Looking for Love (Boxed set)

by Rita Herron

  Austin sighed in relief. He'd been afraid she would be offended. "Perfect. My mom's crazy about kids. We can say you're a teacher."

  Kimberly's eyebrows lifted. "No, tell them I'm the director."

  "Great, that's even better. They'll really be impressed," Austin said enthusiastically.

  A long silence stretched between them as the sound of Kenny G's saxophone echoed through the car. As the soul-searching melody seeped into him, he covered her hand with his. "I really appreciate this."

  She seemed to tense again, but in a different way—a totally sensual way that indicated her body felt a response to his hand touching hers.

  "Tell me about the wedding," she said softly.

  Austin nodded, although he didn't intend to divulge everything. There was no reason he had to admit that he'd needed a fiancée because his best friend was marrying his former girlfriend.

  Both the bride and groom as well as his parents were worried he would be distraught, so he'd decided an engagement of his own would put an end to any pity parties they'd planned for him. And after he showed off Kimberly, Josh would be satisfied he didn't harbor any hard feelings. Then they could all relax and have fun.

  "The groom was my best friend in high school and college. We used to run track together." And chase girls, only Josh usually caught them.

  "When is the wedding?" Kimberly asked.

  "The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner are tomorrow night, the bachelor party following." He grinned at the thought of drinking beer with his old buddies. "And the wedding is Sunday at six."

  "Six?"

  "Yeah, they're having a big party afterwards. Lots of music, champagne, dancing."

  Kimberly squirmed. "So, we won't be coming back Sunday night?"

  Austin arched an eyebrow. "Is there a problem? I thought you said you had Mondays off."

  "Oh... yes," Kimberly said, shifting to look out the window. "I'm free on Mondays. No problem."

  Then she closed her eyes, curled one hand beneath her cheek and leaned against the window.

  Well, he'd done it now. The thought of spending three days with him had already put her to sleep.

  Kimberly pretended to be asleep, but her brain was about to explode with frustration. Marci had told this man she didn't have to be back until Monday.

  She silently made several promises to her thoughtless twin sister—none of which she could repeat out loud. Marci might have Mondays off, but Kimberly had to work—for heaven's sake, the center depended on her.

  But it was too late to panic. When they stopped for gas, she'd find a phone, call Nancy and have her cover for her on Monday. Then she remembered Nancy had the chicken pox. What was she going to do? Sighing in frustration, she prayed a solution would come to her, but no quick answers surfaced.

  Except one—she was going to kill Marci.

  Chapter 2

  "Kimberly, wake up."

  Kimberly rubbed her eyes, stretched and yawned as a warm breath brushed against her cheek. She inhaled a manly musky scent and her eyes sprang open.

  "I'm stopping for gas. We'll be at my folks soon."

  Kimberly nodded and watched the sexy man get out, still wondering about his name. From what she'd seen on the credit slip at the restaurant, it was either Aster or Astun or Atim. None of them seemed to fit him. And his last name looked like Mane or Dane. Aster Mane, what a name.

  A giggle slipped from her mouth, and she realized she must be punchy. She grabbed her purse and headed to the convenience store, deciding to freshen up before she met her fake fiancée's family.

  She quickly touched up her face and made it to the car before he returned. Great. Maybe she could peek inside the dash for his insurance registration.

  Hurriedly, she climbed in and opened the glove compartment. A pack of condoms and a roll of blueprints toppled out and tumbled to the floor. Kimberly blushed at the sight of the condoms, but a sliver of anger hit her when she realized he might have purchased them to use with her sister.

  Relief followed though that at least he was being responsible, and she stuffed them back in the glove compartment.

  But suddenly her nameless date appeared at the driver's side door. A puzzled look drew his dark eyebrows up as he glanced at her lap. Heaven help her. She had to think fast—think like Marci.

  He reached down to help. "What are you doing?"

  Kimberly gave a short, light laugh that sounded like one of Marci's flirtatious ones and shrugged as she placed the papers back. "I was looking for some Chap-Stick. My lips are so dry." She smacked her lips together for emphasis and pasted on a bright smile.

