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“I didn’t agree. I never agreed,” Josie argued.
“Too bad,” Stone replied. “You’re now officially my wife.”
He stiffened as a white limo pulled to the curb. The door opened, and a bright, cheerful blond in a form-fitting wedding gown stepped out, waving at him.
Stone’s stomach hit the platform. Ten to one, Alice Wilson, his intended bride, had just arrived. His really, really late bride! His now-jilted bride, he realized as he swiveled toward the pale woman beside him. No. Not the woman. His wife.
He knew, with chilling certainty, he’d made a catastrophic mistake! Josephine Elizabeth Holland had protested in truth. This woman with eyes the color of new spring leaves was not the woman he’d paid to marry him today.
Panicked eyes met Tony’s at the back of the crowd. He nodded in the direction of the car and bride, saw his friend’s eyes widen with the same dread. He nearly dropped to the ground in gratitude as his lawyer and friend put an arm around the blond and hustled her back into the car.
Knowing full well he’d end up paying the piper, he figured he might as well enjoy the perks. The sun slanted over the mountain and formed a halo around his new wife.
Where had she come from?
Heaven. An angel had dropped from Heaven, he thought, just before he gave himself up to the deliciousness of her. He bent his dark head and nibbled her neck. This was the most exquisite, the sweetest tasting woman he’d ever met.
Like a little kid in a candy store, he wanted more. But there were always consequences for indulging in too many sweets.
Or too many brides. And two was definitely too many.
Two too many.
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The door thumped shut behind Katie Sara, and she rushed into the night, frantically trying to remember where she’d parked her car. A warm, strong hand caught her arm, spinning her around.
The sizzle threatened a core meltdown.
“Still runnin’, Ace?” Reiner asked.
“Let go of me!” She yanked her arm out of his grasp.
“What the hell’s wrong with you? They approved your contract unanimously—and rather shame-facedly, I might add.”
“What’s wrong with me?” Eyes blazing, she jabbed him in the chest. “How dare you! Daddy stole money. Only money. You stole my pride tonight.”
Disbelieving, he stared at her in the deepening twilight. For a fraction of an instant, he wondered if she had any idea how damn beautiful she was...wondered if she knew the streetlight shone through her gauzy dress, outlining that gorgeous body.
In the next instant, his own temper flared. He poked her in the chest. Watched with satisfaction her stunned amazement.
She took a step back. He took a step forward.
“Your daddy stole one whole hell of a lot more than money, sugar. He stole your hometown. Your friends. Damaged you in other people’s eyes.”
When she opened her mouth to speak, he laid a finger over her lips. “Whatever you’re gonna say, don’t. I burned quite a few of my own bridges here in this town. But because I’m able to toss a football around, the good people of Paradox aren’t makin’ me eat charred crow. At least, not most of them.”
He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Was debating the wisdom of leaning down and kissing her all better when she flinched and pulled away.
Knowing he didn’t really have any intentions of going there this trip, he backed off. Katie Sara was past history. Best he remembered that.
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She threw the door open and stared, dumbstruck. The most gorgeous man she’d ever seen was standing on her front porch. Dressed in a black tux, a single red rose in hand, his blond hair glistened beneath her porch light.
Her breath rushed from her. If this was her prince, she owed her fairy godmother big time. She blinked. He was still there.
The tiny part of her brain that still functioned warned her he had to have the wrong address. No way was he here for her!
He opened the screen door. “Brianna?”
She nodded wordlessly, unable to speak.
“Here I am.” He turned his wrist to check his watch. “And on time, too. Heard we had a ball to attend. I’m yours for the night.” A hint of mischief laced the enigmatic words.
Yours for the night. The words echoed in her mind. Fantasies flew hot and heavy.
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