Weekend Wedding Deception (Dangerous Millionaires Series)

by Debra Andrews

  The man with the comb-over found a partner and Carly pushed them in next to Monica. When he attempted to pass the orange to Monica, she gave him a dirty look. With a huff, she grabbed the orange from the man with her hand.

  With a sly look, Monica thrust the orange under her chin. She turned to Jack, pretending she had not cheated. Then she rubbed her body against his, raising some catcalls from his cousins through the crowd as he grasped the orange under his chin.

  Jack turned. The next person he had to pass the orange to was Abby. Once again, he was struck by her beauty and old memories returned. He frowned and knew he had to control himself —she was his employee now, as well as his ex.

  Jack could tell Abby tried to keep her distance. He proceeded to get closer, trying to touch her as little as possible, too, but also to play the game and get it over with.

  Jack chuckled. “Abby, you’re making this impossible.”

  When he moved in closer, her breasts pressed into his jacket. He stared down at her cleavage, aghast. She was so close that he grew hard. Desire rode him like a horse. She had to feel what she did to him.

  Abby gasped. “Jack!”

  “You didn’t feel that.”

  “Yes, I did!”

  “That shouldn’t have happened. You’re too close.”

  He held her by the waist to move her hips a little away, but that threw her off balance. Abby’s breasts smashed into his chest. Then she managed to grasp the orange under her chin. When she turned away, the lacy part of her bodice was tangled with buttons of his jacket.

  She still held the orange under her chin. “Jack,” she cried, clutching his forearms. “I’m stuck.” He wrapped his arms around her. Electrical heat shot through him. To have her so near was like old times.

  She dropped the orange.

  Laughter erupted around them.

  Chris chuckled. “The game is over. Our line lost.”

  His cousin Trent clapped him on the back. “Way to go, Jack. You might have lost, but you win, too. You and Abby—together again.”

  Ignoring his cousins, Jack gazed down at Abby. She was so lovely. Memories of all those times he had held her in his arms rose in his mind.

  “At least I can enjoy the view,” he whispered to her. “But let’s see if we can fix this.”

  His Aunt Gertrude blasted out a cackle. “Monica, you’d better step aside. It looks like those two are hogtied forever.”

  Aunt Beatrice blurted, “No getting loose this time, Jack.”

  Jack couldn’t even guess what Monica’s face must look like after those comments from his aunts.

  Jack took Abby aside and slipped his hands between them to release her gown. That only made things worse, as he practically had to cup her breasts with both hands just to try to untangle the gown from the buttons on his jacket. All the while, he had to gaze down into her lovely cleavage… Still hard, he found himself growing from hard to rigid.

  “Jack!” Abby gasped, catching his attention. Her eyes flashed at him.

  “You’re only making this worse if you move.”

  “This is so embarrassing. Let’s sashay into the hallway or something?”

  Monica strode up to them. “Hallway? That won’t be necessary. Let me help.”

  She grabbed Abby’s shoulder, put her hand between Abby and Jack, and yanked. Abby’s dress ripped, revealing even more of Abby’s breasts over the top of her lacy bra.

  Abby clutched the torn material.

  “Monica!” Jack blasted. “We were handling it!”

  “I had to rip your dress, Abby,” Monica said through clenched teeth, “because you two looked like you needed some help, and he is my fiancé.”

  Abby blew out a deep breath and her shoulders drooped. “I should have realized this material could get caught on your buttons before we started the game… Jack, I’m sorry I’m always causing some sort of disaster.”

  She turned and hurried away. Instead of heading upstairs, where he thought she would go to change her clothes, Abby strode through the French doors to the patio.

  “May I repeat, Monica—we are not engaged yet,” Jack said in a steely voice. “And why don’t you stop mentioning our engagement because we haven’t made it official? I haven’t said yes to your proposal.”

  Monica’s mouth gaped open. Jack left her that way.

