Looking for Love (Boxed set)

by Rita Herron

  Austin laughed, nudging Josh into place as the preacher coached Josh on the order of the service. Marilyn scooted up beside him, and they exchanged secretive smiles that produced a twinge of unexpected jealousy in Austin. Not because he wanted Marilyn, he realized as Kimberly's wild red curls drew his eye.

  Because a surge of loneliness filled him, a longing to share a similar bond with a woman, to have more than his empty apartment to go home to at night.

  Austin walked through the wedding ceremony with Josh, his gaze straying to Kimberly as she sat on the church pew, her hands knotted in her lap, her gaze flitting nervously across the room.

  Obviously she didn't feel comfortable inside a church watching this declaration of wedding vows.

  Hell. He cleared his throat. She was probably anti-marriage, probably had a different lover every weekend, and hated all this traditional stuff.

  Josh and Marilyn clutched hands while they rehearsed the ceremony, and he silently admitted someday he wanted to marry and have children of his own. He'd just postponed the event, hoping to establish his career first.

  But another glance at Kimberly brought a startling revelation that made his breath clog in his throat—he hadn't considered a serious relationship before now because he'd never met the right woman.

  But Kimberly Turner, the waitress?

  No way, he thought, wiping his forehead again.

  "It looks like your family's really taking to your fiancée," Josh said, when Marilyn and the preacher stepped aside to review the music selections.

  "Yeah, they really hit it off," he muttered.

  But if they knew she had a pierced bellybutton, wore short shorts for a uniform, and flirted with anything in pants, they'd think he had been working too hard and somehow flipped his lid. He'd chosen Marci because he wanted to show her off to Josh.

  Maybe he had flipped his lid, he decided. Because he was beginning to fall for his fake fiancée.

  * * *

  Kimberly tried to enjoy the delicious lobster and steak dinner Josh's family had arranged for the wedding party, well aware that Marilyn and Josh kept watching her and Austin. He had been extremely attentive, touching her, getting her drinks, caressing her shoulder, kissing her at odd little moments.

  Heaven help her. Her body was one big fat mess, coiled with tension and need. Damn the man for making her want him.

  She constantly had to remind herself that every kiss and touch was an act, that he was only playing the doting fiancé to impress his friends.

  Except that he touched and kissed her a lot, even when they weren’t looking.

  So much that she'd begun to enjoy the gaiety of the occasion and started to feel at ease with his hand at her back, his large hand enveloping hers, his fingers stroking her palm underneath the table.

  His tender ministrations were driving her crazy.

  "So, Kimberly, tell us about this children's center Austin mentioned. He said you were the director," Marilyn said.

  Kimberly tensed, but Austin squeezed her hand in reassurance. Work came natural to her, so knowing she wouldn't need to lie helped restore her calm. "We provide day care for low income families, and some after-school childcare for older kids."

  "Where do you get your funding?" April asked.

  Kimberly explained, knowing her school was one topic she could handle with skill.

  "Sounds like a great program, "Josh said sincerely.

  Kimberly's cheeks warmed under the compliment. "I think it's good for the kids." She thought about the struggling families the center served, how hopeless their lives seemed at times, and her voice grew stronger. "I'm not sure what some of the single parent households would do if we couldn't help them."

  "What kind of facility do you have?" Rob's wife asked.

  Kimberly's fingers tightened around her water glass. She didn't mind talking about the school at a fund-raising event, but she sensed Austin would be shocked if she got on her soapbox. Besides, this was a wedding rehearsal, and she was supposed to be Marci—fun-loving, fun, sexy Marci.

  Not serious, boring Kimberly.

  "We’re currently in an older house that was donated by the city. I'm afraid it's in need of some major repairs, though."

  Austin was watching her, the corners of his eyes crinkling as if he was waiting for her to make a slip.

  "Are you handling the renovation, Austin?" April asked.

  Austin squeezed her hand again, quickly masking his perplexed expression with that lopsided grin of his. "As a matter of fact, I'm going to look into it when we get back. Isn't that right, honey?"

  Kimberly nodded and started to answer, but Austin swooped her into his arms and gave her a kiss that sent her senses sizzling and brought a round of laughter from the others.

