Nothing. Absolutely positively nothing.
When the kiss finally ended, Bianca leaned back against the seat and released a heavy sigh.
26
For You I Do
“Is everything okay?” Collin asked and stared at her with those big, round eyes that she loved so much.
“Yes,” she lied and pasted on a smile.
“You sure?” he asked with annoying uncertainty. “I’m not pushing you to marry too soon, am I?”
Under normal circumstances, yes, but not in her case. The sooner they married the better off she would be.
“No, four weeks from now is perfect.” Now all she had to do was find a way to keep her family from snooping around in her personal life for that long.
Collin laced her fingers with his. “I don’t mean to rush you, but I love you so much and can’t wait to make you my wife. I’m just afraid my unit is deploying and I don’t want to leave for a year without knowing I have you in my life.”
“Sweetheart, really, it’s okay.” He’d been trying to justify his reasons for rushing their marriage for the last week and it was starting to drive her nuts.
“That’s what I love about you most. Your understanding that I have a military obligation.” He gave her another kiss, then climbed out of the car, and came around to her side and opened the door. Taking her hand, he helped her out of the car then led her up the walkway toward her door. Bianca noticed that she had forgotten to turn on the light. The porch was dark.
She looked over at him. “You want to go to New York for the weekend? We can check out a Broadway play.”
Collin dropped his eyes to the ground then cleared his throat.
“I was going to talk to you about that. My unit is sending me to Virginia next Friday to do some training.”
Her brow rose. Why was this the first time he was mention-ing this, she wondered. She looked over at him. The moonlight was obscured by clouds, so she was unable to read the expression on his face to tell if he was as upset as she was. “How long are you going to be gone?”
“Three days,” he answered crisply, taking the keys from her hand and leaning around her to unlock the front door. “I should be home by Monday.”
Her eyebrows knitted with disapproval. It seemed as if every month his unit was sending him somewhere else.
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Sensing her irritation, Collin pulled her into the circle of his arms and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t be mad at me.
I know this is last minute, but that’s the way it is in the military.”
He paused and released a frustrated breath. “That’s one of the reasons I’m getting out as soon as my enlistment contract is up.”
Bianca was relieved to hear that. Since they had begun dating, Collin’s unit had him flying all over the country on numerous assignments.
Releasing her, Collin turned the knob and opened the door.
Light spilled out from the foyer. “We’ll spend some quality time together when I get back.”
“I’m not liking this one bit. How about I go with you?”
Bianca asked.
Collin gave her an innocent smile. “Baby, you know you can’t go with me. I’m an airman. I took an oath to serve my country and that’s just the way it is. These are solo missions.”
“It doesn’t mean I have to like it,” she said, pouting.
He pulled her tighter in his arms, pressed his lips to her forehead then pulled back and gazed lovingly down into her eyes. “I know, baby, and we’re going to do something special when I get back.”
She sighed. He seemed sincerely upset about leaving again and her anger was swallowed by a wave of guilt. It wasn’t his fault that his job sent him away so much. Being an airman in the U.S. Air Force was not just what he did, it was who her fiancé was. And instead of being selfish she should be proud of the role he played in serving his country.
“I’m sorry. I’m just getting a little tired of rarely being able to spend a weekend with my fiancé.”
He nodded then leaned forward. “We’ll do something special when I get back. I promise.”
Bianca smiled. She was being ridiculous. “Okay.”
He leaned down to brush a kiss over her lips. “Good night.”
“How about a limo ride to the airport on Friday? I’ll pick you up at your apartment,” she asked softly to his retreating back.
When he looked over his shoulder, a smile curled his lips.
“That would be great. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She walked into the house, showered and put on something 28
For You I Do
comfortable then moved to the refrigerator. A bottle of white wine was sitting on the top shelf. Frowning, she hesitated, then reached for a bottle of water and headed into the family room. Bianca flopped down on the couch and sat there as her eyes traveled around the room that had become her comfort zone. The walls were a soft peach, the windows were covered with cream-colored vertical fabric blinds with sheer white skirts and the overstuffed couch and love seat were upholstered with peach and cream fabric. The 2,200 square-foot home was her sanctuary. Last year when she decided to move out, her parents tried to come up with every reason why she needed to continue to live with them, but for once Bianca stood her ground and a month later she spotted the town house in a gated community on the outskirts of Sheraton Beach and knew the corner lot with a magnificent view of the ocean had been waiting just for her.
That had been her first claim of independence from her parents.
Growing up under the control of three older brothers, while trying to assert her independence, had been difficult. But for the last year she had not wavered. Though she knew her family loved her and wanted what was best for her, Bianca was ready to finally live her life. That included making decisions about which man she wanted to marry.
Bianca reached for the remote and after turning on the television, she flipped through the channels until she found one of her favorite movies, Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts. She sank low into the cushions with a large throw draped across her feet and lost herself in the love story.
