by D'Ann Lindun
Noelle’s eyes flew open just as Nick’s lips closed over hers. Her eyes fluttered shut again as he nibbled and sucked her bottom lip until she whimpered. Her nipples pressed against the fabric of her satin bra and the vee between her legs dampened. Her hands around the leather straps tightened again, but unless the horses ran away, she was so lost in Nick she wouldn’t have noticed.
His lips and tongue moved over hers until she opened her mouth. His tongue darted inside, instantly claiming the space. Several layers separated them, and she groaned in frustration. She wanted his hands on her body. She wanted to touch him everywhere, drive him wild. She wanted to be the one to teach him the pleasures of lovemaking.
By the way his tongue ravaged her mouth she knew he wanted her, too.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Noelle stood at the back of the enormous barn, among Amity’s throng of excited sisters and half-sisters. Am’s family had arrived a day early, taking over her house that morning.
Like her, they’d been horrified by the idea of Amity marrying in a barn. But when they saw it everyone knew why she’d chosen the Travers’ building. The enormous structure had a wooden floor, enough room for two hundred, plus dressing rooms and a kitchen. Dillon and Shiloh either owned, or had rented chairs that faced a stage with a large, round window behind it. Moonlight spilled in, creating a romantic feeling—perfect for an evening wedding.
Noelle’s gaze drifted across the aisle to Nick. He looked wonderful in a western cut jacket and pressed jeans. Most of the men attending were dressed similarly. All had removed their hats, either twisting them nervously, or had laid them on the entryway table.
Nick caught her looking his way and winked. Noelle gave him a small wave. They’d had dinner with R.J. and Amity last night, but hadn’t spoken yet today. She couldn’t stop thinking about him.
They’d kissed in the sleigh, then again when he dropped her off after dinner. She hadn’t wanted to stop. She wanted to show Nick how great lovemaking could be with the right person. But she was staying with Amity and having sex in her house wasn’t cool—at least while she was in the next room. Not to mention, she’d be leaving soon, and she couldn’t risk falling in love with him.
The reverend cleared his throat. “If everyone could take their places, please? We’ll get started in a moment.”
Amity’s mom and Nick’s dad—who’d Noelle had met earlier—moved to the front of the line and linked arms.
Noelle and Nic were next. She took his arm with a smile. “Ready?”
“Yup.” He shrugged. “Piece of cake. I’ve been in a lot of weddings.”
“Me, too. At least a million,” she told him. He chuckled, the sound sending a flash of heat straight to her lower belly. She tightened her grip on his arm. Before she could say anything, the music began, signaling them to walk forward and take their places at the front.
As they marched forward, Noelle allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to be Nick’s bride. He’d be in a black tuxedo; she’d wear a perfect white dress… A little shiver raced up and down her spine.
With a smile, Nick released her, and she took her place as the rest of the wedding party joined them.
The Wedding March began to play, and like everyone else, she was riveted by Amity gliding up the aisle. Although she wore a simple, white sheath, she looked heavenly.
She looked radiant.
Running away from Brad to find R.J. had been the right choice for her. She’d followed her heart and found her home here.
Noelle had a sneaking suspicion the same thing could happen to her—if she allowed herself to be intimate with the cowboy. He wouldn’t take lovemaking lightly. It would be a bond between them she couldn’t just walk away from with no strings attached.
She continued to daydream as the reverend explained when to say the vows.
What would it be like to be married to Nick? Could she adjust to living her as easily as Amity apparently had? What could she do for work? Waitress? She’d worked too hard to be successful to give it all up in the blink of an eye.
All this assuming Nick even wanted some kind of entanglement.
They practiced the ceremony twice, before the reverend said they were good to go. Noelle gravitated toward Nick. As she approached him, she frowned. One of Amity’s sisters, Emery, had her hand on his arm laughing at something he’d said.
