If I Loved You (Harper Falls Book 1) by Mary J. Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

going to kill him.
    “Someone’s had lessons,” Rose laughed with
relief. She had thought for a moment that he was going to turn her
down.
    “My mother insisted that all her children
learn to ballroom dance,” Jack smiled as he remembered the battle
of wills between himself and his mother. Holding Rose close, he
expertly twirled them around the room. He never could win a battle
of wills against his mom, but he hadn't made it easy for her. Every
week she’d had to drag her twelve-year-old son to the lessons,
promising that someday he would get good use out of them. Someday
he would thank her. Mom always won, and Mom was always right.
    “How many children are we talking about?”
she asked. Rose had heard the affection in Jack’s voice when he’d
mentioned his mother. Happy families always fascinated Rose. She’d
lived next door to Dani’s, but that was from the outside looking
in. Tyler’s parents were often barely hanging on by a very thin
thread. And though she'd lived with them, she’d never felt very
close to any of the Jones’ except for Tyler. She’d always wondered
what it would be like to be an integral part of a big, boisterous
family.
    “Six older sisters.”
    “You’re kidding,” Rose laughed. “Were you
tormented or spoiled rotten?”
    “Both. It depended on whether or not they
were mad at me or wanted to use me as their own personal dress up
doll.”
    “You didn’t consider that torment?” Rose
asked. Jack must have been a very interesting child.
    “You’d think so,” Jack shrugged. “But while
they were putting mascara and eye shadow on me they forgot I was
their annoying little brother and would talk about all things
girls. You wouldn’t believe what I learned, though I’ll admit I
could have done without their discussion about periods and feminine
hygiene products."
    Rose couldn’t think anything to say. How did
one steer the conversation into a sexy direction with that image in
your head?
    “Sorry,” Jack said as if reading her
thoughts. “Not casual conversation appropriate. Did you grow up
with any siblings?”
    “No, it was just me and my Mom.” She wasn’t
going to go there. Too personal and even more of a mood killer than
tampons.
    Jack could feel the slight stiffening of
Rose’s body. Obviously not a happy subject.
    “Why don’t we just enjoy the dance,” he
suggested. “I’m going to head us out onto the balcony, no talking
required.”
    Rose hadn’t realized how warm the ballroom
had become until the evening air enveloped them. It felt wonderful
invigorating, and she could feel the tension slip away. Spring was
in full bloom. Lush greenery surrounded them and though a few other
couples were already taking advantage of the mild May night, it
wasn’t difficult for Rose to imagine that they were completely
alone—in their own little world. It felt as if the music was
playing just for them. Dancing in the arms of a dangerously
handsome man, a man she barely knew? It was a heady experience. She
could feel the attraction, an attraction she was sure was
mutual.
    It wasn’t a romance she kept reminding
herself; she didn’t want that. This was about sex. She wouldn’t let
herself get carried away just because they were surrounded by all
the fairy tale trappings. This fantasy was of the carnal variety.
No prince. No happily ever after.
    Jack had hoped the night air would cool his
libido. It hadn’t. Rose smelled amazing, all warm vanilla and
bright citrus. And then there was the bare skin of her back,
smooth, tempting. He couldn’t resist exploring her back until his
hand hovered oh so close to that dip in her spine that would lead
him to her amazing ass. But you didn’t grope your dance partner, it
was just wrong. But that didn’t stop his imagination from going
where his hand couldn’t. Firm and smooth with just the right amount
of feminine padding. Made perfectly for a man to grip while she
rode them both to satisfaction.
    “Jack,” Rose frowned as she