Tempt Me

by Cali Caliente

  Oh, dear God, it is Brent.

  She hurried down the hall and found Jon near the nurse’s station where she’d left him. She hated to break all the young nurse’s hearts but she had to drag him away—now. “Let’s go. I need to leave. I can’t stay here any longer.”

  Jon gave the nurses a big grin. “See you, girls.”

  “You will never learn, will you, Jon?” She didn’t care that he was such a flirt because she wasn’t interested in him. But why did all good-looking men have to be so fickle?

  Jon chuckled as he took her hand in his. “What did Bryce want?”

  “Something about the wedding. But we worked it out. I think he’s pretty clear on everything now.” And so am I. “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom before we leave.”

  Danielle glared at her image in the restroom mirror. Something she didn’t like to do, especially since she cried herself to sleep most nights. There were bags showing under her eyes, and her cheeks were rosy with frustration or was it anger? It sure as heck wasn’t happiness.

  “Dammit, Brent! Why did you hurt me?”

  If only she could make it go away—the hurt, the pain, the undying love she fought to ignore. But she couldn’t. She was still one-hundred-percent in love with Brent Lovella.

  ****

  Brent stared at the chapel ceiling in a silent prayer. He’d blown it. She hated him and made it perfectly clear she wasn’t interested in him, or anything he had to offer. Not even his apology. God, why had fate taken such an awful turn? Why didn’t Janie pull this stunt years ago when he was carefree and single? When he didn’t give a damn whether he lost a girl or not because there was always another one around the corner.

  Well, there would never be another Danielle. She was his soulmate, his one true love. Corny but true. His heart plummeted into the depths of hell and he didn’t know how to make it stop burning with love for a woman he couldn’t have.

  With resignation to his damned situation, he walked back to Aurora’s hospital room. He hadn’t congratulated her yet, and what she’d gone through was a reason to celebrate. He loved Aurora like the sister he’d never had. Once he accepted how right she was for Bryce, he couldn’t stand in the way of their happiness. Their love was a bright spot in his life, the kind of situation he’d looked forward to sharing with Danielle. But his dream had just crashed and burned, and it would be a long time before he would fall in love again, if ever. He never guessed it could hurt so much to lose someone because he’d never cared this much before.

  Aurora looked up when he walked in. “Did you talk to her?”

  Brent ignored the question. Too close for comfort right now. “How are you feeling, Rory? I’m sorry I left so suddenly. I—”

  “She socked you in the gut, right?” Bryce chuckled. “I warned you not to try.”

  He hated the smug grin on his twin’s face, even if he did deserve it. “Not exactly, but it’s over between us.”

  “He doesn’t want to talk about it, Bryce. Leave him be.” Aurora held out her arms to him, and he stepped up close for a hug. “She’ll come around, give her time. I know her.”

  He straightened and cleared his throat. Damn, if he’d cry again. “No. I think it’s done.”

  Bryce patted him on the back. “Sorry, Brent. I believe this time you really cared.”

  “Hell, if I didn’t care, why did I try to apologize? I hate saying I’m sorry. But I don’t like losing either.”

  “And you hate being wrong. You’re never wrong,” Bryce chimed in.

  “Damned right.”

  “You two macho men are both wrong about her. She’s wounded right now. Please give her a second chance, Brent. You two make such a beautiful couple, and I’d love to have my best friend as my sister-in-law.” Aurora squeezed his hand and tugged it to make him lean down so she could kiss his jaw.

  He’d give Danielle another chance in a heartbeat. But how would it help him win her back? She’d told him it was over, and she already had another suitor. “What about Jon? He’s all over her now that I’m out of the way.”

  Aurora readjusted her position, and Bryce sat beside her on the bed. “Dani and Jon were a hot item once. But he screwed her over. He was engaged to one of her clients, and he pursued her with passion. She was vulnerable to his good looks and charm. When she found out his lies, she was crushed. But this is encouraging—she’s still talking to him, even though he broke her heart.”

