Baiting the Maid of Honor by Tessa Bailey Page B

his bounds. They’d gone way past that point, however. She
    couldn’t walk away just then for the life of her. “I’ve got a scavenger hunt to win. What’s on your
    mind is none of my concern.”
    “Maybe. But you’re hoping I tell you anyway.” His attention dropped to her breasts. Julie’s face
    heated, somehow positive he was remembering what they’d done last night at the spring. It made her
    remember, too. His hands, his mouth. Things he’d said. “I’m thinking about how none of your friends
    over there know what I found out last night. That you’re a kinky little bad girl who likes to be
    creative. No one here knows. And I fucking love that I do.”
    Awareness flooded Julie. As if her senses remembered what he could do for her body. The feelings
    he could elicit with a simple touch or a whispered dare in her ear. She forced herself to remember the
    crowd of people witnessing their exchange, including her friends, who didn’t often see her lose her
    cool. Friends who would notice immediately if she did. “Enjoy having your secret. Can I trust you to
    keep it?”
    Reed’s eyebrows drew together, his voice dropped even lower. “Do you honestly think I would tell
    one single person? That the blond beauty queen goes off like a firecracker when you stroke her just
    right? Not a fucking chance, baby. I wouldn’t risk someone else trying to take what’s—”
    “Stop it.” Julie’s face flamed hot. Her attempts to calm her pounding pulse failed. She couldn’t
    believe the words coming out of his mouth, even though she knew if they were in the dark, she
    wouldn’t be able to get enough. They weren’t in the dark, however. And if she listened to him a
    minute longer, she would combust in front of everyone. Everyone who thought of her as the
    respectable do-gooder. The planner. The maker-of-pretty. It certainly wouldn’t be pretty when she
    burst into flames. “You’ve made your point.”
    “Haven’t even begun.”
    “I say you have.”
    “Your legs look goddamn incredible in that skirt.”
    Her rejoinder died in her throat and came out sounding like, “Guhhhh wham.”
    An uncharacteristic smile shaped his mouth. “Ah, you gotta love a bilingual girl.”
    “Oh, no. You don’t get to be funny, too.”
    “Too?”
    “Here you go.” She shoved the scavenger hunt list into his waiting hand and tried to hide her
    embarrassment with a saucy look. “Think you can keep up?”
    “We both know I can keep it up.”
    Julie spun on a heel and rejoined her friends, sure her face had turned the color of the devil. Sophie
    had joined the group since Julie left and now observed the building group of wedding guests with
    apprehension. Absentmindedly, Julie put a calming hand on her shoulder. “Wh-what did I miss?”
    They all exchanged a look. “Uh, nothing, Twitchy-Eye. We were watching you have visual
    intercourse with Mr. Dark and Dangerous,” Regan responded drily.
    “Hush up. You saw no such thing.”
    “No, she’s right.” They all turned to Sophie. “I’ve only been here a couple minutes, but it was long
    enough to recognize first class eye-fuckery.”
    Julie started, her friends breaking into unladylike laughter around her. “Sophie, I don’t want to
    speak too soon, but I think you’re starting to come out of your shell.”
    Sophie shrugged. “So…you and Reed?”
    Christine tucked a stray red hair into her ponytail. “I thought you were gunning for the best man.”
    “Logan,” Sophie clarified. “Yeah, what about that?”
    “I’d love to indulge all your curiosities, but I believe we’re running late—”
    “So you’re not going for Logan?” Regan asked. “Nice. Best man’s back on the market.” She flexed
    her fingers and winked. “Game on.”
    Kady sighed dramatically. “If you ladies are finished proving what a pack of shameless hussies you
    are, I’d like to pass these lists out and go sit in the air-conditioned coffee shop.” She winked at the
    group.