The Engagement Arrangement

by Jaci Burton

  “Oh, look at these,” she said, studying some blue flowers. “They’d be perfect for some fall color on the east side of the house.”

  He’d already grabbed a rolling cart, so when she pointed to an item that she wanted, he hefted it up and added it.

  “We need more peonies and this is the perfect time to plant them. Look at the color of these. And these ranunculus would be amazing.”

  He had no idea what any of these were, but he was learning a lot just listening to Brenna talk.

  “This will bloom in winter, when there’s less color and we need it most. Some of these we plant in the fall but they won’t come up until spring.”

  He nodded, making a mental note to look for all those amazing flowers when they came up in the spring.

  After he loaded the last flower she’d added, she turned to him. “Okay, now you pick something. For your place.”

  “Me? I don’t know a damn thing about flowers, Brenna.”

  “I’ll teach you. But first you wander and tell me if something sparks your interest.”

  “Okay, sure.”

  He hadn’t intended to pick out anything for himself, though now that Brenna had suggested it, he realized the area outside of his house could use something. As he walked around, he zeroed in on one plant.

  “I like this one.”

  She nodded. “Yucca is a good choice. It has a nice vertical design with straight shoots of flowers that would be interesting against the backdrop of the house. And it takes full sun. I like it. We could plant it on the south side. Let’s get two.”

  “Sure.” He loaded those onto the cart. “We’re done now?”

  She laughed. “You need some contrast. Keep looking.”

  He did, and found the process doubly entertaining when he was the one doing the choosing. With Brenna’s expert help, he ended up with a couple of daylilies, a crepe myrtle, some evergreen shrubs, and a metal dog-shaped yard ornament that looked almost exactly like Murphy.

  “He’ll probably bark at it,” Finn said.

  Brenna laughed. “But think of how much fun he’ll have doing that.”

  “True.”

  Brenna looked down at the overly filled cart. “That’ll do for a start. We’ll plant all of these this weekend.”

  “Sounds fun. Now let’s go buy this stuff and then we’ll have some beer and wine.”

  They checked out and Finn hauled everything to his truck. Once he got it loaded, he met Brenna at the center of the garden, where the bar had been set up. She handed him a beer and she took her wine from the bartender.

  They wandered around and listened to the band play country music.

  “This was such a great idea,” she said. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

  “I’ve been so busy lately, and I needed to buy some plants. They had such a great sale tonight and they had everything I wanted. I didn’t even know about this place.”

  “From what I understand they’re somewhat new to the area, so they did this as a way to introduce themselves to the community, drum up some new business.”

  Brenna looked around. “Hmm. They really know how to decorate. And their flowers are impeccable. I need to talk to the owner. Hold my wine and find us a seat. I’ll be right back.”

  “Sure.

  Finn grabbed them a table for two, grateful to be off his feet while he sipped his beer. The band was great, mixing new country with some classic, so the tunes kept him company while Brenna was off planning world domination.

  When she came back, she had a satisfied smile on her face.

  “Well?” he asked as she took her seat and picked up her glass of wine.

  “I told them about us and how we’re always looking for amazing florists and decorators for our weddings. They’re very excited and interested so I gave them my card and took theirs for Honor to get in touch with them.”

  “You’re a good person, Brenna.”

  She took a sip of her wine. “I just know a good thing when I see it. And it’s great for our business, too. Our clients will love them.”

  And in the meantime she’d give a start-up business a big boost. He admired her for that.

  Dinner was a buffet of beef and chicken along with pasta and veggies and amazing bread. Finn had worked up a hell of an appetite, so he sampled a bit of everything, and it was all outstanding.

  After dinner they thanked the folks at the nursery, then headed back to the house. They unloaded the stuff for the main house first, and Brenna went inside to grab Murphy, who was, as usual, excited to see them.

  “Hey, buddy,” Finn said, ruffling the dog’s ears. “Did you miss me?”

  Murphy’s tail wagged back and forth so fast it was almost a blur.

  “That dog adores you,” Brenna said, laughing as Murphy disappeared to go check out the trees and grass.

  “The feeling is mutual.”

  She walked over to him and slipped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for the surprise tonight.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I’d come home with you but I have an early meeting tomorrow morning and a woman needs her beauty sleep. And if I come home with you, I won’t sleep.”

  “Yeah? Why wouldn’t you sleep?”

  She smoothed her hand down his chest. “Because we’d be naked. And I’d be on top of you. Or my mouth would be—”

  “Dammit, Brenna.” He stopped her from sending his imagination into further overdrive by kissing her. Which didn’t help at all, but at least she wasn’t fueling an already out-of-control fire with her words.

  He pressed into her, needing to feel the heat of her body against his.

  She moaned, and the deep, throaty sound of it caused him to groan.

  He had to have her.

  He knew he shouldn’t. The porch light was on and anyone could walk outside and see them.

  Reluctantly, he pulled his mouth away from hers. “I want you.”

  She took in a shaky breath. “Yes. I want you, too.”

