A Bride for the Runaway Groom Read online

  He shook his head. ‘What? And have the bride fall out of the boat on the way over? This lake might look pretty, but, I can assure you, it’s dark and murky at the bottom.’

  She laughed and stepped closer. ‘Words from a man that sounds like he fell in.’

  ‘I did. I came out like a creature from the black lagoon.’

  She held out her hands. ‘So what do you use this place for?’ She finally felt as if she was getting to know Will a little better. He might be Mr Charming for the press but he was also a nice guy. He was easier to be around than she’d first experienced. Violet wasn’t known for her poor judgement. She should have trusted her sister.

  He waved her forward. ‘Come and I’ll show you.’

  They walked outside and behind the church to a whitewashed cottage with black paint around the windows and a black door. He pushed it open and showed her inside.

  It was tiny, but spectacular. Almost every part was in view. An open modern kitchen at one end, a sitting area in the middle and a platform with a king-sized bed. There was even a smoky glass bricked wall, which hid the wash-hand basin and toilet, but the roll-top bath was placed in front of one of the two windows.

  ‘You bathe at the window!’ Rose’s mouth dropped open.

  Will grinned. ‘It’s all private. If someone is staying here, the island is all theirs. No one else can set foot on the place. Total privacy. People like that.’

  It was just the way he said the words. They were happy, nonchalant. But as they left his mouth she tried to picture who would want to get away from everything. There was no obvious TV, no phone and she doubted there would be an Internet signal.

  ‘Who comes here, Will? Do you hire it out?’

  He shook his head. ‘Never. This place is for friends. For people who need a little time, a little space.’

  She tilted her head to the side. She’d heard of places like this. One of the members of her dad’s band had taken himself off to a mountain retreat a few years ago after numerous visits to rehab clinics. She sucked in a breath. Was this the kind of place she should have gone three years ago after her friend had died from the drug overdose?

  This place was a sanctuary. A private hideaway from the world outside. It was perfect.

  ‘Like your friend who was homeless?’

  He was fighting an internal battle that played out on his tightly composed features. He gave a brief nod.

  ‘I love it,’ she whispered. ‘I hope the people that come here find what they need.’

  Will’s hands appeared at her waist. She hadn’t even realised he’d moved close to her. He exhaled sharply and she could feel his muscles relax behind her. ‘That’s so nice to hear you say. And it’s why I don’t bring people here—don’t advertise the fact there’s anything on this island.’

  He was trusting her. He was trusting her not to say anything to the world outside. Something inside her chest fluttered.

  All of a sudden she had a real awareness of the big bed on the platform behind her. It looked sumptuous. It looked inviting. They were here alone, on an island that no one else could reach. They wouldn’t be disturbed.

  ‘You don’t bring people here?’

  He shook his head. ‘Never.’ His voice was low, husky. It was sending blood racing through her veins.

  Her head was swimming. She was crazy. She’d just met this guy. He might be her sister’s best friend but she hardly knew him at all. Trouble was, everything she did know she liked.

  Her hands rested on the warm skin of his muscled arms again, feeling the tickle of tiny hairs under the palms of her hands.

  ‘Then why me?’ Her throat felt scratchy. She was almost afraid to breathe.

  Before she knew what she was doing she lifted one hand and touched his rumpled, slightly too long hair. With his dimple and killer blue eyes all he needed was a white coat and he could easily replace that actor from the lastest TV hospital show.

  His head tilted slightly towards her hand as she ran her fingers through his hair, holding her breath. What on earth was she doing?

  Her mouth was dry and she had a strong urge for some of the leftover wine from her sister’s wedding. Last night she’d just been too exhausted to have even more than two glasses.

  Will didn’t seem to object to her touch. He responded instantly, stepping forward and firming his gentle grip on her waist. His face was only inches from hers. She could feel his breath on her cheek. She could see the tiny, almost invisible freckles on the bridge of his nose, the tiny lines around his eyes. Her mouth was wet and she ran her tongue across her lips. They tingled. All the pores of her skin lifted up in a soft carpet of goosebumps, each hair on her body standing up and tingling at the roots. She’d never experienced anything like this before.

  He didn’t bring people here—but he’d brought her. What did that mean? She had absolutely no idea.

  ‘I thought you might like it. Might appreciate it the way others wouldn’t. I was right.’

  Her head was telling her to back away, to break their gaze and step out of his hold. Her brain was befuddled. She’d learned not to trust her instincts. She’d learned to question everything. But Will moved forward, the hard planes of his chest and abdomen pressing against her breasts, his hands sliding downward and tilting her pelvis towards his.

