Read Online Petite Madeleine: Drew's Story (Meadows Shore Book 3) by Eva Charles - Free Book Online Page B

rooms.”
    He kept his arms wrapped around her, but moved his head back so he could meet her eyes. “This is a big deal for me. My oldest brother’s getting married. The first Harrington to take the big plunge.”
    “It’ll be hard without your parents,” she said softly, cradling his jaw.
    He nestled his cheek into her caress. “Yeah … it’ll be hard,” he sighed, “but that’s not why I want you there. It’ll be a special occasion, full of hope for the future, for our family. I’d like to share it with you.”
    She grasped him tighter. “Oh Drew … that’s so sweet … so unbelievably, heart-meltingly sweet. How can I say no?”
    “You’ll come?”
    “Do you really think it’s a good idea? Maybe it’s too soon. Everyone’s going to think we’re back together.”
    “We are—exclusively, right, Cass?” He focused intently on her, studying her face, waiting for an answer.
    She chuckled.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “You have that Harrington look on, like you’re getting ready to pummel any male within arm’s reach.”
    “Cassie. I’m still waiting, here.”
    “Let’s think about the wedding.”
    “I’m not asking about the wedding right now.”
    “Come on, Drew, what’s gotten into you? We promised to give this a try, and I made a commitment. Of course I won’t date anyone else. You know me better than that.”
    His expression softened. “I won’t either.”
    “I knew that without asking. I know the kind of man you are. Some things are so ingrained in a person’s character, so much a part of who they are, that they never change.” She worked the kinks from the back of his neck, until his head fell into her hands.
    “I love you, Cassie. That’s a part of who I am too.”
    Tracing his lips with her tongue, she caught his lower lip between her teeth, but she never waved him on to second.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Cassie adored Drew’s family. Brown was only about thirty minutes from their home at Meadows Shore, so she’d spent a lot of time with them when she and Drew were together. They came for games, or just to visit, and she and Drew made the trip home many times to pick up something he needed, grab a home-cooked meal, or just enjoy some time away from school. Since she was an only child, it was always a treat to be around all his brothers and cousins. Her parents were immigrants too, and their families shared some of the same old country values. Not only had she been welcomed with open arms, but she’d been right at home, from the first visit.
    It was exciting to be at the wedding, and with so many eyes and ears around, there was no chance of something more intimate happening with Drew. Not this weekend. She could let herself go, and enjoy him without worrying about where it might lead them.
    He still didn’t know about the cancer, but she was meeting with Dr. Ritchie regularly, working up the courage to tell him, and bolstering her sense of self in case…
    “Dance with me,” he whispered in her ear, lipping the lobe in a way that made her shudder.
    She was helpless to resist, and let him tuck her under his arm on the way to the dance floor. “We’ve been dancing all night. When did you start loving to dance so much?”
    “It’s the only time I get to touch you, run my hands over your gorgeous body.”
    He pulled her against him, and she closed her eyes, letting herself mold to him. She could feel how much he wanted her, and she was aroused beyond anything she’d felt in years. Using both hands, she skated over his back in long sweeps. He’d taken off his jacket, and she could feel every muscle, every tendon, through the thin shirt. He groaned when her fingers caressed his neck, skin against skin. Lowering his head, he found her mouth, swallowing the tiny moans escaping from her throat. They kissed as though they were the only two people in the room.
    “Everyone’s watching,” she gasped, panting for air.
    “I don’t care,” he said dipping toward her mouth