Looking for Love (Boxed set)

by Rita Herron

  God help him, he hoped she hadn't slipped up and given away anything.

  But if she had, he could tell the truth and call off the wedding.

  For some reason, the thought bothered him more than he expected, but he wasn't sure if it was because he didn't want to upset his family, his friends, or because the idea of marrying Kimberly was actually appealing to him.

  He hadn't remembered hangovers causing temporary insanity, but maybe he'd drunk more than he'd thought and he was having latent side effects.

  When he finally reached his old bedroom, he tilted his head to the door and listened. Soft jazz music drifted from the radio, and he knocked gently.

  "Who is it?"

  "It's me, Kimberly," he said in a gruff voice.

  The door opened and he drew in a breath. Her beautiful red hair was swept up in some fancy style that reminded him of a French model, her lovely neck exposed and begging to be kissed. And she was wearing a dark green satin robe that clung to her curves and accentuated all the right features. "Wow."

  A slow smile curved her mouth. "You like it?"

  She actually sounded tentative. His gaze swept her body and he swore her nipples beaded beneath the thin fabric. "Yeah, you look beautiful." He paused, wetting his dry lips with his tongue as he inhaled her sultry fragrance. God, she was killing him. "You’re really sexy."

  Her cheeks flushed. "Thanks."

  "What's up?" he asked. Other than my testosterone level.

  She sighed and gestured over her shoulder. "Your family gave me a few wedding presents."

  His eyes widened at the assortment of lacy, sexy lingerie spread on her bed. His old bed.

  Red crotchless panties. A black thong teddy. A silver garter set with sheer black stockings. His body hardened, arousal pumping though his veins like hot fire when he imagined Kimberly actually wearing the erotic apparel.

  He might be dreading the wedding. But excitement filled him at the thought of the private party he and Kimberly might have afterwards.

  Chapter 8

  Kim shifted, her body tingling at the undisguised raw desire in Austin's eyes as he spied the assortment of sexy lingerie displayed on her bed. Why hadn't she hidden them?

  His gaze swung to her face, his dark eyes resting hungrily on her features, and heat sizzled between them, evoking memories of the delicious kiss they'd shared earlier. Her mouth was suddenly dry and she licked her lips, a tingle rippling through her when he followed the movement. Then a low sound erupted from the bottom of his throat and she almost reached out and dragged him inside.

  "My family gave you those, huh?" he finally asked, his voice husky.

  Kimberly nodded, her fingers tightening around the doorframe.

  He ran a hand through his hair, a drop of perspiration trickling down the side of his cheek. "For tonight?"

  She nodded again, unable to speak for fear she'd reveal her own desire for him. The truth was, she knew why she hadn't hidden the lingerie. She'd been admiring it and imagining wearing it for Austin.

  And judging from the way he was standing there tongue-tied, he was obviously affected, too.

  Except he still thought she was Marci.

  "So, things went okay?" he asked quietly.

  "Yeah. Your family treated me to a full make-over at a salon. Then they took me to lunch and surprised me with a bouquet of balloons and all these, um, presents."

  His eyebrows climbed upward when he saw the balloons waving in the background.

  "They even apologized for not being able to give us a real wedding shower right now." Kimberly's guilt returned. "I feel so bad about deceiving them, Austin. I hope you can find some way to make it up to them later."

  His jaw tightened. "I will."

  Maybe by really getting married one day, Kimberly thought, her heart aching.

  "Goodness gracious alive, what are you doing here?" Austin's mother chirped.

  Kimberly and Austin both pivoted toward her as if they'd been caught making out.

  "You shouldn't see the bride before the wedding," his mother said, shooing him away. "Don't you know it's bad luck?"

  Austin grinned good-naturedly at his mom, and Kimberly simply shrugged as Mrs. McDane commanded him away.

  "If you need any help getting dressed, just call me, dear," Mrs. McDane yelled.

  "No, darlin', call me," Austin added in a teasing voice.

