An Unexpected Bride

by Shadonna Richards

After dinner, Evan suggested they take in the sights of the Big Apple. “There’s a tour bus leaving soon.” He glanced at his watch as they walked out of the lobby of the main floor of the multi-level gourmet restaurant. They walked out onto the cool, New York street.

  “At this time? I thought the tour buses only ran in the daytime.” She looked so cute with her puzzled, innocent expression.

  “Are you kidding me? New York is the city that never sleeps—remember?” He grinned as he reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “Besides, the best time to see New York is at night. With all the lights and everything. I think the tour ends at eight, anyway.”

  They walked on as a couple. Evan felt good that she didn’t mind holding his arm as they strolled on 45th Street back to the hotel. She was beginning to feel more relaxed with him. At times, he wished they were a couple, but then he dismissed the idea. It was probably for the best that they weren’t for professional as well as personal reasons. Not far from the entrance of the hotel, they saw the green double decker, open rooftop bus at the port. A uniformed man was outside talking to tourists. He had a ticket machine and started to wheel the device as one of the tourists handed him some money.

  “We’re just in time,” Evan said as they approached. “How much?” he posed to the gentleman.

  “It's $40 for a full tour of lower Manhattan and going to the Statue of Liberty.”

  “Good. Two tickets, please.”

  After Evan paid, he walked behind Emma as she made her way up the winding steps to the top level of the bus.

  Bad idea. Very bad idea!

  Evan could feel his groin area twitch as she wiggled her derriere up the steps. Emma had a perfectly round, full behind, he noticed. And that tiny waist. He needed to divert his attention quickly, before he made a fool of himself.

  When they arrived on the second level of the bus, Emma pulled Evan towards the front.

  “We’ve got the best seats in the house.” She smiled.

  He took in a whiff of her sweet scented perfume as the breeze blew gently. It drove him crazy. He could still see the beauty in her face. She still had the subtle makeup from the shoot earlier in the day that really accentuated her best features. Which was everything on her perfectly laid out skin. She looked glowing even as the day slowly morphed into the night.

  As they drove off, the tour guide, a friendly, cheerful, humorous, older African American gentleman, welcomed everyone on the bus and announced the trip of their life. He told them his name was Chet and went on to explain the stops ahead then proceeded onward to see them firsthand. Emma snuggled into Evan’s arms as they drove down 45th Avenue towards their destination. That move caught him by surprise. Was she starting to cling to him? Maybe it was the whole atmosphere of the day, the mood of the hour, and being in New York.

  “You know, I was just thinking of that song,” she declared.

  “What song?”

  “Oh, nothing.”

  “No, tell me.” He grinned wider as the wind blew his hair at the speed of the bus.

  He could see her face flush with embarrassment. It looked as if she spoke something she didn’t mean to.

  “Well, it’s just, you know, this old song. I think it’s called Arthur’s Theme. When you get caught between the moon and New York City…”

  “The best that you can do is…fall in love?” He grinned.

  “You’re something else, you know. Are you saying you’re falling in love?” He grinned.

  “With the city. With the city.”

  She pouted, embarrassment could just knock her over, he thought as he grinned to himself. God, she looked so cute with that sexy little pout of hers, accentuating her full, defined, raspberry colored lips.

  Well, at least he remembered the tune, his grandmother used to play it all the time, some 80s song.

  He looked up and could see the dark blue sky with the broad streak of redness of the sunset and the half moon above glowing above the skyscrapers. This moment was almost perfect.

  He inched in closer to Emma. He wondered if this were a bad idea. He really didn’t want to lead her on. Evan had to remind himself this was a business trip and this was a professional experience.

  He looked around. The tour bus was pretty full considering it was well into the evening. He’d guessed right that the night bus tours were just as popular as the daytime ones.. It was too damn romantic coming here and doing this. What on earth was he thinking?

  Chet announced on his handheld microphone that they’d arrived at Greenwich Village and proceeded to tell the passengers about the colorful history of the place. Next up was Times Square where they learned fascinating facts. They enjoyed seeing the lights of the buildings, especially the world famous Empire State Building, which was at one point in history, the tallest building in the world.

  They drove past the Flatiron Building, Union Square, Soho, Chinatown, Little Italy, Lower East Side, and East Village, and Rockefeller Center on the downtown loop. They also went on the uptown loop where they passed the American Museum of Natural History and the Cathedral of St. John, the Divine, the world famous Apollo Theater, and Fifth Avenue. They scurried past Rockefeller Center and the Manhattan Bridge.

  Unfortunately, the night bus tour didn't include a stop off option and Emma wished that she could also catch a day tour one day so that she could actually get to go to the places. She even wanted to pay tribute and lay flowers nearby the World Trade Center site.

