THE BENNETTS' WEDDING (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family Book 5)

by Brenda Jackson

  “Now tell me about Ms. Bennett.”

  He was about to say there wasn’t anything to tell, but he knew there was. Besides, his uncle knew him all too well. For him to invite a woman into his home? That meant something. “I’m absolutely taken with her, Maceo. I wish I could explain it, but I can’t. The first day I met her, we accidently bumped into each other in the hall. I’m convinced the moment I looked into her face I was a goner. Does that sound crazy?”

  “No. I told you how it was when I first saw Lydia. I found it annoying and confusing at first. But then I finally gave in to the attraction because I quickly realized it was something I couldn’t fight, no matter how much I tried.”

  Haddison had news for his uncle. He wasn’t trying to fight it. He’d decided to give in to every last unexpected emotion he was feeling. But there were times he worried that he was moving too fast. “Does it sound crazy that I’ve invited her here already, and we just met a few weeks ago?” He still hadn’t mentioned to his uncle that he’d met Kennedy months ago while working undercover.

  He heard his uncle chuckle before saying, “Like uncle, like nephew. I’m glad you weren’t around when I met Lydia. Your never-gonna-marry uncle was acting like a besotted fool. Hell, when she told me she would never move to Los Angeles, I was already planning to relocate my business to wherever she was. Had you been here, you would have had me committed to an insane asylum. I met her one week, and was ready to talk marriage the next.”

  Haddison knew he wasn’t ready to talk marriage yet, but he had no problem with an exclusive relationship. Like he’d told Kennedy, he’d never been a player. And that episode with Chelsea hadn’t ruined him for another woman. The older he got and the more involved he’d gotten with the Bureau, he’d known their breakup had been the best thing for both of them. There was no way he could be gone for long stretches like he’d had to do with her not knowing where he was and when he would return. That would have been too much to expect from any woman.

  But that life was behind him now, and he was ready to get involved with someone. Funny how he’d been totally against the idea when his uncle had mentioned it a while back.

  “Well, I’m looking forward to meeting her. Just so you know, after I spoke with you that day, I looked into Ms. Bennett’s employment files. Our clients have nothing but high praise for her work. And it’s just the opposite for Larry Matthews. I can’t wait to read your report.”

  A couple hours later, Haddison walked out of his bedroom. Everything was ready. Tonight, his goal was to impress Kennedy and he’d put things in place to do just that. He was about to go into the kitchen when he heard the doorbell.

  His pulse kicked up a notch. Kennedy had arrived.

  AFTER PUTTING IN A twelve-hour workday, Kennedy knew she should be bone-tired. But knowing she was coming here had somehow rejuvenated her. Haddison had texted her that he’d given her name to the guard at the entrance gate to assure she got inside the complex without any problems. And now she was here, standing outside Haddison’s door, pressing his doorbell.

  His building, the entire condo complex, was impressive with its manicured grounds, numerous tennis courts, clubhouse, and other notable amenities. Inside each building, there was a security station. This place was definitely safe. Each building was massive, with only eight condos per building, two on every floor. That meant each individual condo had to be huge. Bigger than some houses.

  Haddison lived on the fourth floor, and his building overlooked a lake. Most of the cars were imported, and she’d known she’d been at the right building when she’d seen Haddison’s sports car parked right alongside the other classy vehicles.

  The door opened, and she was struck again by how gorgeous he was. He was dressed totally different than he usually was at the office. The business suit had been replaced with a pair of jeans and pull-over shirt. And he was in his bare feet. It was obvious that he was in his element.

  “Kennedy.”

  “Haddison.”

  He took a step back. “Welcome to my home.”

  “Thanks,” she said, moving past him. From his foyer, she couldn’t help but glance around. Just as she’d thought, his place was massive. And it was beautifully decorated. Handsome furniture, custom drapes, and expensive throw rugs on hardwood floors greeted her.

