by Jo Davis
“Doesn’t mean you have to roll over, either. Given the way she was acting earlier, my guess is she cares for you a lot. I think you’d make your point. Give it some thought, anyway.”
As his dad turned back to the news, Tommy tried to doze again. But the seed the older man had planted took root. And grew to the size of a football.
His dad’s advice made a lot of sense. Why should he play the doormat? She’d known Tommy would be at the wedding; he was one of the groomsmen, for God’s sake! Obviously, she hadn’t spared a thought for his feelings. Or maybe she’d believed he’d given up the chase and she simply didn’t want to attend the wedding alone. Jesus, who knows what she thought!
His pride would not, however, allow him to believe for one second that she preferred this other dude over himself.
And he’d prove it.
Pushing himself off the couch with a pained moan, he shuffled into his dad’s small study and closed the door. After walking over to the desk, he sat down and reached for the phone.
Fight fire with fire? He could manage a surprise for sweet Shea, all right.
And he knew just the girl to start the blaze.
Who knew weddings were so fucking much fun? Not.
Especially wearing a heavy suit when it was hotter than the center of the sun—inside as well as out, thanks to a blown air-conditioning unit in the little church in Cheap Hill.
Tommy’s gut did a barrel roll, taunting him with the reminder that the last three rounds of ole Jackie D. at Zack’s bachelor party last night hadn’t been a fantastic idea. At two in the morning, he hadn’t counted on being slow roasted like a chicken on a spit come this afternoon.
Or on spotting Shea with her date the moment he arrived.
Neither of which performed miracles on his headache. Or his sudden urge to commit homicide.
“Can’t someone open a goddamned window?”
“Jesus, was that a snarl? I think the kid has rabies,” Six-Pack announced with a grin. The only guy in the dressing room who didn’t snicker was Zack, who was too freaked out about getting hitched to do much but offer a sickly smile.
Tommy shot the big man a withering glare. “Stuff it, Howie.”
The snickers became snorts of laughter from everyone except Cori’s brothers, Joaquin and Manny, who looked on in puzzled amusement. Six-Pack hated that nickname. Tommy pretended to adjust his tie in the mirror while the other bozos waited to see how the man would react.
“Nah, I’ve had better offers from prettier people,” Six-Pack drawled. The others lost it, loud whoops and ribald comments echoing in the small room. And in his brain.
“Shitheads,” he muttered, scowling at himself. “And they call me a kid.”
“Damn, amigo.” Julian appeared behind him and clapped him on the shoulder. “Someone needs to shove a rainbow up your ass.”
Get a grip, man. He didn’t want to ruin Zack’s big day.
Giving up on the tie, Tommy faced him and quirked a smile. “Think you’re man enough to do the job?”
Julian waggled his brows. “If I swung that way, sure.”
More laughter. “God, you guys are sick fuckers.”
Six-Pack crossed his arms over his chest. “This little snit of yours wouldn’t have anything to do with the slick-looking fellow on Shea’s arm, would it?”
“Got any idea who he is?” There. He could be civil about this.
The lieutenant shrugged. “Seems vaguely familiar, but I didn’t get a real close look. I can try and find out, though.”
“I’d appreciate it.” Then I can rip his lungs out with a spoon.
“In any case, you’re not going to score any brownie points with Shea by killing her date,” Zack said, ambling over to join them.
“Aw, come on. Just a little slow torture, then? Can’t I make him scream like a girl, just once?”
“I can make the worm disappear for you,” Joaquin offered with a dangerous smile. “Permanently.”
Zack rolled his eyes. “Ignore Al Capone. Murdering the competition is never a good plan.”
“Neither is flaunting another woman in her face,” Julian said, shaking his head at Tommy’s stupidity. “Who’s the hot number you brought along?”
“An old friend from high school.” Tommy sighed. “That was my dad’s idea, to make Shea realize I’m not a pushover.”
“Could backfire, big-time.” The others made noises of agreement. Even Sean, who’d been sort of holding himself apart from the group.
