She felt a deep certainty that Cole was a better man than David ever thought of being. She herself had seen how kind, generous, and thoughtful he was. And behind the strong, ultra-masculine exterior, she'd caught glimpses of the vulnerable little boy she'd so like to clasp to her heart and soothe away the hurts and fears she sensed he carried deep inside.
Much like the little girl inside herself.
Her sister shook her head forlornly. "I can't believe you're doing this."
"He's going to be a wonderful father. And maybe, with time, he'll grow to love me, too."
Please, she prayed silently, let him love me, too.
* * *
Judge Jayne Aire's gaze swept over the wedding party, one eyebrow uplifted. If Rini weren't completely numb from the toes up, she was sure she'd feel the heat of embarrassment burn in her whole body. Oh, brother. Why didn't the woman just get on with it? Jayne Aire? Seriously? She checked the name tag of the security guard by the door, half expecting to see Rochester stamped boldly in black. But it read Smith. Well, thank goodness for small favors.
She snapped to attention when Brad coughed loudly behind her. She shot a quick glance backward and saw her brother-in-law's annoyed glare directed at the judge. Her nephew, Kenny, stood to one side of Brad, Alexa on the other, gripping his arm and twisting his sleeve in her fingers, obviously trying to keep from bursting into tears. Rini sent her a reassuring smile, which, despite having no conviction behind it, was rewarded when a corner of Alexa's mouth came up bravely.
Cole's parents stood behind him, accompanied by his Luiseño half-brother, Billy, and cousin Tanya—the gorgeous woman who had been at Henderson's during that first horrible meeting. Rini thought briefly that Tanya must be at a different wedding than she was. The woman's smile was so full of joy and excitement. Well, it was nice someone was happy.
Cole's mom, Julia, looked worried beneath her pleasant expression as she watched the judge expectantly. She seemed a warm and loving person—she had given Rini a long hug when they'd met earlier on the courthouse steps. She'd joked about cookies and babies, and steadfastly ignored her son's cool, businesslike demeanor. The father—Ted—had seemed nice, too, if a bit bewildered by the whole thing.
Rini looked back when Judge Aire cleared her throat.
"Shotgun, eh, Cole?"
That's it, Rini thought. Total humiliation. She wished she could disappear through the floor.
"Very funny, Jayne," Cole mumbled. The judge's apparent amusement was surpassed only by his obvious aggravation. "Could we just get on with this, please?"
The judge's brows rose. "Watch it, son, or I'll hold you in contempt. You're lucky I like you, or you'd be waiting in that line down the hall with the rest of the unwashed masses."
Cole glanced at Rini, then contritely back at Judge Aire. "Don't think I'm not immensely grateful, your honor. I owe you big-time."
She hrrumphed. "That's more like it." Her smile returned. "Well, Cole, I always thought you were much too wrapped up in your lawyering for outside interests. I'm glad to see I was wrong. A young man needs a little love in his life."
Rini heard him take a deep breath and hold it. She lowered her eyes to the bouquet he'd presented her with when she arrived at the courthouse—white roses and gardenias, with a sprinkling of orange blossoms mixed in—and tried hard not to imagine what he was thinking at that moment.
After an awkward pause, Judge Aire said gamely, "Well, shall we begin?" Rini looked up to see her staring pointedly at Cole. "Call me old-fashioned, but I like my brides and grooms to hold hands. This may be a civil ceremony, but a little ritual never hurts. You of all people should know that, Lonetree."
"Yes, ma'am." Cole hastily took Rini's hand between his. His hands were warm, but his touch was chilly and reluctant.
She kept her gaze on the judge, who in turn searched her and Cole's faces. Rini did her best to muster the proper expression for an eager bride.
"I assume we are all here of our own free will?"
Her heart sank. Was it that obvious? "Yes, your honor," she answered in unison with Cole.
The ceremony was mercifully short. Five minutes and it was over. She couldn't remember saying, "I will." But she must have done, because before she knew it, she had slipped the ring Cole had sneaked her onto his finger, and her new husband was brushing a quick kiss across her cheek.
