“Prove it. What could beat a beautiful woman somersaulting down the stairs?” Now his eyes sparked with the hint of a challenge.
Ivy crossed her arms, accepting the challenge. “Okay. You probably know this from whatever they told you to win the stupid contest, but it’s an interfaith marriage. We’ve got both a rabbi and a priest, and if last night’s rehearsal is any indication, they can’t stand each other. Same goes for the families. It was like being caught in the middle of a turf war.”
“Come on, how bad could it be?”
“The rehearsal lasted three hours.” Ivy shook her head as she remembered the endless bickering. “They fought over everything. Where to stand. What order to stand in. Who goes first. The parents cursed, the grandparents yelled, a couple cousins got into a shoving match, and finally the happy couple joined in. Tracy actually threw her ribbon bouquet from the bridal shower at one of the readers and knocked his glasses off. It took me an hour to negotiate a truce about which side of the aisle to seat the bride’s family.”
Ben gave a long, low whistle. “Sounds like a fun group. Would’ve been great to get on film. Doesn’t do me any good now. Maybe they got it all out of their systems. With my luck, they’ll be on their best behavior. I need a guarantee of something really big, something our viewers will talk about for days.”
She realized he truly had no idea of what was in store for tonight. As hard as it was to believe, Tracy must’ve kept a lid on her big secret. Delighted, Ivy stifled a grin and tried to look thoughtful. “Bagpiper in a kilt?”
“Run of the mill.”
“Bride and groom in a paddleboat?”
“Decent, but not as good as you doing a header down the stairs.” He surged to his feet. “Sorry, but if you can’t bring anything better to the table, something with real shock value, we don’t have a deal.”
She pursed her lips, took a beat. “How do you feel about a skydiver?”
His mouth dropped open, then he shook his head slowly and raised a warning hand. “Don’t toy with me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” His reaction was everything she’d hoped. And their quick back and forth was the most fun she’d had all week. Now the tables were turned. She was once more in control of the situation.
“Seriously? A skydiver? What the hell for?” He sounded incredulous.
“He’s bringing the rings.” An array of emotions washed across his face; excitement, amusement and disbelief. Giggling at his reaction, she jumped up. Her bruised knees sent up a protest, but after a quick wince she pushed the discomfort aside. Grabbing his hand, she pulled Ben over to the window. The majestic stone hall sat at the edge of a pond that bordered the Lincoln Park Zoo. “Do you see the dock for the paddleboats? If everything goes according to plan, he’ll land there.”
“As landing strips go, this one doesn’t leave much room for error. What happens if he misses?”
“Funny, that’s exactly what I wondered. I consulted a map of the zoo, and my best guess for an accidental landing is the zebra or kangaroo exhibit.”
“Which means no chance of life-threatening injuries, but a damn good chance of a kangaroo chasing a parachute?” Ben grabbed Ivy by the shoulders and kissed her hard and fast on the lips. The kiss was more than a peck. She’d classify it as a smooch. Just long and firm enough to tell her this man knew how to kiss. Not quite long enough to make her head spin, but it did wake up every nerve ending between her pale pink toenails and the pearl studs in her ears. Of course above all else, it made her want more. To her dismay, he released her and spun back to the window, probably plotting camera angles.
“It’s like Christmas and my birthday all wrapped up in one gigantic present.” The words tumbled out of him in a rush. “The skydiver’s enough to make my boss dance a jig. But the chances of something going wrong are huge, and if it does, the show’s fans will go crazy. I can’t believe this is happening on my last shoot!”
His level of excitement surprised her. “Tracy must’ve told you she’d planned something exciting in order to win your contest and get on WWS.”
“Had no idea. She didn’t have to qualify or anything. We pick the names out of a hat. What makes this show different is the couple lets us follow them on the honeymoon. You’d be amazed the way couples fall apart on their honeymoon, and we’re there to capture every tear, every thrown drink, and every night the groom winds up on the sofa of the bridal suite.”
So much for happily ever after. “It sounds depressing.”
Ben shrugged. “Can’t let it get to you. I mean, these people would get into it with or without the cameras. The divorce rate is still over fifty percent in this country.”
Ivy swatted his arm. “Don’t use that word!” Did the man have no sense at all?