  A warm feeling cascaded through Kimberly as she closed the door. She stared first at the wedding gown, then at the lingerie, and a plan began taking shape in her mind. Her mind reeled with wicked, naughty thoughts. Marci's advice on how to catch a man echoed in her head: dress sexy, act sexy, think sexy...

  She picked up the soft white teddy and rubbed the sheer lace across her cheek. Maybe I'll take you up on that offer, Austin. Or maybe I'll let you help me get undressed.

  After all, tonight is our honeymoon night. And I will be your wife... even if it is only temporary.

  * * *

  Two hours later, Austin paced the length of the church dressing room where his father and brothers had ordered him to stay while they searched for his boutonniere. Josh had popped in, rushed into his tux and had now trotted to the bathroom for the thirteenth time. If he wasn't so damned nervous himself, he would almost feel sorry for Josh. But at least Josh was really getting married.

  Not that he wasn't, because his father had assured him the license he'd gotten was valid in the state of Virginia. All he had to do was say "I do" at the appropriate time and he would become Kimberly's husband.

  Could he possibly tie himself down, even temporarily, to a woman who wore halter tops and spandex and worked in a bar? Even if she was the sexiest woman in the entire South?

  And what if she didn't show up? What if she decided he was a lunatic to suggest they go through with this wedding and hopped a cab out of town?

  A vision of her wearing that skimpy little white nothing of a teddy floated into his mind and he swallowed, tension in his body.

  Heat spiraled through him and he dragged in a calming breath, willing his erotic fantasies to dissipate. But every time he thought of Kimberly, his heartbeat sped up and his arousal swelled. And ridiculous as it seemed, he prayed she wouldn’t leave him at the altar.

  Because all he could think about was that tonight was his honeymoon night, and he wanted to spend it alone with Kimberly, doing erotic, naughty things with her long into the night.

  * * *

  Kimberly stared at the image of herself in the full-length mirror of the bride's room, stunned by how well Mrs. McDane's wedding dress fit her curves, and amazed at how beautiful she felt. The ivory fabric molded to her hips, the V-neck dipped enticingly low to accentuate her cleavage, and the sheer lacy sleeves added a touch of grace that reminded her of lace doilies and old-fashioned weddings. She twirled around in front of the mirror, watching the full, long skirt swirl around her ankles, just as she and Marci had done when they were small.

  Mirror, mirror, on the wall... who's the sexiest bride of all?

  "Kimberly," she whispered, with a determined grin. Not Marci.

  Tears stung her eyes as she traced her fingers over the beaded lace. She wished this was her real wedding, and that she was marrying into Austin's family. Growing up with her flaky mom had been an experience in fast food and unpredictability. But Austin's family was warm and loving and she could easily imagine homey holidays with them in their big, rambling farmhouse. Turkey dinners on Thanksgiving, an Easter egg hunt for all the kids out in the field by the pond, backyard barbecues on the Fourth of July.

  But her attraction to Austin wasn't simply because of his family. Austin was intelligent, kind, and successful. Even if he was temporarily deceiving his parents, he truly didn't want to hurt them. And although he was too busy for a family right now, someday he would make a wonderful husband and father.

  Marilyn suddenly popped in the room. "Hi, Kimberly, I wanted to see you a minute before the ceremony."

  "Sure," Kimberly said, her stomach kno
tting.

  "You look absolutely beautiful," Marilyn said.

  "So do you." Kimberly admired Marilyn's dress. It was much more contemporary than her gown. The ankle-length satin dress tapered down the sides with a split up the back. Marilyn wore a summer hat with flowers wedged in the brim instead of a long veil like Kimberly's.

  Still, Kimberly preferred the tradition and timelessness of the gown Mrs. McDane had loaned her.

  "Kimberly, I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that Austin found you," Marilyn said. "He's lucky."

  "Thanks," Kimberly whispered, flustered. "But I'm the lucky one."

  Mrs. McDane poked her head in the room and Kimberly waved her in, then accepted a bouquet of yellow roses from her. "You all have been so wonderful to me," Kimberly said in a thick voice. "I want you to know how much your... kindness means."

