Free Broken Creek (The Creek #1) by Abbie St. Claire Page A

are we going?”
    “I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”
    “Fine, then we’re going to be late. I have to change.”
    “We’ve got all night.”
    I ran up the stairs, while he visited with Mom. I searched my closet for something to wear, but his last comment left me puzzled and sizzling at the same time.
    All night? I wanted him. I didn’t want him. I wanted to move forward. I was going backward, and I didn’t want to. Yadda. Yadda. Yadda. He was driving me nuts. Was that his plan? To break me down? Rip my heart’s barrier wire by wire?
    While my new InStyler heated to max, I found a black mini-dress that had a sequined top and dolman sleeves. I slipped off my thong and put on a pair of black lace boy shorts just in case the skirt inched up by accident. After the third try, I found a pair of black stilettos that were painful, but sexy.
    With my hair fixed and my make-up glammed, I descended the stairs, nervously anticipating his reaction.
    Stephan’s deep intake of oxygen was visibly noticeable with the rise of his chest, as was the surprised look on his face. He was pleased. “Stunning,” was his only word.
    “Thank you. Now, tell me where we’re going.”
    “We’re taking a dinner and dancing cruise out at the lake.” He smiled, happy with himself.
    “Oh, that sounds like fun. Happy New Year, kids. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Mom hugged us both as we left. Her chosen words a clue that she thought I wouldn’t be home after our date.

    There were about ten couples all together, but we weren’t there as a group. They served us wine and appetizers, and the boat kept going back to shore to pick up folks until everyone finally arrived. The music was flowing softly, and several times Stephan asked me to dance.
    He was deliciously confident—make that polished—and I was impressed.
    “You’ve changed. So many different aspects about you have been altered. I’m not sure I’m with the same man from two years ago. What caused this, the class or a girl?”
    “Both.”
    “What’s her name?”
    He leaned back so we could be face to face. “Wrenn.”
    “Stephan, please.”
    “There’s been no one in particular since you left me. I’m not a saint and won’t pretend that nothing happened here and there, but no one touched my heart but you.”
    “This was supposed to be a friend date, not a get-back-together date. It may have been a mistake.” I stopped dancing and fought the urge to look at him and found a place on the floor in which to stare.
    “No. You asked a question and I answered it. I’m not putting on the pressure. I just thought you deserved a lovely night after everything you’ve been through.” His arms held me, obviously his heart did too.
    “It is a lovely night. Thank you.”
    At midnight, I was shocked he only held me, swaying to the music and didn’t even try to kiss me. It was as if I was subconsciously wanting it to happen and afraid what would happen when he did. Oh my God, the ups and downs and back and forth was driving me insane.
    After the cruise was over, we walked out to the truck, and he opened my door. I went to step up into the truck and missed the sideboard in my heels, sending me straight into his waiting arms. Once again, our lips clashed together, and this time we didn’t stop ourselves. Our breaths heated, flaming each other’s desire. He slid his hand up my thigh under my dress, gripped my ass, pulling our bodies together, grinding his arousal into me, and making our passion almost indecent to the public.
    He broke the kiss, leaving me breathless and handed me the seat belt before getting in the driver’s seat. He didn’t ask where to go, he drove straight to his house, holding my hand against his lips the entire way. When he parked, he came around to my side and carried me into the house and straight to the bedroom. I buried my head in his neck and inhaled him. All of those years mastering his pheromones to memory…came back to me.
    I could see desire