The Reckless Secret, Complete Series (An Alpha Billionaire In Love BBW Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

.”
    Declan raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
    “Nope,” Maggie said, shaking her head and stepping back, as if she could disappear into the wall and make this go away. “Not me.”
    Declan observed her for a long moment, his eyes glittering. Then he held out his hand. “May I?”
    Maggie’s stomach swooped. “I should just—” she said, staring at his proffered hand, panic welling up in her chest. Panic, and a hint of excitement. “The bride—” And she tried to leave, but her feet were quite clearly nailed to the floor.
    “The bride is busy getting changed right now,” Declan informed her, his voice maddeningly calm, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Are you gonna leave me hanging?”
    Grant huffed out his exasperation. “Just dance with the man, will you?” he snapped, yanking Maggie’s wine glass from her hand and shoving her forward, directly into Declan’s space.
    It happened too quickly. One moment she was muttering vague protestations, caught up in the whirlwind of it all; the next moment she was dancing, her hand softly held in his, the warmth of his other hand settled low on her back.
    She caught her breath, and just for a moment, for one heart-stopping moment, she allowed herself to feel the heat and pleasure of his broad, strong, muscular body against her own—allowed herself to imagine, briefly but with startling clarity, how it would feel minus the clothes between them.
    Then she shut down those thoughts and cleared her throat.
    “So we’re clear, this is just a dance.”
    “Of course, it is,” he said immediately, his voice rumbling through his chest and into hers. This close, she could smell the richness of his cologne. Feel the sweetness of his breath on her face. She daren’t look up at him.
    “I mean it.”
    “I know.” He was leading, of course—gliding them across the dance floor to a slow, sultry tune that had all the couples up and embracing. The confidence in his steps tripped her heart. “You look lovely, by the way.”
    “Thank you,” she said, swallowing dryly. “You look…” She risked a glance up at his face, found him gazing down at her as if she was all he saw. She looked away quickly, blushing, and focused on the glint of his watch—a watch that was obviously worth more than her entire apartment. “Rich,” she finished, and he chuckled, pulled her closer just a little. She didn’t object.
    “Something you find a complete turnoff, if I remember correctly.”
    “I don’t hate society,” she said. “I just want more from life.”
    “I always admired that about you.”
    She choked out a laugh. “Are you drunk?”
    “Not yet,” he said, “but it’s on the agenda.” And when she glanced up at him this time, he was wearing his bright, charming grin, the one he’d dazzled her with all her life.
    They fell into a silence, and Maggie found herself lulled into a sense of calm by the rhythmic swaying of the dance, the moody tones of the music, the strength and warmth of Declan pressed into her, the steadiness of his heartbeat against her breast. Her stomach twisted dangerously, the same way it had back when she first developed her crush on him as a teenager. When every time she saw him, she’d felt like she was looking at perfection.
    And when he’d flirted with her outrageously at the beach party all those months ago, then sent flowers to her apartment with a note asking her to meet him, and her heart had swelled with giddy anticipation…
    And then he’d given her a date and a half and nothing else, no other contact, nothing but the cruelty of parading Ms. Leggy Blonde around in the newspapers and magazines.
    As if following her train of thought, Declan suddenly drew in a breath and asked, “So…what did the doc have that I didn’t?” There was an oddness to his voice, the words coming out rushed and stilted. She’d never heard that hitch of uncertainty in his tone before.
    “What?”
    “You traded me in pretty quickly.”
    “What was I