  Mrs. McDane looked puzzled for a minute. "Don't be silly, dear. Austin loves you and that means you're one of the family now."

  Kimberly had to choke back the tears.

  But Austin didn't love her.

  And she only had one more night to be with him, to make him fall for her, or she would probably lose him forever.

  * * *

  "Well, bud, this is it," Josh said as he and Austin took their places in the front of the church.

  Austin nodded, his vocal cords constricting. He stared at the candles flickering in the chapel, the bouquet of fresh flowers on the altar and the white ribbons draped from pew to pew, debating whether or not he could go through with the ceremony.

  Romantic piano music played in the background and the sound of hushed, excited voices filled the church. His brothers and the other ushers had already seated most of the guests and he realized with a pang that almost everyone in Sugarloaf, Virginia, had shown up to see him and Josh take their brides.

  Rob escorted Marilyn's parents down the aisle. Dave, one of Josh's buddies and another usher, seated Josh's folks; then he saw his mother take Philip's arm. She was sniffling and already dabbing at her eyes.

  Philip winked, his devil-may-care smile lighting his youthful face. His sisters waved from the front row, their children dressed in their Sunday finest. April had the baby wrapped in a blanket, rocking her gently back and forth. His grandmother waved a lace handkerchief at him. The event was so utterly family he knew he had to go through with it.

  Imagine the scene it would cause if he backed out now.

  A small part of him admitted how much he had missed being with his family, and a shiver of excitement raced through him at the idea of having his own wife and... children?

  His pulse clamored. Was he seriously considering a real marriage?

  The lights suddenly dimmed and the parade of bridesmaids began their trek down the aisle. Marilyn's little cousin Timmy and Josh’s nephew Rudy carried pillows with the rings on top, then Marilyn's sister, Regina, and Josh’s niece, Amy, followed, both dropping white rose petals as they strolled toward him. Then the music shifted dramatically and the wedding march echoed through the chapel. He fidgeted with his jacket sleeves and wished he wasn't sweating.

  Josh drew a sharp breath when Marilyn paused at the entrance to the church.

  "I can't believe this is happening," Josh whispered as Marilyn walked down the aisle.

  "You two are going to have a fantastic life together," Austin said in a low voice.

  Josh nodded, and took Marilyn's hand, accepting it from her father when she reached the threshold.

  All eyes turned backward again, and Austin swallowed, his breath locking in his chest when he spotted Kimberly. His knees felt weak, and he sucked in air, trying to steady himself.

  She looked divine in his mother's wedding gown. The lacy veil shaded her eyes and face, giving him a tantalizing glimpse of her delicate features as she walked toward him.

  A slight hesitation darkened her eyes. Guilt. She really was sensitive to his family’s feelings.

  Which made him admire her even more.

  Overpowered by her beauty and awestruck by the desire flooding him, his pulse accelerated, and his earlier doubts faded. He wanted to comfort her, so his lips curved into what he hoped was an encouraging smile. Then she placed her hand in the crook of his father's arm and his heart pounded as he realized that in just a few minutes Kimberly would become his wife.

  Waitress or not, he was falling in love with her.

  Maybe that was what love was all about, not some pre-set expectations, but loving someone just the way they were.

  He straightened his shoulders, silently urging her forward, heat blazing through his body at the sexy way her curves filled out the dress. She was provocative without even trying.

  And the fact that she was wrapped in a floor-length lacy wedding dress only made him want to peel it off and discover the hidden secrets beneath all that lace.

  She must have noticed his smile because her lips curved upward, the antique dress floating around her in a halo of white. She walked with his father in perfect step to the "Wedding March," his father's proud look making Austin's chest squeeze with emotions.

  When they finally reached the front, and he took Kimberly's hand in his, he pressed her trembling fingers between his own, savoring the soft, warm feel of her skin. Her hand felt small and vulnerable, and the need to reassure her was so strong he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them, one by one, ever so gently.

