Her eyebrows closed together.
“Oh, right. I forgot.” She glanced at her watch. Six thirty-four. “I’m sorry, but I have to go right now. I’m picking up my mom at the airport. I promised to have dinner with her this evening.”
“I see.” He scratched his head. “Okay, well, may I see you tomorrow?”
She smiled. It was so cute how he managed to stay in character.
“Of course.”
Unless he’d forgotten that the rehearsal dinner was tomorrow.
“How about dinner?” she hinted.
“Hmm. I have this rehearsal dinner for my brother tomorrow. He’s getting married on Saturday.”
Oh, he really was being so cute.
“Oh, really? Your brother?”
“I don’t think he’d mind if I brought a date.”
She stepped toward him, then ran her hand along his naked chest, through the sprinkle of hair, then downward, enjoying the feel of his well-defined abs. There must have been some great gym at the hotel in Paris. She smiled. Maybe he’d worked out every day to ease the tension of not being with her.
“I’m sure no one will mind if you bring a date.” She nipped his earlobe and murmured breathily, “In fact, I’m sure they’ll expect it.”
“Well, it certainly will make my mother happy.”
She laughed. She’d yet to meet his mother. That would happen for the first time tomorrow at the rehearsal. She desperately hoped she’d make a good impression.
At that reminder of mothers, she kissed his cheek and rushed to the door.
“I’ve really got to go.”
“Wait, I need your address so I can pick you up.”
She laughed.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll be coming straight after a meeting.” She pulled open the door. “I’ll meet you here. The Autumn Ballroom. Six o’clock.” She closed the door behind her.
JAKE STARED AT the closed door. How did she know? Then he noticed the basket she’d been looking at. He tugged the little envelope from the spike and pulled out the card.
Dear Jake,
You won’t stay at my place so here’s something to make the room more homey. The invitation will remind you of the time and place for tomorrow.
Ryan
He flicked the soft pink parchment card attached to the ribbon. That’s how she’d figured it out. She’d seen the invitation. She was quick, that one.
He couldn’t wait to introduce her to his mother. He was certain Mom would be thrilled.
CHAPTER 8
JENNA AND HER mother walked past the tall palm plants in the large atrium on the top floor of the Westerly Inn. She and Ryan had booked a room overlooking the river for this afternoon and had invited their parents, siblings, and the wedding party for a get-together before the rehearsal. A few people had already arrived, judging from the voices trickling from the room.
“Oh, it’s beautiful, dear,” Mom said as they stepped inside. Wall-to-wall windows displayed a magnificent view of the river and the mountains beyond. A string quartet played soft background music.
“Come outside and see the view,” Jenna insisted. She led Mom to the double doors leading out to a balcony, knowing she’d love the flowering plants in large planters. Jenna didn’t know what the large purple flowers were, but Mom definitely would.
As Jenna pulled the door open for her mother, she spotted Dad and Shane heading their way. From the way her mother clamped tight on Jenna’s arm, she knew Mom had, too.
“I really don’t want to talk to him right now.”
“You know, you’re bound to run into him sometime over the next couple of days. For instance, while we’re doing the wedding photos.”
“I know, dear. Just not now.”
“Fine, I’ll head him off.”
Her mother went out to the balcony and Jenna closed the door behind her. She wished her mother would get over her discomfort around her father. Jenna knew that the breakup of their marriage had something to do with the fact that her mother had fallen in love with another man. Not that Mom had told her that, but it wasn’t hard to figure out, since she started seeing a man shortly after the separation and was married within six months of the divorce. Jenna had learned to love her new stepfather, Henry. But ever since his death seven years ago, she had secretly hoped her parents would reconcile. She sighed, knowing she should face facts. Mom was sure that Dad would never forgive her for cheating on him. Maybe she was right. How could a relationship survive that kind of betrayal?
“Jenna.” Her father stepped up to her with open arms.
She smiled and fell into them.
“Daddy, it’s so nice to see you again.” She hugged him tight. “How was your flight from Vancouver?”
