Blindsided by Jami Davenport Read Free Book Online

large barn, punctuated by the stomping of impatient feet.
    Emma went about her business, but her mind refused to stay on task and drifted to Tanner with his dancing green eyes, ready smile, and oh-so fine body. If only he’d call. Ever the optimist, she still held out a sliver of hope he’d show up for karaoke. She was flying solo tonight, but she didn’t mind. Not only would she stick to drinking water or virgin margaritas, she’d also avoid businessmen, bikers, and gorgeous football players, all with only one thing on their minds.
    The one thing that a sober Emma wouldn’t do without a ring and marriage certificate.
     
    * * * *
     
    Tanner had an affinity for trouble, but he’d always charmed his way out of it with the exception of his abusive father and asshole brothers. Unfortunately, his new coach and the team president also appeared to be immune to his charms.
    So why the hell was he asking for trouble coming to the casino tonight without his wingmen as chaperones? Not that they’d been much help two weeks ago, but, hell, they did have his back. It wasn’t their fault he’d made a detour and dragged Emma into the woods like a caveman.
    Tanner walked into the smoky casino and glanced around. It was a quiet Wednesday night, most likely because the day was warm and sunny. Most people didn’t want to spend a gorgeous Seattle evening inside, but obviously, he did. Some things were more important than a rare bout of good weather.
    Tanner scanned the scattering of people at the tables, doing a double-take when he saw golden hair spilling down a woman’s backside in silken waves. He couldn’t stop the goofy grin spreading across his face.
    Taking a deep breath, he strode toward her table with a single-minded purpose, glad to see she appeared to be alone. She was bent over a stack of karaoke slips, obviously picking out her songs for the evening. Emma pushed an errant strand of spun gold behind her ear, and Tanner focused on her profile. God, she was so incredibly beautiful.
    It wasn’t lost on him that he was lusting after a woman who was almost identical in looks to his brother’s fiancée. Weird as fuck, if you asked him, but there it was. Tanner and Isaac wrote the book on dysfunctional with a prologue by their father, so he shouldn’t be that surprised.
    And now that he recognized Emma as the mysterious blonde in his erotic dreams, he realized he’d wanted her long before his brother’s romance with Avery entered the picture.
    Tanner pulled out the chair next to Emma and sat down. She glanced up, startled, her big blue eyes wide with surprise morphing to confusion and shock. Emma ducked her head, but not before he caught the attractive blush spreading across her pretty face.
    “Hey, babe,” he said, slipping into the usual banter he reserved for females he wanted to bang, which gave him pause, but only for a moment. Tanner rarely denied himself when he found a female he wanted.
    She ignored him, shuffling through her slips of music, but her hands shook. Her nervousness encouraged him.
    “Sorry I’m late. Did you miss me?” He leaned in and inhaled her scent, like summer flowers after a soft rain. “You look lonely.”
    “I’m not lonely.” Emma lifted her gaze to meet his briefly. His insides felt funny, like gentle waves lapping on a tropical island shore. She busied herself with her slips of paper, but her brief glance told him she felt this strange connection between them, too.
    Embracing the tug of attraction, Tanner grinned at her, reaching out to wrap a strand of hair around his index finger. “Not now, you aren’t. Tanner to the rescue.”
    He took a moment to peruse her fine body, savoring the sensual trip from her face to her toes. Her outfit was more conservative this time, a simple cotton blouse and a pair of jeans, but to Tanner it was sexier than the sexy number from two weeks ago.
    She looked up again, and fire flashed in her eyes. “I don’t need rescuing.”
    He liked a woman