Sparks & Cabin Fever Read Online Free Page A

conversations with the occasional debate thrown in for good measure. She also loved art museums and the theater, but Harper thought those were dull pass-times and a waste of her time. Even a walk or hike in nature couldn't stimulate Harper. She was content to while away her hours reading fashion magazines and watching reality television. Stefani loved to read, and in the winter months preferred curling up with a good book instead of watching television.
    Stefani took a swallow of wine. She glanced at her wristwatch again and then checked her cell phone. She gritted her teeth. Her body tensed and she bristled. She shoved her phone back into her pocket. She was lost in thought and didn't notice someone had come up to the bar and was standing next to her.
    â€œIs this seat taken?” a deep voice with a familiar Texas drawl asked.
    Stefani, startled, almost lost her grip on her wine glass. She turned her head and looked up into the dreamy dark eyes of Deacon Travis.
    â€œNo…no, please sit.” She steadied her nerves as he sat on the bar stool next to hers. As he shifted his weight on the bar stool, his rock hard thigh brushed against her and a hot searing spark shot through her. She stiffened and looked down into her wineglass. She realized that she'd succumb to him in a heartbeat if he asked. That shocked her. The emotions flowing through her were foreign to her, but definitely pleasurable. As she glanced at him, she let her imagination run wild, imagining Deacon's magnificent body pressed up against her own.
    Her nipples hardened and strained against her bra. Her face flushed. Harper was right about one thing, Deacon Travis definitely was gorgeous. Tonight he was wearing black jeans, an olive green short-sleeved shirt opened at the neck, and black boots. She wished she'd worn a skirt, but had settled for a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved pale pink blouse. She wore a pair of flats on her feet. Her neck and ears were adorned with a simple gold chain with matching earrings. Most of the people here dressed casually. Very few of the women were dressed in skirts or dresses, but it would have been a way to impress Deacon with her best asset—her long shapely legs.
    â€œIt looks like the entire town is here tonight,” Deacon observed as he held up his empty beer bottle, catching the bartender's eye when he looked their way. “Is it always this packed?”
    It dawned on Stefani that he must have been here for a while since he'd already finished a beer. She hadn't seen him as she'd scanned the crowd looking for Harper. It didn't matter. All she cared about was that he'd noticed her and wanted to sit with her. She noticed a lot of single women in the crowd and felt a sense of satisfaction that she'd been the one he'd chosen to spend time with. Her insides quivered and now she silently prayed that Harper had bailed on her. She would certainly forgive her if she had.
    â€œYou'll soon find out that The Dusty Road is about the only entertainment in town on Friday and Saturday nights, especially with the Friday night band.” She smiled at him. “Unless you prefer the weekly game of bingo over at the community center.”
    The bartender quickly retrieved another bottle of beer, opened it, and set it on the bar in front of Deacon.
    Deacon picked up the bottle and took a long swallow. His eyes crinkled with laughter as he looked at her. “I think I'll pass on the bingo. Is there a movie theater? I didn't see one.”
    She shook her head. “We don't have one anymore. We used to have a pretty decent one until Garden Grove went belly up.”
    He nodded. “It's happening all over. Hopefully things will turn around again soon.” He shifted his weight on the barstool. “Do you come here often?” he asked peering intently at her.
    His eyes were so penetrating she thought he could read her mind. If he could, he would see that she was imagining his naked body caressing her own as