Read Online Love and Other Surprises by Robin Wells - Free Book Online Page A

hip below it, and it only incited him more. He again wondered if he could span her waist with his hands, and experimentally splayed his fingers. He guessed that they reached almost halfway around her.
    Oh, mercy. He didn’t know where to put his hands, how to breathe, what to do with his feet—or how to control the adolescent response his body was having to this infuriating woman. He was trying to hold himself away from her, and he was developing a terrible crick in his back from the effort. With every passing second, he was in danger of losing his battle against nature. Every fiber of his being longed to pull her close, to breath her in, to taste her lips.
    To make matters worse, she seemed completely oblivious to his struggle. She was snuggling against him as though dancing with him were the most natural, comfortable thing in the world. The longer they danced, the more relaxed she seemed to become. If the song went on much longer, she’d probably fall asleep!
    When the
hell
was this infernal song going to end?
    “Thank you,” Ali said as the last notes of the melody faded. She pulled away from Matt’s arms, feeling thoroughly shaken and a little unsteady on her feet. For a few minutes there, she could have sworn the room had disappeared and they’d drifted someplace else—someplace warm and dreamy and incredibly thrilling.
    Oh, jeez, she thought despairingly. Why did she have to feel so attracted to Matt? He was one of the bossiest, most domineering men she’d ever met—exactly the type she considered pure poison. On top of that, he was Robert’s hand-picked selection—and her business partner to boot. A triple jeopardy selection!
    Her feelings were just the result of the overly romantic atmosphere, she told herself. After all, what could be more sentimental than her best friend’s wedding? Given a little time and distance, her feelings for Matt were sure to normalize.
    Besides, the attraction seemed to be completely one-sided. Matt had been stiff and silent during the dance, and he’d resisted every one of her attempts to snuggle closer.
    Still, there had been a few moments when she’d sensed he might be interested. He’d rested his head against her hair for a few seconds and his hand had moved on her waist in a way that felt suspiciously like a caress.
    “I’d better go find Lauren,” she said. “She’ll need help changing from her wedding gown into her going-away outfit.”
    She turned and fled the dance floor, grateful to have a duty to perform.
    She found Lauren already in the changing room, struggling with the tiny back buttons on her gown. A stab of guilt flashed through her; here she was, maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding, and she’d gotten so absorbed in Matt that she’d forgotten her responsibilities. “Why didn’t you come and get me?” Ali scolded gently. “I didn’t know you were ready to change. Here, turn around and let me help.”
    “You looked like you were having too much fun on the dance floor,” Lauren said with a smile. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
    Ali quickly loosened the buttons and helped her friend step out of the gown, a flush heating her cheeks. Lauren turned and eyed her closely. “Aha! I knew it.” She wagged a finger at her. “Don’t try and deny that you find Matt attractive. It’s written all over your face.”
    Ali carefully placed the gown on its padded hanger. “Well, of course he’s attractive,” she said defensively. “Anyone can see that. But he’s also impossibly overbearing. Would you believe he jumped my case about spending too much time with Derrick tonight?”
    “Maybe he was jealous,” Lauren suggested.
    “Fat chance! He thinks he’s replaced Robert as my big brother.”
    Lauren gave a sly grin. “He didn’t look any too brotherly to me.”
    “I don’t think you’re in any position to make objective observations about these things,” Ali retorted. “Those stars in your eyes are clouding your