A Man Apart by Joan Hohl Read Free Book Online Page B

She had liked Mrs. Grainger from their first meeting. “Maggie picked the color. She insisted I search until I found the perfect dress.”
    â€œAnd you did. It’s a perfect color for so soon after the holidays,” the older woman said, smiling as she stepped into Justin’s waiting arms. “It’s lovely on you.”
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    Wrong on both counts, Mom, Justin thought as he swept his mother into a hug and planted a kiss on her cheek. That dark green was great against Hannah’s blond hair and creamy complexion any time of year. And she didn’t look merely lovely, she looked ravishing. And as for it being lovely on her, he’d rather see it off her. And he intended to…soon.
    Naturally, Justin didn’t say any of that to his mother. She just might have decided to step in and protect the lovely Hannah from her “bad boy” son.He complimented her instead. “As always, you not only look wonderful, Mother, you smell terrific, kinda sexy. I’ll bet Dad loves that scent.”
    â€œJustin Grainger!” His mother sounded shocked, but she couldn’t quite control the amusement twitching the corners of her lips. “Behave yourself.”
    â€œHe doesn’t have a clue how to do that,” his father drawled, the glimmer in his eyes similar to the light dancing in his son’s. “But, you know what?” he said, drawing his wife from Justin’s loose hold. “He’s exactly right. I do think that perfume’s sexy. It turns me on.”
    His mother gasped and proceeded to scold her grinning husband. Justin thrilled to the soft sound of laughter from the woman by his side. He smiled at Hannah.
    â€œThey’re a trip, aren’t they?”
    â€œI think they’re perfect together.” Her returned smile caused sudden heat and potentially embarrassing sensations in all parts of his body.
    â€œI think we’ll be perfect together, too.”
    â€œTo quote a wise woman I recently met, ‘Behave yourself, Justin,’ before you embarrass me,” she said sternly, giving him a brief, pointed look at one particular part of his anatomy, “As well as yourself.”
    He laughed aloud, he couldn’t help it. This gorgeous woman thoroughly delighted him.
    Hannah simply shook her head in despair of him and turned her attention to the line of waiting guests. Then she ignored him until the last couple of guests had finally departed.
    Thinking her advice prudent, at least until he got her on the dance floor at the reception, Justin conducted himself like the perfect gentleman throughout the boring ordeal of being prodded and pushed into position by the fussy photographer during the snapping of the wedding pictures.
    While he drew impatient with his self-imposed restraint, and at the seemingly endless procedures, he still was distracted and amused by the quick, suspicious glances Hannah winged his way every so often.
    Although he felt at the point of busting loose, Justin maintained his circumspect demeanor during the time-honored rituals of the start of the reception. He didn’t even suggest that Adam again change partners with him as the wedding party made their entrance.
    Toasts were raised, seemingly never-ending toasts. As best man, Justin gave the first one, and even managed to deliver it without firing one risqué shot at Mitch. Adam stood up after him, and followed his lead of propriety. It was their father, the unrepentant, rugged seventy-five-year-old zing-tosser that scored with a couple of sly innuendoes.
    Braving their mother’s startled and annoyed expression, Justin joined his brothers and the guests in laughter. He was happy to notice that Maggie, Karla, his sisters and even the tempting Hannah were laughing.
    Within seconds, at a teasing, endearing smile from his father, his mother gave in to laughter, too.
    It set the mood for the celebratory party. Growing impatient to hold Hannah in his arms, Justin