Relieved, he pulled her into a hug. Her body gradually relaxed and she hugged him back. But a question niggled at the back of his mind.
Why had she said yes?
Chapter Ten
“Becca, I need help.”
“Brie! Hi! What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
“Sure, if I still had a job, which thanks to Drew I don’t anymore.”
Becca tipped her head. “Trouble in paradise?”
“I know nothing about paradise, but I can tell you plenty about the opposite end of the spectrum. Drew actually called my boss to say I wouldn’t be working there any longer.”
“Ouch. I imagine you had a few things to say in response.”
“Most of it unrepeatable, not that it changed anything.”
“You sound like you need a friend. How about a cup of tea?”
“It’s ninety-eight degrees outside.”
“So we’ll put some ice in it.”
The two women shared a laugh. Becca led her to the back office. A tiny table with two chairs and an electric teapot sat there. She gestured for Brie to have a seat. “Tell me about your plans for the wedding.”
“I don’t have any plans. You’ll have to ask Drew’s mother.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Yeah. Becca, I’ve been buying my own clothing since I was twelve. Suddenly I don’t know how to dress, or wear my hair or put on makeup or—” She took a deep breath, surprised to find herself so near tears. “I know Maureen is only trying to help, but if Drew wanted a Barbie doll to dress he should have bought one of them instead of me.”
Brie stopped as she realized what she’d said. Becca went to a small cupboard and pulled out a pastry box and some tea bags.
“Sit back and relax for a few minutes.”
“I can’t, I have to get my mother to Leland Manning’s place for her first treatment at one o’clock, and—”
“Then we have plenty of time. I don’t have any appointments coming in this morning.” She opened the box and poured hot water over the tea bags. “Now tell me how I can help.”
“I’m in over my head, Becca. Maureen insists I need a total makeover. She took me to a nail salon yesterday!”
“Nice job.”
“Nice? I’ve never in my life had nails like these. They hurt. Don’t laugh, I think the woman put them on with cement. Look, I know Maureen means well, and she’s always dressed impeccably, but—”
“Her taste and style aren’t yours.”
“Exactly. Do you know what her idea of a small garden wedding is? Five hundred people! I don’t even know five hundred people! And I’m exhausted from talking to these Boston designers she keeps calling. They’ve been sending me books and sketches and samples until my head’s ready to burst. Can you see me in miles of taffeta with puffy sleeves? Just look in this bag at these samples—”
“Here, try one of these pastries, they’re sinful. Let’s see what you have here. Plaid?”
“Oh, this isn’t just for the wedding. According to Maureen, I have to have an entire wardrobe for political functions. Seven suits, she says. I hate suits. They make me look blocky.”
“Take another sip of tea. I’d have to agree, suits aren’t your style, they’re hers. You need simple styles and colors that will flatter your hair and skin tones. No blacks, nothing in white.”
“Except the wedding dress,” she said morosely.
“Not even. Soft ivory, in my opinion. Something simple with a long, elegant drape. Maybe a variation on a Grecian drape or something that would leave your shoulders bare. In this heat, you’re going to want something cool and simple. What about something like this?”
Quickly she sketched a design on the back of a napkin. Brie inhaled sharply.
“Oh, my gosh, I dreamed of a wedding gown almost exactly like that when I was young. Elizabeth and Tasha and I were going through a catalog one day, you know, just sort of talking about what kind of wedding dress we’d like to wear. And that’s it! Almost exactly as I pictured! Mom was right. She suggested I come and see you and Maureen agreed. Do you think we can find something like this in time?”
“I can make it for you.”
“But the wedding’s in two weeks!”
“That’s enough time. Now, let’s see…”
Being with Becca was like being back in college. The two of them were giggling helplessly over a pattern when they heard someone enter the shop.
Becca looked up from the bolt of fabric she’d just carried to the table. “Uh-oh. It’s Drew.”
