The Best Bride

by Susan Mallery

  “Wh-what are you doing?”

  His expression was carefully blank. “We don’t have that much time.” He motioned to his bare chest. “I was going to take a quick shower. We don’t want to be late. Unless I’m bothering you.”

  She forced herself to concentrate on darkening her eyelashes. If he didn’t mind getting naked in front of her, she refused to mind watching. “Be my guest.”

  As he reached for his button fly, she reminded herself he wasn’t the first man she’d seen naked. There had been Shawn, and before him, Jimmy, the guy she’d gone out with in college. She knew what the male form looked like.

  Which didn’t stop her from nearly poking herself in the eye when he dropped his briefs on the floor.

  She jerked her head back and tried to see if her lashes were clumped. Instead, she found herself watching him. Wide shoulders and a broad chest narrowing at the waist and hips. He had long legs, also covered with gold blond hair. While he wasn’t aroused, he was still impressive, and she felt a flicker of heat in her belly.

  He turned toward the shower and reached for the knob. She had a perfect view of his back and rear. Her fingers itched to squeeze the high, round flesh.

  She forced her attention back to her makeup. The mascara she’d already applied would have to be enough. She didn’t trust herself with anything near her eyes right now. She reached for the blush and colored her cheekbones. The last item she needed was lipstick.

  While she finished her makeup, Nick adjusted the shower temperature. She was surprised at how long it took to find the right combination of hot and cold. Speaking of which, she was running completely on hot. Waves of heat rippled through her, making her knees melt and her thighs quiver. He was beautiful enough to take her breath away when he was dressed. Naked, he made her think about committing borderline illegal acts.

  She eyed the lipstick, then realized she was in no condition to apply it. She would be safer if she got out of the bathroom and back under control. As she collected her belongings, he finally stepped into the spray.

  She walked toward the door.

  “You were looking,” Nick called. “That’s gonna cost you five bucks.”

  He stood under the water and grinned. Two seconds later, the door slammed shut. Oh, Hannah, what you do to me, he thought, well pleased by her staring.

  Five minutes later, he turned off the water, stepped out and reached for a towel. There on the counter, right next to his shaving kit, was a flat, crisp, five-dollar bill.

  Chapter Seven

  Hannah approached the large, formally set dining-room table. Her heart pounded in her chest and her palms felt sweaty. She would like to think it was a reaction to having seen Nick naked, and the fact that even as she walked into the dining room, his hand rested on the small of her back. Some of it was, but most of it was nerves. It had only been twenty-four hours and she hadn’t adjusted to being part of the Haynes family.

  Elizabeth motioned to the empty chairs. “Sit where you’d like. I counted a couple of times and made Travis count with me. We should have enough place settings.” She frowned faintly and shook her head. “This family is getting bigger by the day.”

  “It could be worse,” Travis said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

  Hannah watched as Elizabeth leaned into her husband’s embrace. Their love was as tangible as one of the dining-room chairs. She admired what they had found together and was willing to admit to a hint of envy. What would it be like to have someone love her the way Travis loved Elizabeth, or Craig loved Jill, or the way any of her brothers loved their wives? How had they solved that great mystery? Her lone attempt at a serious relationship—marriage—had ended after five pitiful days.

  “I’ll sit next to Hannah,” Kyle said, giving her a wink.

  “I’m the oldest,” Craig said. “I’m sure she wants me to tell her about the family.”

  Elizabeth looked at Jordan. “What’s your reasoning for sitting next to your new sister?”

  “I’m the most interesting.”

  Despite her nerves, Hannah smiled. She appreciated the attempt to make her feel welcome. However, there were so many of them. She took a half step closer to Nick, willing him to protect her from these strangers.

  His blue-eyed gaze settled on her face. He’d shaved for dinner and was wearing one of his expensive suits. They’d all dressed up for the occasion. Hannah had put on a cream silk blouse tucked into tailored black pants. Nick was tall enough for her to wear pumps with the outfit. Actually, all the men were tall—and handsome. Her brothers and their friend, Austin, with his strong features and dark hair and eyes. Nick, with his blond hair.

