An Impractical Match (Match #2)

by Barbara Dunlop

  She explored his shoulders, his back, his buttocks, marveling at his strength and masculinity. He was an absolutely perfect male. But steadily, relentlessly, her world narrowed to where their bodies were joined. Her kisses grew frantic, and his pace picked up. Her toes curled in the air, while her fingers fisted around the blanket beneath her.

  “Devlin,” she moaned.

  “Anything.”

  “Faster, harder.” Cymbals were clanging in her ears. She was hovering on the brink.

  He complied, cranking it up, his rangy body slick against hers.

  Her world exploded, forcing a cry from her lips.

  He groaned with his release, their bodies pulsating endlessly in unison.

  Finally, his weight came down, pressing her into the soft bed.

  “You are amazing,” he rasped in her ear.

  She couldn’t talk. She was too busy sucking in oxygen. The breeze picked up from the doorway, sending a welcome current of cool air across her face. She inhaled as deeply as she could.

  “You okay?” he asked, lifting his weight from her chest.

  “Just trying to breathe,” she gasped.

  “Should I move?”

  “No.” She clamped her arms around him. “No. Not yet.”

  He relaxed against her. “Good.”

  Faint cheers from the crowd on deck echoed out into the bay. The music continued to play, and the ship’s horn gave another deep blast.

  Jillian just lay there, absorbing Devlin’s touch, his scent, and the rhythm of his breathing.

  “I don’t want the forgetting to start just yet,” she found herself confessing in his ear.

  “You let me know when,” he whispered back. “And I’ll do my best.” He paused. “To forget this ever happened.”

  She wrapped herself more tightly around him. “I’m sorry.”

  He drew back to look at her. “For what?”

  “For whatever it was I did earlier.”

  “You didn’t do a thing.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m oversensitive at times.”

  “I—”

  “Forget it.” He smoothed her hair back from her face. “It’s all good. Everything’s good.”

  Everything was fantastic. It was too bad it couldn’t last.

  She let long minutes pass before reluctantly lifting her wrist to check her watch. It was time for her to get to work, time to check on the details of the rehearsal dinner.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him one last, lingering kiss.

  “Devlin?” she whispered in his ear.

  “Yes?”

  “Just so you know. Not that you’re allowed to remember any of it, but you exceeded my standards. By quite a lot.”

  A chuckle rumbled through his chest.

  “You exceeded mine, too, Jillian.”

  She couldn’t resist teasing. “Too bad yours are lower.”

  “You exceeded them by quite a lot.”

  Chapter Seven

  It had been four hours now, but Devlin had made zero progress in forgetting what had happened between him and Jillian. If anything, he could remember it more acutely now than thirty seconds after they’d made love. He’d been completely satisfied, but somehow it didn’t diminish his wanting her.

  The rehearsal dinner had gone smoothly. Dinner was over, and she was on the far side of the room, chatting with his Aunt Hannah, while waiters circulated with champagne and chocolate truffles in place of dessert.

  Although she’d never made it obvious, Jillian had been paying attention to every detail, frequently but unobtrusively leaving her table to chat with a waiter or chef. Morgan had delivered a gracious speech, thanking everyone for coming on such short notice. Amelia looked lovely and incredibly happy. Maybe Devlin was biased because Jillian was organizing, but so far, he thought this was one of the best weddings he’d ever attended.

  “Seems silly to call it a rehearsal dinner,” said Morgan, parking himself next to Devlin. They were next to an open set of French doors that led from the private dining room to a private balcony. The thirty or so guests were mingling between both spaces.

  Devlin agreed. “You hardly need a rehearsal for four people and the captain.”

  Morgan nodded his own agreement. “Thanks for being here.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.” Devlin glanced to where his sister was chatting with her maid of honor and college friend, Krista. Giggling together, the two of them looked like they were on break from cheerleading freshman year.

  Morgan, on the other hand, seemed completely serious and settled.

  “I sometimes don’t get the two of you,” Devlin told Morgan.