  Chet gave a warm smile and commented, "Looking at you two, I'd be willing to bet you're on your honeymoon. Am I right?”

  Evan blushed. He chuckled nervously. How was he to answer without the risk of sounding dejected?

  “We’re not married,” he finally said.

  “What’s stopping you?” Chet chuckled. “I think you two would make a fine couple.”

  Okay, now that was really awkward.

  12

  Emma wanted to interject and explain that they were getting married next week. But how could she? It was not supposed to be for real and this was not the place to announce that. Besides, you never know who else could be on the bus listening.

  They both subconsciously pulled away from their comfortable body lock realising Chet had every reason to assume they were a couple. Heck, they were behaving like one.

  Later, at the hotel as they walked into the lobby, they noticed people coming out of a ballroom. Loud music and laughter seemed to ricochet from the room.

  “You tired?" Evan turned to Emma as they strolled on the marble floor leading to the elevator.

  “Not really. D’you wanna have a look?” She gestured to the party room.

  “Sure, why not?” He shrugged.

  Once they had a peek at the festivities, they couldn't resist. They both enjoyed an evening of dance and entertainment at the themed night club. A live band played. Well, more like rocked the house! It was spectacular. Emma had hoped to take in a Broadway play but soon realised why New York was dubbed the city that doesn’t sleep.

  How could anyone get any sleep if they wanted to have fun and try everything? There was just so much to do and not enough time in the day. But heck, she was in New York and she was going to make the best of her time.

  When was the last time she indulged in some rest and relaxation?

  Back home in Texas, she had enough on her emotional platter.

  Work.

  Work.

  And more work.

  Taking care of her dear, sweet, ailing grandfather had really taken a toll on her and did a number on her social life or what was left of what she had. This was her time.

  Guilt-free down time.

  She really needed to unwind more than she realised. This was the first time in a long while she’d had fun. Real, laugh-out-loud, belly-tickly, carefree fun.

  And this time, she was not ashamed or apologetic to say it felt good.

  Later that evening, after they wined and dined at the dance in the ballroom, Evan and Emma walked across the hotel lobby on the plu
sh Persian-replica rug towards the center glass elevators.

  There were scores of people hanging around, laughing, talking, and mingling with each other. A scattering of some tourists with cameras took pictures before heading over to the taxi stand.

  One man, who looked middle-aged, had on bright makeup and was dressed like Shirley Temple with a curly, blond wig, full red lips, and a balloon held high. The sight was something to see. His friend was also dressed up. They looked ever so cute. They resembled theatre performers. Perhaps they were just finishing up some comedy sketch. But then again, wouldn’t they have been out of makeup and costume? Perhaps they had come from some themed dress-up party. It was much too early for Halloween. Still it was quite a spectacle to see.

  Only in New York. Emma smiled to herself as she walked closely with Evan. The elevator doors slid open and they walked in.

  “Had fun?”

  “Of course, did you?” Emma held up her head to Evan, she felt somewhat mellow. Intoxicated from all the excitement of the day and the evening together.

  “Course.” He grinned. “You look like you could do with some sleep right about now.”

  “Oh, I’ve got all night.” Emma yawned. She caught a side glimpse of Evan shaking his head and grinning.

  Ding.

  When they arrived to their floor, he walked her over to her door.

  Evan wanted to simply kiss her on the forehead to wish her good night. But he dismissed that notion.

  Too personal.

  Instead, he reached over and took her hand and planted a small kiss.

  “Oh.” She looked surprised. Okay, probably a bad idea. He’d never touched her with a kiss before. Her caramel toned skin was smooth, silky, and soft. She oozed sensuality. She was delicate. Strong. Beautiful in every sense of the word.

  “Sorry. I just…” He hesitated. He shook his head. “I don’t know what got into me. I wanted to thank you for a job well done and for…” Gracing my presence with your beautiful company this evening. He flushed. Damn, this was not good. He was usually a man in control.

  Of his emotions.

  Of his feelings.

  Of any situation.

  Just then, she reached over and grabbed his neck gently and pulled it towards her.

  She planted a warm, silky kiss on his lips.

  Bad idea.

  He was certainly more aroused now. It was as if there was some kind of energetic force between the two. Spiritual magnets zapping their bodies, their souls together. He just couldn’t resist.

  He inched closer to her. He was hard and stiff as a branch now.

  She managed to open the door behind her with her electronic card key and they made their way into her suite, lips still embraced into a gracious lock as they devoured each other.

  The scent of her perfume got him more excited within. He ran his fingers through her beautiful, soft, shiny curls. They felt softer than they looked. The aroma of her shampoo, so clean, vibrant, fresh.