Panic hit her. Brie began stuffing the samples and design patterns back into the tote bag. “What time is it?”
“Twelve-thirty-seven,” Drew said, sounding amused.
“It can’t be! I have to pick up my mother!”
Her mother had shocked her by agreeing to move to the Pierce compound temporarily. Brie felt as if she were riding a tidal wave from the moment Drew began speaking to the crowd on the Fourth of July. Any minute now she’d fall in and drown.
Drew filled the office doorway, looking formidable and more sinful than the pastries they’d been eating. “Fortunately, your mother’s appointment was postponed until tomorrow morning.” He eyed the remaining confections and lifted a chocolate pastry. Brie watched as his strong white teeth sank into the gooey treat. Her heart pounded out of control for no reason whatsoever. There was nothing at all sexy about chewing and swallowing.
“This stuff should be illegal,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Melts in the mouth.”
That wasn’t the only thing melting. Why did this keep happening to her? All she had to do was look at him and she wanted him. She would be the happiest bride on the planet if he was marrying her out of love instead of trying to save his political career. But then, wasn’t she marrying him to save her mother and keep her daughter?
“My mother’s been giving you a hard time, hasn’t she?” Drew asked.
“Of course not. She’s trying to help me be presentable.”
“You’re presentable just the way you are, Brie.”
A thrill of a pleasure curled in her belly.
“Mom appreciates your help, Rebecca. She’s been quite impressed with your work and she’s feeling guilty for overwhelming Brie.”
“She hasn’t overwhelmed me,” Brie lied quickly, not wanting to cause a rift between mother and son. “Look, this is the dress Becca’s offered to make for the wedding. Isn’t it fabulous?”
“Fabulous,” he agreed. But he looked at her instead of the picture Becca had drawn. Maybe she was crazy, but Brie could swear he was flirting with her. Of course that was ridiculous. And yet…
They hadn’t had five minutes alone since the announcement, though they’d been together every day. Drew had spent most of his spare time getting to know his daughter. The results were obvious and immediate. Nicole had instantly succumbed to the famous Andrew Pierce charisma. Her face lit up whenever Drew appeared. Even Brie’s mother had a similar reaction to his presence. It seemed all the Dudley women were doomed to fall for Drew.
“Since you have your afternoon free now, and I’ve managed to clear my calendar for the rest of the day, I thought we could spend it together.”
“Why?”
Disappointment flared in his eyes. “That’s what engaged couples generally do.”
“But we’re not…”
“Not what?”
He was standing too close. The only thing she could think of was how badly she’d like to slide her hands across his chest and pull him a whole lot closer. How crazy was that?
“Like other couples?” he finished.
“Yes.” It came out a breathless whisper.
“Would you like to be?”
Oh, yes. To have him love her the way she—
“Come on, let’s take a ride. I want to show you something. Becca, will you excuse us?”
Becca smiled as she pretended to fan herself. “Absolutely.”
Drew grinned. “If
Becca doesn’t mind, she can call my mother and tell her what works. And Becca, make sure to send my mother a substantial bill for your time.”
“Oh, no, Brie is—”
“My mother can afford it and this was entirely her idea. Let her foot the bill. And Brie, I’ve warned her that if her pet hairdresser even hints that you’d look good with short hair, I’ll restyle his face.”
Becca gave a mock sigh. “I just love a forceful man.”
“Brat,” he teased. “Come on, Brie.”
She let him lead her outside, not sure what to make of this playful Drew. “I happen to look good with short hair,” she said.
Drew chuckled. “I’m sure you do, but I love your hair long and wild, tumbling around your shoulders. I’d like it even better spread on my chest.”
Brie thought this was a really stupid time to feel faint, but the picture of him naked beneath her, their bodies pressed together, was a little more than she felt prepared to handle. “You’re confusing me.”
“Am I?”
He kept looking at her the way she’d looked at those pastries. Her stomach was turning somersaults.