Rini wanted to scream, "Stop!" and wrap her arms around Cole's neck and kiss him lingeringly and lovingly, the way a bride ought to—the way she so longed to do. This was her damn wedding! It may be a marriage of convenience, but it should still mean something to be pronounced husband and wife.
But instead, she was shaking the judge's hand, being enveloped by an openly weeping Alexa, and accepting a hug from Brad and a shy peck from Kenny.
She turned to find Julia waiting for her. Her new mother-in-law extended her hands and grasped hers warmly. "Welcome to the family, Rini. I hope we can be good friends."
"Thank you. I hope so, too," she said, hugging her. She felt instinctively that she had an ally in the kindly woman.
"Congratulations," said Cole's brother, Billy, shaking her hand.
Ted gave her a squeeze. "Anytime we can help you keep this guy in line, just let us know."
She smiled and glanced at Cole. "Thanks. I may take you up on that." His parents were being so nice. It couldn't be easy, having their son's sudden marriage sprung on them like this. And a baby, and all. She could hardly believe they were speaking to her, much less being as sweet as could be.
"Thank you all for being so wonderful," she told them. "You don't know how much it means to me to have your good wishes."
"Good wishes—are you kidding?" Tanya laughed, tucking her arm through Rini's and leading them all toward the main courthouse door. "They're grateful as hell. We all are. Cole's been a moody bastard for months, and we're just glad someone else has to put up with him now. Isn't that right, Billy?" She winked.
Billy chuckled, a deep rumbling sound, so like Cole's. "A new wife and baby ought to keep him too busy to make much trouble, that's for sure."
Rini's eyes sought her husband.
He was shaking hands with Judge Aire, making some witty remark as the judge headed out the back door. His face became determinedly impassive when he turned to rejoin the wedding party, his smile carefully measured. Even so, her heart skipped a beat.
Her husband.
He was so incredibly handsome. His tall, muscular frame carried his elegant suit with an effortless grace. The fluorescent light reflected off the lean angles of his face, exotic and mysterious in their starkness. His short hair had grown out a bit over the past month, looking thick and sexy as it grazed the collar of his white shirt. She imagined what it might be like to bury her fingers once again in its rich depths, pulling his face close as he whispered loving words in her ear.
"What?" she murmured as Tanya tugged lightly on her elbow. The other woman's smile beamed at her, her eyes sparkling with understanding. Rini dropped her lashes in embarrassment over being caught with her heart on her sleeve. Especially since that's where it was most likely to stay.
Tanya gave her arm a squeeze. "It'll be fine, you'll see. He's a good man."
Rini sighed wistfully. "I know. He'll be a terrific dad." The blazing California sunshine continued to defy the winter chill, so when they got back to the house, Brad set up tables and chairs in the backyard. The small wedding party basked in the afternoon sun, eating the mounds of delicious hors d'oeuvres and chocolate wedding cake Alexa had prepared that morning. Champagne flowed freely, compliments of Billy.
Rini sat next to Cole, listening absently to the conversations going on around her as the afternoon wore on.
At length, his voice broke quietly into her thoughts. "Tired?"
She smiled up at him. "A little. Not every day a girl gets married."
He nodded. "Where can I find your things? I brought the truck, so hopefully it won't take me too many trips."
She bit
back a laugh and stood. "I'll show you." She led him to the two suitcases and cardboard box, which she'd placed at the base of the apartment stairs. "Voilà."
He stared incredulously at her tiny collection of belongings. "Where's the rest?"
"The bed is still upstairs." At his dubious look she quickly added, "We took it apart, though."
"The bed?"
She nodded, starting to become nervous. Maybe he didn't want her furniture cluttering up his house. But she couldn't leave it—it was all she had of her own.
"A bed, two suitcases, and a cardboard box? That's it?"
She nodded again. "You don't mind, do you? The bed, I mean."
"Hell, no. Of course not. I just can't believe you don't have more stuff."