  She glanced back and saw that he’d been watching her. “You have a beautiful home, Haddison. Maybe I’m in the wrong business. I should have gone to work for the FBI,” she said, smiling.

  “Thanks. But trust me, I couldn’t have afforded this on my FBI salary. When my uncle became my guardian, he placed all my parents’ insurance proceeds into a trust with a good investor. I never touched it. My uncle took care of my needs when I was young, and since my father was killed in the line of duty, the city of St. Louis paid for my college tuition. After that, I was out on my own, earning my way and preferred living off the paychecks I earned.”

  She nodded. “That was a smart move.”

  “I think so, too. May I take your coat?”

  “Yes,” she said, unbuttoning her jacket and handing it to him. Although she was wearing the outfit he’d seen her in earlier that day, she could feel the heat of his gaze roam over her.

  “Now it’s time to pamper you.”

  His words claimed her attention. “Before dinner?”

  “That’s what I was thinking. However, if you’re hungry we can certainly reverse things.”

  Whether it was for food or flesh, she would roll with his timeline. “No, I can wait.” Besides she was dying to see how he intended to pamper her.

  Reaching out, he took her hand. “Come with me.”

  The moment their hands touched, sexual energy ripped through her and she glanced at him, wondering if he’d felt it, too. Her gaze latched onto his lips, and she thought again about the way those lips had claimed hers so thoroughly earlier that day. She was so busy remembering that kiss, that she didn’t pay any attention to where he was taking her until they entered what was undoubtedly his bedroom.

  He stopped in the middle of the room and she took in the sight of the huge king-sized bed. The décor was definitely masculine, but not in a convoluted sort of way. It was a little restrained, but just as intricate. The entire room was massive. She’d thought her bedroom, the master suite, was large. However, Haddison’s bedroom was double the size of hers.

  “This is my bedroom.”

  “I assumed as much.” Was he about to suggest that they make love before dinner? What happened to being pampered? Was a roll between the sheets his idea of coddling her?

  “Right this way.”

  He tugged on her hand and led her through the bedroom to another room. She stopped just outside the door, her mouth dropping open. It had to be the largest bathroom she’d ever seen, and right in the middle of the floor was a gigantic Jacuzzi tub. And she was assailed by the scent of peaches. Lit candles were placed around the room, and the bubbles in the bathwater smelled of peaches.

  “Ready for your bath, Kennedy.”

  She jerked her head up to look at him. “My bath?”

  He smiled. “It’s all ready for you. You did say that peach is your favorite scent, right?”

  She appreciated that he remembered. That proved just how attentive he’d been at dinner. “It smells good in here.”

  “And these are for you.”

  He released her hand to pick up a beautiful vase of peach-colored roses and gave them to her. A dozen of them. “Thanks. They’re beautiful,” she said, studying the flowers. She’d never seen roses this color before.

  “You’re welcome and you’re beautiful,” he said, smiling down at her. “And this is also for you.”

  He then handed her a Neiman Marcus gift bag. She placed the vase of flowers on the vanity and pulled an item out of the bag. It was a beautiful peach-and-cream-colored silk wrap dress. A Diane von Furstenberg design.

  Several Furstenberg pieces hung in her closet, and she knew this outfit wasn’t cheap. Could she accep
t this? Should she? As if he figured she was trying to decide, he said, “I figured after your bath, you would want to put on something relaxing.”

  He was right, she would. “Thank you. This is so thoughtful of you.”

  “You’re welcome. Enjoy your bath. Take as long as you want. Dinner is ready and will stay warm until you join me.”

  He then picked a remote up off the vanity, and instantly soft music began playing. A beautiful stream of soft jazz came through the speakers. The music came from the latest album by Marion Meadows, Kennedy’s favorite jazz artist.

  It amazed her just how attentive Haddison had been to what she’d told him about herself over dinner, and tonight, he was showing just how much. To say she was truly impressed was an understatement.

