Seven-Year Seduction Read Online Free Page B

“We just prefer not to show that side of ourselves during billable hours.”
    Connor threw back his head and laughed at that, and Beth couldn’t help but laugh with him. She’d forgotten how infectious his sense of humor was. How his low chuckle or full-belly laugh washed over her like a warm sea breeze.
    When the moment passed, she found herself dancing even more closely to him. He’d somehow tightened his grip and brought her flush with his tall, muscular frame without her noticing. He took the lead as they swayed to an old Air Supply ballad, keeping a firm grasp on her so she couldn’t slip away or even put space between them again.
    Her breasts were pressed against his chest, and herdamn, traitorous nipples began to pucker beneath the satin bodice of her lime green and hot-pink maid-of-honor gown. She only hoped he wouldn’t notice through the thick material of his own formal attire.
    â€œRemember that dance back in junior high,” he said, “when your folks wouldn’t let you go unless Nick and Karen and I went along?”
    How could she forget? She’d convinced herself it was a real date, while to Connor, it was nothing more than a favor for his best friend’s sister and her parents.
    â€œWe danced half the night just like this,” he continued.
    Not exactly like this, she thought as his pelvis brushed against hers, making her stomach muscles tighten and heat pool thick in her veins.
    â€œI even think they played this same song,” he said with a chuckle.
    She didn’t remember the music from that night so many years ago, only the feel of Connor holding her as they shuffled back and forth in the middle of the darkened gymnasium. Her complete adoration for the boy of her dreams had been embarrassingly clear on her face, she was sure.
    Thank God she’d grown up and moved on. She was beyond the starry eyes and stupid, love-struck glances of adolescence. She was strong, independent, and over him.
    As soon as the thought passed through her mind, she knew she had to exert a bit of that independence and get away from him. She didn’t want to talk about junior high or high school. Or anything from their past,for that matter. Better to let those memories—not a one of them good for her—remain dead and buried.
    Before the song even ended, she stopped cold and took a step back. He still held her hand, his other arm extended from her waist.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he wanted to know, but he didn’t release her.
    â€œNothing. I just don’t want to dance anymore.”
    â€œThen let’s take a walk.” His fingers clenched around hers for a moment before relaxing. “I’ll get us something to drink and we can go outside for a breath of fresh air.”
    â€œThank you, but no.”
    â€œCome on. Just for a few minutes.”
    She stopped trying to pull away from him then and simply stared him straight in the eye.
    â€œWhy?” she wanted to know, studying him closely. “Why won’t you let me go back to the table and leave me alone?”
    For a second, he didn’t say anything. Then he gave a heartfelt sigh, letting one arm drop to his side, but keeping a grip on her other hand.
    â€œLook, I know things have been weird between us the past few years. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you do your best to avoid me every time you come home to visit your family, and I just thought that maybe we could talk. Clear the air a bit.”
    Clear the air. As soon as the words sank in, her hackles went up.
    If only life were that simple. If only a breath of fresh air and a few interesting stories about the goodold days could wipe away all the pain, misery and anguish from that time in her life.
    But they couldn’t, and she had no desire to dredge up the past. Coming home for her brother’s wedding had been difficult enough. Having a heart-to-heart with Connor was more than she could handle, more