Read Online Awakened By A Kiss (Once Upon A Romance) by Laurie LeClair - Free Book Online

kiss. Her legs still shook. “Where is everyone? Rico said we were meeting in here.”
    “Ah, Rico, he’s quite a guy. I asked him to help me out. He did.”
    “Traitor.” Now it was her turn to fold her arms across her chest, only her jam-packed tote bag jabbed her in the belly.
    He nodded to her. “Maybe we can trade war wound stories.” He grinned. It made her heart flutter. “Or even compare bruises. You are dangerous, you know. In more ways than one.”
    It felt as if a hundred butterflies flapped their wings inside her as she sat on a roller coaster ride. “Flirt,” she said, tapping her foot. How could he do the strangest things to her? Even with just words?  “This is pointless. Let’s get to the meeting and be done with it.” She uncrossed her arms, and turned on her heel.
    “Ev, wait.” His soft plea tore through her. He was there behind her, touching her shoulders.
    She got the wobbly legs again, like Ruby’s dancing legs. Slowly, Shane turned her toward him. Her tote bag swung and punched him in the gut.
    He let out a curse. “Should have dodged that one. Another scar among many.”
    “Sorry,” she mumbled, feeling the warmth rush to her cheeks.
    “You left before I could thank you.”
    “Forget it, okay,” she said between gritted teeth.
    “It worked, so far. Candace is so jealous steam is coming out of her ears.”
    Ev reared back. “Jealous? You want to poke the green-eyed monster?” She didn’t get it. Was he playing with all of them?
    “Not of me . Of us . She wants what we have.”
    “Nothing. That’s what we have.”
    “Chemistry. Hot, lustful kisses in the middle of anywhere. Heads in the clouds. Swept away. Lost in each other. Head over heels.”
    They had chemistry. Yes, they did have that . The snarky remark teasing her lips stopped in its tracks. “But Dex has a crush on her. That’s not what she wants?”
    “It’s not enough for her.”
    Smacking her hand to her forehead, she said, “Ouch. Too hard.” She rubbed her head.
    “Of course, she wants it all.”
    “We showed her what she’s missing. It’s bound to make her question this marriage, at the very least.”
    And it had made Evelyn question was having a baby as a single mom enough any longer? She gulped hard as she stared into baby blues.
     
    ***
     
    A few minutes later, ensconced once again in the outer area near Charlie’s office, Evelyn couldn’t see any questions lingering on Candace’s face. She smiled sweetly—too sweet, if Ev gauged it correctly—up at Dex and turned her charm on. The man nearly tripped over himself to do whatever she wanted.
    “Tea, Candy? Lots of sugar, just like you like it, too.”
    “Thank you, darling. You’re so good to me.”
    Evelyn dropped her tote bag beside her chair and held back a gag. Catching Shane’s glance, she wondered if he, too, noticed the change. Whatever had happened had only seemed to bring the couple closer.
    “We’re missing people,” Peg said, clutching her clipboard and going down the list. “Griff’s running late. Ruby had a temp—”
    “Little Bit? Is she all right?” Evelyn was disappointed the staff meeting had been canceled this morning, but didn’t know the reason why until now.
    “Doc said she’s teething again.” Peg’s sympathetic smile matched hers.
    “Poor baby.” In the back of her mind, she vowed to call Priscilla on her break and see how the baby was doing. Maybe she’d stop by at lunch and bring them something just to give Prissy a breather and give herself a brief peek at her Ruby.
    “Francie should be here any minute.”
    “I’m here,” Francie said, breezing into the room. “I brought the fabric samples Paige and I selected for the bridesmaid’s dresses.” She winked at Dex. “But the wedding dress is under wraps. Groom can’t see it until the wedding day.”
    “Hey, Francine,” Dex said, waving to her.
    King’s wedding dress buyer slid into a comfortable chair beside Evelyn. “Your roomie is a