Knot a Liar (Knotted Up Book 1) by Rose Ann Bridges Read Free Book Online Page B

outshine me too much and make me a frump-a-dump tonight.
    Sam stands unmoving, staring at me for a few minutes, eyes roaming every inch of my body perhaps looking for imperfections. I notice him looking up through his lashes a few times, just before they slip back down my body. The third time he closes and reopens his eyes while breathing deeply, I decide I couldn’t take it anymore. Those looks keep delivering the wrong note to certain body parts. I clear my throat to snap him back.
    Once.
    Twice. Louder.
    Three times. Even louder before it works.
    “Just thinking what a mighty fine sight you are this evening m’lady.” Somewhere mid-sentence Sam switches from an old Western accent to a bad English one.
    Adopting the terrible accent, I follow his cue “Well thank you my good sire, you’re rather dashing yourself. The dress is lovely don’t you think?” I turn giving him the full effect of the dress adorning my body. Sam only nods barely looking at the dress and instead keeps his eyes glued to my face. Oh, whatever! This dress is the best I can do.
    Since I am ready and was awaiting Sam’s arrival, I pick up my clutch then turn to close and lock the door.
    He takes my hand before leading me to the car. “While I’m sure the dress is beautiful on its own, you’ve made it into a work of art.”
    An indulgent smile is my only response. Somehow this feels like a real date. Being giddy and high on the essence of Sam, a part of the requisite package is being fulfilled.
    My midnight blue cocktail dress is beautiful. With each movement the overlaying sheer dances, changing and imitating tones of black to navy blue. Adorned with a sweetheart neckline, high cinched waist, it gives a youthful, innocent look.
    Brian was right. This dress is perfect with gold flecks on the sheer overlay and top sheer black with gold dots. I Sam under no circumstances let him know that, however. I endured enough verbal abuse yesterday for me to enjoy this dress in secret, without guilt or shame.
    Those two slaps on my shoulders weren’t unnoticed when I first refused to try on this dress. After going through about twenty dresses, I was getting tired, cranky and indifferent. Brian was having none of it. He shoved me in the dressing room, half undressing me, before I complied and pulled on the dress. I loved it right away. I’m yet to admit that it is far better than the one I have locked in my closet. Shoe and accessory shopping went smoother after I’d ‘learned my lesson’– Brian’s words. His incessant demands for me to update my wardrobe have fallen on closed, deaf ears. I can’t Samingly endure such abuse again. I’m not a masochist.
    Sam releases my hand, stretching them wide in a flourish, to usher me in the opened passenger door. “Your chariot awaits milady. Are you in need of assistance in boarding the vessel? My hands are Saming escorts.” A wink reveals the mischief behind his eyes.
    I shake my head, placating the rejection with a smile, before entering the car. “I assure you my good sir, I am capable.”
    Sam gets in the driver’s seat grinning, his face being stretched by and lifted by widened lips and crinkled eyes.
    “We need to stop before the people of jolly ol’ England gets together and sue us for mutilating their accent.”
    “I assure you milady, in the presence of Lord Samuel McGowan, no harm can befall you.” Sam pulls into the street, teasing and rousing us with mischievous laughter.
    Upon arriving, the party looks to be in full swing. Fairy lights adorn every inch of the dark ceiling, a poor copy of Mother Nature’s own creative spread outside. The banner huge and in the school’s colours of green and gold scream: ‘Welcome Class of 2005’ is centred on the far back wall to welcome each attendee. Tables and chairs are dutifully lined against the walls of the hall, covered in the same green and gold. The DJ set up on stage sends out regular party music keeping it low enough for conversations but