Letters and Lace (The Ronan's Harbor Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

she succumbed to any sign of vulnerability in the magnetic Rottweiler, a beseeching mix too appealing to shun.
    “Don’t be silly,” Sarah said. She did her best to clear her mind. “I spilled a drink, too, remember?”
    He mopped the beer from his pant leg, his shoe, and the floor. His chuckle sounded more like embarrassment.
    Stop. She had no words and made no effort to assist. Dear God, she couldn’t touch him again, especially when he was wet.
    “Well that settles it, I guess. Time to go,” he said.
    She swallowed hard. Although she’d been the first to say it, she didn’t want to leave and she didn’t want him to go either. Her subconscious shouted at her— Stay! Let’s dance.
    He offered a small grin. “Nice meeting you, Sarah.” He turned and nodded. “You, too, Gigi.” He extended his hand. “Norman.”
    “I’m sure we’ll see you again,” Gigi said slyly. “It’s a small town.”
    “Yes,” he said. “It is.”
    ****
    Before she knew it, Sarah and Gigi were back outside The Pier House heading to Gigi’s car. Propelled by the off-shore breeze and the shock of her behavior, Sarah nearly ran.
    There’d be time later to fully regret her boldness, but for the moment, just one delicious minute, she relished the feeling. She felt like a daredevil—or as much of one that she’d ever been in her whole life.
    However, she could not help but acknowledge the observation that in one short evening a strange man had conjured more emotion in her than anyone ever had. Wanton desire had zoomed through her veins, and her veins liked it.
    The truth was Benny had made a quick exit. His body language had changed with his drink’s spill. He hadn’t asked to see her again and hadn’t asked for her number.
    She shook her head. And what if he had? Her breath stalled in her chest. She tried to close out all thoughts about him, but her mind was alive with scenarios.
    He hadn’t stuck around long enough for any real conversation, hadn’t revealed a thing about himself. And he knew nothing concrete about her.
    Her mind posted a billboard— What exactly was that? Sarah’s throat was dry and her swallow scratched. It wouldn’t take a library shelf’s self-help book to convince her she had hit the pinnacle of her stupidity. Sarah Doodle lived and reined.
    “Don’t.” Gigi’s voice broke Sarah’s reverie.
    “Don’t what? Vomit?”
    “Stop it.”
    “Gigi, what the hell is wrong with me? This guy shows up out of nowhere and I wrap myself around him on the dance floor and actually kiss him? Did you see the way he made a beeline out of the place as if it was on fire?”
    Sarah groaned and covered her face with her hands. She smelled the earthiness of his cologne on her skin. Her hands jerked away.
    “Well, I did smell some smoke.” Gigi flashed a wicked look. “Felt the heat from your flames. And the feeling was mutual, apparently. Hell, you made the poor guy so nervous he spilled his beer all over the place.”
    “Oh, my God, Gigi, this is a tiny little town. Who knows how many people witnessed my display out on that dance floor? I’m mortified. How am I going to face people? Or worse, face him if I run into him again?”
    “Will you please just relax, girl?” Gigi said. “For crying out loud, so what? You had a nice, fun night out. Who gives a crap if it wasn’t your typical style? Come on, admit it . You had fun .”
    Sarah’s mouth twisted sideways. Well, her body had had a good time, a blast even. But now, she was left to face its actions. She could still feel Benny’s arms around her. His scent was embedded in her pores. A pathetic-sounding whimper escaped her lips.
    “Is that acknowledgement?” Gigi asked with a grin.
    “Fine, yes. It was fun. Now, please let me go home and wallow.”
    “Bask. Go home and bask .”
    Back home, and inside her refuge, Sarah locked the door behind her and leaned against it. She closed her eyes. The musky, sandalwood aroma had followed her in and threatened