  “That doesn’t do me any good.” His heart was too heavy to break but it ached just the same. Maybe there was a hole in it too.

  “Yes, it does. It means she’ll give you a second chance too.” Aurora smiled and patted his hand. “You just have to wait. Be patient.”

  Hell, if he waited, she might forget him all together. “What if she marries the guy?”

  “I don’t think it’s gone that far yet. Dani would tell me. They’re just dating because she’s trying to forget you.” She made it sound so simple, so cut and dried. But it wasn’t.

  “Rory, she just told me she never wants to see me again,” he admitted with regret. “Only she thought she was telling Bryce.”

  “Oh my gosh, you didn’t pretend to be Bryce again?” Aurora sighed as she played with Bryce’s fingers clasping hers. “She hates deception. And I totally agree it isn’t a good thing. Been there, done that with you two. It wasn’t funny or flattering.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I deceived you. But she wouldn’t talk to me. It was my only chance to get close enough to apologize.”

  “And did you?” Bryce wasn’t helping with his big old grin, making him feel even more the jerk. Always the inferior to his older brother, competition could get rough. Fifteen minutes, was the difference in their births. Bryce even weighed a few ounces more. But there was the damned cock thing—

  Hell, I need to take a long drive somewhere. Anywhere.

  Brent shrugged his shoulders and groaned. “She wouldn’t let me. She told me it’s over.”

  “She still cares, Brent. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be trying so hard to forget you. She would move on with her life. Give her a couple weeks, and then approach her.” Bryce glanced up at the screen with the view of his twin sons. “Look at those little guys. I love being a dad.”

  Okay, so my brother might not be a total jerk.

  “Bryce is right, Brent.” Aurora smiled and turned his jaw to face her. “Accidentally bump into her somewhere. If she knows it’s you and not Bryce, she won’t be able to walk away without giving you a chance to say what you feel. Trust me.”

  Maybe Aurora was right. He would have to be patient, something he struggled with every damn day. He always wanted what he wanted right now. Yesterday would be even better. He was low on patience when it came to most things, but he could do this. If it meant getting her back, he would learn patience. Determination and getting what he wanted were two things he was good at, and he wanted Danielle like he needed air to breathe.

  ****

  The Monarch Lavender Farm and Winery was busy as Danielle drove through the front gates and parked beneath the sign. She turned off the car and sat there. She could do this. She had to get the final touches done on the wedding flowers. It was one short week away now. Aurora and the twins were home from the hospital, and Bryce had hired a nurse to help her when he couldn’t be there. All three were doing well, and the wedding was right on schedule.

  Last night she received a call from the winery. Some of the flowers hadn’t arrived from florists and her assistants were waiting for the lavender flower arrangements to be approved. A quick drive down, with a one-night stayover, and she would be back home to rest up before the big event.

  George waved at her as she entered the winery’s office. “So good to see you. Jon told me all about you two dating again. I’m pleased you overlooked his little indiscretion. This time, he’s all yours.”

  His little indiscretion?

  She’d ditched Jon yesterday, after telling him their dating wasn’t going anywhere. He was rich
and he was handsome, but she wasn’t in love with him and nothing he could do would make it so. “Is Jon down here by chance?”

  George’s grin grew broader. “As a matter of fact, he is. I think he’s over at the tasting room. Did you want me to call him?”

  “No. I’m sure he’ll find me.” But not if she could do what she came to do and hightail it back to Alexandria before he did.

  “Your flowers are over in the Bride’s Cottage. Did you want me to take you there, or would you rather go alone?” George searched the desk drawer and pulled out his keys, dangling them in the air between them.

  “If you have time. I don’t mind the company and a second opinion.” And the sooner I get done and can avoid Jon, the better.

  “I’ll tell Della to keep an eye on things for a few minutes.”

