by Karen Kelley
She looked away, unable to meet his penetrating gaze. “The same as any kid, and I didn’t say a damn word.”
“You didn’t have to,” he mumbled. His eyes softened. “I wish I could take away your pain.”
“Why? We’re nothing to each other.”
“I thought we were at least friends. Was I wrong?”
A guilty flush swept over her. They were more than strangers. They’d been lovers. Hell, tomorrow he would be her husband. Not that any of it would be real, and that was certainly fine with her. But strangers, they weren’t.
Friends had a nice ring to it. She could probably manage that. As long as he didn’t want to get too chummy after their partnership ended. “Yeah, we’re friends.”
One corner of his mouth tilted up. His smile reached all the way to his eyes. God, she loved the way he smiled at her. As if she were the only woman in the room, as if she really meant something more to him than just a friend.
He’s going to break your heart.
Yes, I know.
A weight lifted from her shoulders. She’d finally admitted it to herself. Josh would more than likely break her heart.
He laughed suddenly as the music picked up tempo, then whirled her around and around the room. She met his gaze, and laughed right along with him, and for the first time in her life, she did feel free.
He’ll break your heart. Just like all the others.
Yes, I know.
Chapter 21
There had been something different about Cody last night, but Josh couldn’t quite figure out what it was. The change happened when they were dancing. For a little while, he’d seen the real woman behind the mask of indifference she always wore.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror above the sink. This wasn’t good.
How could the temptation of a woman bring him to this? That’s all it had been. The partnership had been a ruse to get her into his bed—and maybe out of his mind. They’d have a torrid but brief affair, collect Adam and return him to the States, and he’d kill two birds with one stone.
Marriage hadn’t been part of the equation—or that he would care more about Cody than he had before she agreed to the partnership.
Damn it, he tossed the tie down and was reaching for the top button of his white shirt when his hand stilled.
What the hell was he doing? Risking spending the next few years in a Mexican jail? That’s what would happen if he called off the wedding.
Crap.
He picked up his tie, took a deep breath, and quickly tied it into some semblance of what it should look like, then slipped on the heavily embroidered jacket. Hector had made sure he would look the part of a well-to-do groom and had a local seamstress alter a suit that once belonged to Hector’s father.
Josh stared at his reflection. He wasn’t a titled land baron, but he looked like he could be. Talk about feeling like a fraud.
How would Cody view him? As if he didn’t already know the answer to that. She was furious with him for getting her into this mess. The only reason she hadn’t blown the whole thing sky high was because her aversion to spending time in a Mexican jail was as strong as his.
He had a feeling she’d tell him again how pissed off she was when she had him alone.
There was a sharp rap on the door before it opened. “Ah, you are ready, amigo.” Hector studied him for a moment before nodding his approval. “Cody will not be able to resist you.” He smiled.
Josh only hoped that was the case. If she found him irresistible, then maybe she wouldn’t want to kill him.
Hector handed him a white velvet bag that jingled. Curiosity got the better of him. He poured the contents on the bed and gold coins tumbled out. Thirteen, to be exact.
“For you to give your bride. The priest will bless them. Then you give them to Cody to show her that you intend to support her.”
Yeah, she’d really like the idea of him supporting her. That would definitely make her happy—right after she shoved them down his throat.
Thirteen. He hoped Cody wasn’t superstitious.
Why was she so damn nervous?
Cody tugged at the bodice of the satin gown. Maria was just a bit smaller in the bust. If she sneezed, she’d pop out for sure.
And she was slowly being suffocated by the crowded room.
There were at least ten women jammed into the tiny bedroom. Ten chattering women. Since they were all speaking Spanish, Cody couldn’t understand a blasted word they said. Giggling, chattering women. If she ran from the room screaming, would they lock her away in an asylum for the insane?
Sweat rolled between her breasts.
She had to get some air. It was too damn hot in here. She closed her eyes and swallowed back the scream that threatened to erupt from her mouth at any second.
“Our bride needs air,” Maria said before switching to Spanish and shooing everyone out of the room.
When Maria closed the door, Cody sighed with relief.
“I was the same way before I married Hector. I almost called off the wedding.” She walked back across the room and opened the balcony door.
A light breeze drifted into the room like a whisper, but it was enough to begin to ease the tension inside her.
“You will feel much better in a few minutes.” She smiled with such warmth that another wave of guilt washed over Cody. If Maria knew the truth, she’d be so hurt.
Oh, no, she had started to like the other woman. That wasn’t good. Crap, what the hell was happening in her life? She was stuck here, about to become Mrs. Josh Pierce. Her stomach rumbled and there was a sudden tightness in her chest.
She waited for the uncomfortable feeling to go away. That wasn’t the worst of it, though. She didn’t want to hurt Maria.
You’re a bounty hunter. Trained to fight. Emotions aren’t a part of your life.
Then why did she feel as if emotions were consuming her?
“You are feeling better?”
She glanced up. A worried frown marred Maria’s features.
“Much better,” she lied. “Pre-wedding jitters, I guess.”
