Free Taming Megan by Natasha Knight Page A

She felt grateful to the older woman who must have sensed her discomfort and made a point of drawing her into the conversation even when some of the other women made quite the opposite point.
    “Megan,” Anna whispered, tapping her shoulder. “Dinner’s ready to be served.”
    “Ok, thanks Anna.” Megan rose to her feet and called the ladies to collect their husbands. Jake was engrossed in a conversation with two of the men and as she approached him, Sean Connelly’s hand closed over her elbow, drawing her back.
    “Why don’t you walk me in, Meggie? Your husband looks busy.”
    His smile was that of a piranha and it took all Megan had not to yank herself free of his grip. And that’s what it was: a grip. His fingers dug into her arm, hurting her.
    He remembered her, of course he did.
    “What do you want?” she asked, trying hard to keep her voice from trembling.
    He cocked his head to the side. “That’s no way to treat an old friend, is it?” he asked.
    “You’re not a friend.”
    The air hung heavy between them. Someone laughed in the distance, breaking into the awkward silence.
    “How is your wife feeling, Sean?” Jake asked, coming to stand between them, his one glance at Sean’s grip on Megan forcing Sean to let her go. Megan instantly rubbed the spot, wanting to wash his touch from her, but Jake covered that same spot with his softer, gentler hand.
    “Sadly not well enough to join tonight,” Sean said. “You looked busy so I thought I’d walk Megan in. She looked lonely,” he said, glancing at her.
    Jake’s mouth barely moved into a smile so forced, there was no confusing its meaning. “That so?” he asked.
    Just then Anna came in needing Megan’s attention. She excused herself and left both men to help Anna.
    “What happened that had Jake’s hackles up?” Anna asked as she plated the potatoes.
    “Do you think everyone noticed?” Megan asked, checking on the meat.
    “No, they were all gathering in the dining room already.”
    “This looks good,” Megan said, changing the subject. “Should I help you get it on a serving dish?”
    “No, don’t mess up your dress. How do you want to serve the greens?” she asked.
    “Here,” Megan said, reaching into a high cupboard to get a large serving dish. “Use this.”
    “Thanks. It will be out in a minute.”
    Megan hovered, casting a worried glance to the door.
    “What is it?” Anna asked. “Who is that man?”
    Megan felt the same shiver she had felt when she had first recognized him. “An old mistake. I’d better get back.”
    Anna wiped her hands on a towel, studying her. “You ok?” she asked.
    Megan just attempted a smile and walked out into the dining room where Jake was waiting for her with an empty seat at his side. She felt Sean’s eyes on her from the other end of the table and it took all she had to keep the smile pasted on her face.
     
    * * *
     
    Jake kept one hand on Megan’s knee throughout dinner and conversation flowed well. The meal was delicious and Jake made an announcement at the end giving her all the credit for it. They then headed back into the living room for coffee and dessert. Jake took a few of the men into his study and the remaining guests broke into smaller groups. It was on her way back into the living room with a fresh pot of coffee that Sean Connelly cornered her in the hallway.
    “You look good, Meggie.”
    “It’s Megan now. What do you want, Sean?” she asked, feeling her old rebellious side boiling up inside her. She needed him to know right now that her past was her past and that he wouldn’t be holding anything over her head. She had to make sure he understood he had no power over her.
    “Well,” he said, no longer even feigning friendliness. He ran the tip of one hand down her bare arm. She physically shivered at his touch, revolted by it. She stepped back. “I’d love to talk about that actually,” he said, stepping closer. “Pick up where we left off that night you took my