Runaway Groom

by Sally Clements

  “I know. He told me.”

  The blinkered love she’d always felt for her sister, her refusal to listen to Amy when she’d told her the break-up hadn’t been his fault, churned up feelings that burned deep inside. Just like every other resident of Brookbridge, she’d condemned Matthew without a trial. Sure, June had lied, but the way April had treated him had been worse.

  “I’ve missed your friendship.”

  April’s stomach clenched at Amy’s words. “I’ve missed you too. I don’t expect you to forgive me.”

  “Matthew must have forgiven you if you’re staying in his house.”

  April closed her eyes. He’d more than forgiven her. She’d been angry at him for years, but when his arms held her close and he kissed her hard, she’d been ready to throw all her anger away and drag him upstairs to bed.

  He’d put a halt to their lovemaking by insisting on telling her the truth. And she’d punished both of them by avoiding him as a result.

  “Is there something going on I should know about?”

  “I like Matthew a lot. I guess I always did.” There was the sound of singing in the background. “Where are you?”

  “Ah. That’s why I’m calling. I’m in Guatemala. Here’s the number.” She reeled off a list of numbers and April quickly wrote them down. “My money was stolen, and I need Matthew to rescue me.”

  “He should be back soon.”

  “Get him to call me, would you? I’ll wait by the phone.”

  Moments later Matthew’s key turned in the lock. His footsteps slowed as he walked to the kitchen. “Hi.” He stood in the doorway, eyeing her as if waiting for her to run.

  “Amy called. She needs help.” She crossed the room and pressed Amy’s number into his hand. “She’s in Guatemala.”

  He grabbed the phone. “Was she arrested?”

  “Her money was stolen.”

  “Damn.” He punched in the number and strode back and forth across the kitchen.

  “Amy?” There was urgency in his voice. “Are you alright?” He strode to the table and grabbed the pen. “Tell me where I should wire the money.” He wrote down details in a messy scrawl. “Okay, sit tight. I’m on it.”

  He listened for a moment, quirking an eyebrow at April. “Yes. She’s here. Uh-huh. Well I don’t know.”

  Amy was obviously filling him in on their conversation. His gaze heated as it travelled from April’s eyes to her mouth. “Maybe. Are you coming home soon?” Whatever she said next made him grin. “Call me from the airport, and I’ll pick you up.”

  Matthew hung up and dialed another number, arranging a money transfer.

  April took two steaks from the fridge, and tossed a salad.

  He terminated the call and just stood there, staring.

  “I hope you’re hungry, these steaks are massive.” April heart’s was pounding so hard, she felt sure he could hear it across the room.

  The physical exertion had made him sweat. His hair was messy from the run. His shorts hung low on his hips revealing the bumps of perfect abs.

  April’s stomach flipped. “I needed some time.”

  He moved quickly to her side, standing so close she breathed in his distinctive scent and it made her a little crazy.

  “I know.” His hand touched her waist, then dropped to his side. “I need to shower.” An eyebrow rose. “If I do, will you still be here when I get back?”

  His stare was so compelling she couldn’t look away. “I’ll be here.”

  He traced her cheek with a finger. Gazed at her lips with such intensity that she swayed toward him, wanting the touch of his mouth desperately.

  “Give me five.” He turned and raced up the stairs.

  April lowered herself onto the nearest chair before her legs gave out. The attraction between them was off the charts hot. She was in way over her head, consumed by an uncontrollable desire to forget the past and live in the present. To feel his hands roam over her body and taste his mouth.

  She dished up the steaks onto plates as he came down the stairs.

  He’d dressed in worn jeans and a sweatshirt that looked so soft her fingers itched to feel. “So you talked to Amy.”

  “Yes,” she whispered, choked with emotion.

  “How’s work going?” He grabbed a bottle of red wine from the rack and opened it.

  “The collection is done.” When June’s dress was finished, she’d have no reason to stay with him any longer. The thought of leaving tore at her insides. “I just have to make June’s dress.”

  He probably wasn’t even aware he frowned at the mention of June.

  “I don’t want to talk about her.” Her words came out as a whisper.

  “Me either.” He ate quickly. “So, you don’t need to work any more tonight?” His gaze burned everywhere it touched. Her eyes, her mouth, her neck.

  “I am taking tonight off.” She grinned. The electricity arcing between their bodies was too intense; she desperately needed to lighten the mood. “Maybe we can find a rom-com on Netflix.”

  Matthew grimaced. “Euww. How about a disaster movie?”

  “Maybe both?”

  “Sounds good.” He finished off the last mouthful of steak. “We could eat dessert in front of the fire.”

  “What if we don’t have dessert?” She’d found out early Matthew was addicted to ice cream, which was unbelievably unfair, considering he didn’t have a spare ounce of fat anywhere on his body.

  “I’m sure we can find something.” He was looking at her mouth again and suddenly the thought of him feasting on her mouth flashed white-hot.

  She licked her top lip.

  He groaned. “That ties me in knots.” He pulled her up from the table. “Every time you lick your damned lip, I want to.” His warm breath puffed against her lips, then with one warm lick he did as he’d promised. A bolt of heat flashed from her mouth to her core, making her dampen instantly.