“Si, si. It is okay to be nervous. You have mucho hombre.” She raised her eyebrows and a saucy grin appeared on her face. “You will have many wonderful nights together.”
If this marriage were real, she had no doubt Maria would be right. She walked to the window, drawing in a deep breath. The honeysuckle-scented breeze was soothing to her frayed nerves.
“Josh loves you very much.”
She glanced over her shoulder. What was Maria basing her observations on? The fact that they were getting married? Cody wouldn’t burst her bubble and tell her love didn’t even enter into their relationship.
“You doubt me. I can see it in your eyes, but it is true. I see the way he looks at you.” She brought a large round box from the closet and put it on the bed. “His gaze follows you around the room like you are the only woman there.”
Lust, not love. She couldn’t fault him for that. Hell, she wanted to experience what they’d had in the motel room again, too. It seemed all she could think about lately. Making sweet love all night long.
No, not love. It would only be sex. But damn good sex, and it wouldn’t matter that love wasn’t a part of what they shared.
So maybe they would share their bodies with each other once more. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the doorframe. Visions swirled behind her tightly closed lids. She watched the erotic pictures like a movie being played out.
Her hands clenched and unclenched as she envisioned Josh slowly unzipping her dress and pushing it off her shoulders, exposing her breasts to his hungry gaze. His mouth would lower, her back would arch…
“This was my grandmother’s veil,” Maria said, breaking into her thoughts.
She bit back a groan and quickly brought herself back under control before she turned around. White silk, lace, and a jewel-encrusted veil made her catch her breath.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, walkin
g closer. “Are you sure you want me to wear it?”
“Of course, we are sisters, remember? Besides, you will do it honor to be worn by someone so beautiful.”
“Passable. Nice-looking.” She shrugged. “I’m not so sure about beautiful.”
“Now you are making jokes.” Maria smiled, then placed the veil on top of Cody’s head, adjusting it before pinning it in place with white combs. “There. You are like the princess in the fairy tale.” She waved toward the full-length mirror.
She turned, and for a moment could only stare at her reflection. Maria was right, she did look like a fairy tale princess. Too bad her Prince Charming was a cardboard cutout and tomorrow she’d go back to doing what she did best—capturing bad guys.
But nothing in the world could make her ruin Maria’s moment.
“Thank you,” she said.
Maria beamed. “It will be a wonderful day for you both.” Music started playing. “It is time.” She pulled the lacy material over Cody’s face, partially concealing it.
Oh, lord, it wasn’t butterflies fluttering in her stomach. No, it was more like a beehive had busted open and the nasty little creatures were buzzing all over the place. She expected to feel their sting any second now.
Deep breath. She could do this—as long as she kept telling herself it wasn’t real.
After pasting a smile on her face, which she was sure came off sickly, she followed Maria. Thank goodness for the veil.
The music changed when she reached the top of the stairs and the small band began playing the bridal march. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and raised her chin before she moved down the stairs, all the time praying she wouldn’t trip. Odd, the things that were going through her mind.
The room was almost bursting at the seams with Maria and Hector’s relatives, but they’d left a wide path for her to walk down, and at the end of it were Josh, the priest, and Hector.
She almost did trip then. God, Josh was handsome as he stood in front of a white arch that had been decorated with a garland and flowers. Hector had apparently loaned him a suit.
Stepping back in time. That’s what all this felt like. Josh might have been a hacendado. The owner of a magnificent estate as he stood there wearing an intricately embroidered black suit that must have taken hours to sew.
And for just a little while, she’d be calling him husband.
Her breath caught in her throat and for a brief second she wished…Hell, she didn’t know what she wished. Marriage with Josh? Not likely. He was a player. A one-night stand. Their one-night stand was lasting a little longer than either had planned, but that’s exactly what it was nonetheless.
How in the hell had they fucked everything up so badly?
Josh reached for her hand. His was warm and strong, hers cold as ice. When he smiled down on her, she knew everything would be okay. Together, they would make it right.
Then she looked at the priest. Oh, lord, how many guilt trips would she go on in this lifetime?
He smiled the kindest smile she’d ever seen.
Apparently, she’d be taking a hell of a lot.
Maria and Hector stepped toward them, looping a white ribbon over her and Josh. This was it. They hadn’t fallen for their alibi after all and they were tying them up.
“A tradition.” Maria smiled. “A lasso. It represents your joining.”
As long as no one got kinky or anything, what did it matter? They were going to hell for sure now. No one took something symbolic and sacred and stomped all over it. She wasn’t that religious, but she did have beliefs and God was one of them.
He would have His revenge.
When Josh reached into his pocket, she wondered what he was up to now. He pulled out a white velvet bag. The priest said something over it and Josh gave it to her.
What the hell was she supposed to do with it? Obviously, there were coins inside. At least that’s what it felt like. She met Josh’s gaze.
“The bag holds thirteen gold coins. It represents my commitment to support you.”
Even looking through the lacy veil, she saw his eyes twinkle. If this were a real marriage, she’d toss the money at his feet. Support, her ass. She would never need anyone to support her. She’d made it this far without a man’s help and she certainly didn’t need help now.