She shrugged, relief rolling over her. "I left nearly everything behind at David's." She led the way up the stairs and opened the door to her apartment. "Once I'd decided to leave, I just walked away with the clothes on my back and what would fit in my purse, so I wouldn't have a chance to change my mind. Brad went back for my bed a few days later. I've had it since I was a kid."
Cole folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall just inside the door. "You had your own bed at David's?"
She looked away. "It was in a guest room there, too."
He laughed a humorless laugh. "You and I, we've had some strange marriages."
"I never married him." She felt her sleeve slide lazily off her shoulder, and she absently tugged it back up.
His eyes followed the movement, briefly filling with something hot and hungry. But the look had been firmly squelched by the time his gaze again met hers.
Brad stuck his head around the door. "Need some help with that monstrosity, Cole?"
Cole pushed off the wall, giving her a last searching look. "Yeah, thanks, I'd appreciate it. Rini, why don't you go back down and relax. I'm sure I can talk Brad into coming along to the house and helping me put this thing back together. We shouldn't be gone more than a few minutes."
Brad clapped him on the shoulder. "Be happy to. Go on, Rin, before everyone thinks you two have sneaked off to be alone."
Sneaked off to be alone. Yeah, right.
She did her best to take part in the lively conversation at the tables outside, but her mind kept creeping back to the thought of being alone with Cole.
At his house.
In his territory.
What would she do if he didn't want to respect their agreement?
More to the point, what would she do if she didn't?
Oh, Lord.
Cole was straight as an arrow. If she said she wouldn't share his bed, she knew he'd honor her wishes. Wasn't he at that very moment putting her bed together so she could sleep safely out of his reach? She so wanted this marriage to work. But how could any man possibly love a wife who wouldn't even sleep with him?
Should she give in to her own desire? Show him just how far she had already fallen in love with him, and simply hope that someday he could return her love? Or should she stick to her resolve, and wait with anything physical until he was able to feel more for her than responsibility and maybe a little lust?
Once again, the familiar panic of wanting to please and not make waves squeezed her chest before she could tamp it firmly down. She never wanted to be that insecure person from her childhood again. Ever. But it was so easy to slip into old habits. Far too easy. She lifted the hair off the back of her neck and sighed.
"He'll be back soon," Tanya reassured her with a smile.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Rini mumbled, but she managed a lopsided smile of her own at her new cousin-in-law. How much did Tanya know about their situation? It sure would be nice to have someone to confide in. "Do you live in Pasadena, too?" she asked.
Tanya nodded. "A few blocks from Cole."
"I hope you'll feel free to drop in anytime. I have the impression you and he are close. I wouldn't want you to feel I've come between you."
"Don't worry, I won't. You're exactly what that man needs." She toasted Rini with her champagne glass. "I'm thrilled he's finally come to his senses."
"I assume," a deep voice rumbled behind them, "it's me who's being so sensible?"
"How'd you guess?" Tanya turned to slide an arm around Cole, who had returned with Brad.
Cole's gaze landed squarely on Rini, and the bones seemed to melt right out of her body at his gentle look, leaving her helpless to move, or even to respond.
Falling in love? Oh, yes.
"Ready to go home, Mrs. Lonetree?"
Everyone in the small gathering hushed at his words, grinning at the two of them as if they all imagined she and Cole were a perfectly normal bride and groom seeking to escape to a perfectly romantic wedding night. Rini glanced around. They were all wishing so hard for her happiness that she wanted to give them the romantic departure they expected. She didn't have the heart to disappoint them with the truth.
Pushing to her feet, she smiled and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Lonetree. Ready as ever."
Chapter Ten
Cole frowned and squinted stubbornly at the depositions in his lap, trying to ignore the faint noises from the kitchen. Rini had been in there forever—practically since they'd arrived home after the wedding. What the hell was she doing? Rearranging the cupboards?
Avoiding him, more likely.
Not that it mattered.
He gave the papers in his hands a snap and returned his attention to them, leaning back in his easy chair and recrossing his ankles on the ottoman.
