Take the Bride: A Knight Brothers Novella

by Carly Phillips

  Shit.

  He glanced over to the passenger side of the car. Sierra was still asleep. She was going to fucking kill him when she realized where they’d ended up, but what the hell.

  He only had one chance to win her back, and he couldn’t do it in the city with her surrounded by her brothers and friends. Instead he was headed another thirty minutes away to a mountain resort that he was pretty sure was the cheesiest honeymoon capital of the northeast. A place that advertised heart-shaped bathtubs and themed rooms.

  A place where they could be alone.

  Chapter Two

  Sierra woke up as the car turned off, the motor coming to a stop. She shook her head and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. Trees were visible outside the windows, and a glittering sign said Paradise Cove, and beneath it, A Couples Only Poconos Resort.

  “You have got to be kidding me!” She glanced at Ryder in disbelief. “What the hell are we doing in the Poconos?” She’d obviously fallen asleep for a good two hours, the shock of the day along with the glass of champagne she’d had prior to the non-wedding catching up with her.

  He treated her to his most charming grin. “You always said you wanted to honeymoon here. That it was romantic.”

  “I was seventeen!” she yelled at him. “I didn’t know any better. And we aren’t on our honeymoon.” She glanced down at her white wedding gown, not missing the irony of the situation but in no mood to find it funny.

  She and Jason were supposed to be on their way to St. Lucia tomorrow morning. Instead she was in the honeymoon capital of Pennsylvania. Her stomach cramped at the reminder of all she’d left behind earlier today. Although she’d texted Sebastian from Ryder’s phone, she hoped her brothers weren’t too worried about her. She’d left her own phone in the bridal room and couldn’t know whether Jason had tried to reach her or not. But her brothers knew she was with Ryder, and if Jason wanted her, he certainly could contact them and find out how to talk to her.

  Instead she was in the Poconos with her ex. She looked at the man who’d driven her over one hundred miles from home and waited for an explanation.

  He placed an arm behind her seat, turning to face her. “By the time I realized how far I’d driven, we were half an hour from here. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to crash. And I wasn’t about to turn around and drive another two hours home.”

  She frowned at him. “So now what? You expect me to stay here with you?”

  “Would it really be so bad?” he asked, his voice gentling. “I understand you’re angry with me, but we’re here. It’s late. Let’s just go inside and see if we can get a room.”

  The very idea of it was crazy. Nothing good could come of her being alone with Ryder now, and she really shouldn’t have left with him. But it was too late to take her actions back now.

  She blew out a resigned breath. “Fine. But I hope they have a gift shop,” she muttered, needing a change of clothes because nothing about this trip had been thought through.

  She climbed out of the car and Ryder helped her gather the train and fold it up so she could hold it over one arm. Then together, they walked into the main area of the resort and headed to the reception desk.

  “I assume you have a reservation?” the woman behind the counter asked, her gaze traveling over Ryder in his suit, Sierra in her white gown.

  “Umm, no. But we’d like a room for a couple of days,” Ryder said with a smile.

  “One night,” Sierra countered.

  He frowned at her and the girl behind the desk looked confused. She typed something into the computer and glanced up at them. “Our honeymoon suite is booked and we only have suites, not rooms, but I’m sure you’ll love what’s available. All of our suites have round king-size beds beneath celestial ceilings, log-burning fireplaces, and heart-shaped tubs or champagne-glass-shaped whirlpool spas.”

  Sierra felt her mouth drop open at the description. It was everything she’d seen in commercials as a young, love-struck girl dreaming of romance.

  “I don’t think–”

  “We’ll take one,” he said, cutting her off.

  The clerk looked back and forth between them, a definite furrow between her eyebrows. “We can only offer you two nights. I’m sorry but we’re booked after that.”

  Before she could utter another word, Ryder slid his credit card across the counter. “We’ll stay both nights. And the airline lost our luggage, so do you think you could hook us up with the basics?” he asked.

  She was grateful he was thinking of everything, even if she was still annoyed with him. Besides, she was beyond uncomfortable in the wedding gown, and Sierra hoped the woman could help them.

  The clerk’s gaze softened at the mention of missing suitcases. “That’s awful and frustrating. I’ll send up toiletries and amenities,” the woman said. “There are bathrobes in the rooms, and the gift shop and stores open tomorrow morning. You’ll be able to pick up more things to wear then.”

  “Thank you,” Sierra said, appreciating the woman’s kindness.

  “We’re grateful for anything you can do,” Ryder said.

  He slipped a tip across the counter and the clerk glanced down and grinned at him. “Thank you. I’ll call housekeeping right now. In the meantime, here are your key cards. Breakfast and dinner are included. A continental breakfast is served in the room tomorrow. I’ll even throw in some parts of our honeymoon package,” she whispered to Ryder, making Sierra wonder how much money he’d given her.

  No matter the amount, she had no intention of making use of their specialty package, she thought, exhaustion seeping into her bones despite her long nap. The day had been overwhelming and was definitely catching up with her.

  She unwittingly sagged against him, and his arm immediately came out, wrapping around her, holding her for the first time in forever. It took all her willpower not to lean her head against him and let him take over.

