Read Online Sweet Revenge by Katherine Allred - Free Book Online Page A

he straightened, intending to step farther back into the shadows, but she must have sensed his movement. She looked in his direction, hesitated, and then walked over to stand next to him.
    “Hi. I thought you’d left.”
    He stuck his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. “I was thinking about it.” For a moment they both remained silent. “Jess, about Thursday…maybe you should get Bridget to take you to look for a car after all.” She leaned her hip against the rail, which put her facing him, way too close for his peace of mind. “What about A my’s school clothes?” He shrugged. “A unt Ruth can take her.”
    “Why the sudden change in plans, Sheriff?” She was studying his face intently.
    “I didn’t know about your friend when I asked you to go.” He forced himself to smile and hoped it didn’t look as fake as it felt. “I’d rather not be the cause of any problems.”
    Turning, she looked out at the lake, offering him a view of her profile. A sigh escaped her. “I told A my I’d go, and I don’t want to disappoint her. She’s looking forward to it. For that matter, so am I. I need Bridget to keep the studio open, so she won’t be able to take us. I really need a car, Chase, and I’d rather not take a bus to Liberty. I’d consider it a personal favor if you wouldn’t back out.” He tried desperately to hold back the tide of elation that was threatening to burst his chest. Maybe things weren’t as serious with Reyes as he’d thought. “If you’re sure.”
    “I’m positive.”
    “Okay.” Cautiously, he moved closer and leaned beside her until their shoulders were brushing. “It looked like you were having fun in there tonight.”
    A smile curved her lips. “I didn’t come tonight to have fun. I came because it’s good business.” She glanced over at him, the moonlight glinting off her hair. “These people may be your friends, but I barely know them. For me, there aren’t any fond memories of high school that I want to rehash. If it weren’t for Dom, this wouldn’t be any different than our prom.”
    “What do you mean?”
    This time she was the one who shrugged. “Not a single person has asked me to dance. A s a matter of fact, other than Bridget and Howard, no one has even spoken to me.”
    “I don’t think you can blame them for that. Watching you and Reyes dance, even Fred A staire might be a little intimidated. You’re very good. Where is your boyfriend, by the way?”
    “Poor Dom. They’ve got him pinned up in a corner signing autographs. But he’s not my boyfriend. Not like what you mean. Next to Bridget, he’s the best friend I’ve ever had. He came tonight as a favor to me, to help jump-start the studio.” Relief left his legs weak, but he didn’t care. The music from inside was clearly audible on the balcony. It was fast, but he didn’t care about that either. “Dance with me, Jess?”
    “Here?”
    “Why not? A t least if I step on your toes no one will know it but us.”
    “In that case, I’d love to.”
    She hesitated a bit when he held out his arms. “It isn’t a waltz.”
    “I know, but there are limits on how badly I’m willing to embarrass myself, even in private.” Grinning, she put one hand on his shoulder and took his hand with her other one. “You did a pretty good job of it this afternoon. Be honest. You didn’t really need sugar, did you? You were just dying of curiosity.”
    “I’m the sheriff. It’s my job to be curious. What if you were being held hostage?”
    “A nd if I had been, you were going to save me with an empty cup?”
    “I’ve got a pretty good throwing arm.”
    With the hand he’d placed on the bare skin of her back, he drew her closer until their bodies were pressed together. Her arm slid farther around his neck and she swayed against him lightly.
    “You aren’t as bad at this as you seem to think you are, Sheriff,” she murmured.
    He didn’t answer, well aware that his ability to make