Free Texas Two Steps Four-Pack Bundle by Anne Marie Novark

an unerring eye for good fashion. Her gown was a simple, elegant, off the shoulder creation of shiny midnight blue. Melanie had dug in her own closet and found a pair of classic strappy heels she'd worn when she'd been a bridesmaid a couple of years ago.
    Her turn at one of the mirrors told Melanie she was as ready as she'd ever be. Another dab of lipstick and she was good to go.
    ****
    Blake waited by the door greeting members and guests. Standing beside him was Trevor Callahan and his wife, Beth. As the vice-president of the Lone Star Cattle Ranchers Association, Trevor was Blake's right-hand man. No way would Blake have let himself be hornswoggled into the presidency, if Trev hadn't been right there with him.
    "So Sue Ellen finked out on you, did she?" Trevor asked. They'd both gone to school with Sue Ellen, although Trev had left Stone Creek soon after high school. He'd reluctantly returned several years ago and now made his home on his late grandfather's ranch.
    "She didn't fink out. I told you she's sick. Besides, you know as well as I do, Sue Ellen would never let a friend down." Blake couldn't believe how laid-back Trev had become. He'd loosened up a lot since he'd married Beth and become a father. Such a contrast to the sulky unhappy kid he'd been.
    Trev grinned. "I know, I know. Lucky you found a substitute so quickly, is all I can say."
    Blake thought it nothing short of miraculous. Of course, it wouldn't have killed him to come to the dance alone, but he hadn't really wanted to. And since he'd been planning to ask Melanie out anyway, the opportunity had seemed golden. And that kiss . . .
    The thought strangled in his brain as a vision of loveliness approached the door and commanded his full attention.
    Trev elbowed him in the ribs. "Looks like the sub's finally arrived."
    "Put a cork in it, Callahan," Blake growled through his teeth.
    "Behave yourself," Beth said to her husband, leaning into him slightly, her eyes cutting to his suggestively.
    "You really want me to behave myself?" Trev wrapped his arm around her waist and looked down into her face, his eyes scorching over her. "Because it's really gonna cost you, babe."
    Blake watched as the couple became totally engrossed in each other. The chemistry radiating from them shot sexual sparks into the air. It had been that way since Trev had come home. He only had eyes for Beth. Their marriage had calmed him, solidified his foundation. Made his world right.
    Damn, Blake wanted that, too. His eyes slid to Melanie and an intense hunger and need gripped him.
    Beth leaned across Trev toward Blake. "She's very pretty, isn't she?"
    "No," Blake said. "She's gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous."
    "Man, you've got it bad," Trevor said. "Better watch your back. Ouch! " He rubbed his arm where Beth had pinched him. "Okay, okay. I'll behave."
    Blake walked out the door of the banquet room and met Melanie in the hallway. He'd thought her beautiful before, dressed in her work clothes. But now that she was all dolled up, she was truly gorgeous, just as he'd told Beth. The shining dark blue dress hugged every feminine curve of Melanie's tall body. She'd put her hair up and exposed her long delicate neck. Blake imagined kissing the creamy skin all the way from below her ear down the arching neck, then trailing his tongue along the collarbone and the exposed shoulder . . .
    "Hi," Melanie said with a smile. Her green eyes sparkled with excitement. "Sorry, I'm late. This makes it twice today I've kept you waiting."
    That smile of hers made Blake want to jerk her into his arms and kiss her until she cried for mercy. But since they were in full view of God and everybody, that was out of the question. Instead, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Believe me, the wait was well worth it."
    She blushed adorably. It took every ounce of willpower not to gather her in his arms and kiss her blushes away . . . or make her blush all over, which would be even better. Blake faced a long night