  Danielle walked outside and looked across at the lavender fields in full bloom. The heavy scent in the air calmed her and made her smile. What a twist of fate? The only man she loved would be at this wedding too. She would see him from a distance and not make contact. She couldn’t. It was over and, as much as she’d love to have Brent back, he’d been just as deceitful as Jon. Unlike Jon, he hadn’t come around for a while and she had no clue what he was up to. If she asked Aurora about Brent, he would know. Rory would tell Bryce and Bryce would tell him. Twins shared everything.

  “Look who decided to join us?” George strolled up the path toward her, his grown son walking behind like a toddler following his daddy.

  Her worst nightmare had arrived. “Hi, Jon.”

  Forcing a smile wasn’t easy, but she managed one as she turned to walk toward them. She fell in line with George, and Jon tagged along behind. “I hope the missing flowers arrive soon. Any news about them yet?”

  George unlocked the door to the cottage and stood back for her to enter. “Not yet. I can check again when we go back to the office.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate the update. This all must come together in less than five days. I’d like to have it ready twenty-four hours beforehand, whatever can be set up in advance—the flowers, tents, tables and chairs. The food is last minute, of course. We need everything perfect for the bride and groom.”

  She inspected the silk flower table decorations and all were beautiful. The bride’s bouquet was elegant and charming, made up of white silk roses with long sprigs of fresh lavender. The missing baby’s breath would circle the outer edge, tied with white and lavender satin ribbons, and dangle to hip length. She remembered teasing Aurora, saying the design would help hide her huge belly. Now that the twins had arrived it wouldn’t be so important. Her flower assistants would be here on Friday again to help her finalize the bouquets and table settings. Everything should fall into place nicely.

  She turned to see what George was doing, and he was gone. “Where’s your dad?”

  “He knew we could use a few minutes alone.” Jon stepped closer. “I thought a lot about our talk yesterday. I agree to some extent. But I wasn’t myself back then.”

  “And you’re yourself today?” If she could roll her eyes, she would.

  What was this man up to? He couldn’t charm her anymore. She’d put up a block to deny him entrance into her heart after he’d pretty much crushed it the first time. He stood so close she could smell the wine on his breath and his subtle masculine cologne. There was a time when her female heart would flutter in her chest at his presence, but not now.

  Jon cupped her face and forced her to look at him. Months washed away and she was dancing with him at someone’s wedding. Romantic music, sweet gentle kisses…long before she discovered the truth.

  She pulled back. “Jon, it’s not going to work. If you were being true to yourself you’d see it too. We aren’t right for each other.”

  He flipped on the CD player. Soft piano tunes flowed into the room. He encircled her in his arms. He smelled wonderful and was a handsome, virile man. She’d fallen hard and fast for him. Now, he wanted her again. It was flattering but not reality. Her heart belonged to Brent.

  “Dancing is a way to the heart. Did you know that, Dani?” he whispered close to her ear and spun her around the bare wood floor. She loved to dance and he was talented at it. He was a dream catch for someone. Just not her. She looked up to tell him so.

  “Please let me make love to you. Maybe you’ll remember how good we are together.” His warm lips met hers in a soft, sensual kiss.

  She pushed against his chest to make him let her go. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Why?” He dropped his arms and released her. “It’s that damned Italian guy, isn’t it?”

  Is it that obvious?

  She turned away and her heart pitter-pattered like butterfly wings against a pane of glass. Yes, it was the Italian. She couldn’t get over Brent. She’d never be free. “I’m sorry, Jon. It won’t work this time.”

  The cottage door closed behind her. She spun around but he’d gone. It was mean to push someone away and crush their hopes, but she couldn’t be deceitful. That’s why it meant so much to her that her partner in life, whoever he might turn out to be, should be sincere and above all things he would need integrity.

  Danielle bit her fist and sobbed. She hadn’t been completely honest with Brent. She should tell him. He had the right to know she carried his baby. A miniature Brent, a tiny dark-haired boy or girl. She didn’t know the sex yet, but her doctor appointment was in two days. She sighed deeply and dropped onto the loveseat.

