Their study sessions always started out innocent enough—with Rico helping her do research or asking her questions. But then, there was a stolen kiss amongst the bookshelves. A soft caress at the table. The suggestion that they move to the wildly colored vinyl chairs to be more comfortable.
    Before they knew it, they were sitting in just one chair with Avery curled up on Rico’s lap as she read. She laid her head on his shoulder as she studied. He interrupted her with kisses on her cheek, chin, and lips. At first, she was exasperated that he stopped her reading, but it wasn’t long before the book was on the floor and she was returning every kiss he gave.
    He knew he would be fully to blame if she failed. Yet, how could he resist her for that long? Despite their less than academic activities in the library, Avery passed her first test with flying colors. Their study sessions were still on.
    Everyone at the library knew Avery, and it was easy to tell they loved her as much as he did. She introduced Rico to Mary, the librarian who had given her the chicken recipe. The older woman bragged over Avery, telling him what a wonderful