  “I’ll leave you now. If you need anything, just call. There’s a speaker on the remote that connects to the kitchen and living room areas.”

  “Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  After nodding, he turned and she watched him walk out of the bathroom with what she thought was the sexiest strut known to man.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she glanced around at all the scented candles, the huge vase of flowers, the Jacuzzi tub filled with bubbles, and the bag on the counter containing the wrap dress. The man had thought of practically everything. Not only was he pampering her, he was romancing her, as well.

  As she began removing her clothes, she couldn’t help but smile. She couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the evening had in store.

  An hour later, Haddison glanced up from the magazine he’d been browsing through when he heard his bedroom door open. His breath caught in his throat. Kennedy was standing in the open doorway looking both relaxed and beautiful. She had pinned her hair up and was wearing the wrap dress he’d bought for her with her stilettos. The dress hit above the knees, and she looked sexy as hell in it. And wouldn’t you know it, Marion Meadows’s tune, “Dressed to Chill,” had started playing. The sound seemed to electrify the way she looked while standing there.

  “It fits,” she said, grinning happily and sashaying around in sync with the music.

  In his opinion, the dress did more than fit. It accentuated every curve on her body. Her breasts tilted high against the silk material in a captivating sort of way. She was, without a doubt, the sexiest woman he’d ever seen, and the outfit only amplified that fact.

  “Yes, it does fit,” he said, getting to his feet.

  “Do you do this kind of thing often?” she asked him.

  He lifted a brow. “Do what?”

  “Pamper women.”

  Is that what she thought? In that case, he would gladly put that assumption to rest. “No. You’re my first.” He came close to adding that she would also be his last.

  A pleasing smile touched her lips. “You’re making me feel special, Haddison.”

  “You are special, Kennedy.” He truly meant that. Like he’d told his uncle, he wasn’t sure why she’d gotten to him, but she had.

  He was tempted to move across the room and give her one hell of a kiss. However, he knew if he did that, they’d never get around to eating. So instead, he said, “Dinner is ready if you are.”

  “Wonderful! I can’t believe this. I just loved my bath. The temperature of the water was perfect for relaxing. The peach scent, the beautiful candles, the music… I feel truly pampered. I can’t say thank you enough.”

  “You can and you have. Come on, let’s eat.”

  Placing his hand at the center of her back, he escorted her to the dining area where a table had been set. He pulled out the chair for her and then said, “I’ll bring out everything.”

  “Need any help?”

  He shook his head. “No, I’ve got this. Just get ready for what I hope you’ll think is a great meal.”

  As he left her to go into the kitchen, he drew in a steady breath. What he’d told her was the truth. He’d never bought clothes for a woman before. Nor had he ever gone out of his way to pamper one. But as crazy as it sounded, he knew he’d fallen hard for Kennedy Bennett.

  “Okay, Haddison B. Wolf, you’ve almost won me over. This food is delicious. Who taught you how to cook?”

  Haddison smiled. Almost won her over? That meant he had to step up his game because he intended to completely win her over — tonight. He was glad she’d enjoyed dinner. He had prepared baked chicken, steamed broccoli, rice pilaf, mac and cheese, iced tea, and dinner rolls. From the look of her clean plate, she had enjoyed it.

  He slid his plate aside. “My uncle taught me. He had planned to be a bachelor for the rest of his days, and I figured if that sort of life was good enough for him, it would be good enough for me, as well. So he taught me to do all the things a bachelor-for-life needed to know. Cooking topped his list.”

  “You said earlier that he’d never planned to marry. Does that mean that, at some point, he gave up his bachelor ways?”

  “You’re very astute.” When he’d taken her out to dinner, he had deliberately not discussed the uncle who’d raised him — the man who was CEO of Rivers. Her boss and also his. “He eventually met a woman who knocked him off his feet.” Like you almost did to me last week. Like you are doing now.

