Free The Bachelor Pact by Rita Herron Page B

the truck, then waited silently for Maddie to join him. His blood drummed hot in his veins, his heart raced painfully. When she jumped into the truck and slammed the door, he knew he'd made himself clear.
    He just didn't know why he felt so crummy about it.

Chapter 6

     
    "So, here we are dateless, together, on a Friday night," Sophie said.
    "At least we're out, not sitting at home eating a gallon of chocolate-fudge ice cream and watching TV with my cat." Maddie winced as unbidden images of Chase Holloway rushed into her mind. She wondered what he was up to, then wanted to kick herself for even thinking about him. He'd embarrassed her beyond words and now she was going to avoid him until she absolutely had to see him. She'd deal with him for work, and work only. Tonight she'd decided to start her romp into singlehood with a vengeance. She'd worn her shortest, tightest black dress and let her hair down so it flowed around her bare shoulders and curled around her face.
    Sophie laughed and gazed around the crowded dance floor, looking dynamite in a red tube top and black skirt. "The other day when you invited me to meet your brothers, I was hoping..." Sophie blushed and looked into her drink, letting her sentence trail off.
    "That my brother might have some sense and ask you out." Maddie sighed and sipped her vodka tonic. "I swear, I think my brothers must still be living in the dark ages. Reid called and lectured me for half an hour about going out. And I don't know what in the heck's gotten into Lance. He's been so moody lately, I think he needs hormone therapy."
    Sophie laughed. "You mean it wasn't me? I thought I just wasn't his type."
    "You're exactly his type." Maddie tapped her foot to the loud music rumbling through the crowded room. "Maybe he's stressed from work, although having me helping out should make him feel better."
    "Yeah, it should." Sophie smiled, seeming slightly appeased, and Maddie vowed to have a long talk with Lance about her friend.
    "Hey, I know those guys from art school," Maddie said, waving at two handsome Italian men approaching them. She introduced Sophie, and they spent several minutes catching up with casual conversation. Finally Antonio asked Sophie to dance. Maddie found herself being escorted to the dance floor by Marco, his brother. The rest of the night passed in a whirlwind of dancing and laughter and heated innuendoes. Sometime around midnight Maddie forgot about Lance's stupidity where Sophie was concerned.
    "We would like you beautiful ladies to come visit our resort," Marco said to Maddie.
    Antonio gave Sophie a glittering smile. "Yes, you would enjoy the comfort."
    "Tell us more about this place," Maddie said, thinking a weekend vacation would help her forget that Chase had humiliated her.
    "The resort is rather small, tucked away for privacy off the Isle of Hope." Marco squeezed Maddie's hand. "It is quite modern also. The people are most friendly. They have what you call your Southern hospitality."
    Maddie laughed. "You mean we'll be served a big dinner at a round table with lots of relatives?"
    Antonio threw his head back and laughed. "Lots of food and some relatives, yes. And a big heated pool and horseback riding and golfing. Whatever is your fancy."
    "And we'll have our own place?" Maddie asked.
    "If you desire," Marco murmured, his dark eyes raking over her as if to say he'd like more but would be patient. "I can phone ahead and make the reservations."
    "I can't believe I haven't heard of this place," Sophie said. "What did you say the name of it was?"
    "Open Arms Resort." Antonio slid his hands into the pockets of his pleated chinos. "They have all-night dancing. And tomorrow we can go bareback riding."
    "I haven't been horseback riding in ages," Sophie said.
    "I've heard of the Open Arms." A distant memory nagged at the back of Maddie's mind. "I think I read an article about the resort in the paper a while back."
    Marco nodded. "Yes, the Sunday edition featured a piece on it