“I love you, Jess,” he’d said softly.
Jessica swallowed dryly. She loved him, too. Her fiancé was a kind, generous, wonderful man and she was the luckiest woman in the world, and yes, the day really was going to be perfect…if she could just stop trembling.
“Butterflies,” Jessie whispered to her image in the mirror. “All brides have them.”
Was that true? She didn’t know much about brides, perhaps because she’d never thought she’d be one, not after watching her mother endure a marriage to a man who’d made a mockery of the word. Jessie’s father had been a handsome rogue. He couldn’t stay in one place for very long or, as it turned out, be faithful to one woman, but her mother had adored him anyway.
Jessie grew up knowing she’d never be that kind of fool. Why would a woman have to be blinded by passion to fall in love? Love could be something that happened slowly and gently. That was the best way, the way that would last.
She smiled.
That was the way she’d fallen in love with William.
She’d worked for him for almost a year before he’d asked her out and even then, she’d turned him down. She knew that dating your boss was never a good idea, but he’d been gently persistent and, at last, after a late night at the office, she’d agreed to dinner. Saying no under those circumstances would have been silly. Soon they’d begun spending all their time together. When he’d proposed, saying yes had been the most natural thing in the world.
Now she was less than an hour away from becoming Mrs. William Thornton the Third. It was hard to believe it was happening.
One man, one exchange of vows, for the rest of her life. Maybe it wasn’t fashionable to believe in forever-after anymore, but Jessie did. It worried her a little that she’d never yet wanted more than William’s tender good-night kisses, but she was sure that would change. Given time, her skin would tingle when he touched her. Just looking at him would make her breathless. She’d feel the way she’d felt last night, when she’d first laid eyes on Liam Malone.
Jessie took a step back, felt the bed hit behind her knees and sank down on the edge of it.
“Oh, God,” she whispered, and shut her eyes as if she could block out the memory. What was she doing, thinking about another man on her wedding day? She hadn’t even been looking forward to meeting Liam. William had talked about him endlessly, until she’d been weary of hearing the name and the stories that went with it. How Liam traveled the world. How he made fortunes and lost them on the turn of a card. How he went through women. She’d been appalled by some of the stories, fascinated by others and aware, almost immediately, that her sweet, sensible William was wistfully envious of Liam’s free and easy life.
She’d come up with a picture to go with the tall tales. Liam would be sexy as sin, gorgeous as the devil and twice as persuasive. In other words, he’d be the kind of man she most disliked.
As it turned out, she’d gotten it almost all right. The rehearsal dinner had been in full swing; William had been holding her hand and telling her how happy they were going to be. Suddenly he’d dropped her hand, leaped from his chair and said, “Liam, my man, you made it!” She’d looked up and there, in the doorway, she’d seen Liam Malone for the very first time, exactly as she expected: tall, broad shouldered, with a handsome face, a shock of silky black hair and emerald-green eyes.
What she hadn’t expected was the jolt of electricity that slammed through her when those green eyes met hers. Her heart had gone into overdrive and a pervasive heat had slipped under her skin. She’d felt all the reactions she’d sworn she’d never feel for any man, and she’d felt them for her fiancé’s best friend.
She’d wanted to bolt from her chair and run. Instead, she’d torn her eyes from Liam’s, stared blindly down at the table, and hoped, prayed, that the floor would open up and swallow her.
“Jessica, sweetheart,” she’d heard William say, and she’d forced herself to look up and smile. William had his arm slung around Liam’s shoulders and he was smiling, too, but Liam hadn’t smiled at all. He’d just watched her through narrowed eyes set in a face that might have been chiseled from granite.
Somehow she’d stood up, said all the right things, extended her hand and tried not to jump at the tiny spark that leaped from Liam’s fingers to hers.
“Static electricity,” she’d said with a forced laugh.
“Indeed,” Liam had replied, and the slightest smile had curved his mouth, a smile that said he knew exactly what she was feeling. “It’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Jessica.”