  He looked around, and then an idea hit him. “Come on.”

  He took her hand and led her down the side steps of the porch, the two of them walking briskly over the smooth paving stones leading to the barn. Here it was dark and no one would interrupt them.

  He pulled the door open and they slid inside, the cool air conditioning a relief to his heated body. He pushed the door closed, leaving the lights off, then framed Brenna’s face in his hands and put his lips on hers.

  He felt the warmth of her breath and the touch of her hands in the darkness, heard her whimpers as his tongue found hers. He backed her against the wall of the barn, needing to feel her body. He swept his hand around her and grabbed her ass, drawing her close to his aching erection.

  “Finn,” she moaned against his mouth, rubbing her body against his. “I need . . .”

  She didn’t finish her sentence, but he knew what she needed.

  He slid his hand under her dress, cupped her sex and rubbed over her panties until she arched against him, her movements driving him wild. He pulled the top of her dress down along with the strap of her bra, drawing the cup aside to take her nipple in his mouth, sucking the bud between his lips, rewarded with her low moan of pleasure. The sounds she made shot straight to his balls, making them quiver.

  He slipped his hand inside her underwear, her sex hot and damp as he explored and found a rhythm to stroke her soft flesh. In the darkness he couldn’t see her, but he heard the sound of her rapid breaths, her moans and the feel of her body moving against his questing fingers. When he slipped two fingers inside her, her pussy gripped them as he began to pump, using the heel of his hand to rub her clit.

  “Oh, God, yes,” she said. “Just like that.”

  As he stroked her, his erection rubbed her hip
, the ache to be inside her almost unbearable. But he wanted to get her there first, to make her come, to hear her cry out. And when she did, her whole body shaking when she came, he took her mouth to absorb her cries of pleasure.

  She was still trembling when he unzipped his pants, took the condom out of his pocket and put it on. He bent to remove her panties, lifted her up and wrapped her legs around him, then slid inside her. Her pussy was still quivering from her orgasm and wrapped tightly around his cock, squeezing him so hard he could have come right then.

  It felt so good to be inside her, to feel her legs wrapped around him, that all he wanted to do right now was stay in this moment with her, to feel her nails digging into his shoulder and listen to the sounds of her breathing.

  And then he began to move, and it was like heaven, like this woman had been made just for him. It was perfect—she was perfect, and as she tangled her fingers in his hair and tugged his head back so she could kiss him, he’d never felt anything like the lightning strikes of need that coursed through him whenever he was with her.

  Her lips were soft, her breaths coming rapidly as he drove deep and hard into her, his orgasm coming at him like a fast strike of lightning. He couldn’t hold back, and when she moaned against his mouth and he felt her contracting around his cock, he went off, shuddering with his release.

  He felt weak and drained and utterly satisfied.

  “Was that your arm workout for the day?” she asked.

  He let out a short laugh. “Maybe for a couple of days.” He let Brenna down slowly, retrieved her panties and helped her climb into them, then zipped his pants back up, figuring he’d dispose of the condom when he got back to his house.

  They stepped outside and he closed the barn, then walked back with Brenna toward the house. Murphy was asleep on the porch.

  Good dog.

  When they got to the front door, he said, “At least I didn’t keep you up all night.”

  She reached up and curved her hand around his neck, pulling him down for a brief kiss. When she pulled back, he couldn’t help but get lost in her eyes.

  “It was just perfect,” she said. “And exactly what I needed.”

  “Same here.” He called to Murphy, who bounded up and followed him to the truck.

  He climbed in and waited until Brenna waved and went inside, shutting the door behind her.

  Then he smiled and left for his house.

  CHAPTER

  • • • • • •

  twenty-five

  JASON HADN’T WANTED a big blowout bachelor party, so they decided to give Owen’s brew pub some business and gathered there for a night of food and fun. Owen had closed the place down for a private party and they catered in barbecue ribs and chicken and sides, which would go perfectly with beer. Plus there was a hockey game on.

  Finn couldn’t think of a more perfect night with the guys. Jason seemed relaxed, eating and drinking with his friends and family while they watched the game. Finn grabbed his beer and went up to the bar where Owen was filling up glasses.

  “What can I get for you?” Owen asked.

  “I’m good right now, thanks. Did you eat?”

  “I will, later.”

  “Hey, everyone’s got their food. You go grab something.”

  Owen looked around and saw that everyone was seated, eating and drinking and watching the game. “Okay. I’ll fill a plate and be right back.”

  Finn leaned against the bar to watch the game, groaning along with the rest of the guys when his team got called for high-sticking and sent to the penalty box, giving the opposing team a power play.

  “I can’t believe Bennett got called for that,” Owen said as he came back to the bar with his plate.

  Finn was happy to see Owen’s plate filled with chicken, ribs, beans and some cornbread.

  “Yeah. Let’s just hope the other team doesn’t score on us.”

  It was a tense two minutes on the power play, but defense and their outstanding goalie held them back without a goal.

