His Wedding Date (Destination Weddings #1) by Ari Thatcher Read Free Book Online Page A

would be at the head table as best man, so she was on her own until the dancing started.
    The other people at her table were friends of the couple, all around her age, and conversation came easily. Everyone agreed the bride was lovely, the groom rather thunderstruck. Once again, Bree noted he looked nothing like the beast he’d been at the bachelor party, but she kept that thought to herself.
    Greg was totally smitten when he looked at his bride. His hand always touched her arm or hand as if he couldn’t believe his good luck, and he wanted to be certain she was real. The emotion in his eyes really tore into Bree. Never one to be envious of others, she was coming pretty close to that now.
    Bree sighed. Maybe someday she’d find a guy who’d look at her that way. Even better, he’d be someone she could feel that way about, too. No one-sided Romeos for her, please.
    After the ritual toasts, the cutting of the mile-high white cake, and the serving of hors d’oeuvres, the DJ turned on his mic and turntable, announcing the couple’s first dance. When the next song started and other couples moved to the open floor, Ash came to Bree with his hand held out. “Dance?”
    She popped to her feet, surprisingly eager to be in his arms again. Fluttering critters awakened in her stomach and she pressed her palm there for just a moment. She lifted her arms to hold him behind his neck, his hands resting on her hips as he led her in a slow sway.
    He dipped his head and inhaled near her ear. “You smell great.”
    “Thanks. It’s my favorite perfume.”
    “You don’t wear it to work. You wear something different.”
    He’d noticed her fragrance at work. Nice. “This one is too heavy for some people. I don’t want to gag anyone in an elevator, or something.”
    “So, this stuff would linger in my bedroom if we made love there? We’ll have to try that soon, so I can smell you on my pillow all week.”
    His words send warm shivers down her side. Such a romantic thought.
    The song changed to a retro hit. The dancers broke apart and began bobbing around the floor. Ash shook his head wildly and waved his arms. Bree laughed and swung her arms in a more sedate move, kicking her feet in time with the beat. It wasn’t the chicken dance, thank goodness, but the afternoon wasn’t over yet.
    One of the guys who’d been at the bachelor party circled around them, shouting something at Ash. The guy dropped in a hip-hop split and popped back up. Suddenly, he looked hard into Bree’s face, then down at her feet. He leaned in to be heard over the music. “It is you.”
    She fought to keep her reaction at bay, smiling in her most polite brush off way. “Do I know you?”
    Ash slowed down and took notice.
    “From last night,” his friend said. He elbowed Ash. “So you decided to keep her around, huh?”
    Sending her an apologetic look, Ash said, “You’re mistaken, dude. Leave my date alone.”
    “Your date borrowed the stripper’s nail polish, then?” He pointed to her feet, where her large toenail peeked through the small opening.
    Ash shook his head. “You think they only made one bottle of that color? Come on, man. Drop it.”
    The guy’s breath reeked of alcohol when he took Bree in a one-armed hug. “I want a turn, that’s all. She was really hot last night but I didn’t get a shot at her.”
    Greg broke through the dancers surrounding them. “What’s up, guys? It’s getting a little loud.”
    Taking Bree’s hand, Ash pulled her from the friend’s side. “Nothing, man. We need to hit the road before the next storm arrives.” He held out his hand.
    Greg shook it, slapping him on the shoulder. “You’re not going to stick around for the garter toss?”
    “Nah. Leave that for the guys who need all the help they can get.”
    “Okay. Well, drive safely.” Greg smiled at Bree. “Wait, I haven’t met your date. I’m Greg, the lucky groom.”
    “I’m Bree. Ash and I work together.”
    “Oh, you’re Bree? The one