  She hadn’t shared her secret with anyone yet, not even Aurora. She itched to tell her best friend, but Rory would tell Bryce. The whole twin thing again. She didn’t want Brent to find out that way. He deserved to hear it from her. She had to be honest like she expected him to be. Maybe she would call him and—no. If she heard his voice again, it would be too hard to resist him. It was hard enough in the hospital chapel, once she’d realized it was Brent. He’d done a horrible job of attempting to deceive her.

  Like a fool, she’d told him it was over and sent him away. The ball sat in her court. She’d been sulking around for weeks now, and what good did it do? She wasn’t any less in love with him. If she wanted to do the right thing, she had to make the first move. She would call Brent when she got back to the hotel. She crossed her fingers and prayed he would understand why she’d acted the way she had toward him these past few weeks.

  ****

  “Why do I have to do it?” Brent walked around the desk and leaned on it with his back to the observation window. “The less I have to do with your wedding, the better. I don’t want to run into Danielle again.”

  “The hell you don’t.” Bryce stepped up close to his face and raised a fist. “What did we talk about at the hospital when the boys were born?”

  Brent stepped back. He didn’t relish another bloody nose. His brother seemed pissed, but he wasn’t sure why. “She doesn’t want to see me. It’s over. Those were her exact words. I believe her.”

  “So, you tuck tail and run? This isn’t like you. Where’s the brother who’d stand up with me when we got into trouble with Uncle Tony over some mischief at school?”

  He smiled. “That was different. We were closer back then.”

  “And we aren’t close now? Look again, little brother.” Bryce poked him in the chest. “We not only look exactly alike, we run a business together, and we’re both very much in love.”

  “We are?”

  Bryce harrumphed. “I’ve watched you mope around here the past few weeks until I want to throw up. Just take this flower order down to the Monarch Lavender Farm. It was delivered here by mistake, and since you weren’t brave enough to call Danielle and tell her where it was, you can be my responsible best man and deliver the flowers to the right place.”

  He finally caught on. “She’s down there, isn’t she?”

  “Yes. And this is your golden chance to make things work with her. Tell her the truth about what happened, and what didn’t. For God’s sake, say you’re sorry. Be honest. Make passionate l
ove. Whatever it takes to get you two back together. I’m willing to back you up here. I’ll even do the store accounts while you’re gone.”

  He shook his head in disbelief. “Holy crap, you really are serious.”

  “Damn right.” Bryce liked to play the big brother, and sometimes he could be nice. “Now be a man and go take care of your love life—or I just might pose as you and do it for you.”

  “Like hell you will. You aren’t to touch—”

  “Trust me. I’ll do it.”

  Brent recalled all the times they’d traded girls over the years and never blinked an eye. Bryce was almost married but not quite yet, and he just might do it. He was a man of his word, and Danielle was a beautiful woman. “I’ll go. Where are the damn flowers?”

  “I have them in my truck since they won’t fit in your car. I packed you some clothes from the farm too. But don’t get any ideas about posing as me. I don’t need Aurora knowing who put you up to this.”

  He shrugged into his leather jacket and accepted Bryce’s truck keys. “I’ll let you know how it goes. Give me a couple days. Please.”

  “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Brent hummed his favorite Italian love song as he headed out the market’s backdoor to where Bryce parked his truck. He’d never got a chance to sing to Danielle. He fully intended to correct the mistake, if only she would listen to him tonight.

  The country roads slipped by in flashes of green, brilliant wildflowers in bloom, lazy rivers, and the occasional rural farm. It was amazing how relaxing it was to be out of the city, even in Bryce’s loud diesel truck. Was he crazy? He loved the fast pace of the city. Or he used to. He loved the smooth purr of his pricey roadster. A cool car for a playboy, but not a man who was serious about settling down with a woman who deserved so much better than the man he’d been in the past.

  His playboy days were of no interest to him any longer. He didn’t want to jump right into an instant family like Bryce, but he sure wouldn’t mind marrying Danielle. She was his bella sognatore, his beautiful dream lover.