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.One of Amy’s favorites.When the chill ran over her, she passed it off as the song until she glanced toward the front of the bar.Over the top of the patron’s heads, a white Stetson weaved through the crowd.A tall, dark figure towered over most of the men as he stepped from the shadows.Her pulse quickened and her heart jumped into her throat causing her to choke.She set her glass on the counter and grabbed a napkin to wipe her mouth.She couldn’t face him.Amy scanned the bar, searching for a place to hide until she could sneak out.“May I have your attention?” Stan’s voice carried over the chatter.The room went silent.“Dinner has arrived.Come find a seat and eat with us.”The people made their way to the tables leaving a path open between Amy and Carson.He held her gaze and slowly approached.She tried to move her legs but they were glued to the floor.When they were inches apart, the heat from his body touched her and she inhaled the tantalizing scent of his spicy cologne.Her knees turned to rubber and she swayed.Carson’s arms shot out and wrapped around her, pulling her to his hard chest.Against her better judgment, Amy raised her head and stared into the familiar blue eyes that haunted her dreams.Carson’s hands eased up her body and grasp her face on both sides and lowered his lips in a capturing kiss that sent Amy’s senses whirling.His tongue caressed the edges of her lips.Her body melted against him.Amy’s arms hung limp at her side.His lips were more persuasive than she cared to admit.When her arms, of their own accord, snaked around his neck, Amy scolded herself.How could they betray me? She hadn’t forgotten the emotions he charged in her and the pain he had caused.She drifted into the moment.They stood on an island, alone; no one within miles.Just the two of them; the way it should be.Amy got lost in his arms.It didn’t matter that he belonged to another.A loud applause and shrill whistles broke the trance Carson had over her.What the hell is she doing? Amy dropped her arms to his chest and pushed him away.He stepped back.“Guess we better go eat.” Carson smiled down at her.Amy glanced toward the crowd at the tables.“Yes.We should.You go ahead.Give me a minute.”Carson kissed her again and turned toward the tables.Amy took the opportunity to escape.The warm air hit her when she stepped outside.She went around the building and clicked the button to open the door to her rental.****As Carson entered the dance floor area, the tantalizing, smoky scent of bar-b-que reminded him he hadn’t eaten all day.He placed a hand over his rumbling stomach and took a seat next to Stan.“Everything smells wonderful.My stomach is growling loud enough to attract attention.He speared a slice of brisket and reached for the spoon in the potato salad.“Amy will be here in a few minutes.”Stan looked around Carson toward the front door.“I don’t think so, buddy.She left.”Carson dropped the spoon back into the bowl and stared at Stan.“What do you mean, ‘she left’? She said to give her a minute.” Carson turned and looked toward the bar where he last saw her.“She walked straight to the door and left before you sat, Carson,” Stan explained.Carson stood so fast, his chair scrapped on the wood floor causing everyone at the table to glance in his direction.He didn’t stop to apologize; he didn’t have time.He had to find Amy.Grabbing his Stetson off the rack, he rushed to the front door.The street light provided enough light for him to see up and down the street.She was nowhere in sight.Carson raced across the street to where he parked his truck.Where would she go? He didn’t have a clue and driving around searching would be useless.He started the truck and turned toward the Holiday Inn where he had secured a room.After driving all day, his exhaustion took over.Amy wouldn’t miss the wedding tomorrow.He’d get her away from the people and talk to her then, if she’d let him.When he reached the room, he called room service and ordered a medium rare t-bone, baked potato, and a salad.A quick shower helped him relax and he had wrapped a towel around his waist when his dinner arrived.His stomach growled when he caught a whiff of the grilled steak under the lid.After dinner, Carson wandered out onto the balcony.From his fifth floor window, he could see most of Cody.The blue lights of Cowboy Bills flashed in the distance.Did Amy go back after he left? One thing’s for sure, he’d never forget the sensation that came over him when he spotted her in the bar.Carson had seen her as soon as he entered.The dim lights had made her hair look like burning embers.She rewarded someone with her beautiful smile and his heart melted.He wanted to barrel through the crowd and shove everyone out of the way.When he’d accepted the invitation from Bess and Stan, he never dreamed Amy would be here.Weaving his way through the crowd, his stare didn’t waver.She’d returned his gaze and her hypnotizing green eyes drew him to her like a magnet.When Stan invited everyone to eat and the crowd parted leaving him a clear path to Amy, he’d wanted to run.One whiff of her signature scent of roses and honeysuckle and Carson thought he might just take her right there.His body had responded to the familiar smell causing him to move close enough to feel her body heat.He’d wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and pulled her into his chest.She’d raised her head and looked up at him with her eyes wide.He could still feel her soft cheeks when he pressed a palm to each side of her lovely face and kissed her.The champagne and strawberries from her lips still lingered on his tongue.Carson had captured the moan that tried to escape from her mouth and buried his tongue deeper.Her tongue had been up to the challenge and dueled with his.It had been a moment in time that he didn’t want to end and never forget.If he never laid eyes on her again, the memory of that moment, that kiss, that passion had been branded in his head.When the applause came from the dinner guest, Amy removed her arms from his neck and shoved him away.“If you two want to take a breather and join us for dinner, you better come on before it’s all gone,” Stan yelled from his seat next to Bess.Carson had made an apology, “sorry” and walked to the tables to take a seat.“Amy will join us in a minute.” He had been starving and proceeded to fill his plate.When he reached for the spoon of the potato salad, Stan had broken the news.Carson sighed and closed the balcony doors.He fell across the bed.“I’m afraid to love you, but it’s hard not to.Where ever you are, Amy, I will find you.”Chapter 34After a sleepless night, for the most part, Amy gave up trying and took a long, hot bubble bath.The wedding would start at two, which gave her time to grab a quick breakfast and visit Ms.Browning before driving out to Stan’s cabin.With her head against the back of the tub, Amy closed her eyes only to see Carson’s face as he approached her in the bar [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]