Stand-In Bride by Adele Knight

Author:Adele Knight [Knight, Adele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-10T00:00:00+00:00

Two hours later the lights are dim, the music is thumping, and tables are pushed to the side to create a makeshift dance floor.

Alcohol and the avoidance strategy I’ve employed have kept me dancing. I don’t know how long I’ve been moving to the music, but I have that fluid lightness that goes with too much alcohol and dopamine.

Owen watches me from the bar, his gaze slowly sliding down my body, tightening the sensitive skin between my thighs.

I lift my arms in the air and rock my hips from side to side, calling him to me with my body.

His fingers grip the glass tighter.

I shouldn’t have had that last drink. It tipped me over the edge from avoiding Owen to burning with the need to feel him pressed against me.

He stands, pushing the barstool out of the way.

My belly tightens until Amy touches his arm.

Jealousy is hot and fiery in my veins, but I’m not quite drunk enough not to realize that if I go over there, sober Charlotte will regret it in the morning.

I should go home, get into bed, and sleep away the rest of the week until I figure out what the heck I am going to do.

“Your face is pretty even with that scowl.”

I look over my shoulder. The stranger’s voice is as smooth as his appearance, but there’s an arrogance about him that makes me feel uneasy.

“I like this dress.” He traces the lace pattern of Eloise’s dress down my waist and flattens his palm over my hip.

My body tenses, fear and panic taking over.

I’ve never been in a situation like this before. Logically I know this is one of those moments when I need to stand up for myself and say what I want—for him to get his hands off me and back the hell up—but my mind goes blank and my tongue feels paralyzed.

I can feel Owen before I see him. His body heat is pulsing behind me, his anger hot. I want to step back until I’m pressed against him, soaking in his heat and his protection.

The stranger lifts his head to meet Owen’s gaze. “Who are you?”

“Her husband.” Owen’s voice is a deep growl. “Now take your hands off what’s mine.”

The possessiveness in his tone sparks a shiver of desire so intense I feel it in my bones and deep in my core. I want his words to be the truth.

The guy mumbles some sort of apology and shuffles off the dance floor.

Tension leaves my body, replaced by irritation.

I don’t want to feel relieved when he comes to my rescue.

I don’t want to feel safe and desired when he calls me his.

I don’t want to feel anything for the man I’m playing house with until the one he really wants gets back.

“Are you OK?” he asks, his voice soft, soothing, and his breath like a soft caress on my neck.

“I’m fine.” I walk to the bar and order a bottle of water. “I’m surprised you even noticed what was happening. Where is your waitress?”

“You make it sound like she is my personal waitress.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.