Tommy gave his friends a grin he didn’t feel, and elbowed Zack in the ribs. “Easy for you to dole out advice, lucky bastards. You’ve already got the girl.”
“And most of us had to wait a lot longer than you,” Six-Pack pointed out. “What’s your hurry anyways? Don’t get me wrong, Shea’s a sweet girl, but what’s so special about her that’s got you in knots?”
He tried not to bristle. “I’m plenty old enough to know the woman for me when I meet her. She’s fun, sexy, smart, and sometimes, when she looks at me . . . it’s like the world ceases to exist around us. Like she can see into my soul and—”
“Holy love sonnet, Batman. My ears are bleeding.” Julian’s wisecrack was met with the sounds of gagging and someone humming like a violin.
“Real mature,” Tommy muttered. “I give up on you boneheads.” Well, except for Zack, who was busy glancing at his watch and shifting his feet, nerves once again getting the better of him.
A man Tommy didn’t recognize stuck his head in the door and announced it was time to take their places. The guys gave the white-faced groom last-minute backslaps, congrats, and advice to take it easy and not lock his knees during the ceremony. There was a tense moment when Joaquin offered his hand and Zack stared at him for a few heartbeats before accepting it. Then Cori’s older brother left to take his place giving away the bride.
After waiting his turn, Tommy stuck out his hand. “I’m really happy for you, man. Relax, you’ll be fine.”
“Thanks.” Zack clasped his palm and blew out a breath. “Well, here’s to massive credit card debt and honey-do lists.”
“And in a few more months, baby toys all over the house. Don’t forget those.”
“Oh, God.”
Tommy laughed as a dazed Zack led the procession out the door. Maybe this falling in love crap wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Yeah, remaining in lust sounded like a whole lot less trouble.
Or he thought so, until they arrived in the church’s foyer and he saw her.
Shea, at the head of the line, in her place as maid of honor. Curly sable hair piled on top of her head, little diamond studs glittering in her ears. Her sweet elfin face bright with happiness, caught up in the joy of the occasion.
His gaze caressed the graceful column of her throat to the swell of her breasts hugged by peach silk. The fabric of the dress nipped at her small waist, flared a bit at her gently rounded hips, and flowed to her dainty toes. God, he wished he could see her toned, pretty legs.
He stared, drinking in the sight of her. Letting her fill his soul. She was elegance personified. She was beautiful.
She’s mine. And I’m hers.
Somehow, he had to convince her of that before he lost his mind.
Shea took Six-Pack’s arm, wrapping her slender fingers around his biceps, and together they strode into the chapel at a sedate pace. Tommy squashed a nasty surge of jealousy, watching Zack’s best man escort her to the front. To hell with the fact that Six-Pack and his wife, Kat, were deliriously happy. Tommy didn’t breathe right again until they broke apart and took their places on either side of the altar.
How he’d get through the reception without killing her date, he didn’t know.
“Psst!”
Startled, he blinked at Kat, whom he’d been paired with since her hubby was the best man. Crap, it was their turn and he was holding up the procession. Julian and his fiancée, Grace, had already gone, followed by Sean and Eve, who regarded each other, wide-eyed, as though they’d never me
t before. Weird.
Tommy offered his arm to Kat and they started off, leaving Manny and his bridesmaid, one of the nurses Cori worked with, to go last. This thing couldn’t be over with soon enough.
Because having to stand there and look at Shea from across the short distance separating them, and not be able to touch her, knowing she’d accepted another man’s company over his, was the purest form of agony.
Thankfully, the music swelled and Cori’s arrival distracted him from his misery. She wore a high-waisted cream gown that accommodated her growing pregnancy. Honey brown hair tumbled about her bare shoulders because Zack preferred it down, and Tommy couldn’t blame him. His new wife-to-be was a real stunner. The fact that shy Zack had scored a former exotic dancer still tickled the shit out of him.
