Playing Hard by Marie Johnston

Author:Marie Johnston [Johnston, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marie Johnston

Chapter 4

Our meal was over, and it was…pleasant. My belly was full and satisfied, and I was tucked into the front seat, gazing out the window at the gorgeous summer day. I thought about the competition. How’d all my friends do? I’d shut my phone off after calling my parents.

He circled around a large park getting out of the neighborhood the restaurant was in. Colorful play equipment was situated under tall trees where they’d get shade on the hottest days. Around it was vibrant green grass that contrasted with the clear blue sky. It was like a massage for the eyes.

I scanned the empty play equipment. “I haven’t been on a swing in forever.”

Lincoln’s gaze shifted to the park. Then he was turning into it. I sat up. I hadn’t said I wanted to stop here.

He parked and looked at me. “It’s your vacation. Let’s swing.”

I stared at him. “Lincoln Keating on a swing?”

His mouth quirked. “Nellie Pelton on a swing?”

My competitive edge woke up. “Watch me.”

I raced out and snatched the one that was in the shade. We must look ridiculous. Two grown people, one wearing business casual and the other in his athletic gear. My ass just hit the seat as he caught up. My heart stuttered.

He was laughing.

“Don’t swing until you lose your lunch, Pelton.” He kicked himself into a solid start.

“I can handle it. Can you?” I pumped my legs. I had to get higher than him now.

Every pass, he was looking at me, challenge in his eyes. I grinned, my own laugh ringing across the lawn.

We swung, doing stuff I hadn’t done since I was a kid, like lying all the way back, or rocking until I swung in a squiggle.

“Ever do this?” Lincoln asked before he launched himself off at the highest point. He stuck the landing in the wood chips like he jumped off swings every day.

I did the same, only my landing wasn’t as solid. I whooped and pinwheeled my arms, but I was caught in a strong grip and steadied against a solid chest.

He loosened his hold enough for me to turn around. I gazed up at him. We landed just out of the shade. The sun hit the top of his head, giving his hair a brassy shine. His dark eyes bored into mine, and his head dipped. I lifted my chin, unsure if he planned to kiss me or if he was just checking to see if I was okay.

My gaze dropped to his mouth, then lifted to his eyes.

“Are you all right?” he asked, so low that I barely heard him.

I didn’t want to nod and break the trance. “Yes.”

“Good,” he murmured and lowered his head.

Children’s laughter rang out, and we both blinked and looked for the source. Three kids were riding their bikes in the direction of the park.

He cleared his throat and stepped back, reluctant, as if he didn’t want to let me go.

Had we really been about to kiss?

Where was my animosity? Where was my give a shit? Why couldn’t those kids have waited one more minute?

We started back for the car.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.