“Long. As always.”
“Gidday, sis.”
She turned around to see Shane approaching them. She beamed and dashed into his arms. His bear hug nearly knocked the wind from her.
“Hey, big brother.”
He’d been working in Australia for the past year and she’d missed him. He’d returned last week but, since he lived in Toronto, this was the first she’d seen him. She and Ryan had held off the wedding for a couple of weeks to coincide with his return. She was glad it had worked out so well. If it had been a couple of months later, she would have been showing. She gave him a big kiss, then linked her arm with his.
JAKE STEPPED INTO the room, glancing around to see if he spotted Ryan or their parents. He wanted to mention that he’d invited a date before Aurora arrived. His gaze swept across the room, past a dozen or so guests, then settled on three people by the balcony doors. An older man and a couple embracing. As the woman pulled back, he stiffened as he realized it was Aurora. The man slid his arm around her waist. Anger and jealousy swept through him as he watched, dumbfounded. How the hell did she know people here?
His fists clenched. Of course, this woman didn’t need to know a man before she’d follow him back to his room and make love to him. Hadn’t she gone off with Jake himself, a stranger, a mere two months ago?
“Hey, Ryan, how’s it going?” The woman he’d seen Aurora with on the night they met stepped up to him. What the hell was she doing here? Why would Aurora invite her along?
“I’m not Ryan. I’m his brother, Jake.”
“Jake? Yeah, right.”
He ignored her odd tone and glared in Aurora’s direction.
“Look, Cindy, is it?” He pointed to Aurora. “Who is that guy?”
Cindy glanced around and smiled.
“Oh, that’s right. You’ve never met her family. That’s her brother, Shane. The other is her dad.”
Relief surged through him, followed by confusion at why Aurora would have brought family and a friend along on their date. He turned back to Cindy.
“So why are you here?” he asked, keeping his tone amiable.
“Well, I am the bride-to-be’s best friend and her maid of honor. I wouldn’t miss it.”
His eyebrows raised at the odd coincidence.
“You know Jenna Kerry?”
She rapped him on the arm lightly with her fist.
“Ryan, you’re just a barrel of laughs today, aren’t you?”
“I told you, I’m not Ryan. I’m Jake. We’re identical twins.”
Cindy laughed but Jake’s attention fixed on Aurora, who had spotted him and approached, the soft sway of her hips and her luminous smile mesmerizing him.
“Hi there.” Her low, sexy murmur reminded him of warm sheets and naked skin. Her eyes, kitten-soft, shone warmly as she gazed at him.
“Hi.” The tenderness of his voice clearly conveyed his love for her.
Cindy guffawed. “Yeah, and you’re trying to tell me you aren’t Ryan. Just look at the two of you all moon-eyed for each other.”
Aurora gave her friend a sidelong glance, a bemused smile on her face. “What are you talking about, Cindy?”
“Your sweetie here has been trying to convince me his name is Jake.” Cindy leaned in close
to her. “I think he’s trying to lure you away to relive that fantasy again.”
Aurora giggled. “We already did.”
Cindy gave Jake a speculative glance, then grinned like the Cheshire cat. “Well, girl, do tell me all about it.”
Aurora bopped her on the arm. “Cindy, you’re awful. Don’t embarrass him.”
She tucked her arm around his and drew him away from Cindy, laughing quietly.
“If you’re trying to steal me away from the party,” she said, “I think you should wait until the festivities are over.”
He slid his arm around her waist. “I’ll certainly try to hold off that long.” He took both her arms and drew her close to him. “But I can’t wait for this.”
A soft murmur of approval surged through the small crowd as he slid his arms around her and dragged her close, capturing her lips with all the passion in his heart. She melted against him. Her lips moved under his, soft and sweet. As his blood simmered, he realized waiting would be harder than he’d thought.
Aurora’s friend, Cindy, gasped behind him.
“Oh, my God,” she said. “Uh, hello Mrs. Leigh, Mr. Leigh. Have a nice trip here?” Cindy asked.
