Two-Step Temptation by Emma Jay Page A

“Bridesmaid.”
    His gaze traveled down the length of her body, and once again she fretted that she was dressed so casually.
    But when his eyes returned to hers, they shone with appreciation. “You look great.”
    She waved dismissively, wishing his approval didn’t send a wave of warmth through her. She’d accepted that what they had was over. At least, her head had. Her heart and body were having other ideas. “I was just…in search of coffee.”
    “I’ll put my gear in my room and join you.”
    “Eric, wait.” She touched his arm as he started up the stairs past her. His arm was warm and the hair beneath the rolled-up sleeve rasped her skin, sending pulses of heat along her nerves, scattering her thoughts. Looking into his eyes didn’t help. “No one knows about what happened last year.”
    His eyebrows flicked upward. “Okay.” He dragged the word out as if waiting to see what she’d say next.
    “This is Christine and Jared’s weekend and they’ve worked hard for it. I don’t want to take anything away from that.” She could get him to go along with that, she was sure.
    “I don’t intend to.” He stroked his finger down her cheek. “So. Coffee?”
    She grasped the out he gave her, though she wanted to lean into his caress. “Tons to do. I’m going to grab my coffee and go back upstairs. I guess I’ll see you later. Christine and Jared are taking us for a picnic along the river today.” The whole wedding party and Christine’s family would be along. She would have an easier time keeping her distance. She needed to be in control or risk her heart again.

    Haven walked out onto the big patio behind the resort, feeling better. Her favorite denim capris and cap-sleeved T-shirt boosted her confidence, and she was with friends, ready to celebrate. She wouldn’t let Eric’s presence twist her up. After all, he’d been perfectly sweet to her in the hall, like an acquaintance, not a lover. This was going to be fine.
    Her gaze rested on him without conscious thought. He’d added a battered Longhorns cap to the same clothes he’d worn earlier and stood with Jared near the rail, their heads bent together. His face was split in that breathtaking grin, all white teeth and crinkled eyes, and everything female in her quivered. He lifted his head and met her gaze, and his smile shifted, becoming a bit softer, more intimate.
    Lust pounded through her. She’d seen that smile before and it promised wonderful, wonderful things. She spun away to join the women, who were debating if Jill’s footwear was appropriate for a walk along the river.
    “It’s a picnic, right?” Jill asked, defending her choice of leather sandals. “You’re not tricking us into a hike or anything.” She eyed Christine’s boots suspiciously. “Just because you love the outdoors doesn’t mean the rest of us do.”
    “It’s a picnic,” Christine conceded, still skeptical. “But it’s not a park.”
    “Haven’s wearing sandals too,” Jill pointed out, looping her arm through Haven’s.
    “I only brought sandals,” Haven said. “We’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
    Christine started to turn away in surrender, then swung back. “Neither one of you had better be in a cast for my wedding, got it?”
    “Got it,” Haven and Jill agreed, and headed for the steps leading to the trail, arm in arm.
    “Hey, did you see Jared’s friend Eric turned up after all?” Jill asked. “Good Lord, is he gorgeous or what? I hate to be the cliché, a bridesmaid hooking up with a groomsman, but wow. Have you seen that ass?”
    Up close and personal. Haven’s face heated with—was that jealousy? She didn’t get jealous. Okay, she might envy someone’s new pair of shoes or figure or hairstyle, but she’d never been jealous over a man.
    Jill jiggled the arm still looped through Haven’s. “So? What do you think? Should I go for it?”
    How could she answer without sounding suspicious? She hadn’t told her friends about their affair