  Candlelight flickered off her gorgeous face, making her look like an angel, and he curved his hand around her back, slowly guiding her toward him. Then because he was getting married and she'd agreed to be his bride, he felt the need to be romantic and honest with her just one time.

  So he leaned over and brushed his lips against the thin veil and whispered, "I love you, Kimberly."

  * * *

  Kimberly's heart danced, then stopped beating when Austin's whispered words broke into the dreamy haze around her. Had she understood him correctly? Had he said he loved her?

  Her gaze swung upward and his dimple blossomed into a full-blown sexy smile. Then his dark eyes turned smoky, and the heat radiating from his look melted her hesitation until hope soared into her troubled heart.

  Austin's father gestured his approval, and Kimberly momentarily wondered if Austin had whispered the words for his family's benefit.

  But he'd said them so softly... had anyone else really heard?

  "We are gathered here today in the presence of God and amongst family and friends..." The pastor began the ceremony and Kimberly leaned slightly into Austin, warmth radiating through her at the gentle touch of his fingers on her back. His other hand held hers, his palm swallowing her trembling fingers, his thumb absentmindedly stroking the top of her hand until her nervousness dissipated and joy surged through her.

  This was her wedding day and she was marrying the most handsome man she'd ever known... even if it was only for a day.

  Josh and Marilyn said their vows and Kimberly was touched by the expression of love in the poems they had written themselves. Marilyn and Josh exchanged rings and she froze, suddenly realizing that she hadn't even thought of rings.

  Swallowing disappointment, she forced her gaze ahead as Marilyn and Josh stepped aside and the reverend turned to her and Austin.

  "And now, for our second ceremony," the preacher said, drawing a light chuckle from the crowd.

  A shudder rippled through her, but Austin stroked the curve of her back again, gently easing her around to face him. Tenderness sparkled in his eyes, and a myriad of other emotions she was too afraid to label. Desire, lust, passion... love?

  The minister gestured to Austin. "Do you, Austin McDane, take this woman, Kimberly Turner, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold..."

  The candlelight danced across his handsome features, and Kimberly was mesmerized by the low, husky resonance of Austin's voice as he recited the vows. His heated gaze never wavered as he promised to love, honor and cherish her. Swept up by the fragrance of flowers and the romantic atmosphere, she could al
most believe he really did love her, that he was actually promising himself to her forever as man and wife.

  The preacher turned to her, and her hands trembled, but she managed to repeat the vows, her voice barely above a whisper as the promises they'd shared filled her soul.

  The pastor asked for rings and she was stunned when Austin nodded. Capturing her awestruck gaze with his own blazing one, Austin gently held her hand and slipped a glittering white gold band adorned with small diamonds on her finger above her teardrop diamond engagement ring. "We're only going to do this once so I want to get it right," he whispered with a lopsided smile.

  A hum of approval and laughter rippled through the room, and tears filled Kimberly's eyes.

  "It's beautiful," she said, desperately wanting to say more, to ask him if it was possible that he really loved her.

  But her voice became lost in her throat when the ring bearer nudged her with the small lace pillow and she saw a matching man's ring lying in the center.

  Her hands shook as she took it and placed it on his finger, her smile widening when he lifted his hand and drew back the veil covering her face.

  Then, before the preacher even gave them permission to kiss, he framed her face with his hands, gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, and captured her mouth with his lips, angling his head and kissing the breath out of her.

  * * *

  Applause and laughter erupted, breaking into the hazy surreal state Austin had fallen into when Kimberly had walked down the aisle and become his bride. He finally pulled back, hunger spiking his blood at the heady look of desire in her deep blue eyes.

  She was his—his wife—and tonight they would be together, alone. He nearly yelped with excitement as he envisioned her sweet surrender to his lovemaking.

  He was swept into the fantasy again, picturing her naked and writhing beneath him when Josh suddenly nudged him, destroying the moment. "Think that song's our cue to skate out of here," he said with a laugh.

  Austin suddenly recognized the piano music chiming their exit and slid his arm around Kimberly's back. "Let's go, Mrs. McDane."