  “She’s smarter than anybody gives her credit for,” said Morgan, a defensive edge to his tone.

  “I didn’t mean that,” Devlin quickly put in. “But the two of you seem to have different interests and priorities.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I know it won’t mean anything to you, Mr. Hotshot Motorcycle Rider.”

  Devlin nearly choked on his Jack Daniel’s. “Excuse me?”

  “Women have flocked to you your entire life.”

  That was ridiculous. “They don’t—”

  “Amelia could have any guy on the planet. And I’ve been in awe of her since the night we met. Everyone seems to think I’m doing her this big favor by marrying her. But she’s the one doing me a favor. She is now and always has been way out of my league.”

  Devlin found his gaze moving to Jillian. “Out of your league,” he muttered. “I hear you on that one.”

  “Jillian?” Morgan prompted.

  The observation threw Devlin, and he quickly corrected the direction of his gaze. “Who?”

  “Jillian keeps looking over at you.”

  “She’s not looking at me.”

  Morgan gazed at him curiously. “You went to get her for the party earlier and kind of disappeared.”

  Devlin’s first instinct was to tell Morgan it was none of his damn business. But that would only validate his obvious suspicions.

  “She was upset,” Devlin offered instead.

  “She okay now?” Morgan pressed.

  “It was nothing huge. She had phone calls from her sisters.”

  “Problem with the family?”

  “Her grandmother.” Devlin saw no harm in sharing the basic details. It would keep Morgan’s speculation from ranging elsewhere. “It sounds like her grandmother Lizbet has been estranged from the family for years, but she’s suddenly popped her head up. Jillian’s sisters both called, worried about their mom.”

  “Lizbet?”

  “Yes.”

  “Unusual name.”

  “I suppose.”

  Morgan took a long look at Jillian and Aunt Hannah then returned his attention to Devlin. “How exactly did you two meet?”

  “I told you. She’s planning the NMAC race out at Desert Heat.”

  “You said she had no experience with motocross.”

  Devlin laughed, much more comfortable with this line of conversation. “She doesn’t. But I have to say, she catches on pretty quick.”

  “Do you know why they chose her?”

  “Not a clue.” But Devlin was becoming increasingly glad they had.

  He looked over, caught her glance and smiled. He was ridiculously glad that they’d chosen her.

  “I need to go talk to Amelia,” said Morgan.

  “Sure.” Devlin didn’t want to keep Morgan away from his bride.

  Heck, if he had been the one getting married, he doubted he’d—

  He found himself glancing to Jillian, only to discover she was gone. He scanned the room, but there was no sign of her. She was probably talking to the chef again, he told himself. He expected there were details about tomorrow that needed her attention. She’d probably be back any minute.

  While he waited, he couldn’t help but notice Morgan having a rather intense discussion with Amelia. For a moment, he worried something was wrong. But it didn’t appear that they were fightin
g. Then he realized he was being unforgivably intrusive, and he turned his attention away.

  Moments later, they were back in his field of vision. The intense discussion had moved to Aunt Hannah and Morgan’s grandfather, JW. First, Morgan said something to his grandfather. Then Amelia spoke. And then Hannah glanced directly at Devlin.

  Caught. Damn. He immediately looked away and turned to walk out on the balcony, where he wouldn’t feel so curious.

  A few minutes later, his sister joined him there. She seemed quite calm. Whatever the problem, he assumed it was resolved.

  He was used to her being an attractive woman, but in a silky, moss-green dress with lace across the shoulders, subtle makeup and her hair curled around a loose knot, she looked delicately beautiful, practically perfect, and too young really to be getting married.

  “How’re you doing, Amy?” he asked gently.

  “Great. Terrific. I’m really happy, Dev.”

  “Glad to hear it. Morgan seems pretty calm.”

  “Of course he’s calm. There’s no need to be nervous. And even if there was, he’s always calm. He’s fantastic, you know.”

  “So you’ve told me.”

