A Reason to Love Read Online Free PDF

say a word, but there was a wealth of opinion in the look he gave her.
    “After these, I’ll try to get him out of here,” she said.
    Liam looked past her and laughed. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
    If he said anything else, it was drowned out by a sudden blast of music. She headed back to their booth; it was empty. After setting down the beers, she turned around to look for Spence, only to find him standing right behind her. He took her hand in his and towed her over to the opposite side of the bar where a couple of spotlights were focused on a small open area.
    She tried to drag her heels, but she was no match for her determined companion. “Spence, what are you doing?”
    “I want to dance.”
    His grip on her hand was gentle but firm. Even so, she suspected if she really wanted to break free, he’d let her. She couldn’t find it in her to even try, which scared her enough to at least make a token protest. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Spence.”
    He gave her one last tug right into his waiting arms. “Too bad. I do.”
    Before she could even sputter a response, he gave her a quick twirl, and the battle was lost.

Chapter 4
    E arlier in the church parking lot, Spence would’ve sworn his conscience was dead, lost that day in the streets of Afghanistan when his whole life went off the rails. But like him, it had somehow survived, battered and bruised perhaps, but definitely alive. He knew that for a fact because right now the damn thing was shoving its way through the pleasant fog of beer to point out that he shouldn’t be forcing Melanie to dance with him.
    In his own defense, he hadn’t asked her to follow him to this hole-in-the-wall bar, not to mention he’d repeatedly told her to leave as soon as she found him. Obviously Melanie was still there because she wanted to be. God knows why, but it was her choice, her problem.
    His conscience wasn’t buying it.
Yeah, and you’re being a complete asshole. She’s still there because little Melanie Wolfe has grown up to be some kind of misguided do-gooder out to save the world. Or, in this case, one Spencer Lang.
    Okay, fine. He’d paid for two songs, which were almost over. They’d finish this dance, he’d thank Melanie for her concern, and then he would send her on her way. If necessary, he’d shove her out the fucking door. He gave Melanie another twirl as the final strains of the song faded away.
    Unfortunately, someone else must have fed quarters into the antique jukebox, because the opening strains of a slow song about lost loves and roads not taken filled the room. Three notes in and all of Spence’s good intentions shattered. He’d already dropped Melanie’s hand when the previous song ended. Now all he could do was stare down at her. She studied him for what felt like an eternity even if it was only a few seconds.
    He wasn’t sure which one of them moved first, but between one second and the next she was back in his arms and slowly swaying to the music. Melanie was a bit shorter than Callie, making her about five-seven, and so more than half a foot shorter than his six-three. The heels she wore made up enough of that difference to put her head right at his shoulder, the soft silk of her hair against his cheek.
    He breathed in her scent, an intoxicating mix of warm skin combined with a hint of perfume. He knew he should be shot for the thoughts he was having, because this was Melanie Wolfe, not some random woman he’d picked up in a bar. He shifted so there was a little more room between them, praying the song would end before he did something stupid like kiss her.
    She might forgive him for it; he wouldn’t.
    For the moment, all he could do was enjoy the sweet hell of simple human contact as the music cocooned them with bluesy guitar notes and sad lyrics. The song suited his mood perfectly, but he’d be glad when it was over.
    When it ended, Melanie walked away, heading right toward their booth in the back corner. He followed after