  “I don’t want to watch TV,” he murmured against her lips.

  “I don’t either.” Her lips parted on a sigh.

  Kissing her was like being let back into heaven. She’d avoided him every day for the past week, and frustration had forced him out to tire his body by pounding on the streets of London, rather than into April. Every time he’d returned she was working, the sound of the sewing machine humming upstairs behind the closed door.

  The night a week ago when he’d spoken about June, she’d climbed out of bed and told him she had to think. He didn’t know if she believed him, but she wasn’t angry, just distant. He wasn’t used to waiting for anything, but he’d had to wait for her to make the first move.

  Now she had.

  In the bedroom she turned her back and slipped off her clothing, strangely shy.

  He stripped off his sweatshirt and shucked his jeans and climbed into bed, stretching out his arm to her. “Come here.”

  She climbed into bed in her underwear, a blush pinkening her cheeks.

  A wave of tenderness engulfed him as he pulled her close to his body, teased his lips over hers. His tongue dipped into her mouth, tasting her. She felt so warm, her skin so soft his body responded to her nearness instantly. He’d wanted her for so long, it felt as though everything before had led up to this moment.

  He smoothed down her spine with his fingertips. “I just want to hold you.”

  She snuggled closer and ran her hands over his shoulders.

  Tonight was the first night they’d have together—tonight was for kissing, for building the passion to fever pitch. She groaned into his mouth as his hands rested on the flare of her hips. No matter how much she tempted, tonight was about showing her how much he cared, taking it slow.

  The moon shone through his open curtains, bathing her with its pearly glow. The eyes staring into his were dreamy, full of an indefinable emotion.

  “Turn around, let’s sleep.”

  She smiled. Turned. And pressed her body close shoulder to toe. His palm flattened against the curve of her stomach, he breathed
in the scent of her hair, of her neck.

  And held her, as night drifted into dawn.

  *****

  Sleeping together was becoming a habit. They hadn’t made love yet, but the need was becoming too much for both of them. Last night she’d cupped his erection through his boxers, all the while sighing encouragement. He’d almost lost it then and there.

  Amy had told him April had apologized for not believing her. She’d told him April’s past loyalty was understandable. She’d wanted to know where his relationship with April was going.

  He didn’t know. April was the only woman he’d ever spent time with who knew everything about his past. The connection between them was deep, the need for her overwhelming. In relationships post June, he’d keep a distance that was impossible with April. He’d started coming home early just to see her smile.

  Making love would sail their relationship into dangerous uncharted waters, but holding back was becoming more and more impossible.

  He’d taken to walking outside at lunchtime to clear his head. Today, he’d spotted the perfect gift in an antique shop and had impulsively bought it. His fingers clutched around it as she opened the front door before he had a chance to.

  “I thought we’d eat early. I’ve got someone coming around.”

  “Who?” They’d been living in a bubble—she’d taken to visiting friends rather than having them around.

  “She’s a model called Lena. The collection is finished, and she’s coming over to try on dresses for me. A sort of dry-run.”

  April strode into the kitchen and took a casserole out of the oven, and picked baked potatoes from the oven shelf.

  “So do you need an audience?”

  April looked up in surprise. “Actually it would be good to get a reaction from someone other than me.” Her mouth curved in a tentative smile. “Would you mind?”

  “Have you ever known a man to turn down the chance of watching models strut their stuff?”

  The smile became a full-on grin that filled him with light. “Guys are all dogs.”

  “Woof.”

  She laughed. “She’ll be here in an hour.”

  He opened a bottle of wine, and poured two glasses. “I’m looking forward to seeing the collection. You’ve been working hard.” He picked up her hand and examined her fingertips. “There are needle dents in the top of your fingers.”

  “Tiny badges of honor.” Her gaze skittered to the corner of the room. “June’s dress is made too.”

  June. “That’s good.” Maybe he should leave it there. No. “I’m not going to the wedding, you know. I was never going to go to the wedding.”

  Her gaze met his, eyes wide. “Why did you let me think you would?”

  “I didn’t want to stop seeing you.” The truth flooded out. There was nothing to lose anymore.

  Her eyes narrowed. “You were messing with me?”

  “I was keeping you here.” He brushed a finger over her bottom lip.

  Her eyes darkened. “I’ve been thinking about why she invited you in the first place.” She sipped wine.

  “Maybe she thought it was time to rehabilitate my reputation.”

  “She could have done that by telling the truth.”

  The fact she believed him, that she’d taken the time to think things through, and had realized what he feared she never would, that June wasn’t as pure as snow, warmed him. “I guess she’s been sticking to one version of events for so long, it would be difficult to switch tracks.”

  April’s mouth set in a firm line. “There’s the truth, and there’s a lie.”

  Black and white. With April there were no shades of grey. If her sister wasn’t an angel, she must be a devil. “She was young.” He didn’t want to make excuses for June, but things were never quite so clear-cut. “She made a mistake by not telling you, but I can understand her motivation.”

  “I can’t.”

  Her shoulders were stiff and unyielding, just like her mind. She pushed the food around on her plate.