Smiling, she lowered her lids demurely. “Gracias.”
The priest began to speak so she turned her attention back to him. She had no idea what he was saying, but she could guess. After a few lengthy minutes passed, he held a cross toward her.
“You will kiss the cross to show your faithfulness,” Maria whispered.
Oh, yeah, they were definitely going to hell. She kissed the cold metal. Josh did the same. How could he seem so calm? And so devilishly handsome?
The next thing she knew, Josh raised her veil. His lips met hers in what she thought would be a brief kiss, but as soon as she felt the heat, his arms pulling her closer, she forgot the crowd of relatives and let herself be caught up in the passion of his touch.
The clapping of hands and the cheering jerked her back to earth. The priest removed the white ribbon and handed it to her and they were led outside, where tables ringed the patio.
Champagne toasts followed. People that Cody had met came up to congratulate them. She cast sideways glances at Josh, who seemed quite comfortable playing his role of new husband. He laughed and shook hands while she felt as if she were having an out-of-body experience. Not a good feeling.
Her wedding. What a joke. Oh, lord, would anyone think badly of her if she just up-chucked everywhere? No, then she would ruin Maria’s beautiful gown.
The guests joined hands and formed a heart shape.
Now what?
“I believe the first dance is ours,” Josh said, holding out his hand. “Our first dance as man and wife.”
She had no quick retort as she went into his arms. Why the hell did it feel so right having him hold her? They should’ve made a better attempt at escaping—before they were married.
“What are you thinking,” he whispered close to her ear.
“That we’re going to hell. That God will have His revenge because we took something holy and tarnished it.”
“What happened to the woman who lived to bring the next criminal to justice? You showed no fear. What’s changed?”
He was right. She was different, but did she like the new Cody? Was she getting soft? Crap, she was. But how did she go back to being that hard-assed person? Did she remember the way?
Did she even want to? She wasn’t sure anymore.
She met Josh’s penetrating gaze as he waltzed her around the patio. He lightly caressed her arm with his thumb, sending tingles of pleasure over her. His gaze was like blue fire, heating her body with awareness.
Ah, yes, they would definitely share their bodies again. Her nipples were tight with anticipation of his hands stroking, fondling.
So maybe she would go to hell. Josh would be there right alongside her. Right now, the only hell she could foresee was not ever making love with him again. That would be pure torture, a self-made hell.
“I want you,” she told him, vowing to take one day at a time.
He sucked in a deep breath. “You think they’d throw us in jail if we dropped to the floor and had a go of it?”
She laughed, but when the song stopped, her laughter died as he pulled her against him and lowered his mouth. His tongue stroked and teased. She tangled her hands in his hair and brought him closer.
God, she wanted this man again and again and again.
He’ll break your heart.
I don’t care.
“How soon can we leave?” she asked.
Maybe asking the question aloud jinxed her. Two hours later and she was still wondering the same thing. What was worse, Josh had been spirited away by a bunch of the men.
This was supposed to be her wedding day, damn it. The groom wasn’t supposed to desert her.
But then, she wasn’t a br
ide. At least, not a real one. The marriage was real, though. She could pretend, at least for a little while, that Josh wouldn’t be like all the rest. He wouldn’t leave her. Not tonight. He would be all hers.
Chapter 22
Maria and three of her giggling sisters led Cody to the guesthouse where Josh had stayed the night before. Now what were they up to, she wondered.
As soon as they were inside, she instinctively knew the room didn’t look like this when Josh stayed there. Rose petals covered the gauze-draped bed and were scattered on the floor. A bottle of champagne chilled in a bucket of ice and there was a gold plate filled with succulent strawberries and fat purple grapes.
Candles were on the fireplace mantle, waiting to be lit, but the vanilla-scented wax already mingled with the scent of the roses.
“A woman’s wedding night should be one that she will never forget,” Maria said softly. “Come.” She pulled her the rest of the way into the room. Behind a silk panel was a claw-foot tub filled with water and a layer of rose petals. Cody inhaled the heady scent. Her tense muscles were already beginning to relax.
Maria’s sisters removed her veil, and after her gown was unbuttoned, they took that, too, and, except for Maria, slipped from the room. Maria removed the rest of her clothes, and as Cody stepped into the tub, she was instantly surrounded by warmth.
Maria tipped a small glass bottle, letting a few drops of the liquid spill into the water.
“For energy. I think you will need it this night.” She laughed lightly before tipping another bottle and letting the oil spill into the water. “This formula eez passed down from mother to daughter. It will bind you and your husband together forever with a love that no one will be able to separate.”
As the oil spread across the top of the water, goose bumps spread over Cody’s arms and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
Yeah, right, she silently scoffed. As soon as they were back in Texas, they’d get divorced. No love potion could bind them together.
But it smelled good.
“Just relax. Let the waters soothe your troubled soul.”
Had she heard her right? No, probably not. Maria put a glass of wine on the table beside the tub and went around the screen to give her privacy.