  He couldn’t let Abby go like this. Feelings for Abby roared through Jack like a raging waterfall. When he saw the balding man who had tried to dance with Abby move to follow her outside, Jack made a beeline for the door. He wanted to protect her and apologize to her for Monica’s actions as well as his own.

  CHAPTER SIX

  In need of fresh air, and trembling all over, Abby strode out of the ballroom and fled across the patio, leaving the laughter and music behind. She took the steps that led down to the boathouse. When she reached the moonlit lake, she leaned on the railing and took a few deep breaths of the heavy woodsy scent that filled the humid night. Stars overhead were obscured by clouds and dark sky. A feeling of oppression filled the night, matching her mood perfectly.

  The months she had spent shedding tears for Jack should have been enough, but now the pain overwhelmed her all over again. She swiped at the moisture on her cheeks. All this anguish for a man who had never loved her. She was an idiot.

  She reminded herself that in the past, all he’d really shared with her was their hot sexual chemistry that had raged between them. She felt his desire tonight, and had already faced that, for Jack, sexual attraction was all he had ever felt for her. And at least he’d never lied to her because he had never, ever, told her that he loved her. The loving part had been all on her end. Accepting that, feeling the way she did now made her doubly an idiot.

  There was a stillness to the night and even the crickets were silent now. A tear rolled down her cheek but then she realized something else was falling…

  Raindrops formed widening rings on the surface of the water. She shielded her face. She should have gone to her room instead of coming down to the lake. Perhaps she should run back to the house now and slip up the back stairs. If anyone saw her, she could blame the rain for ruining her eye makeup.

  “Abby!”

  She whirled around. A familiar dark figure moved into the light.

  “Jack?”

  “I followed you.”

  “Obviously, but go back before you get soaked too.” She clenched her teeth and leaned back against the railing. She didn’t want him to see her with tears spilling over her cheeks—for him. He’d know he had caused her distress.

  “Just a little rain. I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  She jerked her arms across her chest. “I’m fine.”

  The rain fell harder and pounded her hair and skin and still she stood there, praying he’d leave her alone.

  Jack took her arm. “Why are you standing out in the rain? Let’s go inside before we’re completely soaked.”

  They crossed the wharf to the cottage next to the boathouse. Jack pulled open the screen door and followed Abby inside the quaint, little house.

  “Although there is security on the grounds, my Uncle James said there might be cause for concern with a big gathering here. So I’m not sure that it’s safe for you to wander around alone on the estate at night.”

  “All right, I’ll be more careful.”

  “Why did you come here, Abby? Why didn’t you just go to your room and change your dress and return to the party?”

  Abby clicked on a small table lamp, thankful that the light was so low it barely illuminated the darkness.

  She dropped down on the loveseat, shivering. “Because what happened with my dress was totally embarrassing. It wasn’t about changing and going back,” she said through chattering teeth. She looked at him and frowned. “And why are you here, being so nice? I’m surprised you’re not angry at me for causing you more trouble.”

  “I don’t care what happened up there or what anyone thinks. Here, you look cold.” He toss
ed her a mohair throw from the back of the couch.

  “Thanks.” She pulled her feet up beneath her and covered herself, wanting to curl into a ball under its warmth. “I’m surprised you’re not with Monica.” Pride caused Abby to thrust up her chin, but she couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice. “I guess you found your fairytale after all…but with her.”

  “You’re the one who believes in fairytales—not me. I’m a realist, remember?”

  “Yeah, you two proved me wrong, didn’t you? I could never get you to believe we had anything special.” She drew in a deep breath and added on a dry note, “And you were right. We didn’t.”

  There was just enough light to see his face. She hoped he couldn’t see hers clearly and realize that her face was wet from more than the rain. Would he guess?

  “Mind if I sit?” he asked.

  “Go ahead.” She was surprised when he chose the loveseat too and sat down beside her. It unnerved her, having him sit so close when he belonged to another woman. She gave him a sideways glance.

  “You sure Monica won’t miss you?” she muttered.

