Read Online Bound to the Bachelor by Sarah Mayberry - Free Book Online Page A

dirty and really enjoying it.
    It was just as well he didn’t like her, because she was a little afraid of what she might do if he turned his formidable charm on her. Something stupid and reckless, no doubt. Something she’d regret.
    “Good afternoon. Welcome to Big Sky Resort. I’ll be your waitress for the day. Are we ready to order yet?”
    Never had Lily been so grateful for an overly-cheery, bouncy waitress. She kept the girl at their table as long as she could, asking for opinions on the various burgers and beers before finally making her selection. Beau sat back in his chair, taking it all in, not even looking at the menu when it came time to order his meal.
    They regarded each other across the table once the waitress had gone, neither of them saying anything. For the life of her, Lily couldn’t read what was going on behind his eyes. She hoped like hell hers were similarly opaque. It would be deeply mortifying if he had any idea how much he unsettled her when she’d done her damnedest to meet his coolness with indifference all these years.
    “So, Beau. The Marines. What made you join?” she said, latching onto the first subject that came to mind.
    “High school was finished. I needed to do something. I didn’t want to go to college or sit behind a desk somewhere.” He shrugged a big shoulder as though it was self-explanatory.
    “How many tours did you do in Iraq?”
    “Two.”
    She could feel his resistance like a force field. He didn’t want to talk about it.
    “Your turn,” she said.
    “Excuse me?”
    “It’s your turn to ask a pointless question.”
    “I thought you weren’t into small talk?”
    “You want to sit here and stare at each other?” she asked.
    His gaze flicked to her mouth before sliding briefly down her body. When his gaze once again met hers, she could see the distance in it. The judgment.
    “Here’s a question for you,” she said on impulse, resting an elbow on the table and leaning toward him slightly. “Why don’t you like me?”
    She’d always wondered, and now seemed like a good time to clear the air. If that were even possible.
    “I don’t dislike you.”
    She made a rude noise. “Yeah, you do. From the moment you met me, you’ve been standoffish. You didn’t even want to sit next to me at Andie and Heath’s wedding. You think I’m a pain in the ass. Admit it.”
    “Oh, I definitely think you’re a pain in the ass. But I don’t dislike you.”
    She rolled her eyes. If he didn’t want to lay his cards on the table, it was no skin off her nose. She was more than happy to resume Cold War status.
    “Fine. Whatever. Let’s talk about something else. What’s your favorite color?”
    “Give me your hand.”
    She stared at him. “Why?”
    “Relax. I’m not about to propose.”
    “I didn’t think you were,” she scoffed.
    She could feel heat climbing into her face.
    His hand lay palm up on the table between them, waiting for hers. Feeling ridiculously nervous, she reached out and set her hand in his.
    His skin was warm, his fingers strong as he wrapped them around hers. His gaze pinned to her face, he turned her hand over, his thumb sliding sensually across her palm. A jolt of electric awareness raced up her arm and through her body, setting off fireworks in places that hadn’t seen a man in more than a year.
    “That’s why I keep my distance,” he said, his voice very deep.
    She licked her lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Don’t you?” He slid his grip up her hand to her wrist. Two fingers stroked over her pulse point, firm and knowing.
    Heat unfurled in her belly and she squeezed her knees together to try and quell the traitorous throb between her thighs.
    Keeping her face poker-straight, she shook her head, feigning indifference.
    “Still nothing.” She tried to pull her hand free, but he tightened his grip, his gaze still on her face.
    “I don’t believe you,” he said.
    She opened her mouth to respond just as he