Bravo Unwrapped by Christine Rimmer Read Free Book Online

a Bravo. Beneath a couple of days’ worth of beard, he had that telltale cleft in his chin—not to mention that beautifully shaped, way-too-sexy mouth. “Glory,” Bowie said, his tone gentle and careful—the look in his eyes anything but. “Come on, honey…” He took a step toward his mother and the little brunette who cowered behind her.
    Not wise.
    The brunette let out another wake-the-dead shriek.
    â€œGlory,” groaned Chastity, putting a hand to her left ear—the one nearest Glory’s wide-open mouth. “Cut that out. You’re breaking my eardrums.”
    â€œWell, I can’t help it,” Glory wailed. “I just can’t.” She spoke to Buck’s brother again. “Get it through that thick head of yours. I will not marry you. Ever. You don’t love me. You only say you do because you think you have to.”
    â€œNo, damn it. That’s not true. I do love—”
    â€œYou don’t.” The brunette bit her trembling lip and shook her head. “Oh, Bowie. You’d make a terrible husband.” She edged out from behind Chastity. “We both have to face it. You’re wild and irresponsible and…and you can’t keep a job.” With that, she burst into tears and buried her head in her hands.
    Bowie, looking about a mile out of his depth and sinking fast, tried again. “Honey. I do love you. And I’ll get a damn job.”
    Glory threw back her head and screamed some more.
    B.J. winced at the piercing sound. She slid another glance at Buck. “What’s this about?”
    â€œHey. Don’t ask me. I just got here myself.”
    â€œI don’t care who knows,” Glory wailed. “I don’t care that the whole town’ll be talking. It’s nothing to me what anyone says. I said no. I meant no—and I will never change my mind!”
    â€œThat’s it,” said Bowie. “Damn it, I’ve had it.”
    Whimpering, Glory scooted back behind Chastity. “Don’t you dare come near me, you big lunk.”
    Bowie made a sound like an injured moose. Then he pointed a threatening finger at the sobbing brunette. “You will marry me, Glory. By God, I’ll get a ring on that finger of yours if it’s the last thing I ever do.”
    â€œNo, you won’t.”
    â€œYes, I will.”
    â€œNo, you—”
    â€œEnough!” shouted Chastity, so loudly that both Bowie and Glory actually shut up. Into the lovely moment of silence, she commanded, “Bowie. Get out.”
    â€œBut Ma, she—”
    â€œOut. Now.”
    â€œMa, she’s gotta—”
    â€œI said, out.”
    Mother and son glared at each other. Bowie blinked first. Chastity swept out a hand toward the front door. “Now.”
    Muttering very bad words under his breath and shaking his big golden head, Bowie turned for the foyer. Buck, B.J. and Lupe were blocking the door. In unison, they each took a sliding step to the right, into the room—and out of Bowie’s way.
    About then, Bowie noticed his brother. He paused in midstride. “Hey. Buck.” His dark look brightened. “How the hell you been?”
    â€œGood to see you, little brother.”
    â€œBowie,” Chastity warned on a rising inflection.
    Bowie scowled again. “Awright, awright.” He clapped Buck on the shoulder. “Good to have you home.” And he trudged on by and out the front door—slamming it good and hard behind him.
    Chastity clucked her tongue. “That boy. He’ll be the death of me, I swear.” She turned to Glory. “You okay, honey?”
    â€œOh, Mrs. B.” Glory burst into a fresh flood of weeping.
    Chastity gathered the girl into her capable arms and spoke over her head to Buck and the two women flanking him. “If we could have a few minutes…”
    Buck nodded. “B.J. and I were heading out, anyway.”
    Lupe cast a nervous