But the subtle sounds continued to distract him. Finally he flung aside the papers and yanked his feet off the stool. Suddenly his nostrils filled with the heavenly scent of spices and brown sugar.
Baking. The woman was baking.
He settled back, blinking at the kitchen door. Well, hell. Grinning, he picked up the papers and resumed his work, wondering idly what delights his new wife was concocting for him. This marriage thing wasn't so bad, after all. Once you got the hang of it.
Still, no sense letting on that he was elated over her efforts to please him. Might give her the wrong idea.
Hell, might give her the right idea.
Face it, this business arrangement idea was going nowhere fast. He'd tried his best to stay brisk and businesslike today for their wedding. He really had. But from the moment he'd seen her walking toward him up the courthouse steps, he'd known the effort was doomed to failure.
He might not be able to love her, but every time he looked at his bride, so pretty and glowing, her shy glances filled with warmth and hope, her body carrying the evidence of a mutual attraction he'd be a fool to deny, his belief in a strictly platonic marriage was exposed as the impossibility it was. Sooner or later, he'd stumble and fall. And fall badly.
He rested his head on the back of his easy chair and stared at the closed kitchen door. He and Rini had been dancing around each other all evening, ever since he'd insisted on carrying her over the threshold.
"Just a ritual," he'd assured her.
"Like when they threw the rice," she'd said as he lifted her into his arms. They'd looked at each other then she quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"I didn't think we really needed that rice shower, did you?" he said, gently teasing. "Under the circumstances."
He set her down, but kept his arms around her, tipping her chin up when she continued to study his tie. "Welcome home, Rini." He kissed her softly.
Lifting her lips to his, she had timidly returned his kiss. "I want to make you happy, Cole." Her eyes were guileless and sincere. "I know this isn't what you wanted—"
"Hush, sweetheart. You've already made me very happy, just by being here." He pulled her close. "We'll be fine. You'll see." He kissed her again, a little longer and a little harder. When he let the tip of his tongue graze the swell of her lower lip, she shied.
She backed away from him nervously, then glanced around the room. "Oh, Cole, you have a beautiful home."
With a mental sigh, he closed the door an
d propped himself against the back of it, following her movements. "It's a bit bare. I'm not here much. Maybe you can do something with it?"
He watched her take in the room—the gleaming hardwood floors and adobe-colored walls, floor to ceiling bookshelves, the huge fireplace. A couple of canvas-covered couches and his big leather easy chair. Come to think of it, it did kind of resemble his office.
"No curtains?"
"Never got around to them." He shrugged and grinned. "Just don't walk around naked with the lights on."
She darted him an amused look. "Too bad I had to leave my sewing machine at David's. I could have made some."
He pushed off the door. "You sew?" At her nod, he wandered over and sat down on the arm of his easy chair. "You can use mine." She glanced up, surprised, and he chuckled. "I make regalia, remember? It's in the guest room when you need it."
She nodded, purposefully examining some of the books on the shelves. "That'll be convenient. Having it in the same room I'm in."
He took a fortifying breath. This was the opening he'd been waiting for. "You won't be in the guest room, Rini."
She shot him a panicky glance. "No?"
He slid off the chair arm and walked slowly toward her. "No."
"Where will I be, then?" Her gaze darted to the living room couch.
Reaching out, he pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "In my room. A woman belongs in her husband's bed."
Her eyes widened and she let out a little gasp of panic, crushing the small hope he'd begun to feel. He had so wanted her just to be looking for a little pressure, or a definite invitation, so she could let herself give in to him.
"But our agreement. You said…"
He closed the distance between them, standing so close he was pressed into the baby, his face inches from hers. "Is that what you really want, Rini? To sleep alone in a cold, empty bed?"
When she wouldn't look at him, he slipped his fingers through her hair and gently pulled her head back, forcing her face up. "Alone, night after night? When there's a man right here who wants you? Who'll make hot, sweet love to you whenever you like?"
Lucky 7 Bad Boys Contemporary Romance Boxed Set Page 62
