Free The Best Mistake of Her Life by Aimee Carson Page B

back was now so low two of his fingers lay south of her panty line. Kate was only too aware of exactly how big a mistake she’d made when she’d kissed him, and that Memphis had every intention of making her pay. She worked hard at forcing her face to relax as she chatted with the couple.
    As the minutes passed, more committee members stopped to greet them. Which meant more introductions. And with every one of them,Memphis was no help at all. And when the last couple moved on as the call to dinner was announced, Kate turned an exasperated fake smile on Memphis. “If you don’t quit with the torture I’m going to test your high-fall skills by pushing you out that window.”
    Memphis tipped back his head and let out a laugh, his Adam’s apple bobbing in delight. Even his neck looked strong, corded with sinew, and brought back memories of …
    Enough
.
    The amused glimmer in his eyes was directed at her. “I’m just testing those political schmoozing skills you’ve acquired over the years.”
    “I’ve never had to be politely social while being manhandled.”
    “Doesn’t speak much to the imagination of your ex,” he said. “And Angel Face—” Memphis tipped his head “—if I was manhandling you, you’d know it.” He paused before he went on, and the timbre of his voice dropped to a level that resonated low in her belly. “And knowing you the way I do,” he said, his voice rough. “You’d probably enjoy it.”
    The unsteady sensation increased significantly and she blinked hard, trying to smooth the turbulent emotional eddies curling in her veins. A cool demeanor was impossible to maintain when the frustratingly contrary and rebel man was around.
    “Memphis,” she whispered fiercely, fighting for patience as she took a subtle step to the left, an unsuccessful attempt to remove her back fromhis touch. “This is difficult enough as it is. So keep your hand in a respectable place and stop trying to sabotage my attempts at being social.”
    The desperation in her tone must have pricked his interest. “Christ, Kate. Try to relax,” he said, dropping his hand and tipping his head with a skeptical curiosity. “It’s just a simple dinner. Why are you so uptight?”
    “Maybe because this is my first social function since the divorce and I’m an object of scrutiny,” she said. “Maybe because you are deliberately trying to make me uncomfortable.” Frustration infused her tone as she shared more than she’d planned. “And maybe because I don’t know how to behave.”
    He narrowed his eyes in confusion, and she went on with a sigh. “Technically, this is my first date.”
    His eyebrows puckered together. “I know, but it’s just like riding a bike. It’ll all come back to—”
    “I’ve never been out on a date with anyone other than Dalton,” she blurted, and immediately felt ridiculous.
    Memphis stared at her, and with the inspection came an increasing flush of discomfort.
    “Never?” he said, disbelief in his expression.
    She blinked back the churning emotion and shook her head, turning her gaze to the window and concentrating on the incremental shift in the view of the lights of downtown Miami, the restaurant oh-so-slowly spinning on its axis. Shecould sense his gaze on her face and she closed her eyes. “Please stop staring at me as if I’m a freak.”
    “If I’d known how momentous this occasion was,” he said. “I would have brought you flowers or something.”
    “It’s not momentous,” she said. “It’s … It’s …”
    She was twenty-eight years old. It was embarrassing.
    Humiliating
.
    “Awkward,” she finally went on.
    “Kate,” he said softly, and she turned to look at him, seeing an expression of reassurance. “It’ll be okay. You’re doing great,” he said soothingly, and he surprised her when he placed his hand between her shoulder blades. “Now let’s just go enjoy our dinner.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    M AYBE he’d been too optimistic about enjoying dinner.
    The