Falling for the Groomsman (Wedding Dare, #1)(2)

“Well?” she asked, her soft voice sending something shooting through his veins. “Will I recover full use of my limb, Doctor?”

Her graceful form drew his eyes, no matter how hard he tried to resist. Her slim waist curved to generously swelled hips, and her long legs stretched on for what felt like miles. She wasn’t in a short skirt—it reached just above her knees—but for the way his body reacted? She might as well have been strutting around in a f*cking miniskirt.

“Yeah, but you need ice.” He turned away and mumbled, “And so do I.”

…

Christine watched Tyler swipe the card through the lock on his door with one smooth motion. He looked so in control of every move he made, while she was literally falling into walls and crashing into people. Bouncing off of Tyler wasn’t exactly the most flawless start to the wedding extravaganza, but it could have been worse. Heck, the last time he’d held her in his arms, he’d looked at her with horror after he realized what he’d done, apologized, and run away without any sign of hesitation.

Anything was better than that.

But still. Finding out his touch still affected her after all of this time was a bit of a shock, to say the least. Sure, she’d been half in love with him back then—hence him taking her virginity in Mexico all those years ago—but it had been years since they were within touching distance of each other. They’d both moved on.

So why did his touch feel so freaking good?

Maybe she was just that horny. After all, it had been months since she’d gotten any action. Close to a year, if she was being honest with herself. She’d been so wrapped up in her work that she’d neglected life. She’d forgotten how to have fun.

So…she’d made a list of things she wanted to do before the wedding was over. Things she’d read in romance books. Sexy things. She’d even titled it Christine’s Sex To-Dos. Not very creative but it would do. So far it had three items on it: Kiss a stranger. Have sex outside. Make out in the elevator.

Rekindle an old flame was not on her list—and it wouldn’t be, either.

But maybe, just maybe, she should add another thing: Get payback on Tyler.

She could make it sexy to fit in with the rest of the items on her list.

No, that would be too dangerous. He’d already hurt her once, and she wouldn’t be going back for seconds. She played it safe now, thanks in part to him.

Tyler came out with the ice bucket, his green eyes settling on her instantly. The weight of his stare made her want to fidget, but she forced herself to stand still. His brown hair was longer than she remembered, curling slightly at the edges. He had a little bit of scruff going on, and muscles like whoa.

It was obvious that he kept in shape while he was out saving the world. So not fair. He reached out and placed a hand on her upper arm. His fingers on her bare skin sent a shiver straight up her spine. She tilted her chin up. “Stay here while I go get you ice?”

And spend more time walking an unwilling trip down memory lane? No, thank you. She shook her head and looked over her shoulder. The elevator was awfully close. “I don’t need any. I’m fine, I swear.”

“Just wait here for me.” He skimmed his finger over her arm. God, he wasn’t even trying to tempt her, yet he was. So unfair. “I’ll only take a second. I promise I’ll be right back.”

Unlike the last time you left, she added silently.

And then? Blessedly, the anger took hold. Anger she’d thought long buried.

Oh, he thought she would stand there waiting for him, after all this time? He had another think coming. Time to turn the tables. Get payback on Tyler may not be on her actual sex list…but she was metaphorically penciling it in right now. Dangerous or not, she’d make him want her. Then she’d walk away and forget all about Tyler Dresco—and their sloppy past.

She gave him a sweet smile, satisfaction coming over her when he paused, his eyes heating up with…desire, maybe? She reached out and tucked one of his errant curls back in place. His nostrils flared. “Oh, I’ll be waiting, all right.”

His gaze dipped down to her mouth, making her stomach tighten, and then flew back up to hers. “All right then. Good.”

He left, his steps long and even. Even while leaving, he managed to look so damn confident and hot that it drove her insane. So much like a man, as opposed to the boy he’d been when he’d taken her virginity and apologized before running away. He might have changed, but not enough to make her change her mind about him. There was nothing between them except awkward silence and memories.

Time to go back to what they did best: pretending that night in Mexico had never happened. As soon as he rounded the corner…she spun on her heel and headed for the elevator.

It was her turn to run away.





Chapter Two


Close to an hour later, Christine leaned back in her chair and fiddled with her wineglass. She glanced over her shoulder for what had to be the millionth time before looking back at her best friends. The girls were all arguing over some nonsense or another, but Christine was clueless. Normally, she would have been right there with them, fighting over…

What were they talking about, anyway? They could be telling her she was winning the Pulitzer Prize for her upstanding investigative journalist abilities, and she wouldn’t have heard a single word. Her mind was still stuck on Tyler Dresco and all the memories he’d brought back with him in that stinking hallway.