And that had been the end of it.
Jessie let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
What was the matter with her? That had been the end of it. The moment had come and gone. Liam pulled up a chair, William settled in beside her again, and she’d listened while the two friends talked about old times. Her gaze had met Liam’s once again but she’d looked quickly away and, before she knew it, the evening ended. Come stay with us, William had said, and she’d found herself fearing the answer, but Liam had thanked him politely, said he already had found a place and went off to wherever it was.
“A hostel, for all I know,” William had said cheerfully, “or a penthouse. It depends on whether his luck’s been good or bad.”
Good, Jessie thought now, remembering the expensive cut of Liam Malone’s gray suit. Or maybe bad, considering the longer-than-it-should-have-been, black-as-midnight hair that curled over his collar. She thought, too, of what William had told her, that Liam liked to gamble. Poker was his specialty, William said, but Jessie knew that women would be Liam Malone’s specialty, women who were willing to trade one night in his bed for a lifetime of hot memories.
She stood up quickly and smoothed down her skirt. Where was Carrie? Better still, where was William? She needed to see him, put her hand in his, feel the warmth of his smile.
“Got ’em!”
Jessie swung around. Her maid of honor stood in the doorway, holding a bouquet of tiny pink roses, trailing baby orchids and lacy-white stephanotis in her hand.
“Would you believe the kid who delivered the flowers left your bouquet on a table in the—”
“Have you seen William?” Jessie hadn’t meant to sound so shaky, but the look on Carrie’s face told her she hadn’t succeeded.
“What’s the matter, Jess?”
“Nothing. I just want to see him, that’s all.”
“You can’t see him. It’s bad luck for the bride and the groom to see each other before the ceremony.”
It was worse luck to think about another man before the ceremony, but Jessie knew better than to say that.
“That’s just a silly superstition.”
“Maybe, but do you really want to tempt fate?”
“No.” Jessie gave a choked laugh. “That’s the last thing I want to do.”
“Jess.” Carrie’s voice softened. “Honey, I keep telling you, all brides are jittery.”
“I know. And I’m not jittery. I just—I need some fresh air.” Jessie gathered up her skirt so the hem wouldn’t drag. “I’m going for a walk in the garden.”
“What?” Carrie stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “You can’t! It’s only half an hour until the ceremony.”
“That’s plenty of time.”
“What if someone sees you?”
“Nobody will. I’ll go down the back stairs.”
“But—but you’ll get grass stains on the hem of your gown.”
“I won’t. See?” Jessie hoisted the gown higher.
Carrie sighed. “Well, who am I to argue with the bride? You want to go for a walk? Fine. We’ll go for a walk.”
“No!” Jessie swallowed hard. “No,” she said, more calmly, “really, I need a few minutes by myself.”
“It’s cold outside,” Carrie said worriedly. “At least take a jacket.”
“It’s okay,” Jessie said, “I know what I’m doing.”
But she didn’t. And the enormity o
f the lie scared the life out of her.
* * *
THE GARDEN WAS QUIET. All the hullabaloo was taking place inside the house. Liam was glad he’d decided to go for a walk where he could escape the necessity for social niceties.
He felt a lot better, too. For all he knew, Bill was right. Maybe he’d misread everything. The newlyweds would settle into a pleasantly dull marriage. A couple of years down the road he’d look at Jessica and know that he’d been wrong about her.
But if he was, then what was that invitation he’d seen in her eyes last night? What would she have done if he’d taken her up on it, if he’d walked straight across the room, pulled her out of her chair and kissed her?
Slugged him, probably, because whatever else the lady was, she wasn’t a fool. Bill would have slugged him, too, but at least he’d have learned if that soft, pink mouth tasted as sweet as it—
There was a whisper of sound just behind him. Liam drew a breath. Even before he turned around, he knew she’d be there.
“Miss Warren,” he said with deliberate courtesy.
