Two-Step Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page B

Jared groaned. “What?” he asked, turning to his friend. “Don’t ask an anthropologist to speak if you don’t want to hear stuff like this.” He turned back to the audience. “Did you know that the tradition of best man, which you may notice I am not, derives from the days when warriors would kidnap the bride? He needed backup in case she was excessively feisty. The reason the bride stands on the left of the groom is so he could keep his right arm, his sword arm, free to fight off any who would ‘speak now’.” The crowd tittered. “The honeymoon comes from that time too. The warrior would have to hide with his bride when her family came after them. I don’t think that will be the case with Christine and Jared, especially not after this shindig.” He gestured to the room. “We’ve witnessed the exchanging of the rings that symbolizes Christine and Jared’s commitment to each other. In a little while, we’ll see the dance and the cutting of the cake, all which are outward signs to us what they already know. They are in love with each other, and committed to stay together until the end of time. To Jared and Christine.”
    “To Jared and Christine.”
    Eric took his seat. Haven grinned.
    “What?” he asked warily.
    “That was really—nice.”
    “Did you think I was going to be a dick?”
    She shrugged and turned her attention to her glass of wine. “I’ve never really seen you and Jared together. You and anyone together.” They’d been so exclusive with each other. She’d wanted to protect herself from what her friends thought, what investment her friends would have in her relationship with Eric. But in doing so, she’s missed a whole level in knowing him.
    But that was the past, and this was just a leftover fling and after tomorrow he’d be gone and she’d be fine.
    Not for the first time she wished she had someone to talk with. But she’d made the choice to keep this relationship to herself. She’d closed them out—too late to invite them back in just because her emotions were in a jumble.
    Moments later, she joined in the applause as the newlyweds took to the dance floor. They looked gorgeous together, both tall, blond and fit. And the way they looked at each other, that shared secret look in their eyes… Okay, Haven admitted to a touch of jealousy. A touch of loneliness.
    Eric stroked his finger over her shoulder and down her bare arm because he couldn’t not touch her. That was who he was, a man who appreciated the physical. That was how they’d hooked up in the first place. “So you? What’s new with you?”
    “Do we want to do this?” she asked with a sigh, sitting back.
    His gaze flicked past her, to where the rest of the bridal party was gathering to join the newlyweds on the floor. He closed his fingers around hers. “No. We want to dance.”
    Haven’s nerves hummed like a vibrating string as he led her to the floor and turned her into his arms, one hand folded over hers and the other firm at her waist. The dance was a slow two-step that they’d practiced last night, but Eric stepped on her toe from the first beat. She tightened her fingers on his shoulder to remind him, and he shuffled his feet, overcorrecting. She skittered out of the way and stumbled.
    “Screw this.” He brought her against him palms pressed to her back, fingers spread on either side of her spine, pressing her into the long lean line of his body.
    “Eric!” Her fingers curled in the lapels of his jacket. “If you’d practiced with me instead of trying to seduce me—”
    “Shut up and put your arms around me,” he muttered.
    She hesitated, trying to tamp down the desire to lean into him, then gave in and glided her hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders, attempting to keep a distance between them. She certainly didn’t trust Eric to behave himself. Aware he was watching her, she avoided looking at him. Instead she focused on his throat. Suddenly the taste of him filled her mouth, and the