by Katie Reus
Fallon stood back with her friend Halley and surveyed the surroundings of the impending wedding reception. Halley had just started a catering business and was quickly learning to deal with the bumps and obstacles that came with it. Usually in the form of family members who couldn’t seem to remember that weddings were about the bride and groom. So far it didn’t seem Halley was having that problem with this particular wedding. She was just engaging in standard fretting.
The reception was medium-sized and right on the lake of a local country club. Fallon had actually been invited to the wedding because the bride’s mom was friends with her mom, so she’d been planning to attend. She didn’t mind that she’d missed the actual nuptials. The reception would be where the fun was.
Now that she’d helped prep the food and set up, she was going to be enjoying the reception at least, since the waitstaff on Halley’s payroll would be taking over from here.
“Everything looks great,” she murmured, squeezing Halley’s forearm.
Her friend bit her bottom lip, her dark eyes slightly panicked as she scanned the indoor seating. “Yeah?”
Everything was done in soft cream and lavender with big centerpieces of white roses. Instead of the standard lighting, they’d strung up strands of lights over swathes of tulle that had been hung just for the event, giving it a fairyland feel. Outside, the same style twinkle lights crisscrossed over a huge dance floor ringed by lamp heaters to ward off the cold. Apparently the bride had wanted an outdoor reception but hadn’t wanted to wait longer to get married, so this was their compromise by getting married in February. With the heat lamps, people could move indoors and outdoors as they pleased.
“Yes. It’s perfect. The food is perfect. And you’re perfect.”
Halley snorted at that, but the tension in her shoulders immediately drained away as she put her hands on her hips. “You’re right. I’ve got this.” She spoke into her headset, communicating with someone on her crew before turning to Fallon again. “Thank you for all you’ve done. I’m going to add payment for all the extra hours you helped with.”
Fallon had already been hired by Halley to do the cake and other desserts, but helping prep everything else was beyond her scope of duties. She’d done it because they were friends. “You don’t have to—”
“I do. Your time is valuable. And…I know you’re leaving soon, but if for some reason you decide not to, I’d like to work with you again. Or heck, whenever you move back home—if you do. The cake is gorgeous, Fallon. I’d be open to something exclusive with you.”
She found her face heating up at the compliment, but she nodded as she digested her friend’s words. “Thanks. If I stay, we’ll talk.”
The four-layer cake was one of her best creations and she’d be adding it to her portfolio. Each layer looked like a bundle of roses, the layers moving from a dark purple, fading to lavender, then cream. And she’d added little edible butterflies throughout the layers. It matched the color scheme perfectly but it was almost a shame to cut into it. Almost—because it was buttercream and delicious. A lot of pastry chefs used fondant for cakes, but the downside was they didn’t taste good. With her designs, people got edible art, flavor and decadence.
“Just got a call from the bride’s mother that the guests will be arriving soon, so I’ll see you later.” Halley hurried away, her kitten heels clicking against the indoor dance floor as she crossed it.
Fallon made her way toward one of the bars since the bartender had already set up. So had the DJ, and an upbeat Pharrell Williams song was playing.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Her mom’s voice made her turn around just as she’d taken a seat at one of the wooden, high-backed stools.
Fallon smiled at the sight of her mother. While they had a complicated relationship, she loved her mom. At five foot two, with auburn hair and the same blue eyes—and sometimes the same temper—it would be impossible to hide that they were related. Not that she wanted to. “You’re here early.”
“We parked along the curb across the street from the church instead of in the parking lot. You know how your father hates traffic. Ah, two white wines,” her mom said to the bartender before turning back to Fallon.
She glanced over her mom’s shoulder toward the entryway. “Where is Dad, anyway?”
“Parking. He dropped me off so I wouldn’t get these dirty.” She stretched out a foot, showing off sparkly black-heeled platform pumps.
Fallon’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Those look familiar.”
Her mom gave her a smug, oh-so-familiar smile. “You must have left them when you moved out.”
“Or more likely you snagged them when you were at my house last week.”
“Dropping off food, I might add.” Her mom gave a little sniff that she’d perfected over the years, indicating the conversation was done. “Let’s not talk about my shoes,” she said as a few couples and families strolled in, all talking animatedly about how beautiful the ceremony had been. Some made their way directly to the dance floor, courtesy of the DJ who had a great playlist going, while others beelined for the appetizer table. “I want to talk about you,” her mother continued.
Fallon blinked once. “Ah, okay. What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing. I just heard from one of the girls at the salon that she saw you with the sheriff.”
Fallon kept her expression blank before pasting on an equally neutral smile. “Oh yeah, I saw him at Nora’s shop. We were both grabbing coffee.”
“And?”
“And what?” Her mom’s eyes narrowed and Fallon realized she was just fishing. She didn’t know anything. If she did, her mom would be asking more personal questions. And oh thank God, she wasn’t.
“He’s such a nice man. And he’s done such a great job running Holly.”
Fallon nearly snorted. He was a nice man. A nice man who’d given her the best orgasm of her life in the front seat of a truck. “Agreed. He’s a great sheriff.”