  "I think it's time for a toast," Marilyn's father said. "Austin, you're the best man, will you do the honors?"

  "Sure." Austin refilled his glass and Kimberly's, then stood and raised his champagne flute, a devilish gleam in his eye. "May you and Marilyn be as happy together as my own folks. Here's to the next forty or fifty years."

  "Thanks, buddy." Josh bear-hugged Austin. "Just like you and Kimberly will be."

  Laughter spilled through the room as glasses clinked again. Austin's gaze met Kimberly's, and her breath caught in her throat. A heady look of pure hunger radiated from his dark eyes, and his mischievous smile captivated her.

  Caught up in the excitement of the moment, she gently stroked his jaw. "Yeah, just like we're going to be, sweetheart," she whispered.

  Then she framed his face with both hands, slanted her mouth over his and kissed him feverishly, pouring herself into the moment.

  Finally the roaring of his friends snapped her back to reality. As she pulled away and stared into the passionate eyes of the man holding her in his arms, she wondered what in the world had come over her. Pretending to be Marci was having a dangerous effect.

  She was starting to act impetuous like her wild sister.

  * * *

  The bachelor party was in full swing. But Austin was having a hard time concentrating on his beer-guzzling buddies and the luscious blonde who had just appeared to deliver the surprise singing telegram for Josh, decked out in tiny strips of leather and tassels. Five minutes into her program, and she was nearly naked from head to toe. His friends were teasing Josh, Josh was grinning like an idiot and fending off innuendoes about his honeymoon night.

  But Austin was thinking about Kimberly and that devastating kiss she'd bestowed on him during dinner.

  The guys chanted encouragement to the girl as she taunted Josh with a scarf she'd removed from her ankle. Austin downed his beer, wondering why, in his celibate state, the young blonde wasn't turning him on.

  Then the woman's image faded, and he lapsed into a fantasy of his own. Kimberly was decked out in sexy attire, but not leather and tassels. No, she wore soft satin and see-through black lace. In fact she was nearly nude from head to toe, and he was teasing her with the scarf. A surge of desire swelled within him and he swallowed, his heart pounding as he completed the fantasy He kissed away the satin, stripped away the lace, tore away her defenses until she was begging him to make love to her.

  Until she was naked... except for his diamond.

  He shifted, reached for the pitcher of beer and poured himself another mugful, disturbed by the image. He wanted Kimberly Turner. There was no doubt in his mind about that.

  The flirty waitress in Atlanta hadn't stirred his groin, but the fake fiancée, the one with the mesmerizing shy smile and the ability to wrap his family around her finger with her talk about wanting kids and running a child center for the needy, that Marci Kimberly Turner, he wanted with an ache that he couldn't deny.

  "Yo, man, just think. You'll be next." His brother Rob slid onto a stool beside him and pushed a shot toward him.

  A pang of guilt assaulted him for lying to his family, and he opened his mouth to tell Rob the truth, but the strip show came to an end. The crowd of men erupted into che
ers, and Josh dropped down onto the stool on his other side.

  "Thanks for coming, Austin. It means the world to me and Marilyn to know you're not upset with us." His voice turned serious. "And that you have a girl like Kimberly, that you're happy, well, it's the best wedding gift you could have given us."

  Josh refilled all the men's glasses from the pitcher. "That is, unless you want to have a double wedding."

  Austin laughed off the suggestion with a shrug, then downed the shot, his earlier fantasy taunting him. Marriage to Kimberly?

  Well, they'd have great sex, but then they'd go back to Atlanta and their real lives and it would never work. Then an image of Kimberly wearing nothing but that tiny tattoo and bellybutton ring popped into his mind and his body hardened.

  But a honeymoon—now that he could handle.

  * * *

  Kimberly paced the confines of Austin's bedroom, grateful she'd finally escaped his loving and welcoming family. All night she'd felt guilty for lying to them.

  When she and April and Suzanne had arrived home the kids had still been up. She'd played Monopoly with the older children, cuddled April's baby, then looked at the family photo album with Austin's mother.