  “Well, one thing about Monica, you know she won’t come out here in the rain. She’d mess up her hair or ruin her shoes…” He gave Abby a dry chuckle. “Unless she thought I would meet up with you.”

  “Jack! I’m not in competition with her for you!” Abby blurted out. “You made your choice between us. She’s perfect. So pulled together and beautiful. I could never compete.”

  His eyebrows drew together. “Abby, are you kidding me? You’re gorgeous. You were always beautiful to me. That was not the issue between us.”

  “But I’m not perfect, that’s for sure. She’s probably never broken your favorite trophy, or done anything like plowing your brand new car into a creek with your laptop in the trunk.”

  His lips curving slightly, Jack folded his arms over his chest and shook his head. “No, and I admit all that was a big thing to me at the time, but most of all I was just glad you were okay, Abby.”

  “The stream was only a few feet deep,” she said with a negligent wave of her hand. She didn’t want to talk about wrecking his car again, so she changed the subject. “Monica likes you a lot. She even followed you to Florida when you relocated. And she’s rich, too. I could never compare, so it’s good you found each other.”

  Jack narrowed his eyes. “Her dad’s a dentist. She’s far from rich.”

  “Well, she always acted like she was.”

  “I’m sure she’s been pampered enough to seem like it.”

  “Really, it seemed more than that,” Abby said with a frown. “And you know she’s going to have a problem with me working at your company.”

  Jack shook his head. “She’ll try, but I won’t let her.”

  “We’ll see. She seems to have a knack for getting her way.”

  “She won’t interfere with my business.”

  Then a crushing, painful thought occurred to Abby. Monica and Jack might one day decide to have children together.

  “Whatever happened with us, Jack? We never even talked about it.”

  “There was no need. It was obvious. Everyone makes his or her own choices in life. You made yours...”

  “Do you mean my choice to go off to Europe? You could have come for a week, but you were a workaholic. My family had planned the trip for years.”

  He blew out a disgusted breath. “No, I’m not talking about Europe, but what you did before you left with your family, more than anything!”

  “Yes, it was my fault that I drove a wedge between us. I ruined your precious car, which meant more than us! That one is easy. I know you loved that car and your files were important—but I could never compare to Monica either.”

  His brow furrowed. “I’m not talking about the car, the laptop, or Monica,” he grumbled.

  “It doesn’t matter anymore why we broke up,” Abby blurted, deciding she wasn’t going to be the one to mention the elephant in the room—her pregnancy. It wouldn’t make a difference anyway. The subject was just too painful to discuss, in addition to the fact that he’d deserted her in her time of need. She had the feeling the pregnancy had been the last straw, the final issue she’d piled on him—one he couldn’t endure.

  She winced. “It’s okay Jack,” she said more calmly. “We really don’t need to talk about it. As you said, it’s all water under the bridge with us. I just have to remember that. And I love you enough that I want you to be happy. I really do.”

  His face turned harsh. “When I first saw you this weekend,” he said softly, “I was prepared to hate you.”

  “Why would you hate me? I may have done a few stupid things, but nothing to make you hate me!”

  “For what you did to me—what you still do to me. Why do you bother to say you love me?”

  “Because I still do, Jack. My misfortune.”

  He hesitated. “Seeing you again makes me realize that marrying Monica would be the biggest mistake of my life. Perhaps this is why.” He reached out and stroked his finger down Abby’s cheek. He traced her eyes, her nose, and her lips. “This feels like old times, Abby. Your skin, your mouth…”

  Ignited by his touch, desire sizzled to her core.

  He leaned in and brought his mouth closer. Then he pulled back, his green eyes flashing. “If you really loved me, Abby, you sure had a strange way of showing it.”

  “By going on a chance-of-a-lifetime trip, which my family had planned for years...?” She couldn’t say and the baby. It was too painful, so she changed the subject. “How did you end up with Monica, Jack? Why Monica?”