Her chin lifted, her cheeks pinkened. Could she possibly know what he’d been thinking?
“Mr. Malone,” she said, just as courteously. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Is it customary for brides to wander around, alone, moments before they wed?”
“I might ask you the same question about groomsmen. What are you doing in the garden?”
Liam looked at the woman who was about to marry his best friend, into the smoky blue eyes that had haunted him through a long and sleepless night.
“Looking for you,” he said, and before she could respond, he reached for her.
CHAPTER TWO
PEOPLE ALWAYS TALKED about time standing still or going too fast, but in Jessie’s experience, time was more like a treadmill. It moved at a steady, predictable pace.
Now she knew she’d been wrong. Liam reached for her and time hung suspended by a silken thread. She had all the opportunity she needed to anticipate what was about to happen. He was going to take her in his arms, gather her close and kiss her. And she’d let him do it. The dreams that had kept her awake half the night because, yes, she’d dreamed of him, yes, she’d imagined this happening…those dreams would come true.
She sighed, lifted her head, closed her eyes, waited to feel the hardness of Liam Malone’s body, the race of his heart…
Waited to betray William.
She took a quick step back, her hands upraised. “No,” she said, but it didn’t stop him. Liam caught her hands, drew them down. “Liam,” she said sharply, “think of William!”
He lifted his head and stared at her through eyes that were dark and hot. Slowly, like clouds receding after a storm, the wildness in his eyes faded. A shudder racked his body, and his hands fell to his sides.
“My God!” He spoke in a choked whisper. “We must be crazy.”
Jessie opened her mouth, then closed it. The truth was ugly, but she couldn’t deny it. She’d been a part of what had almost happened.
“Nothing happened.” Panic lent her words harsh urgency. “Nothing,” she repeated, as if saying it again would make it so.
“No.” Liam nodded. He turned his back to her and she saw the rise and fall of his shoulders, heard the sound of breath being dragged deep into his lungs. “Nothing happened. And anyway, it didn’t mean a…” He swung toward her, anger etched into his face. “The hell it didn’t! I’m Bill’s best man. You’re his bride. And we almost went at each other like a pair of—of sex-starved teenagers. And you say, nothing happened?”
“Mr. Malone…”
“Oh, that’s great. That’s terrific. Another minute, we’d have been down on the grass and you’re calling me ‘Mr. Malone’?”
Jessie stiffened. “There’s no need to be crude.”
“Crude is you not remembering that you’re marrying my best friend this morning.”
A breeze rustled through dried autumn leaves still trapped in the hedge. Jessie shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.
“I remembered it, and so did you. That’s why nothing happened.”
“I came within a breath of betraying my friend. You came within inches of violating the promises you’ve made him. Seems to me that something happened.”
The wind lifted a strand of Jessie’s hair. Her hand trembled as she smoothed it back. He was right. They’d almost kissed. Pretending they hadn’t wouldn’t change the fact, but there had to be an explanation. She’d never hurt William. Never.
“All right.” Her voice quavered. “But—but it’s been a stressful week.”
“Now, why didn’t I think of that?” Liam said coldly. “You’re stressed. I’m jet-lagged. And that makes it all…” He paused, then blew out a ragged breath. She was right. Nothing they could do would erase that one moment but, the truth was, they hadn’t done anything. The best solution was to shove the memory into a dark corner and forget it was there.
“Okay. We made a mistake. Let’s leave it at that.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.” Something in his eyes—contempt, perhaps, or a suggestion of it—stirred Jessie’s anger. “And if you want to be specific, Mr. Malone, we didn’t make a mistake. You did. I’m not the one who—who…”
“Do us both a favor, okay? Let’s not waste time lying.” His mouth twisted. “You and I both know what’s going on here. You looked at me last night exactly the way you did a couple of minutes ago.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jessie gathered up the skirt of her bridal gown. “And I have better things to do than stand here and talk nonsense.”
