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.“Turn around, turn around.” The dishes rattled against each other as she dropped the entire bin into the sink and came over to take a closer look.Amused, Beth did a quick spin to appease her.Marianne’s enthusiasm was a welcome distraction.“That’s a great dress.And snazzy shoes,” Marianne said, a wistful smile on her lips.“There was a time I’d dance all night in a pair of shoes like that.”“You mean last week?” Beth tossed over her shoulder as she reached for her purse and matching wrap.Marianne’s delighted laugh filled the kitchen.“You’re a sweet one.Now, you give me a head start.I want an uninterrupted view of his face when you make your entrance.”“He’s here?” Beth clenched her hands to keep from rubbing her palms against her dress.“Yup.Give me ten seconds, then come on out.” Marianne paused at the door.“And Beth? Have fun tonight, sweetie.”Ten seconds.Ten seconds separated her from the first date she’d had in three years.God, what am I thinking?Chicken shit.The words crossed her thoughts, but the voice was all Rachel.Dammit.Somewhere, Rachel was utterly amused that she was the voice in her head.Beth took a deep breath and walked toward the door.Chicken shit, my ass.“She’s coming, honey,” Marianne said as she cruised back into the café.“Thanks.” Restless, Braden propped his left arm on the bar and stuck his right hand in his pocket.When no one emerged, he glanced to where Marianne was still hovering.“You sure she’s not sneaking out the…” The soft click of heels against wood heralded Beth’s arrival.His chest tightened and his breathing stalled.She wore a deep blue dress that hugged her frame and swirled like the tide around her legs as she walked into the café wearing shoes designed to drive a man crazy—tall heels with little strappy things that tied around her ankles and extended her toned legs into impossibly long planes of silk.It required a conscious effort to drag his gaze back up, only to discover that the rest of the picture was every bit as enthralling.She’d pulled her hair back, a curly mass loosely pinned to the nape of her neck.Though he’d wondered more than once what it would feel like to run his hands through the long lengths, he found this style held a certain appeal.How long would it take for her hair to tumble around her shoulders if he pulled out every pin, one by one, replacing each with a kiss to her exposed throat?Everything about her captivated his imagination, but her eyes snared his attention.She’d done something to them, something that brought out the cobalt hue.When he finally recovered enough to smile in greeting, her eyes were the first to respond, crinkling at the edges as a warm welcome bloomed across her face.“Hi.” Hardly smooth, but the best he could do until blood rushed back to his brain.“Hi.” She said, pulling her wrap over her shoulders.“Ready to go?”“Sure.You said the restaurant’s close, right?”“Two blocks.It’s nice outside, but if you’d rather drive, I can pull the car around.”“Walking sounds good.”“Goodnight, Marianne.” Braden smiled over his shoulder and slid an arm around Beth’s waist as they moved toward the door.It was a nice evening to walk, the warmth and humidity of the afternoon lingered, but a pleasant breeze blowing in from the west made it a comfortable evening to be out.“The weather today was perfect.Did you get a chance to enjoy it?” Braden cringed.The weather? Lame.Very lame.“Not directly, I had to work for most of it, but the customers brought the atmosphere in with them.” Her amusement was clear in her tone.“What about you?”She pressed closer to his side to avoid bumping into another pedestrian.The warmth of her seared straight through him, scattering his thoughts.“What?”“Did you enjoy the day?”“Oh.No, not really, my brother’s in town.” Braden maneuvered them off to the side and under a rich expanse of maroon awning.Glancing around in confusion, Beth asked, “Is everything alright?”“I’m sorry.”Her shoulders tightened and she opened her mouth to speak, but he slipped an arm around her waist and pressed her against the rough brick of the storefront behind her.His slid a hand carefully along her jaw, letting it rest against the nape of her neck [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]