Jenna stiffened a little, nervous about meeting Ryan’s parents, and now having to face them after this uncharacteristic public show of affection. She tried to ease away, but Ryan held her firm.
“Very nice, dear,” an older woman, probably Ryan’s mother, said. “Uh, Ryan, why is your brother kissing your wife-to-be?”
Ryan stiffened in her embrace, then his arms loosened around her and his hands shifted to her shoulders as he drew back. Jenna gazed up at an ashen-faced Ryan staring at her as if he’d never seen her before.
“Ryan, what’s wrong?” she murmured.
“Jenna?” he whispered hoarsely.
“Yes?” She felt her stomach clench. What was wrong with him?
He shook his head. “I’m not Ryan.”
She just stared at him. His words made no sense to her.
Then her blood turned cold. His mother’s comment, a comment that had made no sense, trickled through her consciousness. Why is your brother kissing your wife-to-be? The meaning of those words danced in and out of her mind, ultimately eluding her. Somehow, the consequences seemed too threatening, too frightening even to consider.
Slowly, she turned sideways, toward the voices. An elegant elderly woman stared at her with intense gray-blue eyes full of curiosity. Holding her elbow was a very irate-looking Ryan.
Ryan!
A sick feeling bubbled through her stomach and she felt as if she was going to throw up. She turned her head back to face the man she’d just been kissing.
Ryan. Jake?
“Oh, God.” The words trickled from her in a very small, tight voice. Her fingers clamped down, clutching the fine wool fabric of his suit sleeves.
She glanced from one Ryan to the other, feeling faint. Suddenly, the whole situation became clear. The man who held her in his arms, who’d just kissed her with such passion—whom she’d just kissed with such passion—was not her beloved fiancé, but a complete stranger.
“Oh, God,” she uttered again, as she remembered her fantasy lover. A complete stranger.
Tears prickled at her eyes. The air around her felt thick and heavy, almost impossible to breathe. The light seemed to fade and her knees turned to rubber. She felt arms tighten around her as consciousness fled into the waiting darkness.
JAKE’S HEART SANK and a numbness claimed his body as he slipped his arm under her legs and lifted the unconscious woman into his arms. Her head fell against his shoulder.
He couldn’t believe it. Aurora was actually Jenna. Ryan’s wife-to-be.
Cindy rushed toward him. She took Jenna’s hand and patted it frantically.
“Oh, no, she’s fainted.” Cindy’s hand clamped around Jake’s arm. “Let’s get her somewhere she can lie down.”
She led him forward but Ryan stepped in front of them. His hands planted firmly on his hips, he leaned toward them slightly.
“What the hell did you think you were doing?” Ryan demanded. Fierce anger stormed in his eyes.
Jake faced his brother’s barely contained rage, suppressing a little anger of his own. Jake had fallen in love with Aurora—Jenna, he reminded himself—only to find out she was going to marry his brother. How could he not be angry at the man responsible for stealing his happiness?
“Ryan, I didn’t know she was your fiancée,” he said through gritted teeth. “Do you really think I would have kissed her if I’d known?” Impatience shimmered in his words.
Cindy planted a hand on each of their shoulders and held the distance between them.
“Look, you two,” she scolded. “Right now you need to think about Jenna. Deal with your own issues later.”
Ryan glared at his brother and forked out his arms. “She’s my fiancée. I’ll carry her.”
Reluctantly, Jake placed Aurora—Jenna—in his brother’s arms. Her head lolled to the side, resting against Ryan’s chest. A shock of jealousy burned through Jake at the sight.
A large, burly man in a tuxedo appeared, wringing his hands together.
“Is Miss Kerry alright?” The concern in his accented voice was clear.
Cindy drew the man through the gathering crowd of people surrounding them.
“Ryan, you remember Mr. Deluse, the catering manager?”
Ryan nodded his head, barely turning his glare from his brother. Cindy turned back to Mr. Deluse.
“Do you have somewhere we can take her?”
“Yes, of course.” He gestured toward the door. “Gentlemen, please follow me.”