“Nicole—”
“Is occupied for the afternoon,” he said smugly. “Elizabeth brought her brother Brandon over to play this afternoon.”
“But I should—”
He swung her around so their bodies touched, lifted her chin with a knuckle, slanting his mouth over hers. Hormones kicked to life with reckless abandon as the world spun away. He deepened the kiss, drawing her body snugly against his own in a fit so natural, so perfect, she couldn’t think of anything but how much she wanted him.
“You should come with me,” he said against her mouth.
“Honey, if I were a few years younger, I’d go with the man. Good-looking piece of beefcake like that. I’d teach him a thing or two.”
They broke apart. Arabella Leigh watched them through rheumy eyes. She had to be in her late eighties if she was a day. A bit senile, Arabella generally walked the wharf, but it wasn’t unusual to see her just about anywhere around town, mumbling to herself or talking to anyone she met.
She patted her disheveled gray hair and struck a pose. “What about it, handsome? I’ll go with you if she won’t.”
“If I were a few years older, I might take you up on that offer, Arabella,” Drew responded kindly.
Arabella cackled gleefully. With a cheerful wave, she ambled toward the waterfront talking to herself happily. Drew led Brie to a shiny blue car she hadn’t seen before.
“How many cars do you own?” she demanded, to cover the flustered feeling inside her.
“This one isn’t mine. It’s yours. I bought it for you this morning.”
Brie froze. “I don’t want a car! Take it back! My mother has a perfectly fine car when I need one.”
Unperturbed, he shook his head. “That perfectly fine car needs four new tires, a new transmission, shocks, springs and a muffler, not to mention air bags and a safer car seat. This car has all of the above.”
“How do you know that?”
“I read the invoice.”
“I mean about my mother’s car.”
“Our mechanic checked it over yesterday.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“You were getting a manicure.”
Brie glanced down at her new fake fingernails and resisted an impulse to curl them away out of sight. “I don’t see a car seat,” Brie told him meekly.
“It’s in the trunk.”
God, she loved his smile.
“Are you going to fight me on every issue?”
“Probably. Drew, I can’t help it. I don’t want you giving me things like cars and new clothes.”
“Why not?”
“Because it makes me feel inadequate.”
Drew realized she was close to tears. The knowledge slid through him like a knife. He was asking so much of her. He hadn’t understood until he heard her giggling so freely with Becca Smith.
“You are not inadequate. But you’re right, Brie. I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I’ll take the car back if you want me to. I’ll get your mother’s car fixed instead. I—”
“No. Please.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I’m being stupid and ungrateful. I’m the one who’s sorry. This is all wrong. You know it’s all wrong. I’m all wrong. You need a wife who dresses right and knows how to do things and—”
Drew swore. “I need you to be yourself, Brie, not a clone of my mother.”
She took a half step back at his strident tone. Drew rubbed his jaw, wondering why he kept making such a hash of things. “Will you take a ride with me?”
“All right.”
She didn’t say another word until he made the turn toward the compound.
“Are we going to your place?”
“In a manner of speaking. The compound is actually comprised of one hundred twenty-seven acres. My family isn’t just good at politics, they know how to invest their money and make it grow. They also believe in conservation and planning ahead. Besides this chunk of land, we own beachfront property and several developmental properties in and around Boston and Salem. My great-grandfather was big on acquiring land and buildings. He had a knack for it.”
“I didn’t realize your holdings were so extensive. You really are rich, aren’t you?”
“Does that scare you?”
“It makes me nervous,” she admitted.
“Don’t be. We’ve hired on extra security. And look at the good news. No one’s shot at me in days.”
“That isn’t funny! Have you talked to Cullen recently? Has he learned anything?”
“Yesterday, in fact. They’re still asking questions. Carey admitted to Cullen that he was having an affair with Ursula Manning,” Drew said unhappily. “But he claims he hadn’t seen or talked to her in several days prior to the shooting.”
