Read Online Her Unbridled Cowboy (Harland County Series) by Donna Michaels - Free Book Online Page B

and
when the clapping subsided, the happy couple stayed to sing a livelier tune
that had everyone dancing. That’s when Kerri escaped to the dessert table. She
was too emotional, too vulnerable, too unsettled to be anywhere near Connor
McCall.
    Besides, it was time for
death-by-chocolate and a few other goodies. Telling herself she’d start
worrying about the tightness of her jeans tomorrow, Kerri loaded her plate.
    She was just finishing her stuffed
strawberry when Kevin approached.
    “What do you say, pretty lady? Want
to go a few turns around the floor?”
    “I’d love to.”
    He was a good dancer, light and
sure on his feet. His arms didn’t feel as secure around her as Connor’s, but he
held her tight, and she enjoyed the dance. So much so, she agreed to another.
    They were making their third pass
around the floor when she suddenly realized Kevin no longer wore his headband.
    “Where’s your mistletoe?” she asked
breathlessly as he spun her around.
    “I took it off when I sat down to
eat. Why? Did you want to kiss me again?” he teased before spinning her away
from him only to twirl her back into his arms and dip her as the song ended.
    She laughed, but had no time to
answer as another cowboy asked her to dance. Recognizing him as one of the
ranch supervisor’s named Pete, she accepted. The friendly Texan was one of
Connor’s men, and she found his shyness rather cute.
    Relaxing, Kerri was just starting
to enjoy herself when she caught Connor staring at them.  No dimples. No
twinkle in his brown gaze. Great. Why was he so annoyed? Kerri watched as Ashley,
in her red mini skirt, sauntered up to him, grabbed his hand and pulled him out
onto the dance floor. 
    Even though the bugger no longer stared,
her dance was ruined. She watched as Connor wrapped his arms around the blonde,
and her body immediately remembered what it had felt like to be cocooned in
warm strength.
    Kerri stumbled and stepped on her
partner’s toes. Darn it. Mumbling an apology, she tried not to remember what it
had felt like to be the one Connor had twirled and whirled with an easy
confidence when they’d danced a few times at one of Kevin’s barbeques, and
again at her parents’ fortieth anniversary party in September. She failed. He’d
felt strong and sure and powerful. Heaven help her, she’d liked it. Very much. But
back then, she’d been happy with the way her life was finally going in California. She’d chalked up the experience as nothing more than finding a good-looking
dance partner who didn’t have two left feet. But now? Now she didn’t know. She
was confused. Weak. Her life was upside down. She had nothing left of her old
life. And he made her feel good. Strong. He made her feel…
    Too much.
    Heat spread throughout her body,
and no doubt, brought color to her face. Bugger. Even from across the room, his
potency affected her. Crud. She was becoming a Connor whore.
    When the song eventually ended,
Kerri thanked her partner then escaped into the kitchen, telling herself she
wanted to check on Emma and see if her mentor needed any help.
    After downing a glass of water, she
placed it in the sink and turned around to find Emma leaning against the
counter with her arms folded across her chest.
    “What are you doing in here?”
    Kerri’s chin rose. “I just came for
a glass of water and to see if you needed anything.”
    Emma’s plump brow arched. “I’m
fine, child. And I thought I made myself clear. You are to stay out there and
enjoy yourself. I can handle things in here.”
    “All right, alright I’m going.”
Kerri smiled on her way out the door.
    She hadn’t walked two feet when an
annoyed blonde stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “Well, well, if it
isn’t little Kerri trying to act all grown up.”
    “Well, well, if it isn’t Ashley
acting like a child,” Kerri countered and made to walk around the witch.
    “You think you’re so great with
your fancy clothes and your fancy food. Don’t