Jealously flamed through her hot as a wildfire on an August day. Stunned by her swirling emotions, Noelle stumbled to a stop. She had no hold on Nick. If all of Amity’s younger sisters wanted to flirt with him, it was a free world. They had as much right to him as she did.
She spun on her heel and had taken a few steps, when someone caught her elbow and pulled her around.
“Where are you going?” Nick loosened his hold. “Aren’t you sitting with me at the rehearsal dinner?”
“You want me to? Not Emery?” She hated the jealousy in her voice.
“Who?”
“Amity’s sister. The one who just had her hands all over you.”
“The only hands I want on me are yours,” he said. “I couldn’t get away from her fast enough.”
The anger in her evaporated as fast as it had come along. “Really?”
“Yep. Now, are we going to go eat? Or are we going to stand here all night yapping about some girl I could care less about?” He held out his hand and she took it.
“Eat.”
“Come on, then.” He led her toward the back of the building where caterers had set up a buffet-style meal.
They waited until Amity’s parents, Nick’s dad and the bride and groom filled their plates before moving into line. As they made their selections, Nick leaned close. “Is this anything like Amity’s last wedding? Or should I say non-wedding?”
Noelle chose steamed baby carrots to go with her orange-glazed chicken. “No. Not at all. It was to be in St. John’s cathedral and the reception was supposed to follow in a country club. The décor was slightly less…rustic than this.”
“I can imagine,” he said as they made their way to their table.
The head table had place cards for Amity, R.J., Amity’s parents—Bob and Marilyn—Nick’s dad and them. Noelle was at Amity’s right, Nick at R.J.’s. Disappointment flooded Noelle that she wasn’t seated next to Nick.
Apparently, he felt the same way, because with a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, he switched the cards so that he sat next to her, and his dad was next to R.J. He slid into the seat next to her. “That’s better. Love my dad, but I’d rather sit next to a pretty lady.”
“So would I, son.” Nick’s dad laid a hand on Nick’s shoulder, then winked at Noelle. “Looks like my seat has been stolen.”
Nick began stand. “I’m sorry, Dad. Here—”
The elder Hadley gently pushed him back. “I’m teasing you, son. Sit down.” He went to his new seat and sat. “This looks good. Where are the bride and groom? I’m so hungry I could eat a reindeer steak.”
Nick pointed. The couple had stopped and were busy talking with Starla and Trevor. They must have felt hungry gazes on them, because they walked toward the table, followed by Amity’s parents.
“Sorry, everyone,” R.J. said, sliding into his seat. “Trevor needed a word.”
They ate in silence for several moments before Marilyn Levore looked at Noelle. “So, darling, tell me what have you been doing to keep busy this week?”
“Well, last minute wedding preparations, of course.” She shot Nick a warm glance. “And Nick’s been nice enough to show me around.”
“I can’t imagine there’s been much for you to see,” Marilyn sympathized.
Snowball fights, sleigh rides, kisses to die for… “I’ve been having a great time.”
Nick bumped her knee with his under the table and a flash of heat ran up her leg, straight to her core. She clenched her thighs together, trying to concentrate on Marilyn’s words.
“Well, we’ll have to thank Nick properly then, won’t we?”
“Oh, I will,” she said. “Absolutely.” Nick’s hard thigh banged into hers, and Noelle choked, reaching for her wine glass.
“Are you all right, dear?” Marilyn patted her on the back.
After a few sips, she managed to speak. “Fine. Thank you.”
Marilyn forked a baby carrot. “When do you have to be back at work?”
“The day after Christmas. I have several New Year’s Eve parties to take care of. My staff will be stretched thin to get them all done as it is.” She didn’t look at Nick as she spoke, but she could feel waves of disappointment rolling off him.
What did he think? That she could just loll around here forever? She had a life, dammit! Even if she wanted to stay, she couldn’t. Her entire business depended on her being back at work on time. If Amity hadn’t been there for Noelle her entire life, she wouldn’t have left at all during her busiest time of the year.
She finally glanced at Nick, and he seemed to be studying his plate like he’d never seen one before.