  “Come on, sweetheart. You look dead on your feet,” Ryder said, and taking her by surprise, he swept her into his arms.

  Just like a real bride.

  Although she wanted to argue, she was just beginning to realize how much her feet ached from the high-heeled designer shoes she’d worn. Keeping her mouth shut and letting him hold her had nothing to do with how much she liked the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her. Or the notion of being carried across the threshold of their romantic suite.

  Once more, she pushed the thought of what should have been happening tonight aside. It didn’t matter whether or not Jason would have carried her over the threshold or let her walk across on her own. He’d abandoned her, she thought, and to her surprise, tears stung her eyes.

  Despite being prepared, when they walked inside, the over-the-top décor took her by surprise. The room was red and white, from the bedding on the circular mattress to the drapes hanging over the windows and the red lacquer dressers and night tables.

  Across the room she saw the bathtub reachable by a set of stairs. “Oh my God.”

  “Welcome to the Champagne Tower Suite,” Ryder said, lowering her carefully to her feet.

  “That’s obscene,” she muttered.

  “Or sexy,” he whispered in her ear.

  She trembled, nipples puckering, and she stepped aside, annoyed with her body’s reaction to him. Feet cramping, she immediately kicked off her heels and pushed them to the corner of the room.

  She didn’t know how she was going to survive the romance of this place with Ryder staying in the same room with her. Yes, it was cheesy, but there was something romantic about it if she let her imagination run away with her, and surrounded by the color of hearts and flowers, which sat on the table, it was hard not to. Especially since she used to fantasize about honeymooning here with him.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked, drawing her attention.

  She glanced over her shoulder. “I don’t know if I’m more hungry or tired. I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep before we even get room service delivered.”

  His g
aze softened. “Let’s just put in for an early breakfast.”

  “Sounds good.” She glanced at the bed, realizing they were obviously going to be sharing that cozy mattress. She also knew she couldn’t sleep in a heavy terrycloth robe, which meant she was climbing into that bed in her bra and panties. She blushed at the thought.

  “Your cheeks are pink. What’s going through your mind?” he asked.

  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I have nothing to sleep in.”

  His gaze darkened. “You can wear my shirt.”

  She shook her head. She wasn’t about to cuddle up and be surrounded by his masculine scent. It was going to be hard enough to sleep beside him.

  “I can’t sleep when I feel confined,” she said, using a legitimate and acceptable excuse that wouldn’t embarrass her. She normally got in bed wearing a short silk camisole that she barely felt on her skin. “I’ll make do. Can you help me get out of this dress?”

  He walked up behind her and she was immediately aware of him, the warmth of his body as he came close. “Lift your hair,” he said in a gruff voice.

  She raised the heavy strands and pulled them over her shoulder, then felt his big hands come to the tiny buttons that began midway down her back. He struggled with the size of them, muttering as he worked, his breath warm as he leaned closer for a better look.

  His scent was familiar and arousing, her imagination running away as his hands touched the buttons the way they’d once danced over her skin. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, awareness sizzling through her veins. Need pulsing inside her. Her thong panties were damp, her nipples hard, desire a living, breathing thing inside her . . .

  In all her time with Jason, she’d never experienced passion like she had with Ryder, and the fact that just his nearness had her hyperaware of him put her on alert to the fact that her feelings for him hadn’t dissipated in the time they’d been apart.

  “There. Finished.”

  Ryder stepped back and she nearly sagged with relief. She’d come so close to turning around and plastering herself against him, reliving a past that she’d never quite gotten over.

  It had been one thing for her to acknowledge to her brother that she didn’t share a passionate love with Jason, but to experience the difference now with Ryder was disconcerting. Just a few touches from Ryder made her truly realize exactly how much she’d been willing to give up in her marriage.

  And on that thought… “I’m going to the bathroom and I’d like to climb into the bed without you watching.”

  He frowned. “I just unbuttoned your dress lower than your ass. Besides, what I haven’t seen just now, I’ve seen before,” he reminded her.

  “Not lately you haven’t.” She stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her, frustrated with herself for feeling anything for him at all.

  Before she could even let the dress slide off her shoulders, a knock sounded on the bathroom door. “What?” she called out.

  “Housekeeping brought some toiletries,” he said.

  “Thanks,” she said, accepting the Paradise-Cove-labeled bag through the door and then shutting it quickly, luckily not catching his hand as she did.

  A little while later, she’d brushed her teeth, washed her face, and cleaned up after the long day. After hanging her dress on the hook behind the door, she stepped back into the room to find he was already in bed. His bare chest peeked out from beneath the red satin comforter as he waited for her to join him, tanned and muscular and more appealing than she wanted him to be.

  Those strong arms had once held her tight, given her comfort, and caused her arousal. She wished what she felt was only sexual, but this was the man she’d loved and had dreamed of spending the rest of her life with in a way much different than the plans she’d made with Jason.