  She'd finally excused herself and retreated to Austin's room, saying she was exhausted. She must be getting good at faking things, she thought, in disgust, because she certainly hadn't been tired. She'd been feeling extremely guilty. And now it was one a.m., and she was wide-awake.

  Where the heck was Austin?

  Not that it was any of her business, she thought sullenly. Only being here, entrenched in Austin's family made it difficult to remember that. Mementos of his boyhood filled each corner and each sentimental story his mother told only made Austin sound more endearing. As if he valued family above anything.

  Hearth and home – something Marci claimed she didn't believe in. But stuff Kimberly had always dreamed of.

  Feeling weepy and confused, she studied a baby picture of Austin sitting on the desk. Darn it, even as an infant he'd been adorable. And his children would be, too.

  "You are not having his children," she whispered fiercely, as she jumped up and paced across the room. You and Austin just met.

  Her fingers curled around the belt of her robe as she heard footsteps padding up the stairs, then the doorknob began to turn. The heavy door squeaked open, and Austin stood in the dim light of the hallway, his tie askew, his shirtsleeves rolled up, his hair rumpled. He staggered slightly, his hand already unbuttoning his shirt.

  "Kimberly, oh, sorry," he said, his words slurring slightly. "Forgot, this is my room. I mean your room."

  "It's okay, I wasn't sleeping," she said softly.

  His hands stilled on the buttons of his shirt, his breathing unsteady in the silence stretching between them. The room seemed small, too small. Intimate.

  Kimberly swallowed, her throat tight, at the dark way he was looking at her.

  "You look beautiful, so beautiful, Kimberly," he whispered huskily.

  The sexy way he said her name sent a tingle along her nerve endings, and she slowly walked toward him. He reached for her and stumbled, and she caught him, then wrapped her arm around his waist and guided him through the door. "Come on, I'll help you to bed."

  "Yes, to bed. Sweet, beautiful Kimberly," he whispered, leaning against her. They made it into the guest room, and he turned to face her, then buried his face in her hair. "So soft. It feels so good to finally hold you."

  Kimberly gently pulled away and looked into his eyes. "I think you've had a little too much to drink."

  He shook his head like a little boy, his eyes half-closed. "I love to touch you, darlin'. Been wanting to forever."

  "I think you'd better sleep it off," Kimberly said, desperate to ignore the sensations his heady words evoked.

  "Yep, time to go to bed," he whispered with a low chuckle.

  Kimberly laughed softly at the teasing in his voice. Being so close to him was tempting her beyond reason.

  But if she gave into her feelings, she would regret it in the morning. And so would he. "Sorry, Austin, but you're going to sleep alone."

  "But, I need you, darlin'." He nuzzled her neck and trailed his hands down her side. "I want to be with you tonight."

  She covered his hands with her own. "Austin, we can't, we're in your parents' house," she whispered hoarsely.

  His dark gaze met hers. "But we're getting married tomorrow. It'll be all right."

  He was drunk and confused, she decided as he staggered again. She released his hands and he fell backward onto his bed and groaned. She hissed out a nervous breath, watching nonetheless as he stripped his tie and then his shirt.

  The sight of his broad muscular shoulders and bare chest stole the air from her lungs, and his words reverberated through her head, evoking erotic images of long, sex-filled nights. He fumbled with his belt, cursed softly, then dropped his hands by his side.

  "Let me help you," she whispered.

  She slowly reached out and unfastened the buckle, then loosened the snap on his slacks, her fingers trembling as his hand caught hers and he slowly lowered his zipper. She helped him slide the pants down his long, hair-dusted legs, her pulse racing when she caught a glimpse of muscled thighs and calves. Unable to drag her eyes away, she noticed his arousal pushing against red briefs. Hmm, she'd expected conservative boxers. Then he covered her hands with his and settled them on his chest. The touch of his warm, masculine skin sent desire coursing through her, and his dark eyes raked over her, his hand slowly closing over her fingers and bringing them to his lips. "Stay with me tonight, Kimberly. I've been thinking about you all night. Wanna see your tattoo."

