Read To Love Again: A Sweet Romance (Forty and Free Book 1) for Free Online

décor was very uplifting. The walls were painted with bright blues, shimmering golds, and specks of white.
    Gavin slowed his pace and Nicole naturally matched it. Maybe it was because she was accustomed to walking in groups, but she suspected it was because he drew her to him in an unusual way.  
    “I can take that, you know.” She started to reach for her suitcase.  
    “I’d like to carry it for you, if you don’t mind. It’s just how I was raised.” Gavin grinned at her.
    “Alright.” Nicole smiled and glanced over at him. “That’s very kind of you.”  
    “There isn’t enough kindness in the world, you know—or honesty—never enough honesty.”
    “I can agree with that.” Nicole tilted her head toward him. “Maybe if our friends had been honest with us, we never would have ended up here.”  
    “Maybe. But I’m second-guessing my ideas about that.” He smiled as he looked over at her. “I’ve enjoyed our time together—as short as it may have been.”  
    Nicole’s heart dropped as she recognized an opening for her to hint to invite him for another drink. But it was too late to do it now. She didn’t want to seem desperate.  
    “I enjoyed our time too.”
    Tony paused near the end of the hall in front of one of the rooms. He didn’t seem to be doing anything to rush them along.  
    “Did you?” Gavin sought her eyes. “I thought maybe I said something to upset you.”  
    “No. Not at all. Why would you think that?” When she returned his gaze, she noticed the tension in his lashes, as if he was prepared for her to attack.  
    “It’s been a while since I attempted a conversation with a beautiful woman. I must be quite rusty.” His eyes lingered on hers.
    Nicole processed what he’d said. She was aware that the proper response was to thank him. She opened her mouth to say thank you, but instead, laughter poured out. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”  
    “What?” His eyebrows lifted and he took a slight step back. “Now I’ve really said something wrong.”  
    “No.” Nicole struggled to gain control over the childish giggles that continued to escape her. “It’s just that—I guess it’s been so long since I’ve been called beautiful…” Her voice trailed off.
    The half-smile faded from his lips.
    She realized she may have insulted him with her laughter. “I’m sorry.”
    She glanced away from him and started toward the end of the hall. When she felt the warmth of his palm along the crook of her elbow her heartbeat fluttered. When his fingertips traced the line of her jaw and guided her attention back to him, her racing heart felt like it was going to burst.

Chapter 10

    The way that Nicole shied away from Gavin’s compliment pulled at his emotions in ways that he couldn’t define. What was meant to be a warm statement seemed to stun her. Was it possible that she was not aware of her own beauty? Did women still exist that didn’t obsess over the way they looked in the mirror each day? Or maybe—his eyes narrowed with the thought—someone had lied to her for a very long time.
    When she started to walk away he couldn’t resist. He let go of the suitcases and his hand grasped her elbow to tug her subtly back toward him. The feel of her silky skin beneath his fingertips as he encouraged her to turn back to look at him inspired mysterious ripples throughout his body.
    He waited until she met his eyes to speak.  
    “How could anyone ever call you anything else?”
    Her cheeks reddened and her gaze dropped away.
    “I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.” His hand fell back to his side. “Like I said—rusty.”  
    “No. You haven’t—made me feel uncomfortable, I mean.” She cleared her throat and continued to avoid looking right at him. “It was sweet—very nice of you to say.”  
    “It’s the truth, Nicole. Maybe Tony is right. You should give someone the chance to show you just how beautiful you are.”  
    “Now I’m starting to