In the Arms of a Stranger by Kimberley Reeves Read Free Book Online

path we take to get there?”   She shook her head.  “No, I think everyone’s destiny depends on the choices they make.”
    Jake grinned.   “Like your choice to make love to me that last time?”
    Bri scowled.   “Can’t you just forget it ever happened?”
    “But I don’t want to forget it.”
    “Well you have to, because it can never happen again.”  She struggled for a few minutes in a futile attempt to free herself, then gave up with an exasperated sigh when he only laughed and pulled her closer.  “Jake, this is highly inappropriate.”
    “It’s also highly enjoyable.”
    Bri could hardly deny how good it felt to be held in his arms, but it didn’t negate the fact she was marrying another man soon and shouldn’t be fervently wishing Jake would just shut up and kiss her.  Which, of course, was exactly what he did.  He gently massaged her lips with his mouth, his tongue doing an erotic dance around hers for what seemed like an eternity yet at the same time not nearly long enough.
    “I’ve always thought kissing was extremely over rated until last night,” he said huskily, blazing a moist trail down the side of her neck.
    “Jake…Jake please, you have to stop.”  Brianne shivered, desperately fighting the hunger that was mounting inside of her.  It was a losing battle.
    “Why?   We both want this, Bri.”
    Tears stung her eyes.   “I want a lot of things I can’t have.”
    He brought his head up, frowning at the moisture clinging to her lashes.   As much as he wanted her, he couldn’t bear to see Bri looking so unhappy.  For now, it was enough to know she wanted him too.  So instead of kissing her again, which is what he really wanted to do, Jake settled back against the sofa and cradled her to his chest.
    “Tell me about your family,” he said softly.
    Bri relaxed against him, relieved to be on safer ground.  “My parents live in the south of France most of the year but have a house on each coast and condos here and there in the States so they have a place to stay when Daddy returns to open up a new store like he’s doing in Jackson.  My sister, Miranda, and I hated being dragged all over so we finally put up enough of a fuss that my parents agreed to let us live with my grandmother, Missy.”
    “How old were you?”
    “I was fourteen, Miranda was fifteen.”
    “Is Missy the one your mother said you take after?”
    Brianne laughed.  “I’m sure she thinks so, but I would hate to think I’m that outlandish.  Missy is a recluse, which isn’t a bad thing in her case.  She says and does things that make people think she’s got a couple of screws loose, but the truth is she just loves to shock people and gets a kick out of watching their reaction.  I suppose I do have a tendency to say what’s on my mind, but honestly I don’t do it for the shock value.”
    “And that rubs Mr. Perfect the wrong way, doesn’t it?”
    Bri let out a heavy sigh.  “Everything I do these days seems to rub him the wrong way.”
    “Then why are you with him?   Why aren’t you with someone who loves you just the way you are?”
    “Because maybe he’s right.   Maybe I should think before I speak and worry about what people will think of me.  I should take life more seriously and dress and act appropriate to the situation instead of…of…”
    “Instead of being you ?”  Jake interjected.
    “What about you, Jake?   I’ll bet you always consider what you say before you speak, and I would also bet you weigh out all the consequences beforehand too.  You know exactly the right thing to wear and when it’s proper to speak your mind or not.  I would stake my life on the fact you have never embarrassed the woman you were with by doing something stupid.”
    “Good God, you make me sound as boring and predictable as the Chadmeister.”
    Bri choked back her laughter and slapped his chest playfully.  “Stop making up such horrid names for him!”
    “So how did you and Chad