Getting His Way: Sapphire Falls Book Seven by Erin Nicholas Read Free Book Online Page B

women. They were all watching him and smiling and a couple of them waved when they saw him looking.
    “The emcee.”
    Tess’s big grin told him that she knew he was not thrilled.
    “I thought I was helping with the kids’ talent show,” he said. Not that he wasn’t great with older women—okay, all women. But he was great with kids too, and he had kind of thought that would be a good way to soften Tess up. Guys who were cute with kids were attractive, right?
    Plus, he wanted to show her that he could handle construction projects and other physical activities.
    “Oh, that rehearsal got moved. And when TJ put you on the schedule and said you were so enthusiastic, I figured you would be up for whatever we needed.”
    Bryan sighed. What he’d signed up for was to work with her . Which this was. Okay, fine. He’d charm all of their socks off. And maybe Tessa’s panties…
    He shut that thought down and focused on the script. He needed to stop thinking about Tessa’s panties. Especially getting them off.
    He shook his head. No. He needed to stop thinking about them altogether. Because even if she had them on he would still—
    Dammit. He cleared his throat and focused on the script, reading out loud.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this year’s fashion show. Over the years, we’ve brought you evening gowns, summer wear, swimsuits—” Bryan coughed. He hadn’t been aware that the lovely older ladies of Sapphire Falls had been modeling swimming suits in the past. He had missed the last three fashion shows. “This year,” he continued. “We’re excited to bring you linger—” He broke off and looked up at Tessa. “Seriously?”
    “What?” she asked innocently.
    He looked around and dropped his voice. “Lingerie? Really?”
    “Yes,” she said, as if that was the most normal thing for a bunch of women, the youngest of who was pushing seventy, to be modeling lingerie.
    He took a deep breath and went on, though he was sure she could hear the hesitation in his voice. Because there was a lot of hesitation there.
    “We’re excited—” he thought maybe he’d edit that word, “—to bring you lingerie for women who know what to do with it.” Okay. So this was not what he’d been expecting.
    That pretty much summed up his entire life right now.
    Not the least of which was the blond with the nice legs standing next to him. She was supposed to be falling into his arms. He had no idea what was going on there.
    But he was the master at handling the unexpected.
    Tess lifted an eyebrow. “If you’re not interested in helping out with this committee, it’s okay. I understand.” She started to reach for the script.
    Bryan pulled it out of her reach. “Hang on. I didn’t say I wasn’t interested.” Though interested was maybe not the right word to describe how he felt about seeing Cora Munson in a teddy. Cora was a lovely person. He had always liked her a lot. Cora was also eighty-six and used a walker. But, hey, if Cora wanted to wear a teddy, she should wear a teddy. Who was he to say she shouldn’t?
    “Well, you signed up really late. This is the only thing we have left that we need someone for.” Tess almost succeeded in sounding apologetic about that.
    But she didn’t quite get there.
    “You’re trying to run me off,” he accused.
    “What? No. Don’t be silly.” She reached for the papers, and he pulled them away again, causing her to lean over him slightly.
    “Tess,” he said softly, and with definite warning in his tone. “Are you trying to get me to quit this committee?”
    She braced her hand on the arm of the chair and looked him directly in the eye. “Yes.”
    “Why?” Bryan was very proud of himself for not letting his gaze drop below her chin. Because her cleavage was magnificent . Thankfully, his peripheral vision worked perfectly.
    “Because you’re only doing it to spend time with me.”
    He nodded. “And do you know why that is?”
    “Because you think you want to be