  He whipped a tube of Chap-Stick from his pocket. Her fingers touched his as she took it from him and warm desire curled deep in her belly. She gingerly applied it, realizing with another shiver of awareness that he'd put the same lip balm on his own mouth.

  Her date's gaze was instantly drawn to her lips and a tingle rose up Kimberly's spine at the hunger in his expression. Had she caused that look in his eyes?

  No.

  He thinks you're wild Marci.

  * * *

  It was after midnight when they drove through Richmond and into the quiet little town where Austin had grown up—Sugarloaf, Virginia. The small farm town still had a soda shop and a gas station that sold RC Colas and Moon Pies. And if a man or boy wanted condoms, they drove out of town to get them or everyone else in town would know.

  He grinned as he thought of the pack he'd jammed in the glove compartment at the last minute. Thank goodness Kimberly hadn't seen them when she was hunting for that Chap-Stick.

  He scrubbed his hand over his face; he was tired and ready to crawl in bed, preferably with Kimberly, but he knew that wasn't an option, so a nice soft mattress and feather pillow would do. "Everyone will probably be in bed by the time we get there," he said. "At least we can fend off the questions until morning."

  "Good."

  Kimberly twisted her hands in her lap. She looked nervous, another characteristic he'd never imagined the self-confident waitress possessing. Then again, this wasn't exactly a typical date. She was probably used to all-night parties and wild nightclubs, not meeting a man's parents. Had she ever progressed to that stage with a man?

  He turned the corner to his old neighborhood, saw the familiar maple trees flanking the quiet street and panic darted through him like a shot of bad year-old whiskey. A parade of parked cars lined the sidewalk by his parents' house and every light in the house glowed. "Uh, Kimberly?"

  Her blue eyes widened. "Are we there?"

  Austin cleared his throat, struggling for an explanation. When he'd called and told his parents he was bringing home a fiancée, he'd told them he wanted to keep the news in the family. But it looked like the entire town of Sugarloaf had come to check out his bride-to-be. His voice sounded weak to his own ears. "I think they're probably not asleep like I'd expected."

  "What?" Kimberly's hands clawed up and down her arms as she scanned the cars in the cul de sac. "You mean—"

  "Afraid so."

  "But... but there must be twenty or thirty cars. It looks like they're having a party."

  Austin pulled into the driveway where they'd obviously left him a VIP spot, and killed the engine. "I think it is a party," he said in disgust.

  "For whom?" Kimberly asked, her voice growing faint. "You said the rehearsal dinner was tomorrow night."

  "It is." He squeezed her hand as a bead of sweat dribbled down his forehead. He spotted the big homemade banner hanging above the doorway and its message:

  HAPPY ENGAGEMENT AUSTIN.

  Kimberly gasped. She'd seen it, too.

  Austin patted her hand, hoping to reassure her, but his legs felt rubbery as he stumbled to the side of her car door and opened it. He reached for her hand and noticed her legs weren't any steadier than his. "Come on, sweetheart, it looks like we're the guests of honor."

  "It's a party for us?" Kimberly felt as if she'd swallowed her tongue. If any solace came to her, it was the fact that
at least now she knew his name—Austin. A masculine, charismatic name for a masculine man. Only right now, the pallor of his skin and the sweat on his brow made him look less charismatic than he had during the last few hundred miles. In fact, he looked slightly ill.

  "I'm sorry, Kimberly. I had no idea they'd do this."

  "A party?" Kimberly squeaked again.

  "Yes." Austin massaged Kimberly's lower back with his hand. "My folks probably put an announcement in the paper."

  Kimberly's step faltered. "You've got to be kidding."

  Austin sighed in disgust. "They've been pushing me to get married for some time. I guess they're excited."

  Kimberly gulped. "But I've never even met your parents and now there's a bunch of strangers waiting to—"

  "Congratulate us. Relax, Kimberly," Austin said. "You're great with strangers. You do it every day at your job. Just pretend you're at the restaurant."

  "Oh, right." Kimberly felt the color drain from her face. Marci was good with strangers; Kimberly hated meeting new people.

  "Here, I almost forgot." Austin reached inside the dash and removed a small ring box, his hands shaking slightly as he placed it in her lap.

