Snared (Jaded Regret #1) Read Online Free PDF

holding her hand out to Bex, who had stood up. We all followed suit. My throat dried out and my hands began to sweat. I wiped them on my suit pants, willing myself to knock it the hell off. So what, she was gorgeous. I had beautiful women around me all the time. “I’m a huge fan.”
    “Thank you,” Bex said. “It’s great to meet you. We’re honored to be here. This is my husband, Johnny.” April’s eyes widened as she got the “Johnny effect,” as we called it.
    “So surreal for you all to be standing here,” she gushed. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.”
    Bex nodded. “This is Tanner, our manager, Natalie, and her brother, Beau.”
    April shook their hands and then turned to me. Her eyes met mine, and I swore someone punched me in the stomach. She reached her hand out, and I took it, shaking it as quickly as I could so I could stop touching her. “Nice to meet you, Beau.” Her voice was husky, and it made me wonder if she sounded like that with the others. Was I making shit up in my head? That wasn’t unheard of for me to create things in my mind that weren’t there.
    Natalie cleared her throat beside me, and I broke my gaze from April’s. April seemed to realize her two friends were still standing behind her, gaping at us.
    “Guys, these are my friends and co-workers, Camryn and Bella.”
    Camryn, a.k.a. “honey,” stepped up and shook our hands, although her gaze remained only on Tanner. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Bella shook our hands but said nothing else, seeming shy. I could identify with that.
    “Take your seats,” Dr. Knight said to the girls. “We’re about to begin.” With that, Camryn and Bella went off to their table, and April sat down . . . next to me.
    As she sat, I smelled the floral scent of her perfume and closed my eyes. Her leg touched mine as she adjusted in her seat. Fire shot through my veins. Beau Oliver, get a fucking grip. What the hell is your problem?
    I could sense her eyes on me, so I stole a glance in her direction. When she caught me staring, she smiled, her perfectly straight teeth gleaming. “It’s great to meet you,” she whispered as her father took the microphone in the front of the room, ready to begin the night.
    I smiled but didn’t say anything, because I had no idea what to say. I wasn’t good at small talk. I listened as her dad talked numbers and statistics about the hospital and then introduced the band to the room. We stood and made our way up to the podium next to her dad. Bex stepped up next to Dr. Knight. I stood silently next to Tanner, grateful I didn’t have to speak.
    “We’re honored to have been chosen to help this amazing hospital and the work they do with children in the Orlando area and beyond. We’re also glad to be a part of raising awareness about the amount of children in the foster care system in the state of Florida. We’re proud to be partnering with April Knight to expand our foundation here in the Orlando area for young teen girls. I once was a foster child, so I know the importance of these kids being ready for adulthood and getting the right support. We can’t wait to see all of you at the concert tomorrow night. Thank you for having us.”
    Clapping followed her short speech, and we walked back to our table while they started serving appetizers and salad. I sighed. I wanted nothing more than to pull this damn tie off and unbutton my shirt. I felt like I was suffocating.
    “You okay?” Natalie asked.
    “Fine.”

    I breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator doors closed behind me, leaving me alone to head up to the hotel room. I had no idea how I’d escaped without anyone coming with me, namely my sister, but I was so glad I had.
    The dinner had been nice enough. Thankfully, the table had been lively with conversation, meaning I hadn’t had to talk to April much without others interjecting. I wasn’t much of a talker, and especially since she threw me off my game, I didn’t want to make a