“Yeah,” Liam said coldly. “You have to step up to a judge, take Bill’s hand and promise to love, honor and cherish till death—”
“I know the vows I’m going to take, Mr. Malone.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed until there was just the barest flash of green. “I thought you were all wrong for him. Now I know it.”
“Is that what this—this little episode was all about? The Liam Malone quality control test?” Jessie said, trying to keep her tone as cold and even as his.
“Bill deserves better than you. A man deserves a woman who loves him without reservation.”
“And that’s just the way I love William,” she said heatedly. “He knows that.”
“Right.” Liam smiled tightly and rocked back on his heels. “I’m sure he’d agree that the last few minutes prove it.”
“You can’t tell him! You’d break his heart!”
“I know that. No, I won’t tell him. Neither will you. You’re right. Nothing happened.” He paused, and a seductive softness crept into his voice. “But it could have.”
Jessie knew what he was thinking. How it would have been, if they’d kissed. The mingling of breath. The taste. The feel of his arms around her, the heat of their bodies pressed together.
“This is a pointless conversation,” she said, and some small part of her mind gave a brisk nod of approval that she could sound so calm when she was shaking inside. “William is waiting. The wedding—”
Liam caught her wrist as she began to turn away. “Why didn’t you slap me?”
“Mr. Malone. Liam. I thought we just agreed—”
“It’s a simple question. You knew what I was about to do. How come you didn’t haul off and slug me?”
“Is that how the women you come on to generally react?” She smiled sweetly before her lips hardened into a thin, accusing line. “I don’t understand how William can think of you as his best friend. You’re not like him at all.”
“No,” Liam said softly, “I’m not.”
He took a step toward her; she retreated, but the bench was behind her and she was trapped. Her heart pounded. She’d been right about Liam Malone. He was sexy as sin and gorgeous as the devil. Why hadn’t she realized he’d be as dangerous as the devil, too?
“Keep away from me!”
He smiled
, a quick glint of white teeth against his tanned face. “Maybe that’s what appeals to you, Jessie.” Lazily he ran a finger over her cheek. “Maybe you know there’s no way you could wrap me around your little finger, or buy me off with a smile and a promise.”
“You’re right. I should have slapped you. You’re a horrible man.”
“I must be,” he whispered, his fingers curling around the back of her neck, “because I’m going to finish what I started a few minutes ago. What you want, despite all your self-righteous protests.”
He watched her face as he drew her to him and told himself he was only doing this because she was twisting things, making it sound as if he were the only one who’d wanted the kiss. One whisper of dissent, just one, and he’d back off. But when she looked up at him, he saw that her eyes had gone from blue to the color of the sky just before sunrise in the mountains, and not all her protests or his excuses could keep those eyes from telling him everything he needed to know.
“Jessie,” he said softly, and she sighed, tilted her head back and met his descending mouth with hers.
It was a gentle kiss, only the brush of his lips over hers. It was the kiss a man gives a woman when he knows he can never claim the taste of her again. And because the kiss was gentle, because Jessie knew that there would only be this once between them, because she could no more have stopped the rotation of the earth than rid herself of the need for it, she let it happen. She let him draw her closer, and when he did, she laid her palms flat against his chest, rose on her toes and parted her lips to his, let him slip his tongue into her mouth.
A wave of white-hot flame consumed her. She moaned, curled her fingers into the lapels of Liam’s morning coat and let everything she’d spent the night dreaming about happen. His kiss was all the poets said a kiss could be. It was more. It was turning her inside out, dissolving her flesh, melting her bones. It was…
She lifted her arms, wound them around Liam’s neck and stopped thinking.
The wind scurried through the garden again. Jessie trembled, but not from the cold. Liam drew her, hard, against him. His hands swept down her back, cupped her bottom, lifted her against him, into him. Sounds drifted on the air. Music from the chamber orchestra. The distant buzz of conversation.
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