  "What's this?" Kimberly squeaked.

  "An engagement ring," Austin said slowly. "I figured everyone would be expecting to see it."

  Kimberly stared at the small box in shock. He wanted her to wear a fake ring.

  "Go ahead, open it. I hope it fits." He ran a hand through his hair, looking sheepish. "Of course, it doesn't really matter. I'll take it back when we return to Atlanta."

  Right, Kimberly thought, it's only temporary.

  Still her hands trembled as she opened the small velvety case. A teardrop diamond winked back at her, set in a simple white gold band that glittered in the moonlight. It was exquisite. "It's beautiful, Austin."

  And not a fake ring either; that diamond was very real.

  He shrugged as if embarrassed. "Thanks. I liked it."

  A moment later, the front door opened and a light flickered on the porch.

  "Guess we'd better go," Austin said. "Or they'll be coming out here to get us."

  Panic bubbled inside Kimberly, but Austin took her hand and squeezed it and she relaxed slightly.

  Then he slipped the ring on her finger. His hand was so warm and gentle she shivered, mesmerized by his touch and shocked at how perfectly the ring fit her.

  He rolled his shoulders as he climbed from the car and came around to her side and helped her out. And she thought she felt a tremor run through him as he guided her up the sidewalk between the rows of geraniums, then onto the wooden porch that wrapped around the front of the house.

  A porch swing, rocking chairs and gliders provided secluded spots for conversation. Beautiful full ferns hung between the columns, casting shadows on the wood flooring, and pansies filled wooden planters in front of the curved windows. It was a far cry from the farmhouse she'd imagined.

  "This is beautiful," Kimberly said, amazed she'd managed to get out a coherent sentence.

  "Thanks." Austin smiled as he reached for the antique door knocker.

  Kimberly remembered he was an architect. "Did you build this house?"

  He shook his head, tracing his hand over the molding. "No, but I designed the remodeling. It was really a mess when we started, hardly fit to live in."

  "I can't imagine that." Kimberly studied the ornate window glass and intricate molding. "You must do very well at your business. It's absolutely breathtaking."

  A mischievous smile sparkled in his dark eyes. "I try to do my best at whatever I do."

  A sliver of desire raced up Kimberly's spine. "I'm sure you do."

  The dimple deepened in his jaw as he leaned over and whispered against her ear, "Maybe before the weekend's over, we can find out."

  Touched by the husky sound of his voice murmuring her name, Kimberly couldn't think of a comeback or anything that sounded remotely witty. Asking him to show her his blueprints sprang to mind, but that was something Marci would say. Then she remembered she was supposed to be Marci.

  Thank goodness she was saved from having to say anything. The barn-red door swung open, and she and Austin were engulfed by music, excited voices, noise and people. The smell of cinnamon and hot cider and some kind of seafood wafted out and filled Kimberly's senses.

  A robust woman with rosy cheeks wearing a gray warm-up suit wrapped her arms around Austin. "Hey, son, we're so glad you're home." She pulled back to look at Kimberly, beaming. "And this must be our new daughter-in-law to be!" She grabbed her hand and jerked it up for everyone to see. "Oh, my word, look at that diamond—it's really true!"

  "Congratulations!" someone shouted.

  "Wow, bro, you did good," a young man's voice boomed.

  Kimberly forced herself to relax, smiling amicably as she was passed down the line of eager relatives.

  "Welcome to the family, dear," a tall, older man with graying hair said. "I'm Austin's dad, Jerry. But you can call me Dad if you like." He shook her hand. "We're so happy Austin finally found someone. Thought he'd never meet the right woman."

  His mother dabbed at her moist eyes. "Look at that gorgeous red hair. We love her already."

  "It's nice to meet you," Kimberly said, just before another man grabbed her for a hug. "I'm Philip, Austin's brother—the better-looking one." He was a couple of inches shorter than Austin but cute in a preppy sort of way, and if his wicked smile didn't dazzle the women, his dark brown hair and pale green eyes would. When he let her go, he turned to Austin. "Better treat her right or I'll steal her."

