Ugly Ducklings Finish First Read Online Free Page B

remember it like it was yesterday.”
    “It was seven years ago, Wiley. With that much time separating us, we could qualify as strangers.”
    “A stranger wouldn’t know you have a habit of chewing on your necklace when you’re wound up.” His gaze dropped to her mouth, tracing it with an intensity that made his eyes glitter. “It took me a couple of seconds, but I recognized you.”
    “Still, I’m surprised.” She had to consciously stop herself from licking her lips to sample the lush heat ignited by his heavy-lidded gaze. “I didn’t think anyone would recognize me.”
    “When I first saw you standing alone by the doors, I thought you were someone’s date. I couldn’t believe some guy would be stupid enough to leave your side, even for a second.”
    “You’re kidding.”
    “Absolutely not. For instance, I never would have left you alone.”
    A heady surge of pleasure bubbled through her, but the weight of reality smashed it flat a second later. Wiley Sharpe practically shot out of the womb bringing the female population to its knees with his charm, but it didn’t actually mean anything. It never did.
    Her smile was little more than a wry twist. “Don’t waste your flattery on me, pal. It won’t work.”
    “It’s not flattery when it’s the truth.”
    “Uh-huh. So my nervous habit gave me away?”
    “Pretty much.” To her surprise he hooked a finger around her neck chain and lifted it to her lips. “The way you work your mouth when you’re concentrating is...unforgettable.”
    “I see.” The feathery brush of the chain against her sensitive lips made her shiver, and his words made her imagine all sorts of things she could do with her mouth. But to think that while in the arms of the legendary Coyote of Bitterthorn was akin to playing with fire, so when the music wound down to a sensuous close she couldn’t quite stifle her sigh of relief. “Well. Thank you for the dance. I told you I was good.”
    “So you did.” He didn’t return her smile, instead tightening his hand on hers before she could pull away. “How about we find a seat and talk?”
    “Like I said, I’m giving a presentation tomorrow morning. I should be going.”
    “Are you staying with your mother?”
    “No.” The word came out more sharply than she intended, and she cleared her throat to ease its sudden tightness. “I’m staying in San Antonio, at the hotel where the convention’s being held.”
    “Ah.” Wiley tilted his head, as if to view her from another perspective. “I take it things are still tense between you two?”
    “It’s not that bad. Wiley—”
    “Does she know you’re in town?”
    With a hiss, Payton jerked her hand away. “That is none of your business.”
    “I’ll take that as a no.”
    “Take it any way you like,” she said snippily. “I’m leaving.”
    “We both are.”
    Before Payton had a chance to dodge, he took her by the elbow and guided her toward the doors. A few people called to him, and a sheriff’s deputy by the main doors tipped his hat as they passed. Raising his free hand, Wiley offered smiling nods of farewell, but he didn’t stop. Just like royalty, she thought with a resigned sigh. She was only surprised his adoring fans didn’t throw flowers at his feet.
    “Slow down,” Payton ordered as Wiley dragged her through the nearest exit. With her ears ringing from the loud music, she took in a breath of cool night air that carried the unmistakable perfume of spring. “Wiley, stop pulling on me.”
    His unrelenting pace eased up a fraction. “You’re a doctor. If I pull something loose, you can always put it back in place.”
    “Funny, I don’t remember you being this much of a jerk,” she muttered as they headed into the parking lot. “Where are we going?”
    “Someplace where we can talk.”
    “Has it occurred to you that I’m not interested in talking?”
    “Nope.” He scanned the lot as if looking for enemy troops before he made a beeline for a vintage