Joaquin led Cori carefully up the three steps. With everyone in their places, the preacher began. By the time her brother gave her away to Zack, the sniffling had already begun, tissues dabbing here and there. Jesus.
At least the air conditioner came on, and a collective sigh of relief burst from the guests. In his coat, however, it would take forever for him to cool off. And he still had the reception at Zack and Cori’s house to suffer through. For a long moment, he actually considered skipping out after the wedding.
Shea probably didn’t want him around. Didn’t care—
And then he caught Shea staring at him. Unmasked longing pooled in those big brown eyes. Or was it wishful thinking?
Either way, he knew there was no way he’d chicken out. Not now. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
He shot her his best smile, and when she returned it, lips curving slowly upward, he wanted to shout out loud. Because, he suddenly realized, she hadn’t sought her date out in the crowd. Not once.
But she’d been watching him. Only him.
That had to mean something good. Had to.
Tommy, my man, you’re still in the game. Don’t quit now.
Shea might have come to the wedding with the ultra-polished middle-aged dude in the thousand-dollar suit.
But he’d be fucked sideways if she was leaving with him.
4
Shea hoped nobody expected her to comment later on the preacher’s lovely words. If so, she’d have to bluff her way through. The old man’s voice faded to a monotonous drone as she devoured the sight of Tommy standing just a few feet across from her. All six delicious feet of him.
His dark suit hugged a body hardened by physical activity, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow hips. His chest and abs were rock-solid underneath his white dress shirt, toned and lean rather than bulky. The sculpted body of an athlete—a football player if she remembered correctly. Right this second, she found it hard to hold the jock label against him, though God knows she had good reason.
For one wild second, she wanted to push the jacket off his shoulders, tear off the staid tie, and rip open his shirt to get her first real gander at the golden skin waiting for her touch.
No! He’s too young for me, too much like an eager puppy. He can’t possibly have enough experience to know what he wants in life. He probably plays the field, breaks hearts left and right. I’d be better off with an older, more settled man, like Forrest. Right?
A trickle of sweat rolled between her breasts that had nothing to do with the heat in the chapel.
Her eyes swept past his hips to mile-long legs she imagined opening to cradle her inside, snug and secure in his heat.
Oh, God! Don’t go there.
She shifted to relieve the uncomfortable ache between her thighs and gave her attention to his face. The man was quite simply beautiful. He had the face of an angel, with high cheekbones, full lips, dusky brows arched over crystal blue eyes that sparkled with mischief most of the time. Now they caught her gaze, smoldering hot, not allowing her to look away.
His smile took her breath away, made her pulse hammer in her throat, every silly girlish thing she’d ever read. Never had she felt anything like the way his nearness made her quiver inside—even back then—and it frightened as much as it excited. Still, she found herself smiling back, nerve endings tingling, as though her mouth, her body, had a will of their own.
The wedding was over before she knew it, Zack kissing his bride, and the private moment she and Tommy shared was broken. Or perhaps not so private, standing before a chapel full of guests. But it was strange how everything else had disappeared, as though they’d connected without physical contact.
The wedding party turned and filed out, and she wasn’t sure whether to be thankful at the absence of the tension between them. Tommy Skyler disrupted her hard-won safe world, and part of her hid, terrified and trembling at the implication.
The other part desperately longed to live again.
In the foyer, she released Howard’s arm and sought Tommy. Now that they were free from the biggest part of their duties, it would seem unfriendly not to at least speak to him. But before she could take a step in his direction, a hand caught her elbow.
“There’s the prettiest woman in the room,” a pleasant voice said.
Shea half turned to greet her date, surprised at having to squelch a stab of annoyance. She mustered a smile for Forrest, but was unable to return the compliment, no matter how much she genuinely liked him. Because the sexiest man in the room had just been greeted by a knockout, leggy blonde in a strappy, barely there summer dress . . . who was now hanging on to his arm.
And planting a kiss at the corner of his mouth.