  Finn swiveled on his stool to face Owen. “We got lucky.”

  “Sure did.” Owen wiped his hands. “These ribs are great.”

  “Aren’t they? I ate way too many.”

  “My appetite isn’t there just yet, but I’m working on it.”

  Finn was glad to see Owen eating. And working. They watched the game for a while, and he noticed that Owen didn’t join the group.

  “Is this weird for you?” he asked.

  Owen gave him a curious look. “Is what weird?”

  “This. Jason getting ready to marry Erin.”

  “Nope. They’re both right where they’re supposed to be—with each other. Erin and I both realized we weren’t the ones for each other. I look at that whole nonwedding debacle as setting the universe right. I mean, the way I handled it? Totally wrong and a colossal fuckup on my part. But the end result?” He looked over at Jason, who threw his head back and laughed at something Clay said. “Yeah, that worked out. They’re both so damn happy together, you know?”

  Finn nodded. “Yes, they are. But how about you? Are you happy?”

  Owen laid his fork down and took a long swallow of water, then smiled. “I’m surviving right now and that’s all I can ask for. As far as my future? I’ll just be happy to have one. Anything other than that is a bonus.”

  Finn lifted his beer. “Amen to that, brother.”

  He could see Owen’s outlook—positive, and concentrating only on his health right now. The fact that he was so happy for Jason and Erin meant a lot, all things considered.

  Sometimes letting the past go was the healthiest thing you could do for yourself.

  Jason came over and put his arm around Finn’s shoulders. “You two gonna hide out over here all night, or are you gonna join the party?”

  “I’m tending bar,” Owen said.

  “Yeah, yeah. You might have begged off being my best man, but you’re still my best bud and part of this thing tonight. So get your ass over here and talk shit about me like a best man should.”

  Owen gave Jason a look of pure brotherly love, then grabbed his water. “Oh, I’ve got some stories.”

  Jason and Finn both grinned.

  “Now the party’s getting started,” Finn said, taking hold of his beer to join the group.

  * * *

  • • • • • •

  “I’M GETTING MARRIED!”

  If Brenna hadn’t restrained Erin, she was certain her sister would have climbed on top of the table at the bar and announced it to everyone.

  As bachelorette parties went, this one was fairly tame. It was Brenna, Honor, Alice and Erin, along with Laurel and Mirai, Erin’s college friends who lived locally. It was a bonus that those two were both loads of fun, and likely why Erin was hammered right now.

  Mom had begged off, saying she was busy with other things, but Brenna figured that their mother didn’t want to interfere with what she had called “the wild girl party.”

  Brenna had laughed, figuring they’d have dinner, go out for a couple of drinks, and Erin would want to go home.

  She’d been so wrong.

  The dinner part had gone well. But when they got to the bar, Erin had really let loose. Laurel and Mirai had bought the first round, toasted the bride, wished her well, then asked her if she was really going through with it “this time.” From the look on Erin’s face, Brenna figured that was when Erin got pissed off and was determined she was going to show her friends that not only was she actually going to get married, she was going to party her ass off tonight in celebration of the marriage she was going to go through with.

  Brenna and Honor stood by and surveyed the wreckage.

  “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen her drink that much,” Honor said, wincing as Erin let out a shrill whoop.

  “I do. Her twenty-fi
rst birthday party. We went out for drinks that night and she overindulged.”

  Honor pursed her lips. “I don’t remember that.”

  “Because you didn’t go with us. You weren’t twenty-one yet.”

  “Oh, right. Now I remember. We all went out to eat, then came home and you all went out after that without me. If it was like this, I’m sad I missed it.”

  “She danced on top of the bar at the dive we went to.”

  Alice turned her shocked face to Brenna. “She did not.”

  “Oh, she did. She had her cowgirl boots on that night, so at least I didn’t have to worry about her doing a header off the bar because she was weaving in high heels. But she was seriously toasted. I’m surprised everyone in the house didn’t hear her barfing all night long.”

  Alice let out a short laugh, then said, “Oh, poor Erin.”

  “Grateful that I missed that part,” Honor said, taking a sip of her cocktail.

  “Yeah, well, I was the one who had to hold her hair and listen to her drunken ramblings in between puke fests.”

  Honor rubbed her arm. “You’re a good sister. I’ll keep that in mind so I know who to call next time I throw up.”

  Brenna laughed.

  Erin had gone to the restroom with Laurel and Mirai, and on the way back she weaved her way over to their table. “Gonna sing now. Wanna come?”

  “Uh, no thanks,” Brenna said. “But you go do that.”

  “Okay. I love you, Brenna.”

  “Love you, too, Erin.”

  Mirai and Laurel propped her up as the three of them made their way to the stage.

  “Are you really going to let her do that?” Honor asked.

  Brenna shrugged. “Why not?”

  “Should she not sing?” Alice asked.

  “She should never sing. Erin couldn’t sing a note in tune if her life depended on it,” Brenna said.

  Honor nodded, a grim expression on her face. “Yeah, she’s pretty awful.”