  She was tempted to lie down beside him, tempted to give in to the husky plea in his voice, but he wanted to see Marci's tattoo. Disappointment flooded her.

  He wanted her sister, not her. Their entire relationship was one big lie.

  Kimberly pulled her hands away, his husky plea almost destroying her resolve. Marci would sleep with him; Marci would take the one-night stand and kiss him off without a second thought.

  But she was Kimberly. And her heart would break when he drove her back to Atlanta and said good-bye.

  So she gently lowered her head and kissed his forehead, then whispered good night and went to sleep in Austin’s bed—alone.

  Chapter 6

  Kimberly showered the next morning, feeling exhausted and sluggish. Only twenty-four more hours and she would be back at home, back to being plain, ordinary Kimberly. Responsible, mature, hard-working, lonely Kimberly.

  With her identity back intact, maybe her rational mind would return also. For the life of her, all she'd thought about for hours was how much she wanted to sleep with Austin McDane.

  She yanked at the engagement ring, half-wishing she could removed it, half-wishing she could keep it. She'd never before had such wild fantasies of making love with a man. And she'd certainly never imagined wanting a man with the intensity she wanted Austin.

  Finger combing her wild curls, she dressed in jeans and a sleeveless navy T-shirt, hoping the day would pass quickly and uneventfully. If she was lucky, the McDanes' curiosity had been satisfied yesterday and today they could spend a quiet, relaxing day simply marking time until the wedding.

  Austin probably had a hangover, so with any luck, he'd sleep late and she wouldn't have to see him until later. The less time she spent with him, the better. He was much too tempting, way too sexy, and utterly tantalizing. And on top of those intriguing but shallow characteristics, he seemed like a genuinely nice man.

  One she could really fall in love with. If she hadn't already done so, she thought, with a twinge of panic.

  The aroma of fresh coffee and blueberry muffins floated up to her, and she went down to the kitchen with a smile on her face, her stomach growling. She poured herself a cup of coffee and had just settled down at the table with a muffin and the newspaper when Austin's mother bustled in carrying a long garment bag in her arms.

&nbs
p; "Oh, hi, dear," Mrs. McDane said, her rosy cheeks glowing with a warm smile. "I'm so excited! Philip told me the news."

  Kimberly crinkled her forehead in confusion, her insides knotting with tension. "What news?"

  Mrs. McDane pressed her hands to her cheeks, her eyes wide. "About you and Austin and the double wedding!"

  The muffin lodged in Kimberly's throat, choking her. She took a quick sip of coffee, nearly scalding her throat. "Double wedding?"

  Mrs. McDane nodded, her curly brown hair bobbing up and down. "With Josh and Marilyn. I think it's wonderful. Philip was so excited he woke me up last night to tell me. He said it was Austin's idea."

  "It was? I mean he did?"

  Mrs. McDane gushed, "I never knew my son was such a romantic."

  Neither did I. Kimberly's fingers tightened around the muffin, the remaining pieces crumbling onto the table.

  What had Austin done?

  Mrs. McDane unzipped the garment bag and removed a wedding dress. "We have so much to do to get ready, dear!"

  Get ready? Was she serious?

  "Look, I found my old wedding gown in the attic and I thought you might want to wear it."

  Kimberly nodded mutely. The woman was serious.

  How was she going to get out of this fake fiancée thing without hurting this wonderful, sweet woman who seemed thrilled to be getting her for a daughter-in-law?

  Mrs. McDane traced a finger lovingly over the ivory lace sleeves. "I know it’s a tad old fashioned, but Suzanne and April and Becca all wore it."

  Kimberly’s throat burned with unexpected emotions, her eyes watering. "Excuse me?"

  "It's a tradition," Mrs. McDane said simply. Oblivious to her turmoil, the older woman narrowed her eyes, assessing Kimberly's size. "With just a nip in the waist, it'll fit you fine. And we can let out that dart in the bust line. What do you think?"

  "It... it's lovely," Kimberly said, struggling for composure.

  "Dear, I don't mean to put you on the spot." Mrs. McDane frowned in worry. "If you don't want to wear my dress, just say so and I'll understand. I know some young folks these days don't much care for family traditions and all that."