The Bear's Bride (Mail-Order Mates #3)(8)

Frank parked and met her at the front of the hotel. “Since you’re going to be in town tomorrow, I was wondering if you’d want to help me with a little project I have underway.”

“I’d love to.” Amy stared at his lips expectantly. Was he going to kiss her? This was technically the end of a first date. She wanted him to kiss her. But she didn’t want to seem too forward. They were in front of a motel, after all. She didn’t want him thinking she was some kind of goodtime girl.

“Great. Come by my shop whenever you want. I have a rush in the morning and afternoon, but I’m usually quiet between three and five on weekends.”

She nodded and licked her lips. “Sounds great to me. I’ll come by a little early so I can have a cup of coffee.”

“Good.” Frank nodded twice before leaning down and taking her in his arms. He pulled her close and folded his body over hers. His lips gently brushed against her own, barely opened. As his lips warmed on hers, Frank deepened the kiss. His tongue gently caressed her mouth as he held her close. One of Amy’s hands gripped his giant bicep while the other anchored to his waist. She lost herself in the kiss and shut everything else out.

When Frank pulled back, her eyes stayed closed. She sighed deeply. “Good night.”

“See you in the morning.”

His voice was thick and he looked over his shoulder not once, not twice, but four times before he reached his car. Amy looked up to see a red-haired woman watching from inside the hotel lobby. She felt like a teenager caught necking on the doorstep after curfew. She dipped her head and smiled. Frank Franklin was going to be trouble, alright. She hoped it was the kind that lasted a lifetime and not the kind that drained your bank account after promises of forever.

That kiss had been perfect like everything else about Frank. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been kissed like that. Probably never.

The woman behind the counter gave her the side-eye when she came inside with her backpack. Amy had to ring the bell for service even though the woman could clearly see her. “Hello? I’d like a room, please.”

The woman blew out a puff of air. “Were you out there kissing Frank?”

Amy stood up straighter. It looked like Frank was very popular in town. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

The woman looked glum and crossed her arms over her very large chest. “Dammit. You’re his Lovely and Kind Bride, aren’t you?”

“No! I mean…how did you know?” Amy felt like kicking herself. How the hell had this woman figured it out? “Do you work with Olivia or something?”

“Frank’s only been signed up for a few days. How the hell did he get a match before me?” The woman shook her fist in the air. “It’s not fair, I tell ya! I’ve been waiting for more than two months. Everyone is getting paired off but old Gwen.”

“You’re an LK Bride too?” Amy looked the woman up and down. She was a knockout. She had a to-die-for figure and she was tall without being too tall. Amy always felt like she was all arms and legs but this woman wore her height well. She looked like the pin-ups from the World War II era. Amy couldn’t think of a single man who would turn this bombshell down. Nor could she imagine this woman signing up with LK Brides.

“I want to be a bride,” the woman said. She put out her hand. “I’m Gwen Johnson. Obviously, I work the front desk here. I can help you get a room. I think I’ve whined enough for the night. I’m sorry.”

Amy shook her hand. “It’s fine. I’m Amy. I know how frustrating dating can be. I’m still not sure about this whole LK Bride thing. How did you know I was with Olivia? I haven’t even told Frank. You’re one smart cookie.”

Gwen laughed. “Are you kidding me? Honey, I want to hear this story.”

Amy realized her mistake. Gwen had no idea that she was hiding being Frank’s match. She’d just made an educated guess. It was too late now. She had a good feeling about Gwen. She’d never met a fellow redhead she didn’t like. Amy gave her the quick version of how her sister had signed her up. “I had to meet him. Curiosity got the best of me.”

“Frank’s a great guy. If you got matched, I think you’re going to be fine. They’ve got a one hundred percent success rate in town.”

“Really? That’s comforting, at least.” Amy leaned on the counter. “Frank seems really nice. Too good to be true, really. I’ve met a lot of nice men who turned out to be less than nice in the end.”

Gwen scowled. “I know how that goes. Frank’s not like that.”

“Have you ever dated him?”

Gwen laughed loudly and pounded her hand on the counter. “Heavens, no! We’ve been friends since we were cubs. He’s a great man, but he’s not my type.”

“Why is that?” Amy pried. It couldn’t be bad to get a little backstory on Frank from an outside source.

“No, you misunderstand. I’m more a rough-and-tumble girl. I need a little…fire in the bedroom. Frank’s a gentle giant. Not exactly a match.”

Amy nodded. That was a little bit more than she wanted to know but an interesting aside. Gentle giant? She hoped that wasn’t code for boring in the sack. “I see. Thanks for the insight.”

“No problem. I hope it works out for you two.”