Free The Reluctant Beauty by Laurie LeClair

insides were doing as she stood two feet away from his holy hotness with his light blue eyes nearly devouring her.
    She pointed over his shoulder. “You should be out there.” Looking around, she gauged how far she had to stoop down to grab the towel off the floor. How geeky and awkward would she look in next to nothing leaning over and trying to snag it up?
    His gaze traveled over her.
    Heat stole into her cheeks.
    Austin leaned down and grabbed the towel, handing it to her. But he didn’t release it; he stepped closer.
    Peg backed up, hitting the wall, trying to escape. “Mamma…Mamma Mia…” Was she stuttering?
    His dreamy smile caught her attention. His lips moved. “You owe me.”
    “Huh?” Now she couldn’t talk at all. That was a first.
    “A kiss.” He crowded close, dangling the towel from his fingers, just out of her reach.
    The voices on the other side of the door rose.
    “Peg, not before the wedding,” her mother scolded.
    “Do it, girl! Hurry up. I’ll keep them away,” Rico called out. Something hit the door. “Ouch! Not fair.”
    “A cheering squad?” Austin asked.
    She snorted. “Rah, rah, sis cum bah. What’s next? Score cards?”
    He lifted his hand and trailed his fingers over her cheek. His frown said it all. “This isn’t what we want.”
    “Tell me about it.” She sucked in a sharp breath when he ran his thumb over her bottom lip. Little tingles started where he touched and shot out and beyond.
    “No way,” Rico cried. “How can I win against a woman whose preggers?” He grunted. “That was my shin you just kicked!”
    “It’ll be higher next time,” her sister-in-law warned.
    “Peg? Peg!” Rico’s voice rose another octave. “Hurry up, will you! She’s aiming—”
    Austin sighed, pulling away. His hot breath fanned over her face. Gently, he placed the towel around her.
    Peg gulped hard as his palm brushed her skin. He stilled, gazing into her eyes. “Peg—”
    She heard the bang of the wood hitting the wall and felt a sudden breeze right before she realized someone had entered the room.
     
    ***
     
    “What the hell?” Austin asked, twisting around to see Rico bolt into the tiny bathroom, grab the doorknob, and slam it shut in both Mrs. Newbury’s faces. He turned the lock. The loud click resounded in the air. He leaned back against the barrier, breathing hard. His eyes were wide.
    “They got a piece of the devil in them. Girl, why didn’t you tell me?”
    “It’s getting too crowded in here,” Austin pointed out as Peg nudged him aside so she could see her friend.
    “Rico, you were supposed to hold them off, not surrender.”
    Still pressed against the entranceway, Rico held out a hanger with clothes on it. “Me? That sis-in-law of yours can kick. Girl, any higher and I’d be crushed. Literally.”
    Peg took the offered clothes, turned the hanger around to look at the back and front, and then eyed them suspiciously. “Is there a skirt?”
    “Just try it, will ya?” His breathing had finally slowed and he pushed away from the door. Another bang hit. Rico jumped away. He grabbed Austin’s arm. “You’ll protect me, won’t you?”
    “It’s me they’re after,” Austin said. “You just got caught in the middle.”
    “Nah, fellas. It’s me.” Peg nearly moaned at how ridiculous her family was acting. In the background, she heard her father and brother’s voices join the fray. “Holy Saint Nick. Does everyone have to be out there?”
    Austin grabbed the clothes she thrust at him and held up the hanger as she yanked the white silk blouse off of it.
    “Black camisole first,” Rico said, nodding to the dangling scrap of silk.
    Peg dropped the towel and avoided their stares. “Mind? I’m half naked here,” she said.
    “No. I don’t mind at all,” Austin said with a smile. “In fact—”
    She smacked him on the arm.
    “Did you teach the rest of your family that?” He rubbed his arm. But he didn’t turn away. How could he? She was