  She nudged him playfully with her elbow. “How’re you doing?”

  “Perfect. Why?”

  She gazed out across the dark water to the lights of Monterey Bay. “Jillian seems really great.”

  Devlin frowned at his sister. “Did Morgan say something to you?”

  Amelia looked up, expression clear and open. “About what?”

  “Nothing.” He was relieved. “Yeah, she is great.”

  “Thanks for letting her help us out. This is way better than Vegas.”

  “She’s the one to thank, not me.”

  “Are you going to race at the big event?”

  Devlin was used to his sister’s erratic conversational style, so the change in topic didn’t throw him. “I haven’t decided. Maybe, if the field doesn’t get too competitive.”

  “Are you chicken?”

  “No, I’m not chicken.”

  That wasn’t it at all. Problem was, he couldn’t seem to forget Jillian’s expression when she’d stared at him the first time they met. She had clearly been offended by his filthy appearance, and he found he didn’t want to offend her anymore.

  He told his sister part of the truth. “If there are too many national class competitors, I’ll just be in the way.”

  Then he promised himself he’d use that as the determiner. It didn’t matter what Jillian thought about him racing and getting dirty. It wasn’t like she’d be impressed just because he stayed clean. He didn’t have the raw material to impress her. Plus, she’d be heading back to DC right after the event. If her last memory of him was him covered in mud, so be it.

  “You’re a great rider, Dev.”

  “I’m a good local rider. I have no interest in competing at a higher level.”

  “Why should you? It’s only a hobby. Besides, you’ve made your fortune in classic cars.”

  Fortune was a bit of an exaggeration. “Well, it’s enough of a fortune for me.”

  Truth was, Devlin’s business had been more successful than he’d ever dreamed. The value of his company was growing in leaps and bounds. It allowed him to work with people he liked, create spectacular, functional vehicles, and get satisfaction out of meeting his clients’ needs.

  Amelia covered her mouth, concealing a pretty yawn. “I’ve got to get some sleep.”

  “Good idea. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

  She grinned. “I do. I can’t wait.” Then she sobered. “You know, no matter what, I can’t help this silly little worry that Morgan will change his mind.”

  Devlin laughed at that, pulling his sister into a playful headlock and kissing the top of her head. “He’s not going to change his mind. He’s batty about you. He truly loves you, Amelia. And he’s lucky to get you.”

  Her voice was muffled against Devlin’s chest. “It almost didn’t happen.”

  “What’s that?”

  She drew back. “Nothing, big brother. You have a great night. Thank Jillian again if you see her.”

  “Okay.”

  Amelia pulled back from the rail, turning to walk back inside the dining room.

  Devlin followed her, scanning the emptying room for Jillian. She wasn’t there. He downed the remains of his drink and squelched his disappointment. What had he been expecting? That she’d want to go back to his room, maybe make love again, maybe sleep with him tonight? She’d made it pretty damn clear that this afternoon had been a one-off. He had to stop having expectations of something else.

  o o o o

  The cruise ship staff and crew were so attentive and supportive, that there was little for Jillian to worry about leading up to the wedding. She’d set her alarm for seven, getting up early to confirm details and troubleshoot. But by nine o’clock, she was in the pool, doing a few laps before settling into a deck chair to enjoy the sunny day.

  As she stroked her way through the water, Devlin loomed large in her mind. The memories of his bold kisses made her lips tingle with renewed desire. The splashes on her skin reminded her of his touch. Her scissors kick created friction on her inner thighs that made her want him all over again.

  She executed a turn, staying under the water until she was desperate for air. Then she swam the short distance to the other end of the pool. It would have been nice if the pool were larger. Then she could have really burned off some energy. And maybe she’d be able to get Devlin’s naked body out of her mind. Though she’d gone into their lovemaking with her eyes wide open, she hadn’t counted on him being this hard to forget.

  “Jillian?” called a female voice.

  She popped her head out of the water, blinking her eyes in the bright sunshine. It was Amelia.

