Read Online Bayou Born (Fleur de Lis Series) by Linda Joyce - Free Book Online

curves of her butt nicely. Her short hair bounced as she stepped in high heels, reminding him of a perky rabbit hopping down a path. A path that led to where? He didn’t care, as long she was in view.
    While they danced, her face had glowed, even when she wasn’t smiling. Her strappy sandals, pretty fancy for a backyard party, put her at the right height, fitting her body perfectly to his when they danced close.
    Her hazel eyes had remained locked on his while they moved together. His gaze kept wandering to the sweet fullness of her lips...it took all he had not to lower his mouth to hers. Thankfully, when the intensity of the pull almost got the best of him, she managed to step on his toes. Only once did a pointy heel strike a seriously damaging blow. He’d ice his toes later.
    His attraction surprised him, but he wouldn’t allow an investigation into the allure. He never played where he worked. Never. A rule that had served him well. Besides, her captivating charms, her “beautiful” vibe, pushed his caution meter into the red zone. He always heeded that warning. Caroline had made him discriminating about his female company. However, he could enjoy any view with Branna in it. Look, but don’t touch. The voice in head mocked him. “Yeah, right. Good luck with that.”
    “You’re a good dancer,” he said, catching up to her and resting his hand in the small of her back. The urge to touch her, to connect with the pulsing sensation, drew him uncontrollably.
    “You’re a good liar.” She smiled.
    “How about a bite to eat? I know a good place that serves food.” When she gave him a puzzled expression, he pointed to the food tent.
    “Sure.” She nodded, but he suspected she had thought he was offering to take her somewhere else.
    All evening he’d been waiting for her to remember. Waiting for that moment of recognition.
    Would she give him the cold shoulder then? So far, she hadn’t let on that they’d met before. He’d bet good money that she hadn’t put all the pieces together. She couldn’t possibly be that schooled in politeness. If so, he’d never play poker with her. Usually he could sense a bluff. She showed no signs. The idea that she would laugh and dance with him now, but hadn’t given him even a brief “hello” at their first encounter, made him chuckle.
    How would she respond when she finally figured it out?
    He, however, remembered her very well.
    The electrical charge when they first touched...if he was a Christmas tree, he would’ve lit up for the whole town to see.
    He should have put the puzzle pieces together sooner, though. After all, how many new Brannas could there be in town? He hadn’t stopped long enough to consider that fact when Dr. Brown gave him the mentoring assignment. He hadn’t asked for Miss Lind’s first name.
    Something about her drew him like a starving man to a feast. What if, just for tonight, he could put aside his no-fraternization rule? After all, this wasn’t a date, but a faculty party. Technically, since she was new, their official capacity of mentor/mentee didn’t begin until Monday. What if?
    He joined her in the short line at the buffet. As she waited for people before them, she turned to him. “I’m hungry, Mr...”
    “Here.” He pointedly ignored her hint at introductions. Instead, he offered her a plate from the remaining stack. It appeared most folks had eaten while he and Branna had danced.
    “Thanks, but you still haven’t told me your name. I’m sure it’s not, Mr. Here .” She pinned him with a stare.
    He winked. “How about we stick with the mystery for a little while longer. I promise, I’m harmless.”
    Did her shrug mean surrender? At least for the moment?
    Tonight he’d connected the dots from the woman at the Victorian to the one in the bookstore. That woman, a watery image beyond the widow, had looked vulnerable and scared. The antithesis of the woman before him. Who would’ve guessed that when he first met Branna, that day