  He slipped his hand to her arm and down to her wrist, then took her hand in his. She knew the gesture was two parts performance and one part comfort. Even so, they’d done it enough times that their laced fingers felt familiar. As if they really were a couple.

  Louise came into the dining room. This was the third time Hannah had seen her mother. She was prepared for the almost-spiky bold blond hair and the not-so-subtle makeup. It was the colors of her outfit that gave her pause.

  Tonight, Louise wore a red long-sleeved blouse. Embroidered from her left shoulder across her midsection to her right hip was a bright green parrot. Her flowing skirt reached almost to her ankles. It was the same silky material with the same red background, only this fabric was covered with miniature versions of the same gaudy parrot. Hannah didn’t consider herself much of a fashion plate, but even she was startled by Louise’s wardrobe choices. Still, they looked right on the curvy woman. They certainly suited her personality.

  She glanced at everyone standing around. “Why aren’t you sitting down?” she asked, then held up a wine bottle in each hand. “I’m ready to take requests.”

  “They can’t decide who sits next to Hannah,” Elizabeth explained.

  “That’s easy. Her husband deserves to be on one side and I’ll take the other.”

  The brothers groaned good-naturedly and began pulling out chairs for their wives. In a few minutes, everyone was seated. Louise poured wine while Sandy gave Elizabeth a hand in the kitchen.

  Hannah started to stand up. “Let me do something,” she offered.

  Elizabeth came through the doorway holding a huge bowl of salad. “Don’t be silly. You’re the honored guest. Trust me, you want to take advantage. Once we’re used to you, we’ll put you to work and you’ll look back and remember this time fondly.”

  Jill, petite and very pregnant, smiled. “She’s telling the truth. The first couple of times Craig brought me to meet everyone, I couldn’t believe how kind they were. Then everything changed.”

  “Hey, we’re swell guys,” Kyle said, giving his sister-in-law a soft mock punch to the arm. She blew him a kiss and he squeezed her shoulder in a gesture of affection.

  Hannah watched the scene and realized it was being repeated around the table. This family touched. Not just husbands and wives, but everyone. Brothers exchanged playful blows; the women hugged.

  At first, these contacts made Hannah feel as if she was trapped in some bizarre petting zoo. Then she watched more closely, noticing the love lighting everyone’s eyes. These people were a genuine family. They truly cared about each other. It was something she’d missed her whole life. How odd to have found it now…under false pretenses.

  Sandy carried in another large bowl of salad, along with rolls. Soon food was being passed around and conversation flowed.

  “Where are the children?” Hannah asked, accepting the salad and placing some on her plate.

  Jill pointed toward the ceiling. “The older ones are with friends. The younger ones have a sitter to look after them.”

  Hannah remembered how many children there had been last night. “Just one sitter?”

  Rebecca, Austin’s wife, smiled. “Candace is an old pro at baby-sitting for our brood. She’s great at organizing games and keeping everyone under control. She gets a dollar a child per hour. If you do
the math, you can see it’s well worth her while.”

  Kyle nodded. “I noticed she just bought herself a car. I’m sure we paid for it.”

  Sandy touched his shoulder. “Honey, she earned every penny. You know what our four are like at home. Add everyone else’s kids to that. Would you want to baby-sit?”

  Kyle held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “No, thanks.”

  As Sandy and Elizabeth sat down, Louise raised her glass. “To my beautiful daughter and my handsome son-in-law. Welcome home.”

  Hannah felt a faint blush creep up her cheeks as she and Nick became the focus of attention. She sipped from her glass.

  “I’d like to propose a toast,” her pretend husband announced. “To family found. I married Hannah because she’s the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. Now that I’ve met her family, I see where she gets it from. You have my heartfelt thanks.”