Midway through the movie, she released a heavy sigh. For years she dreamed of falling in love the same way as the characters in the movie. But then she realized that Pretty Woman was strictly fiction. Love was nothing like that. Or anything like the love stories she read in romance novels.
She loved, respected and admired Collin and his chosen career. But nothing she felt was anything at all like the stories she read. Those stories were all just fairy tales—make-believe.
Glancing over at the five-by-seven photo of her fiancé on the oak end table, she pursed her lips. She was deeply fond of Collin and Angie Daniels
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they would have a good life together. That was what was important. Bianca was certain she would make a wonderful military wife.
As she watched Richard Gere kiss Julia Roberts, she wished it were her. If only Collin made her heart flutter, then she’d be the happiest woman in the world.
But it was too late. Regardless of what doubts she had, she couldn’t change her mind now. She had made a promise to him.
And then there was that other reason…
Chapter 5
The elevator doors opened on the main floor and Bianca moved across the sparkling-white, marbled lobby of the Beaumont Hotel, leaving behind the sweet, sensual scent of her perfume.
As she passed by, the aroma wafted under London’s nose, instantly conjuring up wicked thoughts. Briefly, he lowered his eyelids and inhaled. The scent was as captivating as the woman who wore it.
Tossing aside the newspaper he had been using to shield his face, he settled back into the plush chair he’d occupied in the lobby for the last half hour. With great interest, London watched as Bianca walked over to the front desk to talk to the reception staff.
The manager rushed out of the office behind the desk and was standing there in a black suit, smiling dow
n at his boss with admiration and respect. From where he was sitting, London could hear the manager complimenting Bianca on how fabulous she looked in a paisley suit with black stiletto heels.
An amused smile crossed London’s lips. Bianca, and everyone in her family, was treated like royalty in their small town. The Beaumont Hotel was responsible for providing em-Angie Daniels
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ployment for over twenty-five percent of the residents of Sheraton Beach and also allowed several local merchants to set up boutiques in the lobby for a fraction of what it would have cost anywhere else. Because of that, some residents of Sheraton Beach were intimidated by them, while others who knew how much they bolstered the local economy jumped when any of the Beaumonts snapped their fingers.
Well, most people. The Beaumont Corporation—and all the money, prestige and privilege associated with it—was definitely impressive. But it had never intimidated London. After his mother died, of brain cancer when he was ten, his father had raised him and his four sisters. The restaurant never made enough to put them in high society or given them the privileges the Beaumont children had, but that didn’t stop him and Jaden from becoming best friends.
London remembered the first time he had been invited to Beaumont Manor; he had whistled under his breath at the size of the house, which was well over nine thousand square feet. He’d been amazed at the Olympic-size pool in the back. They had private tennis and basketball courts. It took a month of visits before he finally got used to the Beaumonts’ wealth and realized that they were just regular folks who happened to have big-time money.
Pushing his memories aside, London focused on Bianca, who was talking on her cell phone. Since Jaden had dropped by his house last Friday, London had been following her all over town and enjoying every minute of it.
While she sat down in a chair in the corner and chatted, London allowed his mind to travel back nine years to the first time he’d ever laid eyes on Bianca. She had been sitting at the kitchen table at Beaumont Manor, holding a pen in the manner of a cigarette. Sixteen-year-old Bianca had appeared to be deep in thought, not realizing that she was a being watched.
Even then he knew that Bianca might be that one woman who might make him think twice about settling down, which was why it was probably for the best when she stopped answering his phone calls. He’d wanted a sexual relationship and Bianca had wanted so much more from a man. Watching her, he wondered if maybe agreeing to do this favor for Jaden had been a mistake.
Bianca sat with her legs crossed and he admired their shape-32
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liness. The short paisley suit of gold and brown complemented her toasted-pecan complexion. Never one for a lot of jewelry, he was surprised that she was wearing a diamond necklace and matching dangling earrings. A gold watch accented the ensemble. Her short brown hair was combed back away from her face and her makeup was flawless. The red color on her lips was daring him to come across the lobby and kiss her. It was a tempting offer.
London frowned. He was on a mission, he reminded himself.
He watched as Bianca rose, returned her phone to her purse and waved goodbye to the girl behind the front desk. London stood as she headed to the revolving doors at the entrance of the hotel. Just before she left the elegant hotel, she stopped long enough to look over her shoulder, almost as if she knew she was being watched.
London held his breath until Bianca finally turned and moved through the door. After waiting until the count of five, he followed.
London reached the revolving door as the valet helped Bianca into the sleek black limousine. From the other side of the glass, London watched as she climbed gracefully into the car and slid across the smooth leather seat. Bianca crossed her long legs, closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The valet shut the door and the driver pulled out.
London headed over to his SUV, which he had left in the visitors’ parking lot in front of the hotel. He pulled out his keys, climbed in behind the wheel and within seconds was following at a close distance behind the limo. The Beaumont Hotel was located on a hill at the center of town. He followed the vehicle down the slope to the heart of downtown.