  “Good morning,” Jillian called, making her way to the edge of the pool.

  Amelia was wearing a short, gauzy, white sundress. And she looked every inch a radiant bride-to-be. “How’s the water?”

  “Nice and cool. I think we’re going to have a gorgeous day.”

  “Did you have breakfast?”

  Jillian nodded. She pointed to her things on a nearby lounger. “And I’ve checked on all the details. Everything seems to be under control. I was going to sit down and read for a while.”

  “Great idea.” Amelia grinned. “I’ll join you.”

  While Amelia got settled, Jillian finished a few more laps. By the time she left the pool, satisfyingly tired, Hannah and Krista had also taken loungers in the grouping. A pool attendant offered her a couple of fluffy towels, and she used one to dry herself and the other to line the padded chair.

  “Very disciplined of you, getting up so early,” Hannah commented as Jillian sat down.

  “I thought there was going to be more for me to do today,” Jillian replied. “But the staff and crew have everything under control.”

  “As it should be,” said Hannah. “You should enjoy yourself.”

  “I’m not really here to enjoy myself,” Jillian countered. Though, so far, she had to admit the short cruise was turning into quite the little holiday getaway, complete with a very satisfying fling.

  “Have you seen Devlin?” Hannah asked.

  The question took her by surprise, making her feel as though Hannah could somehow read her thoughts.

  “Not this morning,” she quickly answered, turning her attention to her bag as she focused on extracting her tablet computer.

  “You should check out his room,” Amelia put in.

  Jillian fumbled the tablet, nearly dropping it. “Huh?”

  “We wanted some extra room for storage and somewhere for Morgan to get ready for the ceremony,” Amelia chatted on. “So Devlin booked a really fantastic suite. Get him to show it to you.”

  “Sure.” Jillian sat up in the lounger, focusing her attention on opening her book app. She hoped the blush she felt forming on her cheeks would be attributed to the sun’s strong rays
.

  “Are those mimosas?” asked Krista, pointing to a waiter passing by with a tray full of exotic-looking drinks.

  “I’m in,” said Amelia.

  “Me, too,” said Hannah.

  They all looked to Jillian.

  “Sure, why not?”

  Hannah waved the man down and placed their order.

  “So, Jillian,” said Hannah as she squirted a dollop of lotion onto her tanned arm, rubbing it briskly in. “I hear you’re helping Devlin with a motorcycle event?”

  “Coming up in September,” Jillian confirmed.

  “He’s a nice boy, don’t you think?”

  Nice wasn’t exactly the word Jillian would use to describe Devlin. “He seems very nice,” she agreed. Mentally, she added tough, dangerous, shrewd and sizzling hot.

  “You’re getting to know him, are you?”

  “A little bit.” Jillian ducked her head, pretending to hunt through her bag for something else.

  “He always was a handsome boy.” Hannah beamed.

  “Auntie.” Amelia’s tone seemed to hold a warning.

  “I can’t be proud of my great-nephew? He was smart enough to get into engineering, you know.”

  “He told me that,” said Jillian, straightening.

  “He did?” Amelia seemed surprised.

  Hannah was also staring at her with wide eyes.

  “Is that weird?” Jillian asked them both.

  “He doesn’t talk about it much.”

  The expression on Amelia’s face told Jillian there was more to the story. She wondered if Devlin had glossed over the circumstances of his leaving college.

  “Did he flunk out?” she found herself asking in a hushed tone.

  “Oh, no,” Hannah quickly put in. “He could have graduated if he’d wanted. In fact, I think he was too smart for them. He decided to pursue other things. He’s a very bright boy. Very bright.”

  “Good morning, ladies.” Morgan appeared, making his way up a spiral staircase from the deck below. He looked fit and fresh in a pair of black shorts and a 49ers T-shirt.

  “Did you find some waffles?” Amelia asked him.

  “I did.” Morgan made his way along the row of loungers toward his fiancée, while Devlin appeared on the staircase behind him.