Thunder Canyon Homecoming Read Free Page B

maybe it was just the feeling, irrational though he knew it was, that Erin was the woman he’d been waiting for.
    He smiled at the thought, recognizing it as not just irrational but ridiculous in light of the fact that he couldn’t even get her to agree to dance with him. Then again, Corey had never been one to back down from a challenge.
    More and more couples were joining those already on the dance floor and soon the space was so crowded with bodies that he lost sight of her. When the song finally ended and he released Trina, she pouted prettily.
    â€œAre you really going to let me go so soon?”
    â€œYes, I am, darlin’,” he told her, but softened the rejection with a smile.
    She tucked something into his pocket. “My number—in case you change your mind.”
    Because his mother had raised him to be a gentleman, he didn’t tell her that he’d had her number from the start, but he also didn’t give her another thought as he walked away.
    He was too busy searching the crowd for a certain blue-eyed girl in a familiar blue dress.

Chapter Two
    E rin had let down her guard. It was the only excuse she had for being caught so unaware. But when Corey had followed Trina onto the dance floor, Erin had been certain her coworker would keep him thoroughly occupied. She hadn’t expected that he would walk away from an obviously willing woman and come looking for her.
    But she’d barely started to nibble on the hors d’oeuvres she’d put on her plate when he lowered himself into the empty chair beside her. She popped a coconut shrimp in her mouth, slowly chewing then swallowing.
    â€œI believe you owe me a dance,” he said, choosing a stuffed mushroom from her plate.
    She lifted a brow. “Do I?”
    â€œAt the very least.”
    â€œWhy don’t I share my dinner and we’ll call it even?” she suggested.
    He grinned, and she felt the now-familiar weakness inher knees again. “I’ll get you some more mushrooms as long as I get the dance.”
    She nudged her plate toward him. “I’m really not that hungry.”
    â€œWhat are you afraid of?” He bit into a petite quiche.
    â€œThat you’ll stomp all over my toes with your cowboy boots.”
    She’d meant to insult him, hoped the affront would dissuade him. Instead, he laughed.
    â€œI’m sure you’ll survive,” he told her. “My previous dance partner was barely limping when she walked away.”
    â€œShe was plastered so close, you wouldn’t have been able to step on her toes if you tried.”
    Too late she realized what she’d said—that her response proved that she’d watched him with Trina.
    Corey’s smile confirmed that he’d caught her slip, but thankfully, he didn’t call her on it.
    â€œWhat do you say?” he prompted.
    Erin knew that to refuse again would only succeed in making a big deal out of something that shouldn’t be. After all, it was just a dance.
    So she took the hand he offered and let him lead her away from the table. Though her heart was hammering furiously against her ribs, she decided that there really wasn’t any danger in spending time with Corey on a crowded dance floor.
    The minute he put his arms around her, she realized she was wrong. Because every fiber of her being was acutely aware of his nearness and every nerve ending in her body was suddenly humming.
    She should have guessed that he’d be a good dancer. Contrary to her earlier teasing remark that she feared for her feet, he moved smoothly and confidently around the dance floor. No doubt he knew all the right moves in anysituation, but despite that warning to herself, it required no effort on Erin’s part to follow his lead, nor was it a hardship to be held in his arms.
    She saw Erika and Dillon dance by and was grateful for the distraction. “They look so perfect together,” she murmured.
    â€œI’ve