Read Online Forever After (Montana Brides) by Leeanna Morgan - Free Book Online

tapped the end of her nose.  
    As if she really believed that. She knew exactly what he was offering, and the not so professional brush of his hand across her cheek definitely went beyond the realm of a business dinner.  
    Giving him another glare she side-stepped around all six-foot-three of him, sinking down into her chair. She scooped rice onto her plate, trying to keep her hands from shaking. As long as she ignored the curious stare aimed at her, she could handle dinner and Sam Delaney.  
    “Chicken?”
    “Pardon?”  
    “Chicken,” Sam asked. “Do you want some?”
    Heat flushed Nicky’s face. She saw the grin on his face, and her temperature soared. The vegetable bowl she’d picked up clattered to the table. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the vegetables closer. “Just a few pieces, please.”
    “Has Maureen managed to find you yet?” Sam’s hands were steady. Not one piece of chicken landed on the tablecloth.
    Maureen was the least of Nicky’s worries. In one short week most of her family had tracked her down and tried to reorganize her life. Emily had been determined to hook her up with one of her fashion designer buddies, and her dad wanted her to think about staying in Montana after her contract finished.  
    Even her grandfather had joined in, constantly ringing to see what was happening with the investigation. Cody had been the only person that had left her to herself. And that was only because he had his hands full with a new lady love.  
    “Maureen booked a spa treatment for us next week,” she groaned. “Legs, hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. And she’s been hinting at taking me to the Country Club.”
    The bark of laughter from across the table calmed her nerves. Sam knew how much she hated going there. Figuring out what to wear anywhere had never been one of her strong points. Socializing with a roomful of women who prided themselves on wearing the latest fashion statements made Nicky’s skin itch. She’d always been a jeans and t-shirt girl, not a Chanel and Gucci convert.  
    “One of these days you’re going to shock Maureen by taking her to a ladies luncheon.”
    “Not in this lifetime,” she sighed. Nicky bit into a piece of chicken. It melted in her mouth. She tried some of the vegetables.  
    “How’s your meal?”
    “Delicious. It almost makes up for all your other faults.”
    Sam cleared his throat. “What faults might they be?”
    A hesitant grin slid over Nicky’s face. The gleam in his eye made the mischievous hussy lurking inside her wiggle in anticipation. “Well, first of all, you’re bossy. Then there’s the incredible flirt waiting in the background, and last but not least, you’ve developed the art of making women swoon to Casanova status. Is that enough?”
    He burst out laughing. “Swoon? I don’t think anyone’s ever told me I make them swoon. What would that involve?”
    Nicky concentrated on the food in front of her. Maybe if she stuffed a sock in her mouth she’d get through the rest of the night without making even more trouble for herself. “Forget I mentioned it. I’ll strike it off the list.”
    Holding his wineglass in his hand, Sam grinned over the rim. “I quite like the sound of someone swooning. Let me know if you ever feel that way inclined, and I’ll do my best to remedy the situation.”
    Choking on a mouthful of wine, Nicky grabbed her napkin to save herself from turning into a total idiot.  
    “Are you okay?”
    She nodded, using the side of the napkin to dab tears from her eyes.  
    “What do you like to cook?” Sam asked.
    The question surprised her, until she saw the look on his face. There was nothing innocent in the heat warming his brown eyes to gooey chocolate fudge. “Anything on a barbecue and canned soup.”  
    “You’re welcome over here anytime for a meal. It’s more fun cooking for two people.”
    Nicky picked up a piece of bread and a warm trickle of butter ran down fingers. She raised her hand to her lips.