The Cowboy's Bride Read Online Free Page B

got out of the booth so Tessa
could use the restroom. She practically ran. Jake didn’t know if
she had to go that bad, or she just needed to get away from
him.
     
    She needed to get away from Jake. The close
presence to the one man that, she knew, could set her whole world
on fire was Jake Anders. Jake. Sexy—confident—hardworking—yummy,
Jake. And she touched his thigh! Tessa grabbed her lip gloss from
her purse and applied some, and then with a smack she looked into
the mirror. Perfect. Her hair was a bit mussed, but didn’t take
much to look great. She wore a good, I’m a hot chick at a bar
shirt, and her signature pair of Levis. Taking a deep breath, she
looked at her Auburn hair once more, and then walked out into the
bar. Jake was sitting at the booth where she left him.
    Jake smiled as she walked toward him; he
stood up, then handed her another Bud Light. Tessa smiled her
thanks, took a drink then quickly set it on the table. Jake grabbed
her hand, then took a drink out of the same bottle—swoon—then
twirled her around once. “Let’s dance, beautiful.” His voice was a
bit gravely, sexy and she wanted to hear more of it.
    He pulled her close, bodies touching bodies,
and they danced. It was the first time that she danced with Jake,
and she never wanted it to end.
    Hour after hour, dance after dance, and then
drink after drink, they had fun, until the bar announced closing.
Jake and Tess stumbled out onto the street and went toward the
parking deck.
    “ There is no way I can drive, Tess, and
from the looks of it, you can’t either.”
    “ Yeah, definitely not,” she said,
giggling. “I’ll just call a cab,” she hiccupped as her hand went in
her purse and searched for her cell. She pulled it out and dialed
‘happy cab’. They confirmed that they would send one out to her
right away. Ten minutes later, they still didn’t show.
    Jake looked across the street. The alcohol
was starting to soak in to his pores. His bloodstream had to be
caked with beer. “Tess, I’m going to go over there. Come with
me?”
    Tessa’s eyes widened when she saw the sign
for the Benton Hotel. It wasn’t luxurious by any means, but it had
a bed. Tessa took a deep breath and made her decision. “Yeah, no…
it will be safer than us driving.”
    Jake nodded and took her hand. They ran
across the street, nearly falling over themselves then went in and
paid for a room.
     
    Twenty minutes later, they were both
undressed and making out under the covers of the queen-sized bed.
It was the first time that they had kissed. It was Tessa’s first
time touching Jake’s body without clothing, and it was Heaven.
    “ Honey, as much as I want this, and
believe me, I do. I can’t do this to you…to us. I want this to be
special. I want to remember each sigh from you, each touch of your
skin. Let’s take it easy now, and tomorrow, when we wake up, I’ll
show you how very much I want you.”
    Tessa reached up and kissed him once more on
the lips, then tore them away on a sigh. “Okay, Jake. Sweet
dreams.”
    “ Definitely.”
     
    Jake’s memory of the night they finally got
together was brought to a halt as a car door shut. He looked up and
saw Tessa.
    “Don’t get up,” Tessa said quietly. She put
her hand out in front of her to halt him in place. “I just wanted
to let you know that I got my dress and that I love it. Mom’s in
the car, so I’ve got to get going.”
    “Stay here with me. I can take you home
later.”
    “You have work to do, and I’m not going to
get in the way. Besides, you look exhausted. I’ve never seen you
just sitting down on that stoop. What’s wrong?”
    “I was just thinking about when we got
together.”
    Tessa blushed. “I thought about that the
other night. I can remember everything, but a few things…”
    “I remember everything. It’s hard to forget
the best night of your life.”
    Tessa flinched. “You’re not mad because I
don’t remember, are you?”
    Jake was slow with his