Noelle’s appetite fled, and she sipped her wine again. If things were different— she gave her head a small shake. Things weren’t different. But they had a couple more days together and she’d be damned if they were going to be melancholy. She forced a smile and lifted her glass. “A toast. To Amity and R.J. To true love.”
Nick clinked his glass with hers and their eyes met. In his, she saw her emotions reflected. “To love.”
The wait staff began to clear their dishes, giving Noelle a moment to clear her head.
Amity stood and waited for the room to quiet down. “R.J. and I want to thank each and every one of you for being here tonight. It means the world to us.” She looked at her groom and he nodded. “After dessert and coffee, if all the ladies will please come with me? And the gentlemen with R.J. We each have a fun-filled night of festivities ahead.”
“What are the guys doing?” Noelle asked Amity a few minutes later when they walked to the ladies’ room together. She knew the women were going to Telluride in a rented limo because Amity had told her to pack an overnight bag before they left her house that afternoon.
“Dillon is flying them to Denver for the night on his private jet.” Amity leaned into the mirror to reapply her lipstick. “He went all out for them. An expensive hotel…some fancy-smancy club.”
“Strippers,” Noelle muttered.
Amity shrugged. “Probably, but I trust R.J.”
R.J. wasn’t who Noelle was thinking about, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Could a bunch of drunk and rowdy men push Nick into doing something he might not want to? Why did it matter? He wasn’t hers, she reminded herself. He could be with anyone he wished.
Then why did her heart pinch at the thought of him being in someone else’s arms?
~*~
In what have should have been the party of the year, Nick only wanted to go home. He couldn’t stop thinking about Noelle. The flight from Montrose had been fun, the guys lively. The bar Dillon had chosen rivaled any in Vegas for the gorgeous waitresses and topless dancers, but Nick craved a sleigh ride and Noelle’s kisses.
One of the waitresses bent over, giving him a good look at her cleavage. “Can I get you anything?”
He lifted his half-full beer. “I’m good, thanks.”
When she walked away, R.J. slapped him on the shoulder. “That lady was all but throwing herself in your lap.”
“I know,” Nick muttered. “I’m not interested.”
“I’m the one getting married, not you,” R.J. teased.
Nick shot his brother an exasperated look. “I’m not into hookups.”
R.J. punched him in the shoulder. “You might loosen up a little if you were.”
“Funny.”
“Not trying to be.” R.J. turned serious. “Man, there’s nothing like finding the right woman, knowing she’ll be there for you at the end of the day. I found that, and I want it for you, too, little brother.”
“There aren’t any more Amitys running around.” Nick tried to deflect this conversation, but R.J. wouldn’t be deterred. He snorted.
“She has four younger sisters. And I saw at least one of them making eyes at you tonight.” He took a pull from his beer. “But it’s her friend you want.”
There was no point lying to R.J. He could see through Nick like he was a ghost. “What if I do?”
“Then act on it, baby brother. Don’t let this one get away like you did Maura.”
“I didn’t let Maura get away. She didn’t want to stay, and nothing I could have done would’ve changed her mind.” Nick turned his bottle in his hands. He never talked about his feelings for Maura, but his brother and buddies knew she was the one he’d always wanted. They figured out he hadn’t ever been with her. “Noelle isn’t any different. She doesn’t fancy small town life and I’d die trapped in the city.”
“Am and I said the same thing,” R.J. said. “Yet, we’re getting married the day after tomorrow.”
“As a technical writer, Amity can work anywhere,” Nick reminded him.
“True. But where there’s a will, there’s a way.” R.J. signaled for another beer, and when a gorgeous woman in a revealing outfit headed their way he said, “But try and enjoy yourself in the meantime, huh? You’re the only single Hadley boy left now.”
Nick forced a smile when the stunning waitress asked him if he needed anything. “I’m good, thanks.”
