Read Willow for Free Online Page B

get it. I opened the door and was immediately taken with how nice Reece looked. He was wearing black slacks, black shoes, a white shirt and a black tie.  I admired him while he admired me. 
    “Wow,” he said before offering me his arm.
    “Wait!” Anne cried. “I need a picture!”
    She came towards us with her camera. I noticed Reece was admiring her, too. We turned and smiled and she arranged us in different poses until she got the right one. Satisfied, she waved us off and as I swept past her she handed me a small black wrap. “Keep warm. It’s going to be cold tonight.”
    As we walked out the door I noticed the Dodge pick-up parked in front.
    “Nice truck,” I observed.
    “I like it. I worked hard for it. It’s perfect for hauling, bringing home game or camping out in the bed.” He grinned down at me as he opened the passenger door. “Not that I’ve had a chance to do that yet.”
    I gave him a knowing look and stepped into the truck. My ankle began to itch so I discreetly leaned over to scratch. Reece closed the door, jogged around to the driver’s side and slid in next to me. After adjusting his seat belt he glanced over at me, appraising. He chuckled. “I think I’ll call you Snow White from now on.”
    “Why?” I laughed.
    “Because you look like her.”
    “What? I do not,” I continued to laugh.
    “My snow white does.”
    Feeling self-conscious, I blushed. “I’m glad you like the dress. It was my aunt’s.”
    He gave me a crooked grin, “It’s not the dress. It’s the girl wearing it…”
    By the time we entered the festive lodge my ankle was on fire. A few people came up to greet us and while Reece and his girlfriends were taking pictures together, I politely excused myself and hurried over to the hallway, which was deserted. I was so uncomfortable I stumbled. A pair of strong hands prevented my fall. I laughed in astonishment, regained my footing and attempted to straighten myself. I looked up to thank my rescuer.  
    Dreamy blue-green eyes were burning into mine. He was dressed in black, and his light-brown hair wasn’t as tousled as the first time I saw him. He smelled divine, but different, not a hint of cloying aftershave or cologne. Sincerely he asked, “Are you okay?”
    His hands gripped my arms and his expression was one of masked intensity. He was intimidating, or is that what people think when they’re attracted to someone?
    “I’m fine, really.”
    He bent down and retrieved my black clutch. I didn’t even realize I had dropped it.
    “Oh, thank you,” I told him, trying to conceal the awkwardness I felt. The burning was becoming intense so I bent down and unhooked the anklet. It left a rash but at least the discomfort began to subside. I dropped the anklet into my clutch and determined that I was allergic, just as my mother had been.
    “That’s a pretty piece of jewelry,” Haven noted. He raised his brow as he noticed the mark on my ankle. “Allergic to silver?”
    “I’m not sure. My mother had an allergy to nickel, or something like that. I probably have the same thing. I usually don’t wear jewelry.”
    He seemed to consider that.
    “I’ll escort you back to the dance.”
    He extended his arm and I immediately discerned the force of his lean frame.
    “There you are,” Reece said as he approached me near the entrance of the ballroom.
    Haven raised his eyebrow but released my arm. Reece looked at him and acknowledged him dryly.
    “Haven.”
    “Reece.”
    They were sizing each other up. I looked from one to the other.
    Suddenly a soft voice purred, “You’re not going to make me wait all night, are you? I’ve already been lucky enough to see the one I came here for.”
    Without having made any noise, Lacey appeared at Haven’s side. She was wearing a slinky blue dress that matched the deep intensity of her dark eyes. Her skin was remarkably pale but her lips and cheeks couldn’t have been painted any prettier. Her blonde hair had black low lights