  He groaned. “Because of you… She doesn’t make me feel what you do—out of control. I never want to lose control again. But that doesn’t mean you still don’t tempt me…” He put his hand on the back of Abby’s nape and drew her to him. “I want to kiss you again, before I make any commitment to Monica, before you share it with Sam and everyone else.”

  “Share! What—?”

  He ground his mouth down on Abby’s lips and silenced her words. At first, she resisted his almost angry kiss, but then she melted into his embrace and looped her arms around his neck. He softened his kiss.

  All thoughts gone, she didn’t protest when his hand cupped her breasts, nor when he lowered her bra straps.

  She dug her fingers into his hair. With the tear in the front of her dress, it was easy for his tongue to slide down her bare skin. He tugged her dress down to her waist. Her bra that hooked in front, he unhooked with ease. Cupping her bared breasts, he lowered his mouth and latched onto her nipple, sending shock waves through her.

  Although heat flooded to her lower regions, she grabbed his arms. This couldn’t be happening. “Jack! You’re undressing me.”

  “Damn, Abby? I want to touch you—everywhere.” Jack brought his mouth back to hers. He slid his hand under her dress and his fingers into her panties.

  At the sensations he evoked in her, she moaned against his lips. It had been so long. She wanted him against all reason.

  He jerked away. “You’re still wanting it, aren’t you? When I’m with you, even I forget what you’ve done.”

  Feeling mortified and breathing heavily, she pulled up her dress to cover herself, disbelieving what she’d just nearly let happen.

  “What else have I done to you, Jack?” Abby asked bitterly. “Why don’t you tell me just how badly I’ve been to you?”

  “You got pregnant.”

  Anger sizzled in Abby. So her pregnancy had been the final blow to any feelings he’d had for her. “Last time I heard it takes two.”

  “You admitted that you missed your pills for several days.”

  “I did. I’m sorry about that. I misplaced them, but I didn’t expect the repercussions to come so easily.”

  “You should have. But in the end, it’s easy to see how well that turned out.”

  Abby jerked up her chin. “The baby...in all ways...was my fault. I was responsible for everything that happened with the
pregnancy—”

  “And you didn’t even know if the baby was mine.”

  “The baby was yours! How can you suggest anything else?”

  “You can’t be sure. You knew, after my mother’s behavior, that the one thing I couldn’t tolerate was a cheater. You’re as easy as she was.”

  “Easy?” Hurt roared through her. Abby reached out to slap his face, but he caught her hand. “I can’t believe you said that to me. I was always loyal to you, Jack. I never cheated.” She jumped to her feet. “Who do you think I am? You don’t even know me.”

  Jack rose beside her. “Last night, I saw Sam outside your bedroom door, Abby. He acted like he just came out of your room. Why deny it?”

  “If he was there, it was to test your ego, Jack! Sam probably did that so you’d think he’d been with me. He wasn’t in my room. I have no idea why he was outside my door! And even if he was with me, why should you care? You’re with Monica.”

  “What about in the past? The things in your bedroom told another story, Abby.”

  She gaped at him, stunned. “What things? What are you talking about?”

  With his hands on his hips, he glared at her. “Who the hell was the father of your child, Abby? Or would that just be a good guess on your part? You can lie all you want. I had the proof that you cheated on me.”

  “Jack, what proof?” Abby whispered. “What are you saying?”

  “You didn’t think I’d find out, did you? Monica tried to cover for you, being the good friend that she was. When I brought something over to your apartment for you while you were away in Europe, I saw things that revealed your true character, Abby. You could have at least tried to hide that you had someone else on the side—but then you rushed off to Europe. You weren’t expecting me to show up at your apartment. Did I work too hard to build a future for us? Did I not spend enough time with you to make sure you were satisfied?”

  Her stomach knotted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  With his breathing coming harder, Jack blasted, “It’s pointless to lie. I had more proof—your sexy pictures with him posted on your social media page.” Jack clenched his hands. “You were screwing Vince Michaels and most likely others.”