  He took her free hand and brought it to his mouth, then kissed the palm. She couldn’t breathe, or talk, or do anything but stare at him and accept the heat that flashed down her arm. An audible sigh breezed through the room. She glanced around and saw Nick had entranced every woman at the table.

  Louise touched her napkin to the corner of her eye. “Nick, you’re a charmer, I’ll give you that.”

  “I’m a sincere charmer. There’s a difference.”

  Louise patted Hannah’s arm. “Honey, do not let this one get away. There aren’t many like him out there.”

  How true, Hannah thought, wondering why she so desperately wanted to believe Nick’s words. He was good—nearly good enough to make her forget about their deal and the fact that she was paying him to perform. If only…

  She shook off the thought before it formed. This kind of dangerous thinking would only get her in trouble.

  Conversation flowed around the table. When the salad was finished, the men cleared the plates while their wives brought in bowls of potatoes, two kinds of vegetables and a large prime rib. Travis stood at the sideboard and carved according to requests.

  “Rare,” Nick called. “Hannah prefers medium.”

  She wanted to kick him under the table and tell him she could order for herself. She wanted to snap out that she didn’t like her meat medium, but she did. How had he known? He caught her gaze.

  “Lucky guess,” he murmured, reading her mind.

  “How do you do that?”

  “Know what you like or know what you’re thinking?”

  “Both.”

  He leaned so close, his breath tickled her ear. She could feel his heat and inhale the scent of the shampoo he’d used in the shower. Instantly, the image of his lean, naked body flashed in her mind. Her hands trembled as she thought about what it would have been like to touch him all over, to feel the skin rippling over well-defined muscle. Her stomach clenched and her thighs pressed together.

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said.

  She turned toward him. Their mouths were less than an inch apart. The rest of the room faded; even the sounds became faint, as if heard from a long distance. Her world was reduced to his face, the fire flickering in his eyes and the shape of his mouth.

  She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to feel his mouth on hers, to taste him, to wrap her arms around him, to hold and be held. She wanted—

  “I’m so happy you two are here,” Louise said, her voice cutting into the moment and breaking the spell. “My birthday is in two weeks and you’ll be here for that.”

  Hannah blinked a couple of times and slowly brought the room into focus. She turned to her mother. “Your birthday?”

  “I’m going to be forty-seven. Practically an old woman.”

  “Never that,” Nick said. “You’re the type of woman who’ll be young when she’s a hundred.”

  Louise laughed. “Flatterer. But this time, I choose to believe you’re telling the truth.”

  “Where is the party going to be?” Kyle asked. “We can have it at our house.”

  “Jordan and Holly have already volunteered,” Louise said. “Having my daughter and her husband with me is going to make it the best birthday ever.”

  Hannah took a sip of wine so she could avoid answering. She would still be here, but Nick would be leaving tomorrow. A flicker of disappointment filled her chest. She ignored it. He had to leave. It was difficult enough to pretend to be married for a couple of days. They would never make it work for two weeks. Besides, she barely knew the man. She wanted him gone, didn’t she?

  “Here you go.” Sandy handed her a plate.

  “Thanks.”

  As Hannah reached for it, Sandy stared at her hand. “You’re not wearing a wedding ring.”

  Silence descended like night in the tropics, fast and without warning. The observation hung in the quiet and everyone turned to stare. Hannah’s stomach dropped to her knees. Oh, Lord. Now what?

  Nick took the plate and set it on the table. Then he reached for her left hand and brushed his thumb across her knuckles. “She doesn’t wear jewelry at the police station,” he said easily. “No rings, not even earrings.” He pushed Hannah’s hair over her shoulder and pointed. “See, no pierced ears.”

  Sandy frowned. “Why not?”

  “It’s dangerous,” Travis said from his place by the sideboard. “If you’re trying to subdue someone and you have a large ring or earrings, you’re vulnerable. Earrings can be ripped out and rings can be jerked off.”