His head snapped around. “What word?”
“The D word.” He still looked mystified. “Divorce,” she said in a pointed whisper.
“Why not? It’s a statistic, not an omen.”
“Even if you aren’t superstitious, it seems flat-out rude to mention that word on a wedding day. This is the one day when the whole world revolves around their love. One beautiful, untarnished day when everyone puts their petty arguments to the side and concentrates on the magic of love.” Ben looked at her like she’d just sprouted wings.
“You can’t really believe that load of crap,” he said flatly.
Ivy was used to this reaction, but it still stung every time. “First of all, I believe it with every fiber of my being.”
“Do you believe in the Tooth Fairy, too?”
“Secondly,” she pressed on, despite his interruption, “it doesn’t matter if you or I believe it. It’s my job to give clients the perfect day. They have to feel the cartoon hearts floating overhead and doves carrying a happily-ever-after banner. Whether it’s an illusion or reality, they get to live that fantasy for eight hours.”
Hands shoved deep in pockets, he held her steady gaze, considering. After a minute he nodded. “You’ve got a point. I bet you’re really good at your job.”
“I try.” Ten years of hard work scrabbling her way up the competitive Chicago wedding ladder were wrapped up in those two words.
“Well, for you, I’ll give it a shot. As of this moment, I’ll officially table my cynicism, my completely realistic view of relationships, and years of experience.”
Wow. It was both surprising and sad how many pounds of emotional baggage weighed down that single sentence. His past must be littered with heartbreak and disappointment. And to Ivy, there was almost nothing sadder than a person who didn’t believe in true love. But this time her pity was overshadowed by annoyance at his condescending tone. “Don’t put yourself out on my account.”
“No, I mean it. You’ve made quite the impression. I don’t want to be the big dark cloud on your perfect day.”
She squinted up at him. “Really? No mocking? No snide comments behind my back to your camera guy? No barely veiled hostility aimed at the groom?”
He spread his hands wide, the picture of innocence. “What can I say, Ms. Rhodes? You turned my day around with the possibility of an utter train wreck, then capped it off with a kiss. In my book, that means I owe you a favor. I figure a sunny disposition is the nicest way to repay you.”
“You know you stole that kiss,” she grumbled. It still rankled how quickly he’d ended it.
“Fair enough.” Ben edged closer, and Ivy automatically countered, which brought her flush against the window niche. He caged her in by resting his hands on the deep window sill. She was forced to arch her back in order to meet his eyes. The position thrust her breasts against the stiff lapels of his tux jacket. All the air in the room vanished, and her heart thudded. Without a doubt, Ben was back in charge, and she was merely along for the ride.
“Next time will be different.”
“How do
you know? I mean,” she hastily corrected herself, “what makes you think there will be a next time?”
He chuckled, and kept that sea-blue gaze locked on her. “Certain things in life are inevitable. Sunrise. Hunger. And my kissing you again. Something ignited between us the minute I picked you up. Don’t try to deny it.”
Heat suffused Ivy’s face. Ben lifted his left hand to stroke the spot on her neck where her pulse fluttered rapidly. It was a light touch, and he used only a single finger to trace the path of her vein. It was one of the most erotic moments of Ivy’s life. The room, the wedding, the people banging glasses in the hallway disappeared. Her world shrank to a single patch of skin. And yet at the same time, she registered chills racing through her entire body. With a flutter of lashes her eyes closed.
“Are you the wedding planner?” A harsh, accusing voice bellowed across the hall. Ivy’s eyes flew open. Ben’s expression was unreadable as he stepped back and turned to face the interloper. She pushed off the window sill with a deep breath.
“Yes, I am. What can I do for you, sir?”
A man resplendent in full Scottish dress hustled toward her. The chain on his sporran clattered with every step. His kilt swished in a very unmasculine fashion, tartan plaid trailing behind him. “You can give me my money. The wedding’s in less than two hours and I haven’t been paid yet. There’ll be no bagpipes down the aisle unless you pay me what I’m rightfully owed. Five hundred dollars. In cash.”
The last vestige of delicious romance left her system. In its place, Ivy donned a practiced, calming smile. A threat to halt the wedding, a demand for an exorbitant amount of cash she didn’t have—it was another average day at work.