Her mom had started to say more when Terry Mathers, a man Fallon had gone to high school with, strolled up to them and slung an arm around her mom’s shoulders. He still looked like he could be in high school with that baby face and dimples that appeared in his cheeks as he smiled broadly. “Hey, Mrs. O’Connor. Can I steal Fallon for a dance?”
She glanced over and saw through the open doors that the outdoor dance floor was already filling up with people. They weren’t wasting any time enjoying themselves. Fallon knew from Halley that the newly married couple were doing pictures at the church and had instructed everyone to head to the reception for appetizers and drinks. It was a smart way to do things—they’d get a lot of their pictures out of the way and people wouldn’t be standing around waiting. They’d get to enjoy themselves before the couple made their big entrance.
Her mom patted Terry’s cheek once. “Look at you, all handsome and dressed up. And you’ll have to ask Fallon, not me.”
Since she was ready to escape the current conversation with her mom, she slid off the stool and kissed her mom’s cheek before linking her arm through Terry’s. “How’ve you been? I haven’t seen you in months.” While Holly was small, it wasn’t that small. She loved running into people she’d gone to school with, especially since so many of her classmates had gone away for college or trade schools, and in some cases, the military.
“Good, started my own business.”
“Yeah?”
“Yep. Personal trainer. I have a job at the local gym but I also freelance. So if you’re ever looking for a personal trainer let me know.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Are you saying you think I need one?”
“Ah…”
She nudged him in the side. “I’m messing with you.”
Letting out a breath, he grinned again. “Hope you can keep up with me on the dance floor.”
“Get ready to find out.” She really wished she was here with Brad, and wondered what kind of dancer he was. Or if he even liked dancing.
When they reached the outside dance floor she was g
lad that another fast song was playing so she wouldn’t have to spend more time making small talk. She liked Terry, but he had a look in his eyes that told her he was interested in more than just a dance. While he was nice and definitely handsome, only one man occupied all her thoughts. And she shouldn’t even be thinking about Brad.
Of course, that was all she’d been doing. Obsessing over the sexy man and counting down until their date Tuesday—and what would come afterward.
She had no doubt what would come after.
Plenty of fun, naked times. She barely knew the man but that didn’t seem to matter. Their chemistry was off the charts and she genuinely liked him, could see something real developing between them.
As the dance with Terry came to an end, a slow song started to play. She inwardly winced, not wanting to slow dance with him or anyone not Brad. Before she had to make a decision, Brad stepped into her line of sight right behind Terry.
She blinked once, her gaze traveling over him in a suit. The man certainly cleaned up nicely. He always looked sexy in his uniform but this was a different side to him—and he looked a bit like he was ready to punch sweet, harmless Terry in the face. She blinked again, wondering if she was imagining things.
“Hey, sheriff,” Terry said as he realized that Brad was moving in behind him.
“Terry. Hope you don’t mind if I cut in.” Brad nodded once at the other man but didn’t take his eyes off Fallon as he smoothly sidestepped so that he was in front of her. The move was so slick she wondered if Terry even realized Brad had flat-out cut him off to get to her.
“No, of course not.”
Without pause Brad pulled her into his arms for the upcoming dance, and she was under the impression that no matter what Terry had said, Brad would’ve cut in. Which seemed very un-Boy Scout.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, his dark eyes locked on hers.
The song was slow, seductive, and with the twinkling lights above them she felt as if they were the only two people in the world. “You look pretty handsome yourself. I like your tie,” she murmured. His suit was dark and clearly he’d had it tailored to fit his large frame, and the tie was a pretty, light blue.
“I bought it because it reminded me of your eyes.”
She sucked in a sharp breath at his admission. He really held nothing back. She cleared her throat even as she pressed closer to his muscular body. She could really lose herself with this man, get wrapped up with him in more ways than one. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
His grip around her waist tightened and the subtle scent of his woodsy cologne teased her senses, making her a teeny bit lightheaded. “Yeah, I’m friends with the groom’s side of the family. Served with one of his brothers.”
Darius, the groom, had a big family. “Darius and Dawn are so young.” They almost seemed too young to get married at twenty and twenty-one, but Fallon’s own parents had been married even younger.
He nodded once. “You come with a date?”
She laughed lightly at his bluntness, shook her head. “No. Did you?”
“No—and I would have asked you but I returned my invitation with just me attending checked long before this thing between us started.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Thing?”
His gaze darkened slightly as it landed on her lips. The way he watched her mouth was like a physical caress she felt all the way to her toes. “I don’t know what to call this.”
No kidding. And she didn’t feel like trying to figure that out, either. Not when she was leaving in two weeks.
“So what’s the plan after culinary school?” His deep voice wrapped around her as sure as his firm grip did. She wanted to sink into it, bury her face against his neck and inhale.
“I’m not actually sure. I worked in various bakeries and restaurants while in college and I honestly can’t see myself working for anyone else. At least not long term. It’s why I’ve been doing contract work since I moved home.” Which brought her back to the food truck idea. Once it had lodged itself in her mind, she couldn’t let it go. She’d even started making a business plan for what she’d do her first year.