He led them toward the elevators, then past them through a door to a service elevator. He inserted a key, then summoned the elevator. Ryan tapped his foot as they waited. Finally, the door slid open and they stepped inside. Mr. Deluse took them down to the lobby level, then led them down another hallway. He unlocked a door, flicked on a light switch, and ushered them inside.
“This is my office. There’s a couch over there.” The older gentleman led them to the couch and watched as Ryan settled Jenna on the burgundy leather sofa. “I’ll get some water. Would you like me to call an ambulance?”
Ryan’s face drained of blood, leaving it a ghostly white.
“No, Mr. Deluse,” Cindy jumped in. She rested her hand on Ryan’s arm. “She’ll be fine.”
She said it more to Ryan than to the other man, her tone reassuring. Ryan looked at her like a drowning man might at a lifeline thrown his way. She nodded, then turned back to Mr. Deluse.
“We just need to get her away from the excitement for a bit. Please just bring the water, and maybe a couple of drinks for Ryan and Jake.”
“Of course.” He rushed out the door, closing it behind him.
Ryan turned back to Jake, the storm flaring in his eyes again.
“Why in hell were you kissing my woman?” Ryan demanded.
Jake almost snapped back that he loved her and she loved him and he had every right to kiss her, but he stopped himself. Remembering their first time together and how she had told him her fantasy was to have sex with a stranger, he realized that she had believed he was Ryan all along. When she’d told him she loved him yesterday, she’d thought she’d been saying it to Ryan.
Jake’s heart broke right on the spot, and the devastating pain seared every nerve in his body. He drew in a deep breath, then sighed.
“I told you. I didn’t know she was your fiancée.” He kept his voice calm and steady, even though he felt anything but. “I thought she was a woman I’ve been . . . seeing.”
Cindy stared from one man to the other, her green eyes wide.
Ryan scoffed. “You’re trying to tell me Jenna has an exact double in Montreal and you just happen to be dating her?”
“No, I met her here.”
Ryan stopped in his tracks. His eyes narrowed as he stared intently at his brother. “When, exactly?”
“Two months
ago. The day I flew down to meet with you before the meeting with Bryer Associates.”
Cindy made a choking noise. She’d obviously figured it out.
Ryan’s expression turned as dark as a thunderstorm. Jake fully expected lightning to flash from his eyes.
Jake raked his hand through his hair. Damn, this was a total mess. The woman he wanted to marry more than anything in the world actually loved his brother, and would be marrying him tomorrow. The fact that Jake was brokenhearted didn’t mean his brother should suffer.
Good God, how can I tell Ryan I slept with his fiancée? Their relationship might never recover from this.
“Where did you meet her?”
“In this hotel. She was at a wedding.” He nodded toward Aurora’s—Jenna’s—friend. “She was with Cindy here.”
Cindy’s eyes widened even more and her head shook back and forth.
“How many times have you seen her?” Ryan demanded.
“Just that one time . . . and again yesterday.”
“Yesterday?” Ryan roared.
Cindy pressed her fist to her mouth, as though watching a disaster in action.
“I told you, I didn’t know—”
“What the hell difference does that make?” Ryan bellowed.
Cindy grasped Ryan’s wrist. “Calm down. This isn’t helping anything.” She stroked his arm in a soothing manner. “Look, Ryan, why don’t you go to housekeeping and get a towel or something so we can put a damp cloth on her forehead?”
He sucked in a deep breath, then nodded. “You’re right. That’s a good idea.”
Jake stared at the unconscious woman lying on the couch. The woman he loved. His brother’s fiancée.
She looked so fragile and pale lying there against the dark burgundy leather. This whole situation had certainly been a shock to all of them, but Jenna didn’t strike him as the fainting type.
“I wonder why she fainted,” Jake mused.
“Probably because she’s—” Cindy’s sentence ended abruptly. Jake glanced up in time to see Ryan shooting her a withering glare.
“Stress,” Ryan answered between clenched teeth. “Cindy, come with me to housekeeping.”
Opal Carew Page 8
