Free Anxious Love (Love Sick #1) by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle Page A

him off balance.
    "I didn't do it on purpose." I stepped out of his hold and squeezed my arms around my waist tighter.
    "Why would you do something so irresponsible?"
    "Because I want to be normal," I whispered.
    "Fuck normal, Leah. Geez, you aren't normal."
    I stepped in front of him and placed my hand on his abs. He tensed, which distracted me for a second. He stood over me, and I pushed him back. "Will you step back? My neck's getting sore looking up at you."
    He stepped back and gave me the sternest look. I couldn't help it; I laughed. To his credit, he tried to maintain the seriousness the situation called for, but he laughed, too. I marched up three steps on my neighbor's stoop.
    "There." I placed my hands on my hip. "Now, I can talk to you face-to-face. Freakin’ giant." That last part, I whispered under my breath.
    Ryan smirked and shook his head. "Come here."
    He stood in front of me. His amused expression pushed past his anger. He reached out and touched my face.
    "Why don't we spend time together doing something you're comfortable with, like...”
    "Dinner at my place tomorrow night." I clapped my hands together. "I'll cook, and we can watch a movie."
    "I like home-cooked meals. I like movies. I haven't seen your place yet, but I'm sure I'll like it, too."
    "Great."
    "But I can't tomorrow. Kori and I are going to Gulf Port to do some work on the beach for a couple of days."
    I pouted involuntarily.
    He sighed and pulled me into his arms.
    "You're killing me with that look."
    I wrapped my arms around his neck.
    "Little one."
    I pulled back and raised my eyebrows at the nickname. He kissed me softly. "I'll be back on Friday."
    His kiss firmed as he lifted me in his arms.
    I squealed and held on tight. Once again, the world faded away, and the connection between our lips was the only sensation that mattered. The abrupt horn of a car passing pulled us back into reality.
    We both moaned, but Ryan held me tight. He leaned back and stared in my eyes.
    "Friday?" he asked as he leaned in and our foreheads touched.
    "Okay." I couldn't tell if it was his heart beating so fast or mine.
    "You okay?" he asked and scanned my face.
    "I'm good." I nodded and I was. Being in his arms made everything good.
    He pulled me close and nuzzled my neck. I inhaled his scent and squeezed back.
    "You can put me down now," I whispered, but I didn't want him to let me go. "Go hang out with your friend."
    "Okay." He squeezed me once more, before losing his grip.
    I slid down his massive frame. The heat from our bodies caused my stomach to flip.
    He kissed the top of my head and pushed me toward my door.
    "Oh, and tell my friends you have thoroughly reprimanded me, so they can lay off," I said.
    He shook his head. "I'm trying to get them to like me."
    "What about me? You don't care how I feel about you."
    Ryan stood over me. I placed my hands on my hips and craned my neck up. I realized my mistake instantly. The position left me vulnerable, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine. I parted my lips to protest, and his tongue darted in, but he cut off the kiss and turned away laughing.
    "I know exactly how you feel about me."
    Halfway down the block, he turned. "Get inside. I'll call you later."
    I waved, punched in my code, and floated up the stairs to my apartment.

The three days crawled by, but I woke up early the day of our dinner date and drove out to the grocery store in Metairie. I could achieve so much before the rest of the world even thought about waking up. I hauled the bags up my three flights and dropped them on the kitchen counter when my phone rang.
    I peeked at the caller ID and grinned like a little girl. "Hello."
    "Hey, beautiful. Why are you out of breath?"
    "I just hauled your dinner up three flights." My stomach dropped. "You're still coming back today, right?"
    "Yes." I could hear his grin through the phone, and I didn't care if I sounded desperate. I wanted to see him. "We have another hour this morning, and then we're