“Do you need culinary school to run a food truck?”
“No, but…” Yeah, she wasn’t going to go there. She almost felt like she’d be a fraud opening up her own business without the education to back it up. Except she did have a degree in business and she’d worked in enough bakeries to know what would and wouldn’t work. For her, at least. “So what are you doing after the reception?” she asked, wanting to get to more important things. The reception wasn’t supposed to go super late, and as far as she was concerned, the night would still be young. And she wanted to spend more time with Brad. No reason to wait a couple days until their date.
“I’m leaving a little early to stop by my dad’s. I haven’t been able to see him all week.” That made her melt just a little.
His dad lived in the local Holly retirement community, which was more like a village unto itself. “I saw him a few days ago when I was visiting my aunt. He challenged me to a chess match.”
At that, Brad grinned. “Sounds about right. Want to come with me tonight?”
“I’d like that.” The answer was out before she could overthink it. And she really did like his dad. “Ah, I caught a ride here with Halley though. If it’s not too far out of your way—”
“I’ll take you home afterward.” His voice deepened as much as his gaze darkened.
A shiver rolled through her at the heat in his words. As the song came to an end, she spotted two of her brothers eyeing her and Brad suspiciously from the edge of the dance floor.
“Fair warning, my brothers are watching you. You might want to steer clear of them. They probably want to grill you about us or something.” Nosy older brothers that they were, it would be so typical of Maguire and Nolan to try and corner him later.
Brad just snorted, clearly unconcerned. “I’m planning to head out in an hour. Is that okay?”
She nodded, and found herself oddly disappointed when he stepped slightly back from her. His warmth and the feel of his arms around her were heaven. She didn’t want distance. She wanted to burrow into the man and not let go.
“I think Halley needs you,” he murmured, his voice slightly frustrated as he tilted his chin toward the other side of the dance floor.
Sure enough, her friend had a panicked look on her face and was waving a hand at her. “I’m guessing it’s a dessert emergency. I’ll meet you by the bar in an hour if I don’t see you before then?”
“Deal.” Moving with the stealth of a predator, he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
She blinked. Then blinked again. The man might as well have hung up a neon sign right on Main Street announcing that she was his. That was such a bold, guy move, telling all other men to stay away. She couldn’t believe he’d done it right in front of her brothers.
But…she liked it.
Ignoring some raised eyebrows as she made her way through the growing crowd of people on the dance floor, she hurried to Halley, who now just looked a bit shocked.
“You and the sexy sheriff?” her friend asked.
“Didn’t you need help with something?” Because if Halley had pulled her away from Brad for nothing, they were going to have words.
“Oh, right. The bride and groom are set to arrive in the next ten minutes and I want to get the cake out of the cooler. I don’t trust anyone but you to help me move it. I’m terrified I’ll drop it. Come on.” She turned and was off in a flurry of movement in typical Halley style.
Following after her, all Fallon could do was count down the minutes until she was alone with Brad.
Chapter 4
Brad tried not to stare at Fallon and the jackass dancing with her. After she’d helped Halley, someone had asked her to dance. Then another guy, before he’d had a chance to move in. He didn’t want to be annoyed, didn’t want to be that guy. It wasn’t like he
had a claim on her. But that didn’t mean he had to like it when another man was dancing with her, had his hands on her hips.
Those hands better not go any lower.
Tightening his jaw, he turned away, needing to be anywhere but here, but he ran right into Fallon’s mother. The woman was a force of nature, just like her daughter.
“Hello, sheriff. You’re looking handsome tonight.” She gave him a warm smile.
“You look lovely.” That seemed like a safe enough word. And she did. In fact, if she was an older version of Fallon, he had no doubt Fallon was going to be a stunner for the rest of her life.
“It’s so nice seeing you out of uniform. So you and my daughter are seeing each other now?” She took a sip of her white wine, watching him carefully over the rim of the glass in the way a predator watches prey.
He nearly jerked back at her bluntness but caught himself. He’d survived his Marine Corps drill instructor. He could deal with a little information gathering from Fallon’s mom. “We’re friends, ma’am.” He wanted more, but didn’t think Fallon would appreciate him saying anything else—especially not to her mother. A woman who Brad knew liked to run betting pools on various would-be couples around town. She’d started a pool on her own son Jackson and how long it would take him to get together with Nora. Brad still wasn’t sure who’d won that one.
“Well that’s good. Because she is leaving soon, as I’m sure you know.” She continued to watch him with eagle-eyed precision.
“I do.” And he wasn’t happy about it at all.
“And she’s a busy woman. But I guess all you young people are.” Fluffing her dark auburn hair, she made a little tsking sound.
He was thirty, not exactly young in the way she made it sound, and he wasn’t sure where she was going with this.
“When I was younger I couldn’t imagine dating more than one person at a time, but I guess that’s just normal now.”
“Ah…” How did he even respond to that? He wasn’t dating anyone else. Wait…was Fallon? He frowned, his gaze straying to the dance floor again. Fallon was stepping away from her dance partner, looking beautiful in a blue dress the same color as her eyes. It hugged her petite body in all the right places.
