Free His Perfect Woman (Harlequin Superromance) by Kay Stockham Page B

Tribune ’s contest.
    Joe snickered. “That newspaper contest is rigged. Number-one Bozo is more like it.” He made a grab for the ball.
    Bryan spun away, feinted, took a shot and made it. “ Yeah! We’re tied!”
    â€œI’ve been taking it easy on you.”
    â€œBull.” Bryan used the bottom of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face and jogged over to retrieve the ball. “Since Ashley fell, you haven’t made love to your wife and it shows. No wonder she asked me to get you out of the house for the baby shower. She didn’t want you hanging around scaring away the guests.”
    Joe lifted both hands, fingers making a bring it on gesture. “At least my celibacy makes sense. Yours makes me wonder if you’ve decided you like guys. You and Holly broke up a long time ago—”
    â€œWe were never dating exclusively.”
    â€œâ€”and Ashley didn’t want me around because she felt ridiculous in the getup she had to wear. Who’s ever heard of a tea party for a baby shower?”
    Bryan shrugged and the game began again. He started with the ball, Joe took it, but Bryan blocked his shot.
    â€œYou won’t hurt her, Joe. If her OB says she’s fine, she is. Sex might actually help the process along. And, ” he continued, waving his arms high, “if I want sex I can get it. Anywhere, anytime. That’s not the problem. I’ve just…decided to be more selective. I like a challenge.” Bryan didn’t follow Joe’s lunge to one side as expected and when Joe swung around to shoot again, Bryan was ready for him, the ball his.
    Sweat dripped off Joe’s nose and he positioned himself to guard Bryan. “So long as that challenge isn’t a short-haired blonde who wouldn’t give you the time of day despite the way you kept staring at her.”
    Bryan stumbled before quickly regaining his balance, but it gave Joe the advantage he needed to steal the ball and score.
    â€œTwenty-nineteen,” Joe crowed. “The pretty boy’s goin’ down!”
    â€œI wasn’t staring,” Bryan groused. “And if I learned anything from getting involved with Holly, it’s what a disaster it is to mix business with pleasure.”
    Joe gave him a befuddled look. “What’s work got to do with Melissa?”
    He grabbed a water bottle to rinse his dry mouth and spit. “If you haven’t heard the gossip you’re probably the only one. I hired her yesterday.” Bryan regretted his words when Joe’s eyes widened.
    â€œSeriously?”
    â€œYeah,” he murmured uneasily, aware that Joe wasn’t thrilled by the idea. “What?”
    â€œNothing. Just keep it on the up-and-up. Mel’s a sweet girl.”
    â€œShe isn’t a girl.”
    â€œAs her boss you shouldn’t be noticing that.”
    But how could he not notice? He’d arrived at the B and B to pick Joe up and found himself surrounded by women in floaty, ultrafeminine dresses and hats, Melissa included. The wide brim of her hat had drawn attention to her delicate faceand wide, full mouth. The dark blue of her dress had highlighted her eyes, deepening the color to cobalt, and the sight of her had stunned him because while the majority of the women’s blatantly skimpy dresses were fashionable, Melissa’s modest choice had affected him more.
    Not notice? Despite unearthing that nightmare of a nickname she’d taunted him with as a child, seeing her had almost sent him over the edge with lust. He’d actually wanted to stay, to watch while Melissa smiled and chatted. She’d looked…fresh. Different from the other women and infinitely more appealing. Enough to make a man want to kiss the protest from her lips and slip his hands beneath the simple skirt and—
    â€œShe looked nice,” he muttered, yanking himself away from his fantasy before it got too out of hand. Melissa was his friend