  Sandy shuddered. “That’s awful. No wonder you don’t want to risk it.”

  Nick smoothed her hair back in place. “Combine that habit with a poor memory and my Hannah constantly leaves the house without her wedding band.” He brushed his mouth against her cheek. “I love her anyway.”

  Hannah felt as if she’d just escaped death by drowning. For one horrible minute, she assumed their cover had been blown. A wedding ring. Why hadn’t she thought about that? But Nick had covered beautifully. The man sure knew how to think on his feet.

  Sandy smiled. “Louise is right. You picked a good one.”

  “Hey!” Kyle jumped to his feet. “You picked a pretty good one, too.”

  She hugged her husband. “I picked the best one, honey. You know that.”

  “Better,” Kyle said and drew his wife into the chair next to his. “Later you can make it up to me in private.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  Hannah couldn’t join in the laughter. She was still too stunned by their near exposure. When Elizabeth had set Nick’s plate in front of him and moved off, Hannah glanced over.

  “How did you know about the jewelry?” she asked, her voice quiet.

  “I spend a lot of time in police stations.”

  His answer reminded her of what he really did for a living. Of the shady dealings and illegal transactions. She didn’t want to think about that right now. She didn’t want to have to not like him.

  He leaned close. “Not remembering a wedding band was pretty dumb, huh?”

  She couldn’t resist his smile. “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking, too.”

  Just for tonight, she was going to forget Nick’s past and live in the moment. What harm could it do?

  Elizabeth passed a bowl of green beans to Louise. “Why didn’t you invite your friend the professor to join us?”

  Louise pressed her napkin to her lips. “This is a family affair. I don’t think Richard would be interested. Besides, he’s out of town on business.”

  Jordan raised his eyebrows. “Richard, is it?”

  Hannah glanced at her mother and was surprised when the older woman blushed.

  “Oh, stop it.” Louise patted Hannah’s hand. “They’re trying to make more of it than it is. Really. I went back to college last year.”

  “To get a degree?” Hannah asked.

  Louise nodded. “In sociology. I know you probably think it’s silly at my age and all, but it’s something I’ve wanted my whole life and I decided to just do it. Like they say in those commercials.”

  �
�I think it’s great that you’re studying for your degree. Why does it matter how old you are?”

  “That’s what I say.”

  Elizabeth smiled at her. “Louise being Louise, of course she didn’t just take classes. She met a guy.”

  “Richard Wilson is a nice man and sometimes we go out for coffee after the lecture. There were several students there.”

  “In the beginning,” Jordan said. “But since that semester ended, it’s only been the two of you.” He smiled at Hannah. “Your mother is involved with a much younger man.”

  Louise glared at him. “Eleven years isn’t all that much and we’re not really dating.”

  Nick leaned around Hannah and patted Louise’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Mom. Teach ’em everything you know. Turnabout’s fair play.”

  Jill pushed back her seat and tried to stand up. Her large belly made her movements awkward. Craig sprang to his feet and assisted his wife. She stepped back and grabbed the chair. “It’s like trying to balance with a watermelon attached to your midsection.”

  Holly pushed the food around on her plate. “Please don’t say that.”

  Sandy leaned over and hugged her. “Holly, I’ve had four kids. It’s not that bad. And once the baby’s born, you’ll forget all about it.”

  Holly didn’t look convinced.

  “When is your baby due?” Nick asked.

  “Around the first of October.”

  Louise pointed at Jill. “I’m hoping this one holds out for my birthday.”

  Jill groaned. “Louise, I want to. You know that. But it’s two weeks away. I don’t think I can make it.”

  “Sure you can. Just think calm, relaxing thoughts.”

  A bit of movement caught Hannah’s attention. She saw Austin, the brothers’ best friend, whispering with his wife. Then Rebecca shook her head. Elizabeth saw it, too.

  “What are you two hiding?”

  Rebecca glanced up. Her face was flawless, her skin pale and her eyes large. “Nothing really.”