Read Online A Buckhorn Bachelor by Lori Foster - Free Book Online

you, Wayne?”
    For the next five minutes, Adam ground his teeth while listening to the byplay between Wayne and Issy.
    Wayne wanted her. That much was clear. The way he spoke, how he laughed... Adam recognized the signs. Repeatedly Issy came up with excuses for why she couldn’t get together, and repeatedly, Wayne found a new way to ask.
    Coming on all hot and heavy, Wayne told her that he’d always been interested but she gave off “don’t touch” vibes.
    Ha! Adam glanced around at the guy with smug victory. Isabella had all but insisted that he touch her. That had to mean a lot.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Issy said for the tenth time, “but I—”
    â€œC’mon,” Wayne interrupted smoothly. “At least give me a chance.”
    Adam was about to intervene when from behind him, Amber whispered, “You big fraud.”
    He jumped a foot.
    Damn it, he’d been so fixated on Issy’s conversation with Wayne, he hadn’t realized that Amber was no longer on the scene, and he hadn’t even heard her approach behind him.
    He jerked around to face her and caught her enormous grin. Pointing toward the back patio, he gave a silent order and with a shrug, Amber sashayed that way.
    â€œSo what are you doing?” Amber whispered.
    â€œNone of your business.”
    â€œOoh, so it’s that type of visit.” She patted his shoulder, sharing her pity. “And right in the middle of things, Wayne moves in.”
    â€œHe didn’t ‘move in’,” Adam corrected with annoyance. “You dragged him here.”
    â€œNow, Adam,” she chastised. “The man is more than willing. Trust me, he did not have to be coerced.”
    If he didn’t stop grinding his teeth, he’d turn them to powder. “I thought you liked me.”
    She laughed quietly and gave him a hug. “I love you, silly. But I didn’t know you were that interested.” Holding him back, she asked, “You’re saying you are?”
    Adam opened his mouth—then snapped it shut. He wouldn’t make confessions to his cousin before he even made them to Issy. “I’m saying you need to stop the stud parade. She doesn’t need your help.”
    â€œStud parade,” Amber mused. “I like that.”
    Yeah, Issy might like it, too—if he didn’t nix it real quick. “You have to stop.” But he knew she wouldn’t. Amber was like a tsunami. Once she got started, all you could do was brace yourself.
    â€œAw, what’s wrong? Tell Amber all about it.”
    He scowled. “Don’t talk about yourself in third person. You aren’t the queen.”
    She laughed a bit loudly, and slapped her hand over her mouth.
    Adam took her shoulders. “Amber, seriously.” He bent his knees to meet her gaze at eye level. “I need you to give me a little time with her.”
    She sobered quickly. “Do you care about her?”
    He did, but how much? Because he wasn’t ready to figure it out just yet, he said instead, “I’m working it out. We’re working it out. But it makes it tough when you keep tossing single men her way.”
    â€œAfraid of the competition, huh?”
    For what Issy wanted? Yes. He might already be too involved, but as far as he knew, she wanted to sow wild oats.
    If she only sowed them with him, that could work.
    But with Amber offering up so many alternatives-
    â€œI’ll give you a week,” Amber said decisively. “Let’s say...the picnic next weekend? Dad told me that he invited her to join us and that you further coerced her. So she’ll be there, right?”
    Um... “Yes?” Why did it still feel like Amber plotted his failure? It shouldn’t have scared him, but determination glittered in her eyes and it never failed to set him on edge.
    â€œTerrific.” She put her finger in his face and leveled a firm look on him. “One week,