Read Online Racing Home (Dirt Track Dogs Book 3) (Paranormal Wolf-Shifter Romance) by P. Jameson - Free Book Online Page A

when she did, their hands brushed and Blister jerked back causing the coffee to spill over the top.
    Annie gasped as scalding hot liquid touched her skin.
    “Fuck,” he hissed, his eyes going wide. “Shit, I’m sorry.”
    His fingers encircled her wrists as he dragged her around the bar and to the sink. He turned the faucet to cold and shoved her hand underneath the stream. The cold water felt good on the bright pink skin, but she wasn’t hurt really. She’d burnt herself worse than that cooking at Red Cap before.
    Blister stared at her hand under the running water with such remorse in his expression it made her stomach hurt. Without turning off the faucet, he pulled her hand back and used a nearby hand towel to gently dry it off. Cradling her tender hand in his rough one, he bent his head low to examine it.
    “Damn it.” He shook his head, running the tip of one finger over the slight burn. “I’m… so sorry. I… shit .”
    Annie closed her eyes just before they rolled back in her head. Dear baby Jesus, he was touching her . And so sweetly. His hands were amazing. Work roughened but oh so gentle. They were perfect. Could any other hands be as perfect as Blister’s. She wouldn’t know but she thought not.
    “Does it hurt very much?” he asked, his voice heavy with concern. “I… I can make it better but…”
    Annie forced her eyes open. She needed to tell him it wasn’t that bad. But when she looked at him, she was taken aback. The expression on his face was full of self-loathing. She could practically see him berating himself and there was no reason for it. The spill was an accident and she was fine.
    “Hey,” she said softly, but his attention stayed on her hand. Annie curled her fingers around his and that seemed to break the spell. He looked at her. “I’m fine. I’ve had worse burns than this. It doesn’t even hurt. Really.”
    His gaze fell to their hands where they were loosely interlocked. He shook his head. “I don’t think it will blister, but I can’t be sure. Shit, I don’t want to mess up your hands.” The last part was said under his breath like maybe she wasn’t supposed to hear it.
    “You won’t,” she assured him. “Look, it’s fine. Trust me, it won’t blister. It’s good. Promise.” She couldn’t resist running her thumb back and forth against his, but then he went utterly still, and she instantly regretted the action.
    Time seemed to freeze as they stood there. She was afraid to move in case it would send him running. And she knew the small contact would end soon, but maybe if she was still enough she could make it last just a bit longer.
    A car door slammed outside, making her jump. Blister dropped her hand and stepped back.
    “I’d better go help them unload,” he muttered, and slipped past her to the back door.
    Annie had to laugh. It was almost funny how anytime she gave him signals that she was into him, he found a reason to leave. She shook her head, pulling eggs out of the fridge and firing up the burner on the stove.
    Time to dial it back, Annie .
    It was clear she was making him uncomfortable. And he was Ella’s family. She couldn’t afford to let her awkwardness interfere in their budding relationship. Ella needed her family now more than ever.
    And besides all that, this was that pathetic stage she’d been trying to avoid. She had to draw the line somewhere.
    “Friends it is, Mr. Blister,” she muttered, cracking an egg with one hand.
    She went about making breakfast for the crew and forgot about the tinge of embarrassment she’d felt.
    When she was almost finished, he returned.
    Annie didn’t try to make conversation. She pulled the last of the bacon from the pan and let it drain on a couple paper towels.
    Blister moved to the sink to wash his hands while she set breakfast on the bar. Turning, she was surprised to find him standing so close to her. Her eyes were level with his chest and she didn’t bother to look up into his face. He reached