Page 67 of Tempting the Player
Bridget peered around the corner, and her heart sped up. Her mouth also dropped open. There might have been a little drool.
Chad in a tux was, well, everything any female on the planet could imagine.
His broad shoulders really filled out the jacket in ways most men couldn’t. It was a perfect fit, cut to his body and his body alone. With his hair artfully messy and his lips tipped in a half smile, he looked like he stepped right out of a movie or something—right out of a fairy tale.
Chad extended a hand to Shell. “Nice to finally meet you.”
She murmured something unintelligible and spun around, mouthing the words Prince Charming before spinning back to Chad. “You’re even better looking up close. Most people aren’t, but wow, you definitely make the cut.”
Bridget grinned.
Taking her friend’s outburst good naturedly, Chad laughed. “Well, I’m glad to hear I ‘make the cut.’”
As he stepped past her, Shell checked him out from behind. “Yeah, you definitely make the cut.”
Okay. That was probably enough. If Bridget didn’t intervene, there was a good chance Shell would start touching him. Stepping out into the hall, she gave him a short, awkward wave.
Chad stumbled a little, and Bridget had never seen him stumble. He drew up short and swallowed as his gaze drifted over her. “You look…absolutely beautiful.”
She felt the blush sweep over her face. “Thank you.”
“You both look great.” Shell reappeared, holding her phone. “I want a picture.”
“This isn’t prom, Shell.”
Chad chuckled as he held his arm to Bridget. “Come on over here. Let’s get our picture taken.”
Shooting her friend a look, which was subsequently ignored, Bridget slipped up to Chad’s side. His arm went around her waist, and he pulled her closer, tucking her against him.
Shell squealed as she held up the phone. “Smile!”
After a couple of pictures Shell swore wouldn’t end up on her Facebook or anywhere else, Bridget and Chad said their good-byes. On the way out, Bridget grabbed the lacy black shawl, and he helped drape it over her shoulders.
“It’s pretty chilly outside,” he said outside Shell’s apartment. “You sure this is enough?”
Bridget nodded.
He smiled slightly. “That’s right. You hate jackets.”
“They’re just so bulky.” Since Shell had a first-floor apartment, it didn’t take long for her to discover just how cold it had become since she’d arrived at her friend’s place.
Outside, she clutched the ends of the shawl together and inhaled deeply. “It smells like—”
“Snow?” he cut in, grinning at her.
Bridget looked at him and felt her heart do that damn little jump again. “Yes. It smells like snow.”
“I heard that it’s calling for snow on Christmas. I can’t remember the last time we had a white Christmas.”
She couldn’t, either. Snow in any real amounts didn’t usually fall until February, and if it was more than an inch, the entire town shut down.
Chad opened the door for her but caught her arm before she could climb in. He leaned in, his lips brushing her temple. “I’m torn,” he said.
“About what?”
His lips curved against her skin. “I can’t decide if you look better in that dress or with it pooled around your ankles.”
Bridget was suddenly hot in the near freezing temperatures. Damn it. She had been trying desperately to forget about those minutes in the dressing room and here he had to bring it up. Liquid fire licked at her, magnified when he placed a hand on her hip.
