About That Kiss by Jayne Addison Read Free Book Online

them could sit. “Come on, let’s dance.”
    “Diana?” Nick invited, instantaneously choosing between sitting at the table watching Joy dance with Eddie from a distance or watching her with Eddie DeMarco at close range. He was rankled either way.
    Diana’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to dance.”
    Nick fit Diana conservatively in his arms. Over Diana’s shoulder, Nick’s eyes went to Joy and Eddie.There was nothing at all conservative in the way Eddie was maneuvering to hold Joy. Nick saw Joy place a firm hand against Eddie’s chest, staving him off, claiming space for herself. And with that Nick breathed easier.
    “It’s funny how things work out,” Diana said, smiling philosophically with her head tipped back to look up at him. “You buy the Greenport News, and I wind up engaged to Kevin.”
    “Who would have thought it,” Nick said inconse-quentially, finding it easy enough to lead Diana to the music, though his attention was focused on Joy and Eddie.
    “You can take your hand off my chest.” Eddie gave Joy an exasperated look. “I won’t pull you any closer if you don’t want me to. I do understand that some women need a lot more time than others. Right?”
    “Right.” Joy presented a quickly fading smile. She did bring the hand in question up from his chest to his shoulder. But she kept her elbow at the ready.
    Eddie squeezed Joy’s other hand—the one he had pinned down at her side. “What’s the story with Nick Tremain?”
    “What do you mean?” Joy felt Eddie slide the hand he’d had between her shoulder blades just a bit lower.
    “Is there something more between the two of you than employer and employee?” Eddie’s hand moved another small inch down Joy’s back.
    Joy sucked in her breath. “He’s my boss and his brother is going to marry my sister. That’s all there is between us.”
    Eddie’s hand progressed another inch down Joy’s spine. “Call it a vibe but I think he’s interested in you. And I don’t mean just as an employee or friend.”
    Joy nearly laughed. “You don’t know how ridiculous that is.”
    “How ridiculous is it?”
    “He’s in love with someone else.” Joy went from almost laughing to wanting to cry.
    “Someone you know?”
    “Yes,” Joy answered miserably.
    “Diana?”
    Joy’s eyes popped. “What made you say Diana?”
    “She told me this afternoon about Kevin’s brother showing up and that she’d been engaged to him.” Eddie’s roving hand got closer to the small of her back..
    Joy neither denied nor confirmed Eddie’s speculation. She let it hang. Just then Joy caught Nick’s eyes glancing her way, and because he happened to be looking, Joy gave Eddie her flirtiest smile. She wanted Nick to know that there were men who found her attractive. Not that there was any point to his knowing.
    Eddie smiled back seductively. “Bet he’s the type to try and get Diana jealous by coming on to you. She goes for his brother. He goes for her sister. Maybe that’s the vibe I’m getting.”
    “He is not going to do anything of the sort.” Joy rousingly admonished Eddie’s sophomoric attitude. “He’d never stoop to trying to make Diana jealous with me. Could you bring your hand up a little?” Joy requested in a firm, determined voice as Eddie’s fingers began to spread intimately below her spine.
    “I don’t get it, Joy,” Eddie grumbled, bringing his hand up. “You’ve been giving me signals.”
    Joy guiltily considered Eddie’s remark. He was absolutely right. She had given him signals. “Didn’t you say yourself that some women need more time?”
    Eddie issued a groan. “Is there any chance of anything happening between us in this lifetime?”
    Joy gave Eddie a conciliatory “Mona Lisa” smile, which made her feel even more guilty. Playing the game she was playing wasn’t like her. Testily, Joy placed the blame on Nick.
    “Most women find me very sexy.” Eddie quirked a sexy corner-of-the-mouth smile. “Especially when