  After the breakup, she’d spent years seeing him with Sebastian, blocking out her feelings for him, and ignoring the pang of regret that inevitably came with him being near. She hadn’t been the one to end things, and despite being hurt by his actions, her feelings hadn’t turned off as easily as she’d wanted them to. Viewing him in that luxurious bed now was like a punch in the stomach, creating a yearning she’d tried to push away a long time ago.

  “Shut your eyes,” she bit out, knowing she was being childish, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t ready to parade in front of him in the see-through bra and panties she’d bought to wear beneath her wedding gown, for her wedding night. With another man.

  She shuddered at the thought, wondering why she hadn’t spent more time mourning Jason’s loss than she had thinking about being in a honeymoon suite with her first love. Ryder had ruined her wedding and the future she’d had planned… and yet she’d left the church with him willingly. She didn’t like herself very much right now.

  “Come on,” Ryder said, placing his hand over his eyes. “They’re closed.” He’d shut off the overhead lights in the room, leaving the lamp on by the nightstand.

  Having no choice but to trust him not to peek, she walked out and came to the bed, sliding into the satin sheets. She pulled the comforter up around her and sighed. “I’m good.”

  He lowered his arm and met her gaze, his expression contrite. “It’s going to be okay,” he said, although he couldn’t know any such thing.

  “So now you can read the future?”

  “I wish,” he muttered. “No. I just have faith. For now, though, can we just get some sleep?”

  “Yeah.” She knew they’d have plenty of time to talk tomorrow, although she wasn’t looking forward to a rehash of the past or the present. But maybe for both of their sakes, they needed to resolve their issues and her anger over the end of the relationship once and for all. So that she could figure out what she really wanted for her future, though she was beginning to suspect that it wasn’t with Jason, a man who’d so easily walked away from her at the first sign of trouble.

  Turning on her side away from him, she punched the pillows and curled into the soft sheets. She was exhausted from the events of the day, which should be running through her head. The loss of the future she’d planned, the things at home waiting for her, presents to return, apologies to be made, boxes to unpack. But those things weren’t first and foremost on her mind.

  Because when she breathed in deep, she smelled the musky scent of the man beside her. And whether it was her imagination or not, she imagined she could feel the warmth of him beside her. Her body was well aware of his presence, and her heart banged loudly in her chest, anxiety clawing at her, not because of what she’d lost but because of the possible reasons Ryder had objected at her wedding.

  Like it or not, he was back in her life. She didn’t know what she’d be doing with him… and that was the real cause of the apprehension keeping her awake. Not the man shifting beside her, also unable to sleep.

  * * * *

  Ryder woke up to Sierra wrapped around him, her mostly naked body plastered to his, his cock hard, morning wood making itself known. It’d taken him forever to fall asleep last night. He was too aware of the woman curled away from him, trying her best to stick to her side of the bed. So he was shocked now that her head was in the crook of his arm, her hands on his chest, her knee hiked up over his legs.

  When he heard a knock on the door, he assumed it was room service bringing breakfast. He slid out from beneath her, and though she shifted and moaned, winding herself around the pillow instead of him, she didn’t wake up.

  The waiter set up their continental breakfast on the table before accepting a tip and leaving him alone. He took in the double coffee cups, the muffins and croissants and other baked goods, and headed back to see if Sleeping Beauty was awake.

  He stepped over to the bed and eased himself down onto the mattress. The round shape was disconcerting. He settled back against the pillows, and no sooner had he relaxed than Sierra rolled back, positioning herself against him once more. They hadn’t slept in the same bed in the past. She’d been a senior in high school and her sp
ending the night wasn’t an option. But when they’d lie outside in her backyard, this was the position she’d take.

  Wrapping an arm around her, he closed his eyes and breathed in her sweet scent, different now but no less alluring. She appealed to him on many levels beyond sexual. Her sharp mind, her normally sweet personality, although he understood why she wasn’t treating him to that part of her now. She loved family the way he did, wanted similar things out of their future. He knew because she’d laid it all out for him once upon a time.

  And he’d thrown it all away. For good reasons, but it didn’t make him feel any better or change their situation now.

  He must have fallen back to sleep, and when he woke up, they were wound around each other still.

  Sierra’s eyes opened wide and she attempted to pull away but he held on tight. “Don’t.”

  With a resigned sigh, she laid her head against his chest. “What are we doing?” she asked him, voice calmer than yesterday.

  She was obviously more relaxed and accepting of their situation than she’d been.

  “We are exploring our options. Seeing what’s still between us.”

  “We are?”

  “You tell me.” He was putting out feelers, testing where she was when it came to him.

  She swallowed hard, her throat moving against his skin. “I don’t know, Ryder. You can’t just interrupt my wedding and now say we’re going to see what’s still between us.”

  At her unwillingness to fall in line with the plans he wanted, his heart kicked harder in his chest. “Tell me something.”

  “Hmm?”

  “I know I ruined your big day.” There was no getting past that. “But did I… I mean, were you really in love with him?”

  It was a stupid question. On the one hand, she’d been in a wedding dress, ready to commit her life to the other man. On the other, she had gotten into the car with him, so Ryder held his breath for her answer.

  “I was going to marry Jason.”