Touch of Trouble (Touch Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

once more. I pout, but he ignores that. "As I was saying…I don’t make empty promises." With his unwavering and intense gaze, he stands up and clasps another bangle on to my right wrist. "As always, you will be my focus, and I promise you will soon look back on this evening and wonder why you were so nervous."
    A small, serene smile flits across my lips and I close my eyes briefly. "I trust you, Daddy."
    "Good girl." Lastly, he attaches the final bangle to my left wrist and finishes by kissing the tips of my fingers. "Consider the metal as an extension of me tonight." He nips at the pad of my middle finger, hard enough for a quick, sharp sting. "To remind you that I'm right there with you." Yes . He nearly lulls me into a comatose state with that voice—smooth, rich, warm, and with the level of command that I need.
    Taking a deep breath, I nod, finally ready to face my family—or rather, those who side with Amanda.
    I thank Daddy profusely for making me feel better, and then we get ready to go downstairs to the hotel restaurant that my family has reserved for the evening. I slip into a pair of ballet flats that go with my dress and grab my little silver clutch—just as my phone vibrates inside. Opening it, I see that I have a text from Sydney, Nicholas's sister.
    I can't help but giggle when I read it.
    If Amanda gives you grief, imagine her doing so dressed like a pirate's wench.
    "Anything interesting?" Nicholas asks. I grin up at him and show him the screen, to which his mouth twists into a wry little smirk. "My sister certainly has different methods than I do, doesn’t she?" He shakes his head in amusement. "But by all means, little love."
    Okay, wench, here we come.

Chapter 3
    Now I remember why I only see my family twice or so a year— Amanda-crap aside. It's because they're an overwhelming bunch of people. The restaurant is packed with Brandons—the most common name on my dad's side of the family—Stevens from Uncle Keith's side, and McCallisters from Mom and Aunt Mary's side.
    There are also a few associates from the company Uncle Keith runs—that he once started with my dad. It's boring stuff… mergers and acquisitions.
    I'm glad Uncle Keith never changed the company's name. He once said, "I started it with Henry—that'll never change." So, the company is still named HBKS Financial.
    Anyway… even though there are so many of us, we work like a well-oiled machine. We have a few days here, so everyone knows there'll be plenty of time to catch up sooner or later. A handful of greetings to the people we pass and we end up at our table. My Gramma Ida is already seated, and I'm more than happy to sit down next to her. There are a couple Michaels, too, and—unfortunately—Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Keith's sister. She's an Amanda shipper.
    Speak of the devil and she will appear.
    I hear her cackling about something behind me; she and Amber seem to have been assigned to the table next to us.
    Nicholas gives my leg a n affectionate squeeze under the table, reminding me of his presence, and I offer a grateful smile in return. Then I introduce him to my grandmother, who seems enamored of him, yet protective of me. She'd been sick last summer, so she hadn't made it to the wedding.
    "Well, now. This must've cost an arm and a leg." Gramma Ida inspects my e ngagement ring over the rims of her super cool, purple cat-eye glasses. Then she slides her gaze to Nicholas. "And how did you propose, young man?"
    "In Venice, ma'am." Nicholas nods in thanks to the waiter who arrives with our pre-ordered drinks and appetizers. "Kayla told me she hadn’t been able to visit Italy when she went to Europe this spring. After I had found the ring, I wanted to take her there."
    "It was so romantic, Gramma." I can't keep the excitement out of my voice even if I tried. "We took a gondola ride and everything, and the food was amazing ." I just know my grandmother will love the book of authentic Italian recipes I bought for her when we were