  Austin laughed good-naturedly and pulled her into the crook of his arm. "Don't worry." He kissed her cheek. "I'm keeping this one forever."

  Kimberly tried to relax as the rest of his family and friends introduced themselves, but even breathing was difficult. She'd always been a terrible liar, whereas Marci was a pro.

  "Austin, you look fabulous!" A slender brunette with Austin's brown eyes gave him a hug, a baby snuggled in her arms. Austin took the bundle and rocked him back and forth, tickling him gently under his chubby chin.

  "Hey there, little fellow. How's my newest nephew?"

  The infant yawned and wiggled its pudgy hands, drawing laughter from the family members. A slow ache surged inside Kimberly.

  His family seemed so loving, the kind of family she and Marci had yearned for when they were growing up. She hated to deceive them.

  For a minute when Austin had cuddled the baby, she'd imagined their engagement was real and the family had gathered to hover over their newborn. A ridiculous notion, she reminded herself—she and Austin barely knew each other.

  Their engagement was a total fake.

  And so was she.

  She would never have a relationship with Austin, because they were not only lying to his parents, but she was lying to him. Besides, Austin had made it perfectly clear he wanted her only for this charade. She'd better remember it, too, and not let herself get caught up in some happily-ever-after fantasy.

  Several of the neighbors and family members shared silly stories about Austin's childhood, and Kimberly laughed, touched by the tenderness and affectionate bond between Austin and them. A glass of champagne was thrust into her hand and someone handed her a plate of hors d'oeuvres. The line of visitors seemed endless. Austin's gaze met hers occasionally over the crowd and a spark of awareness simmered between them, heating up the air around her.

  "I can't believe it, man." A blond man slapped Austin on the back. "We're both giving up our bachelorhood."

  "Josh!" Austin pounded the guy's back. "Never thought we'd let ourselves get hooked, did we?"

  "I'm glad for you, man. I was afraid—"

  "Hey, things worked out perfectly," Austin said, cutting off Josh.

  Kimberly frowned. Austin had tensed at Josh’s comment. If he really was a confirmed bachelor, why didn't he tell everyone that instead of carrying on this ridiculous act? Certainly he could fend a few questions from his
mother.

  A slender blonde with copper eyes gave Austin a hug.

  "Hi, Marilyn. It's good to see you," Austin said, kissing her cheek.

  An uncomfortable silence descended in the room as some of the family members watched the exchange.

  "I'm glad you came, Austin. I was worried."

  The woman's cat-like purr irritated Kimberly. And the way she clung to Austin's arm made it obvious they shared a past.

  "We're both glad you made it," Josh said, draping an arm around Marilyn.

  Marilyn dropped the cream puff she'd just bitten into on her plate. Kimberly compared her curvaceous hips with this woman's slender build. Marilyn could probably swim in cream puffs and never gain an ounce. It wasn't fair.

  "Now, where's the woman who finally convinced you to settle down?" Josh said with a wide grin.

  Austin held out his hand and Kimberly stepped forward, feeling plain and underdressed next to Marilyn.

  And awkward as all get out.

  "This is Kimberly, my fiancée." He wrapped his arm possessively around her waist.

  Kimberly's mouth felt dry, but she forced a friendly smile, grateful the other visitors and family members returned to their own conversations.

  Josh shook her hand, then gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Pleased to meet you, Kimberly. When's the wedding?"

  Kimberly sipped the champagne to wash the lump from her throat, and Austin's arm tightened around her shoulders.

  "We haven't set the date yet," Austin said. "As a matter of fact, Kimberly just accepted my proposal."

  Josh's thick eyebrows arched and Marilyn flashed sparkling white teeth. "She just accepted?"

  "Yes," Austin said, his air of confidence surprising Kimberly. "I've been chasing and asking for weeks, but, well, you know women." He gave Josh a conspiratorial wink. "They like to take their time, make us guys suffer while we wait."

  Josh roared with laughter as if they shared a private joke, then pulled him aside.

  Kimberly gritted her teeth at his joke. After all, they weren't really engaged and he was paying her for this charade. But if they really were engaged, she would never let him get away with a sexist remark like that.