Forever Wishes (Montana Brides Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

warped fate that had sent her the ballroom phobic Sam as the love of her life.
    “Hi guys, sorry to interrupt.”  
    Sam wrapped his arms around Nicky, pulling her against his body. “I can’t take another step. Tell me you’ve come to save me from this slow torture?”  
    Nicky looked worried. “What’s wrong?”
    “Jake’s not well.” Good grief, where had that whopper of a lie come from? Nicky looked unconvinced. “He’s got a migraine and all his pills are at home. I’ll drop him off and get a taxi to my place.” She bit her lip, hoping like crazy Nicky had her own man on her mind and not the whereabouts of her runaway friend.
    A frown crossed Nicky’s face. “Are you sure you want to go home with Jake? What if Sam drops him off and then comes back here?”  
    Erin hadn’t thought about that in her two second brainstorming session. She didn’t want Sam anywhere near Jake. “I’ll be fine. He’s totally harmless.” Well sort of. If you discounted massive lashings of undiluted sex appeal that were aimed straight at her.  
    “I hope you know what you’re doing,” Nicky muttered. “And what on earth made you bid four thousand dollars for a date with him?”
    Erin glanced at Sam, hoping for some male support. All she got was a cheeky grin. “I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.”
    “Promise me you’ll be careful. And call me when you get home to let me know you’re okay.”
    Erin rolled her eyes. “You’re worse than my mom used to be.”
    “All ready?” Jake’s arm wound around her waist, holding her against his side.
    Nicky pursed her lips, sending Erin an evil glare. “How’s the headache, Jake?”
    “Headache?”  
    Sam winked at Erin before grabbing Nicky’s hand. “Come on twinkle-toes, it’s time to teach me some new moves.”
    Nicky sent another worried frown in Erin’s direction, and then followed Sam into the center of the dance floor.
    “What’s that about a headache?” Jake looked confused.  
    “It’s a long story,” she sighed. “I’ll tell you about it on the way to your place.”
    “In that case, your chariot awaits.”
    Erin held Jake’s hand as they walked out of the hotel. The night air was crisp against her skin, washing away some of the heat from her not so brilliant fib. She looked up at the sky and wondered if anyone else was about to throw every rule book they’d ever created out the window.
    Maybe she wasn’t ready to be kissed senseless. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea. Maybe the hussy inside of her needed a stern talking to.  
    They stopped beside a black pickup. “Is everything alright, Erin?”
    She glanced at Jake. He’d undone the top button on his white shirt and his black tie hung around his collar. He looked tired. But he also looked concerned, and that made her feel slightly better. She turned toward him, kissing the edge of his mouth. “I need some positive reinforcement,” she whispered.
    He smiled. Pulling her into his arms, he nudged her mouth open with a gentle caress. His lips were tender. They teased her mouth until she felt herself melting against him, absorbing the heat and strength of his body like a second skin.  
    Jake lifted his head. “Did that help?”
    “Can we do it again?”  
    He kissed her cheek. “Only in small doses, otherwise I might not make it home in one piece.”
    His sweet smile made her heart race.   “I’ll let you know when I need more encouragement.”
    “You do that.” Jake tapped the end of her nose with his finger. “Just give me some warning. I tend to get distracted when your lips touch mine.” He unlocked his pickup and opened her door.
    She bunched the skirt of her dress in one hand and pulled herself into the front seat. Jake hadn’t moved from beside her open door. His blue eyes watched her rearrange her dress, folding yards of red satin around her legs.  
    With a grin on her face she tweaked the bodice up a notch when it pulled tight against her back. “If you ever