Redemption: Montana Wolves, Book Three (Montana Wolves series 3) by Chloe Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

literally made her whole body tingle with the need to get closer. Breathe him in. She couldn’t pinpoint it…like exotic spices, and leather, and masculinity times ten.
    Totally addictive.
    And was it her imagination, or did he seem to touch her every time he passed by, just a little?
    “Nine-ball, corner pocket,” she repeated, more firmly this time, ignoring the pressure pooling low in her belly. She took two practice strokes before firing off the shot. The cue-ball met the yellow striped one with a soft snick , and Amber grimaced as she watched the trajectory, knowing it was a miss long before it bobbled in the pocket and hung there.
    “Well, shit,” she muttered under her breath before straightening. “Looks like you’re going to get another chance.” She met Billy’s gaze and made a sweeping gesture toward the green, felted table. “Better make the most of it.”
    Weird, how disappointed she was. Sure, she liked winning, but shooting pool with a friend while they drank a few beers didn’t typically bring out her competitive nature. Now, though, with Billy looking on, studying her every move, eyes filled with respect whenever she made a difficult shot, she wanted so badly to win.
    Friend, my ass. You want so badly to impress him. You couldn’t care less about winning.
    She reached for her pint of beer and took a sip, watching from over the rim of the glass as her opponent prowled around the table, circling like a shark on the hunt. Odd to see a man so big and muscular who managed to move with such effortless grace.
    It captivated her.
    “Four in the side,” he said, his low voice carrying in spite of the jukebox playing in the background.
    She set down her beer and leaned on her pool cue, watching with bated breath. If he missed, they’d continue playing, but if he made it, the eight-ball was a sitting duck in the opposite side pocket. He was sure to win the game.
    “What about a little wager?” she said suddenly.
    Where had that come from? Maybe the beer talking. She’d had three already, and had been too nervous to do much more than pick at the buffalo wings they’d ordered when they first got there. Still, now that the idea of a wager had come to her, she couldn’t shake it.
    In for a penny…
    “No way you make that shot.”
    Billy stood and eyed her, a smile tugging at his firm lips. “Is that so? All right, then. Put your money where your mouth is. What’s the bet?”
    She hadn’t thought that far ahead and swallowed hard as dozens of inappropriate thoughts flooded her brain. After the stress and strain of the past month, she’d grabbed onto the one night respite he’d offered like a lifeline, but maybe it was time to pump the brakes a little.
    “A drink?” she said finally.
    Lame .
    He shook his golden head slowly, a challenging light filling his eyes. “I can buy my own drinks. This shot is tough. If I make it, I want something good.”
    “L-like what?”
    Out of nowhere, she was suddenly very aware of her new bra. The black lace confection had cost her more than she’d made that day at The Naughty Kitty, but once she’d seen it, she couldn’t resist.
    “A kiss,” he said. The words came out in a guttural, half-growl. Like they’d been mined from between his lips with a pick-axe, against his will. A fact that shouldn’t have set her body aflame, but sooo did.
    She should say no, flat out, but she couldn’t seem to make her lips form the word. Nothing good could come of saying yes. But, damn it, she'd get to feel that mouth on hers again.
    Which will only make you crave it more , the irritating, persistent voice in her head reminded her.
    Friends.
    She’d decided sometime between her shopping trip and when his truck had pulled up to her house, they could only be friends. At least until she figured out what had happened the night of the kidnapping. Even if he wasn’t hiding something from her and it was just her own paranoia or some form of PTSD, diving headfirst into a