  “If I’m willing to forgive and forget, you should too.”

  “You don’t have to see her.” She dropped the fork, and with it any pretense of eating, and concentrated on her glass instead. “I have to have her here for a fitting. I’ll make sure it’s when you’re out.”

  He covered her hand with his. “There’s no need. We live here together. It’s about time she knows that.” Now her collection and June’s dress were finished, she could move out as she’d always planned. The thought of coming home to an empty house held no appeal, but her departure was inevitable. Just not yet.

  “We’re not together, Matthew.” She didn’t move her hand away.

  “We are.”

  Her lips parted.

  “I care about you, April. I care about us.”

  The hand holding her wine wobbled. He took the glass from her fingers. Placed it on the table. And kissed her.

  *****

  Lena stalked into the sitting-room wearing the final dress in the collection. Well the penultimate dress, the final would be June’s wedding dress and it didn’t fit Lena. She stepped in a funny model show-pony gait to the fireplace, and twirled on the spot. Then stuck her hip out in typical model pose.

  “I love your dresses, they make me feel fierce.”

  “You look deadly in them,” April said. “Thanks so much for coming tonight.”

  “Oh, hey, you’re welcome. The others aren’t ready yet, so it’s great to wear something I’m actually going to be modeling next month.”

  “Would you like a drink?” Matthew stood.

  Lena raised her hands, palms out. “I can’t. I’m meeting my boyfriend.” She glanced at her watch. “I’m just going to change and go.”

  April stood, shot Matthew a quick glance, and followed Lena from the room. There were other elements of the collection to be finalized still, jewelry and hair, but the most important part—the clothes—was now ready.

  Exhaustion mixed with relief. She took the final dress and slipped it onto the rack as Lena shimmied into her skinny-jeans.

  “So you had to remake the entire collection? That must have been a nightmare.”

  “It was.” The days and endless nights of work had elevated her stress levels to beyond crazy. She’d worried she wouldn’t have enough time to get June’s dress finished too. After all, the wedding was before the fashion show, but the fashion show had to take precedence. There was too much riding on the show to risk it. Some very influential people had accepted invitations, and if she was lucky, the job of her dreams could come from it.

  “Well your stuff rocks.” Lena slicked lip-gloss over her perfect lips. “You’re very talented.”

  April’s heart swelled. She barely knew Lena, and the praise was unexpected. “That’s nice of you to say.”

  “I mean it.” Lena walked to the rack and fingered one dress in particular. “So many of the clothes I model are total fantasies, but these…I can imagine wearing this stuff for real. I like the way they flatter the wearer, and aren’t all shock-value, you know?” Her pretty face screwed up. “I can’t count the times I’ve strode the runway with a dress stuck up with tape and my ass hanging out. They’re classy and beautifully made.”

  She grabbed her bag from the bed. “I’d better go.”

  “Thanks again.” April followed her down the stairs.

  “Night, Matthew, good to meet you!” Lena called through the open door to the sitting-room.

  Matthew called back something.

  “He’s a keeper.” Lena winked. “Have a good night.”

  Then she was gone. Leaving them alone again. April closed the front door, turned, and leaned against it.

  He is a keeper. The fact he’d insisted she hear the truth about the past before they gave in to the heat blazing between them proved it. And since she’d joined him in his bed he’d been so tender her heart bloomed open like a flower under the sun.

  Kissing Matthew, touching him, was so incredibly erotic she daydrea
med about being with him all day long, but every night when he turned her around and curled into her back frustration coiled like an anaconda in her stomach.

  With every touch, binds curled around her heart. The press of his lips against her hair filled her with light, with foolish hope. Her oft-repeated mantra that love doesn’t last was under sensual attack, and she hadn’t a clue how to wrestle control back.

  The arousal pressing against her every night proved he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. Tonight she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  At times like this, April sort of wished she’d had more of a past. She’d never been serious about anyone before, not like this. Sex had been a natural progression to her two previous relationships, but they’d been fun, rather than great romances.

  Not that this was a great romance. Not yet.

  She sucked in a breath and straightened. Was she going to stand here propped up against the door all night, or go and join him in front of the fire?

  No brainer.

  He was standing by the fire as she walked in, warming his butt.

  “Your dresses are great.” He stepped close. “I brought you something.” He reached into the pocket of his suit and pulled out a tiny blue box.

  She turned the box over and over in her hands. “What is it?”

  “Open it.”

  She pressed the tiny button and the box sprang open. Inside, a silver filigree thimble nestled in sky-blue silk.

  “I thought it might save your fingertips.”

  April slipped the tiny thimble over her index finger. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’m glad to see you so happy.”

  She looked up into his face. “Beyond happy. There’s only one thing that will make me happier.”

  “Oh?” The way his eyebrows rose was so cute, she couldn’t resist for one minute longer.

  She put the thimble back in the box, and slipped it into his pocket. Stepped up close and personal. Her hands touched his chest, slid up to the nape of his strong neck, and tangled in his hair.

  He didn’t move. But his eyes darkened.

  Up on tiptoe, she pressed her mouth to his. Traced the seam of his lips. Intensified the contact.