While obeying the twenty-mile-an-hour speed limit, his eyes traveled up and down the wide cobblestone streets that were lined with single-story buildings and mom-and-pop stores.
Sheraton Beach, a beachfront town with a population of less than five thousand, was ready to come alive in a little over a month when the Memorial Day weekend marked the beginning of the tourist season. Then restaurants would be filled and parking would be next to impossible. Beaches would be packed with tourists eager for a respite from the workday world and a nice tan.
When the airport limo came to a halt on Main Street, London Angie Daniels
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pulled into an empty parking spot a few yards away and waited.
In a matter of seconds, a tall, dark brown man with a beefy frame and a low-fade haircut came into view. He was wearing an air force battle-dress uniform.
Collin Clark.
After spotting his car parked in Bianca’s driveway two nights ago, London had run his license plate and discovered her fiancé’s name, address and military history. Collin Clark was a twenty-nine-year-old decorated airman who was up for promotion next month. So far he seemed legitimate, but London was still awaiting further information that he should have by the end of the day.
London’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel when Bianca climbed out of the vehicle, and threw herself into the man’s waiting arms. He watched the two of them share a passionate kiss. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much seeing someone else holding her that way, but it did.
The driver came around, took Collin’s duffel bag and loaded it in the limousine’s trunk, while Collin took Bianca’s hand and helped her back into the vehicle. Within minutes they were on their way again.
What was wrong with him? During the next several miles, London’s mind was racing with images, wishing it was him in the backseat of the limousine with Bianca. He could only imagine what the two of them were doing as they drove slowly through town and onto a service road, heading in the direction of the airport. It appeared that Collin was going on a little trip, which meant London wouldn’t be able to track his whereabouts for the next couple of days.
He followed the couple to the airport and watched Bianca drop him off. Collin climbed out, kissed her goodbye and watched her pull off before heading inside the airport.
As soon as the limousine was around the corner, London pulled into a drop-off spot and put his flashers on. Climbing out of his car, he was ready to risk getting towed to find out where Collin was flying to when he spotted him coming back outside the airport. After looking both ways, a smile curled his lips as he hailed a cab.
With his eyes glued to Collin, London climbed back inside 34
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his SUV and waited until the cab pulled away from the curb, then followed at a safe distance.
When the cat’s away, the mice will play. And that’s what London was hoping for.
It was showtime.
Chapter 6
It only took a couple of hours for London to discover that Collin was scum.
After leaving the airport, London followed Collin back to his rented apartment. Within minutes after returning, Collin hopped into his parked car and drove away. London followed him to Chester, Pennsylvania where Collin pulled into the driveway of a small ranch home in a new subdivision, where he was greeted at the door by a curvaceous, chocolate beauty. She wrapped her arms around him with a kiss that left very little doubt in his mind that this woman was not Collin’s sister.
An hour later, London realized that the two didn’t know what closing the blinds meant, because they’d left theirs wide open, making taking photographs easy. He followed Collin all weekend, which was easy because the loser spent the entire time in Pennsylvania with the lovely woman. At the mall. At the movies holding hands, and visiting friends. Sunday afterno
on, London finally received a call from a buddy from his old security forces unit, who was now assigned to Dover Air Force Base, and 36
For You I Do
found out that the house was not only Collin’s permanent address, but the woman was his wife.
Now he had to find a way to tell Bianca.
That Sunday evening, London was parked in front of her house when his phone rang. Without looking at the ID, he flipped it open.
“London speaking.”
“Did you find out anything?”
He closed his eyes at the sound of Jaden’s voice, wishing he had checked the caller ID first. “Nothing concrete.”
“What does that mean?” Jaden asked impatiently.
He lifted his eyelids in time to watch a light come on in the living room. “It means that I have my suspicions but I need to confirm what I suspect before I tell you what I discovered.”
There was a pause. Jaden was not used to being blown off. “I can hear it in your voice. You know something.” When London didn’t answer, he asked, “He’s using my sister, isn’t he?”
“Not if I can help it.” And London was a man of his word.
On Monday, Bianca came home after a long day at work. She changed into workout shorts and a T-shirt, put on her favorite pair of flip-flops and went into the kitchen for a cup of tea. While the water warmed, she reached in the cookie jar for a couple of shortbread cookies, took a seat and nibbled. Glancing over at the clock on the wall, she noted that she had two hours before she was supposed to leave for the airport to pick up Collin.
Only seconds after the microwave’s timer informed her that her water was ready, she heard a car in the driveway. Rising from the chair, she hurried over to the window and peered out between the blinds. A swooshing rush of breath escaped from her parted lips just as her eyes widened in surprise.
London Brown!
What in the world did he want? Not waiting to find out, Bianca quickly hurried out of the kitchen and down the hall to her bedroom. Glancing at her reflection in the mirror, she frowned. Just as she thought, her hair was a mess. Reaching across her dresser, she grabbed a comb and while looking in her Angie Daniels
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