Even though they had both figured as much, Drew was clearly upset. “Don’t you believe him?”
“I want to believe him.”
“You’ve been friends a long time.”
“I know, but I keep remembering how odd he looked when he finally joined us that morning. He claimed he was sick.”
“Maybe he was.”
“I just found out Carey’s family cut him off several weeks ago. He doesn’t have a job and he’s nearly broke, yet he’s been making deposits of cash into his accounts since the murder that he can’t, or won’t explain.”
“Have you tried talking to him?”
“He won’t discuss it.”
“I’m sorry, Drew.” They sat quietly for a few minutes, lost in thought. Finally, Brie asked, “Is he still going to be your usher?”
“He hasn’t told me any differently.” Drew stopped where the road ended. He turned off the engine. “We have to walk from here.”
“Where are we?”
“This is my part of the compound. We’re standing on twenty-five acres that were deeded over to me the day after I was born. Each of us were given shares. This section has a natural spring and a brook. I want to show you where I dreamed of building a house one day.”
He took her hand. Her fingers were cold despite the heat. It was a fairly long hike along the hidden deer path, but she didn’t complain. It was cooler under the dense canopy of trees. The sound of birds filled the air. He stopped when they reached the clearing, wanting to watch her face when she saw it for the first time. “What do you think?”
Her pleasure was obvious. “It’s fantastic. Drew, look,” she whispered. A pair of foxes emerged on the other side of the clearing. They tested the wind but didn’t scent the human presence. After a moment, three tiny kits came bouncing out of the underbrush and followed their parents to the water’s edge.
Drew slid an arm around Brie’s waist as they watched the magical scene. The parents stood guard while the kits drank and played. Suddenly coming alert, they urged their family back into the woods.
Brie gazed at him in wonder. “This is a special place.”
“I’ve always thought so.”
“I expect to see fairies popping out any second.”
He smiled. “Fairies?”
“It feels magical. Don’t you sense it? It’s charmed.”
“Because you’re here.” He laid a hand over her lips to stop her from saying anything further. “Shh. Don’t question the magic.”
Leading her to a stone of granite worn smooth on top by whatever force had placed it there, he took his handkerchief and made a production out of dusting it off.
“My lady?”
“But—”
“Shh. No objections. No negativity. Just sit here beside me and let’s see what else comes down to the water to drink.”
She perched tentatively beside him. After a few minutes she began to relax. He startled her by taking her hand. When she relaxed again he began to rub his thumb against the pad of her hand. A quiver ran down her body.
“What are you doing?”
“Touching you. I like touching you. I always did, remember?”
She tensed. “Drew—”
“Shh. Something’s moving over there, see by that tall pine?”
“I don’t—Oh! It’s a groundhog.”
“Fat little sucker, isn’t he?”
“That’s not very—”
She jumped as he placed a kiss along the back of her neck.
“What are you doing?”
“Kissing you.” He trailed a path of light kisses along the collar of her blouse. “This is a magical place. In this circle all things are possible.”
She gazed at him with such hope and fear it broke his heart. Sliding his hand gently through her hair, he cupped the back of her head. Very slowly, he brought her face to his. “All things are possible,” he whispered against her mouth.
The kiss was gentle. Her body softened. She leaned into him. Need twisted his gut. Slowly the kiss built until it went hot and wild despite his best intentions.
He didn’t remember unbuttoning her blouse or unfastening the front clasp that held her bra closed. But when her firm, tempting flesh spilled into his hands, he covered the pink-tipped bud with his mouth and feasted.
She clung to him, making tiny sounds that sent the heat rising even higher in his body. Lured by the scent and taste of her, he sought her mouth, kissing her hard, his tongue penetrating her mouth the way he wanted to penetrate her body. And she kissed him back, her tiny sounds of pleasure twisting his gut into knots of desire so strong he thought he’d die from the need.
Moriah's Landing Bundle Page 50