  Her lips tasted of strawberry.

  They coordinated their way over to the four-poster queen sized bed in the hotel room. The drapes were already drawn. But even if the curtains were wide open, he didn’t know if they’d get a chance to close them for the privacy they needed. But he didn't care.

  No doubt about it, he craved her.

  Desired her.

  Lusted for her.

  He wanted to caress her in all the places he could.

  Stop.

  No.

  He just couldn’t do it, he scolded himself. This was wrong. She was still his employee. This would all come back to bite him in the butt. Just like it did with his acquaintance.

  And the curse. He’d be damned to get too involved with Emma. He was falling in love with her. And that was just a dangerous game he didn’t want to play. He remembered the last time he fell in love. The curse almost took him. His ex, Gisella Trumen, smashed his heart and his dreams into a million tiny pieces while he was going to college. He almost gave up everything and nearly didn’t finish his education because of the emotional mess that relationship left him in. He had yet to recover all the broken pieces of his dream. He found it hard to trust again. To give his whole heart to anyone ever again. It was just an unlucky path he did not want to tread again, at least any time soon. In his book, it was better off for some men to remain single.

  Hard as it was, heart still pounding fierce in his chest, heat fully exploded in every area of his muscular body, he pulled himself off from her. He could feel the heavy pulsation in his groin area.

  Damn, she looked so beautiful. He really should see a therapist. The cosmic connection between them was out of this world. What was he thinking? How much longer could he…should he keep this up?

  Emma lay on the bed, dazed, puzzled.

  “What?” Her chest heaved. She was breathless. “Why did you stop?”

  “I need to go and take a cold shower.” He did not look at her. Her eyes narrowed. Her entire body was still throbbing. Her mind was still in a fog. She’d just made out, somewhat slightly, with her boss.

  But now?

  He was tossing her aside? No way.

  “Fine.” She got up from the bed, adjusted her bra and blouse and stood up with her back turned to him. She pulled open the drapes slightly to catch a glimpse of the New York City lights.

  Tears misted her eyes.

  She felt him inch behind her. He wrapped his arms, gently around her waist from behind and kissed her on the top of her head. His cologne scent tantalised her nostrils. He smelled delicious.

  Why was he doing this? What’s wrong with him? What’s wrong with her?

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” His voice was too deep, throaty, and sexy that moment. She was beginning to tingle again in between her thighs. His skin felt warm and satiny. His minty breath, warm on her neck as he leaned down towards her.

  “I just couldn’t help myself,” he continued. “You mean a lot to me. I just don’t want this to get out of hand.”

  “What's to get out of hand?” she said as she turned around to him.

  “My feelings for you. You have no idea what you do to me, do you?”

  Evan could not believe what he just did. Did he just hint to his employee that he was falling in love with her?

  Rule number one from the Fletcher Curse: Never admit that you are falling head over boots in love with a woman. Never let her know how much she really affects you. Guard your heart at all costs.

  He remembered stories of his grandfather’s days. He admitted to one of his wives that he couldn’t help himself from falling in love with her. That she did something to him to make him want to do anything for her. To make her happy. To please her.

  He had told her he simply couldn’t live without her.

  Well, she really took it to town. She manipulated the hell out of him. She was secretly involved with one of his competitors. She would finagle money and other valuables out of him. Using excuses that if she didn’t get it, she’d leave him, she’d be devastated, she would shrivel up and die. Pouted when she didn’t get her way. Used the kids as bait, leverage, an excuse.

  She drained the poor man. Of his pride. His finances. And eventually, his life. He loved her so passionately and believed in her so vehemently, that when she did up and leave him after all that, he fell real hard.

  Stop it, Evan. This is not that old floozy. This is sweet, honest, reliable Emma Wiggins.

  Still, his grandfather, his uncles, his own father believed in the women they fell for—then fell hard for. His old man always told him to "have a relationship, if you will—but never fall in love."

  Well, he couldn’t possibly have a relationship with Emma Wiggins because he was falling totally, irrevocably, undeniably in love with her. Every inch of her. Inside and out.

  “What do I do to you?” Emma’s voice was soft and sensual. She leaned in closer to him. He was still stiff below.

  She reached up and placed her arms around the back of his neck. She kissed
him gently. Her lips brushing against his. Seductive and warm as molasses. The heat was climbing in the hotel room. The heat between them.

  His heartbeat quickened. He returned the favor and devoured her lips. He knew he would probably regret this later.

  But he loved her.

  He wanted her.

  He wanted her…Now.

  Emma could not believe this was happening. Only in her most lascivious dreams. Evan Fletcher was kissing her. His soft lips travelled all over her body.