Don’t miss PLANNING FOR LOVE by Christi Barth,
Available wherever Carina Press ebooks are sold.
www.CarinaPress.com
Copyright ©2012 by Christi Barth
Acknowledgments
Thanks to the wonderful Kinley Cade for squeezing this beta read into her overpacked schedule and making sure it rang true from the first chapter. Much gratitude to Deidre Knight for being so patient with me as I became a tad crazed while finishing this book (what—don’t all authors do that near the end?). Many, many, many thanks to Angela James for believing in this series and letting me run with it! And while I’d love to offer an endless supply of wine to my BFFs—since this book revolves around wine—I instead must offer (know your audience, folks!) endless iced tea and coffee refills to the inestimably wonderful Stephanie Dray, Laura Kaye and Lea Nolan.
Also available from Christi Barth
and Carina Press
Up to Me
All for You
Love at High Tide
Love on the Boardwalk
Ask Her at Christmas
Tinsel My Heart
Aisle Bound series
Planning for Love
A Fine Romance
Friends to Lovers
A Matchless Romance
Available from Christi Barth
and Harlequin
Never Too Late
About the Author
Christi Barth earned a master’s degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.
A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.
Christi is president of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.
Website (http://www.christibarth.com/) | Blog (http://christibarth.blogspot.com/) | Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/christibarth/) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/christi_barth) | Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3272041.Christi_Barth) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/christibarthauthor)
Discover more anonymous budding romances in book one and two of Shore Secrets.
UP TO ME
Shore Secrets, book one
“UP TO ME is a candid look at people whole lives seem to be an open book but who harbor some intriguing secrets. The joy is in uncovering these secrets through snappy dialog.” —Fresh Fiction
ALL FOR YOU
Shore Secrets, book two
“Barth’s multi-layered characters make this a satisfying romance with an unusual and very appealing setup.” —Publishers Weekly
Small-town park ranger Casey Hobbes has spent her life under the radar, carefully guarding a secret. “The forest flirt,” as her best friend calls her, keeps things casual with men. That way she’ll never care enough to be tempted to share the truth about her past. But when she spots a half-naked stranger on the lake’s edge, Casey can’t resist his muscles or his charm and she’s all-in for enjoying both, while keeping emotion out of it. What could be the danger of one summer fling?
Available now, wherever ebooks are sold.
www.CarinaPress.com
We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/CarinaPress
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/CarinaPress
BOSTON FIRE
The hot new series from New York Times bestselling author
SHANNON STACEY
Aidan Hunt is a firefighter because of the Kincaid family. He’s had the hots for Lydia Kincaid for years, but if ever a woman was off-limits to him, it’s her. She’s his mentor’s daughter. His best friend’s sister. The ex-wife of a fellow firefighter. But his plan to play it cool fails and soon he and Lydia have crossed a line they can’t uncross.
Available now, wherever books and ebooks are sold.
Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers and much more!
Visit CarinaPress.com.
We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/CarinaPress.
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/CarinaPress.
We think you have a good book in you!
Do you write in the below genres? Harlequin’s Carina Press wants to see your manuscript.
• Contemporary Romance
• Romantic Suspense
• Historical Romance
• Paranormal Romance
• Mystery
• Erotic Romance
• LGBT
• Science Fiction & Fantasy
Submit today! All manuscripts receive a thorough evaluation by a Carina Press editor and a decision within 12–16 weeks. What do you have to lose?
To learn more about our submission guidelines, visit us at CarinaPress.com.
Signing up for our FREE eNewsletter is SUPER quick and easy!
Get the latest information from Carina Press, PLUS get access to members-only EXCLUSIVE deals and coupons! Plus, as an eNewsletter subscriber, you’ll get the inside scoop on everything Carina Press and be the first to know about our newest releases!
DON’T MISS OUT! Sign up now! http://bit.ly/1pB5sqp
Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers and much more!
Visit CarinaPress.com
We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/CarinaPress
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/CarinaPress
ISBN-13: 9781459290006
Back to Us
Copyright © 2015 by Christi Barth
Edited by: Deborah Nemeth
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Dun
can Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.
www.CarinaPress.com
Back To Us (Shore Secrets 3) Page 32