Just My Luck (A Shamrock Falls Novel) (Entangled: Bliss) (17 page)

Find your Bliss with Robin Bielman’s

Kissing the Maid of Honor

Luke didn’t see the point of learning choreographed dance steps, but it made his sister happy, her smile and laugh contagious, and he found himself enjoying even his missteps.

His partner didn’t hurt matters, either. Paired with the beautiful maid of honor, he gave silent thanks for his new role as best man. If he’d had to watch Sela dance with someone else, he might have gone insane.

A disconcerting thought he decided not to examine too closely.

“Remember, the basic step is one of the most beautiful of the rumba. So if nothing else, stick to it, and the dance floor will be yours,” the instructor said.

Luke peeked at Sela out of the corner of his eye. The slight imperfections in her profile made it the most fascinating he’d seen. With his photographer’s eye he imagined shooting her face from different angles and in different lighting and had a feeling every single one would spark beauty to a thousand different beholders. She might be a girl from his hometown, but there was something about her that was worldly.

She turned her head, catching him in the act of staring. He darted his attention away.

“Now let’s step into the closed position once again and begin,” the teacher said.

At first they moved rigidly, fighting the natural rhythm of their bodies like they still needed to battle to keep things normal. But as the music continued, their moves melted into a fluid sway of hips and torsos and Luke couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be.

“Close your eyes and feel the movement. Let the music guide you,” the teacher said softly as she wove around the dance floor.

Luke waited for Sela to shut her eyes. Christ, she was pretty. The woman made scrubs look sexy. But it was what she had on the inside that suddenly made his mouth drier than the Sahara Desert.

Her eyes fluttered open. “You can wipe that smug look off your face. You’re not that good of a dancer.”

“No?” Without missing a beat, he spun them around, their steps in perfect tandem. An invisible string kept them in harmony. The flush of Sela’s cheeks kept energy humming through his veins.

Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed, and Luke imagined she’d much rather have a sword in her hand so they could fence instead of move with each other.

“You know what they say about show-offs, don’t you?” she said.

“Tell me.” He twirled them away from the others, his fingertips increasing the pressure on her shoulder blade.

“They’re compensating for something else. Usually something small.” Her gaze dipped below his waist as they both stepped back.

He laughed, a little more carefully than he had in the kitchen. For the second time in the last hour she’d done what few women could—raise his hackles in the most engaging way.

“Sweetheart, there’s nothing small about me,” he whispered when they came together. “And if you need proof, I’d be happy to show you.”

Find your Bliss with Roxanne Snopek’s

Three River Ranch

For a moment they stared at each other. Then, Rory lifted one eyebrow and smiled. Something uncurled in Carson’s stomach, a knot he hadn’t been aware of. She reached for his hand, and the touch of her skin electrified him, just as it always did.

“Carson,” she whispered. “It’s okay.”

“What are you talking about?” He pulled his hand away.

She took another step closer to him and reached for his collar.

“Maybe I was wrong earlier,” she said, her expression unreadable. “Maybe whatever this is… won’t break me.”

She kissed him; her lips were soft, yielding, her breath sweet. Then she stepped back, holding him at arm’s length, her head tilted at him again. What was she looking for?

“I’m still in one piece. You?”

“I’m fine.”
Better than fine.
Moonlight reflected in those knowing eyes. “But you’re not…you know. Available. Are you?”

“Unless we’re talking about skydiving, yeah, I’m available. I’m single. Well, except for Junior.” Her eyes narrowed. “Am I wrong? There’s chemistry here, isn’t there?”

He stroked her hair and she leaned into his hand. “Yeah…there’s something. I just think it’s a bad idea. The timing’s all wrong. You, with the baby. Me, with the sanctuary. I shouldn’t start something right now.”

“With me, or with anybody?” Rory pressed her hand against his for a moment, then straightened up and gathered herself, drawing away from him again. “It’s okay, Carson. I get it.”

They walked back to the house in silence. Once inside, he watched her as she checked the puppies, her face composed, her movements gentle but firm, determined.

“You’re gonna make one hell of a mother. You don’t need anyone else messing things up for you. Least of all me.”

“Oh, Carson,” she said, her voice low and tender. She placed a soft, gentle kiss on his cheek. “So protective.”

She went into her room then, closing the door with a soft click. He expected tears, rage perhaps, embarrassment for sure. But instead, she looked like she felt sorry for him.

Carson had the weird feeling that she had somehow gotten inside his head.

And he didn’t like that one bit.

Find your
Bliss
with these new releases…

Act Like You Love Me
by Cindi Madsen

Brynn McAdams isn’t the drama geek she was in high school anymore. But when her old crush, the unattainable Sawyer Raines, shows up to direct her community play, she’s determined to pretend she isn’t the girl he rejected all those years ago. As Brynn’s lies start to snowball, she struggles to stop acting and come clean. But what if Sawyer is already falling for the fake Brynn, not the Brynn she truly is?

The Switched Baby Scandal
by Theresa Meyers

Single mom Taylor Lawrence just discovered that the hospital sent her home with the wrong infant five years ago. Now Reece, the headstrong and handsome biological father, wants his child back. Taylor and Reece find there’s more to sort out than custody of Emily—they must work together to protect her while grappling with their growing attraction. Can they pick up the pieces of two broken families and meld them into something new?

Kissing the Maid of Honor
by Robin Bielman

Sela Sullivan is resolved to be the best maid of honor ever, even if it means tolerating the best man. Arrogant Luke Watters is not only the guy who humiliated her at a kissing booth in high school, but he also happens to be her best friend’s older brother. Luke can’t deny Sela inspires a passion he’s never known, but can he prove to the maid of honor he’s become a man of honor?

Desire by Design
by Paula Altenburg

Eve Doucette is thrilled to finally have landed her dream job of designing Halifax’s new City Hall. That is, until a handsome architect sweeps into town to commandeer her blueprints. Matt Brison just wants to do his job, but then sparks fly between him and his new colleague. Before they know it, their already shaky foundation might be about to come crumbling down…