  “What’s even more extraordinary is that the woman he fell for had been raised with parents who fought constantly. Like my uncle, she’d sworn she would never marry. So, the fact that they ended up together just tells you that some things are meant to be. He’s never been happier.”

  “I guess that means there is someone for everyone,” she said.

  “Guess so,” he agreed, taking a sip of his iced tea. “That has me wondering.”

  She lifted a brow. “About what?”

  “Moments ago, you said my cooking had almost won you over. What will it take to finish the job, Kennedy?”

  She didn’t say anything for a while, seeming to give his question some thought. Finally, she said, “I told you about Charles.”

  “Yes.”

  “I trusted him, and he betrayed me.” She paused, then took a deep breath. “So for me, honesty is the key. I have to know the next man I’m involved with is a straight-shooter, not trying to play me in any way and not keeping secrets.”

  She took a sip of her tea. “But then I’m sure honesty is important to you, as well,” she added.

  “Of course,” he said, even while knowing there were certain parts of his past life that he couldn’t ever share with her. How would she feel if she ever found out that he’d been one of the bank robbers? The one who’d supposedly been killed. Would she feel betrayed? Would she think him not telling her everything about his years with the FBI was being dishonest?

  “Now I have a question for you, Haddison,” she said, breaking into his thoughts.”

  He met her gaze. “Ask away.”

  “What does the initial B in your middle name stand for?”

  He smiled. “Bracen.”

  “Bracen?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s odd.”

  He lifted a brow. “What’s odd about it?”

  “Bracen isn’t a common name, yet I’ve heard it before.”

  His stomach tightened. Had she found out the deceased robber’s name had been Addison Bracey? The name Bracey was close to Bracen, and the name Addison was even closer to Haddison. God, he hoped she’d never learned his alias. “You have?”

  “Yes. On Saturday night at the restaurant. The owner son’s name was Bracen, as well. Bracen Ramone.”

  Relief ran through Haddison, glad he could easily explain that. “It isn’t a coincidence that we share the name. Bracen Wolf was my father. I believe I mentioned that he and Ramone were once partners in the St. Louis Police Department.”

  “Yes, you told me.”

  “What I failed to mention was that on the night my father was gunned down, Ramone wasn’t with him. His wife Marie was giving birth to their first child and he was at the hospital with her. That night Ramone got a son, but also lost a partner. In memory of my
father, whom he considered his best friend, Ramone named his son after my dad.”

  “Oh, how touching.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  Standing, he began clearing the table. When she stood to assist him, he said, “I’ve got this. You can go through my stack of movies and pick one out. Or you can check out what’s on Netflix or Amazon Prime.” He grinned. “I’ll even suffer through a chick-flick if that’s what you want. While you’re deciding, I’ll load the dishwasher and get the popcorn going.”

  “Popcorn?”

  He chuckled. “Yes. You didn’t think we were going to do movie night without popcorn, did you?”

  She grinned. “I guess not.”

  Kennedy walked off toward the living room where his huge flat screen was. He admired the way the dress clung to all her curves as she moved. He forced his gaze off her body, then suddenly realized he hadn’t given her a tour of his home. “You’re going the wrong way.”

  She stopped and turned around. “Excuse me?”

  “I said you’re going the wrong way. I have a theater room.”

  HADDISON WAS RIGHT, KENNEDY thought, glancing around. He most certainly had a theater room, one located on the other side of the apartment. Before they sat down to enjoy a movie, he gave her a tour of his home. In addition to the theater room, living room, and dining room, he had a total of four bedrooms — all with connecting bathrooms — and a room he used as an office. He even had a screened-in patio that overlooked the lake.

  The theater room was something else. It was a dark, windowless room with six soft-leather recliners. To add to the effect of being in a theater, he’d hung several huge movie posters on the wall. Not surprisingly, they were all from guy-flicks — The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; The Godfather; and The Fast and the Furious.

  She shook her head. Funny how an ex-FBI agent had no problem liking shows where people took crime into their own hands. Go figure.