His thoughts turned to R.J.’s words. Maybe he hadn’t tried hard enough with Maura. He’d asked her out from time-to-time. They’d always had fun, but they’d never gotten serious—mostly because she wanted Adam Pelletier. If he’d tried harder, would she have noticed him? Loved him?
Stayed in Black Mountain?
No.
The truth hit him like a slap in the face.
Maura’s heart had always been in Nashville. It hadn’t even been Adam Pelletier between them. It had been her longing to be somebody, to make something of herself that had kept them apart.
Why couldn’t he fall for a girl who wanted the same things he did— a home and a family?
Maybe he was destined to fall for the wrong lady.
The thought depressed him and he signaled the waitress for another beer.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Travers’ barn had been transformed into a winter wonderland. White twinkle lights hung across the ceiling and decorated four-foot-tall potted pine trees lined the aisle. Enormous, glittering snowflakes hung from the rafters and they spun in gentle circles. The carpet for the wedding party to walk on was white, with fake snow scattered across it.
A cellist played something classical.
Where Amity had found a cellist in Black Mountain, Noelle had no idea, but the music sounded beautiful.
She felt as if she were inside a snow globe—especially, since snow fell, covering everything outside with a fine powder—not an entirely unpleasant sensation. Warmth filled her as she glanced around the room where the bride and bridesmaids gathered to dress. Ten women, brought together by their love for Amity, laughed and teased each other as they dressed her in a voluminous white creation.
Noelle hadn’t met Eden before tonight. Very close to her due date, she hadn’t attended any of the other events, but insisted upon being in the wedding. She looked pale, dark circles around her eyes.
Her mother hovered. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
“I’m fine,” Eden insisted.
When Marilyn added the headpiece and veil to Amity, everyone stood awestruck. She looked like a snow angel.
A lump formed in Noelle’s throat. “You look stunning.”
Amity blinked back tears. “Do I really?”
“You’re going to bring R.J. to his knees,” Noelle assured her with a hug.
“Let’s do it.”
Noelle smoothed the front of her dress. White, ankle-length, with a sheer overlay of pink and silver tulle, it reminded her of a winter fairy’s dress. The entire wedding was going to be magical. The men were wearing
western-cut, dove-gray tuxedos. Her heart picked up speed at the thought of seeing Nick in his.
She handed Amity her bouquet of pale pink peonies. “Ready?”
“So ready.”
“No running away this time?”
“The only running I’m doing is toward R.J.” She smiled tremulously. “He’s the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life.”
After Marilyn kissed Amity, and left to be seated, Bob Levore slipped inside and took his daughter’s arm. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” She nodded. “I’m ready.”
Determined not to cry, Noelle picked up her own bouquet and opened the door. The groomsmen waited just outside.
Her breath caught at the sight of Nick in his tux. From the top of his short, dark hair to the tips of his gray ostrich cowboy boots, he looked amazing.
When he saw her, a broad smile crossed his face. “Hello, gorgeous.”
She linked her arm through his. “You don’t look so bad yourself, cowboy.”
“Thanks.” His chuckle sent heat zinging through her, pooling in her lower stomach.
The music began, signaling them to walk up the aisle and take their places. Although it was hard to drag her gaze from Nick, Noelle turned her attention to the back of the room when the Wedding March began to play.
Maybe it was the décor, or maybe the romantic night caught her up in its magic, but Noelle thought her friend looked like a snow queen as she floated toward her handsome groom.
As Amity took her vows, Noelle’s eyes filled. Hoping no one noticed, she quickly swiped her cheeks.
She wasn’t the only one.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted all of Amity’s younger sisters sniffling. Most of the half-sisters were teary-eyed, too. In fact, Eden looked as if she might pass out.
Oh, shit!
“You may kiss the bride,” the reverend said.
As they kissed, Eden groaned and sank to her knees. She dropped her bouquet and grabbed her belly with both hands. “My baby’s coming.”
In a flash, her husband and her mother were at Eden’s side. The wedding party crowded around, and R.J. waved them back. “I’m an EMT. Give her some room.”
