1

JUST LOOKING AT HER MADE HIM SWEAT.

And in the damned tux for his brother's reception, sweating was more than a little uncomfortable. Even the air-conditioning didn't help. He should look away, but he couldn't seem to drag his gaze from her. The sensuous way she moved, her deep black hair swaying to the music, looking almost liquid it was so silky, her husky laugh, all worked to make him crazy and put a stranglehold on his attention. Morgan loosened the tie around his throat and undid the top two buttons of his white shirt. But that didn't help the restriction of his pants, and he just knew if he started loosening them up, his new sister-in-law would have a fit. And he'd sooner kick his own ass than upset Honey.

"If you stare any harder, you're liable to set her on fire."

Morgan jerked, then turned to glare at Sawyer. "Aren't you supposed to be with your bride?"

"Jordan's dancing with her."

Great. Just great. After meeting Misty that first day on the front porch, Morgan had done his best to avoid her. Hell, he'd almost seduced his new sister-in-law's sister. And worse, she'd egged him on. What kind of woman did a thing like that?

He felt infuriated every time he thought about it. All his lauded control seemed to be paper-thin these days, especially with the way Jordan and Gabe adored the woman. They doted on Misty, every bit as fascinated as Morgan had been by her sensual looks and careless smile, only they seemed genuinely interested in her, and that really put a crimp in his mood.

Morgan didn't particularly like her. She was so brazen, so sassy and unrestrained, it was almost impossible not to be drawn to her on a sexual level. But where her sister was discreet and gentle, Misty was bold and outgoing. It was no wonder he hadn't figured out who she was on the spot; he'd expected the sister to be more like Honey, not the exact opposite.

With her come-on lines and lack of inhibitions, Misty could put any male on edge, and that wasn't at all the type of woman he was determined to be interested in these days. No, he wanted a woman like Honey, one he could settle down with, one that was as interested in becoming domestic as he was. Not that he wouldn't indulge in a little dalliance here and there before he found the wife, just not with Honey's sister. No way. That would be crossing the familial line.

Trying to sound disinterested rather than disgruntled, Morgan said, "I'm surprised Jordan could pull himself away from Misty. He and Gabe have been crowding her all night." Then he shook his head. "Hell, they've both been dogging her heels like lovesick puppies all week."

"And that bothers you, does it?"

Morgan snorted. "Hell, no. Except that she's a far cry from Honey and I don't want to see them get stuck in an awkward situation."

That made Sawyer laugh out loud. "Jordan and Gabe? I hate to break it to you, Morgan, but they're grown men and they've been handling their fair share of female companionship for some time now. Hell, Gabe started earlier than you did."

"He lied."

Sawyer laughed again. "Nope, I caught him at it, out in the barn that first time, so I know exactly how old he was."

Diverted for the moment, Morgan turned to Sawyer with a grin. "You're kidding?"

"Don't I wish. I think that's what started him on the path of debauchery."

Morgan chuckled at that. The youngest brother was a regular Lothario, to the delight of the female population of Buckhorn. "Details?"

Shrugging, Sawyer said, "The girl was four years older than him, and since then, it's like he's irresistible to women."

"Honey resisted him."

Sawyer's grin was very smug. "Yeah. I was glad to see it. Good for his ego."

"'Course, he wasn't really giving it his all, seeing as you'd already staked a claim." Before Sawyer could object to that, Morgan turned to Misty. "Does it amaze you how two sisters can be so damned different? I mean, Honey is just so kindhearted and innocent."

Sawyer had just taken a sip of his champagne, and he choked, but when Morgan gave him a suspicious look, he just raised his brows, as if encouraging Morgan to continue.

"Misty is…"

"What?" Sawyer seemed intent on digging in. "Sexy?"

"Hell, yeah, she's sexy. But then so is Honey."

Sawyer blinked at that, then frowned ferociously. "I'm not at all sure I like—"

"Oh, give it a rest, Sawyer. I'm not blind. And I just appreciate the fact she's so sexy—for you."

After downing the rest of his champagne in one gulp, Sawyer demanded, "Your point?"

Sawyer was being damn entertaining again, but Morgan couldn't take advantage of it because he couldn't pull his gaze away from Misty. Gabe had just swept her up into a new dance. She complained for just a moment about her feet, and Gabe, the rascal, merely went down on one knee and pulled her shoes off, tossing them aside. Misty seemed charmed, and they began a rather heated, intimate dance. The floor cleared to give them room, and Misty behaved totally uninhibited. Gabe was no better, showing off, making the women cheer, but that was his damned brother and he wasn't interested in looking at Gabe.

Misty was something altogether different.

Morgan had to grind his teeth together. "Will you just look at her?"

"I'd rather look at you looking at her. More amusing that way."

Copyright © 2000 by Lori Foster.