Her heart froze. Tommy brought someone else. Had she honestly expected him to mope and pine alone all afternoon? Yes, dammit!
She tore her gaze from the perfect, striking couple with a massive effort. “Hey, you. Nice wedding, don’t you think?”
Forrest curled his fingers around hers and brought them to his lips. “Absolutely. I love weddings. There’s something about the promise of a new beginning that gets to me.”
The right words from the wrong lips.
Now what on earth made her think that? Forrest was a very attractive man. Light sandy brown hair, earnest hazel eyes, a nice enough build. He stood a bit over six feet, and his body was a bit soft, especially around the middle, but he wasn’t heavy. He was an important man with a stressful office-type job, so he likely didn’t take care of himself the way he should.
“Yeah, they get to me, too,” she said, aware of him waiting for a response. “Thanks for bringing me. I know this isn’t exactly what you had in mind when you asked me out.”
His puzzled expression cleared. “Are you kidding? I’m having a great time, and we still have dinner to look forward to, just the two of us.”
“Yes, we do.” But her mind strayed to another invitation, issued by a man who wasn’t safe at all. One who made her feel scraped raw after every encounter.
Was he going out with the blonde tonight?
“Shea, are you all right? You seem preoccupied.” He glanced across the now-crowded foyer in the direction she’d been staring.
“Hmm? Oh, yes! I’m fine.” She waved off Forrest’s concern. “Oh, look, they’re waving the wedding party back in to take the pictures. It shouldn’t take long; then we’ll head out to the reception, okay?”
“Fine with me. Unless you’d like to skip the reception and get an early start on our evening?” A trace of hope colored his voice.
“I thought you loved weddings,” she teased. “Just telling me what I want to hear?”
“No, I do! I just thought . . .” He trailed off with a shrug.
“Well, it was a nice idea, but I couldn’t possibly skip out on Zack and Cori on their big day. I hope you understand.”
“Of course I do.” Leaning down, he kissed her temple. “We’ll stay as long as you like.”
“Thank you.” She smoothed the lapel of his suit, noting he didn’t smell nearly as good as Tommy, nor was his chest very firm under the fabric. “I’d better go in and get the photos out of the way.”
“I’ll wait out here.”
/>
As she made her way to the chapel doors, she noticed Tommy’s date standing alone near the entrance. The girl met Shea’s eyes, her gaze unflinching, curious, but not hostile. She acknowledged Shea with a nod, which Shea returned before striding into the chapel. Okay, that was strange.
The photo session was a half hour of sheer torture, being near Tommy yet knowing they weren’t together. Her brain went places she’d rather not go, agonizing over what this girl meant to him. What they might do later. Or had already done.
When the photographer was finished, Shea practically fled, allowing Forrest to ensconce her in his Escalade. They took off for Zack and Cori’s place and if he noticed she was upset, he didn’t mention it. Instead, he distracted her with small talk.
“Will there be dancing?”
She shot him a grateful look. “Dancing, food, beer, and wine. Wait until you see the place. I helped them get stuff ready yesterday after the rehearsal, and it’s fabulous. They’ve got two big canopies outside, one to shade the dance floor and stereo equipment, and one for the sitting area, where the food will be laid out.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Firefighters never do a party halfway, I’ve learned.”
He laughed. “So I’ve heard. Now I’m doubly glad you asked me along.”
She eyed his profile. “No offense, but you don’t seem like the let-loose, party type.”
“None taken. It’s the stuffy image associated with us city boys.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “What’s a guy to do?”
In spite of herself, she began to relax and enjoy his company. Forrest was a dear, likable man and deserved her attention since she’d agreed to spend the day with him. She would not let her libido drown the voice of good reason.
Screw me twice, shame on me.
Forrest turned down the winding drive and whistled. “Pretty spread. Look at all this front acreage! I can see why they wanted to have the reception here instead of the banquet hall.”
“Yep. No rent, except for the tents and fans, and plenty of room for all of the guests to park and enjoy themselves.”