  His words were like a drug. As an independent woman Rose had never craved a man’s approval before. But suddenly Will Carter liking her, respecting her, seemed like the most important thing on earth.

  This was it. Enough. It was time to step away. This man had led enough women on a merry dance. She wasn’t about to be the next.

  But her body wasn’t listening to her brain.

  Neither of them had spoken for the last few seconds. Any minute now he’d step away and she’d feel like a fool. She was sleep deprived—that was what was wrong.

  Even though she’d gone to bed at midnight and slept soundly until this morning she was still on New York time. It was making her do strange things. It was making her act in ways that she wouldn’t normally.

  Will blinked. His gaze was hypnotic. She couldn’t pull herself away. She didn’t want to—no matter what her brain said.

  ‘I don’t just like it,’ she whispered. ‘I love it.’ It was true. This place felt safe. Felt private. Like a complete and utter haven where two people could suspend disbelief and do anything they wanted.

  She moistened her lips as his gaze lowered to her mouth.

  He reached up a finger and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. His touch like butterfly wings on her skin. She bit her swollen lips. As he moved forward his scent enveloped her. Pure and utter pheromones. She couldn’t get enough of them.

  It was her last thought as Will Carter’s lips came into contact with hers.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  FOR A FEW seconds he was lost. Lost in the smell of her. Lost in the taste of her. And lost in the surge of hormones that were rushing around his body.

  He was engulfed in the wave of restless energy floating through the air between them, colliding like seismic waves. Someplace, somewhere the Richter scale was measuring the magnitude between them.

  It was great. She was great. His hands skirted over her curves, his fingers brushing against her silky skin. A groan escaped from the back of his throat as every body part acted accordingly.

  Then, from out of nowhere, a voice echoed in his head. Runaway groom my sister and I’ll kill you.

  It brought him back to his senses, back to reality. Violet would kill him. There was no doubt.

  He stepped back, leaving Rose’s lips mid-kiss and her eyes still shut. She was frozen for the tiniest of seconds in that position before her startled eyes opened.

  He was trying to catch his ragged breath. Trying not to still taste her on his lips.

 
Their gazes collided and he saw a million things flash through her eyes. Confusion. Embarrassment. Lust.

  He lifted his hands and shook his head. ‘Rose, I’m so sorry. I should never have done that. I just... I just...’ He couldn’t find the words—probably because his brain was completely scrambled. He walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down, running his fingers through his hair. The same motion that she’d been doing only seconds earlier.

  Bad idea. Very bad idea. She looked even more confused now. He threw up his hands. ‘It’s this place. Here, and the church.’ She still hadn’t said a word. But the expression on her face was killing him. Violet really would kill him if her sister told her about this.

  ‘I never meant for this to happen. I didn’t plan it.’

  ‘Obviously.’ It was her first word and it was as cold as ice. The beautiful ambient temperature had just dropped by about twenty degrees.

  ‘No. That’s not what I mean. You’re beautiful. You’re more than beautiful. And your smell. And your curves. I just...’

  The initial glare disappeared and the corners of her mouth started to turn upwards. His babbling must be amusing her. But he couldn’t help it. He always got like this when he’d blundered. Why say three words when you could say twenty?

  She stepped forward so that the fabric of her dress was almost touching his nose. It was swaying gently. He was trying not to think what was underneath. Or about the feel of her skin.

  She sighed. ‘Will, do I make you nervous?’ He couldn’t miss the hint of amusement in her voice.

  He looked up. She was close, oh, so close. Her scent was there again.

  ‘Yes...I mean no. Well, maybe.’

  She folded her arms across her chest. ‘How about we just file this away somewhere? You’re Violet’s best friend and...’ she raised her eyebrows ‘...you have just about the worst reputation on the planet. I’m never going to get involved with a guy like you.’

  ‘You’re not?’ He couldn’t help it. Defence was the instant reaction to her words. What was so wrong with him anyway? Okay, he might have been engaged a few times but he was a good guy. Really, he was.

  She was definitely smiling now. He should be relieved. He should be thankful. So why was he feeling a little insulted?

  ‘No. I’m definitely not.’ She turned and walked over to the window. ‘Why don’t we just chalk this up to a moment of madness? I need you to help me with the wedding stuff. You need me to help with your publicity. We can do this, can’t we? We can spend the next few weeks around each other and forget that this ever happened.’

  It wasn’t a question. It was a statement of fact. She was right. He knew she was right. But Will had never had problems getting a woman before. Rose telling him outright no was a bit of a revelation for him.

  He stood up and touched his head. She was trying to brush this off. The easiest thing in the world to do was let her. ‘Why don’t we just pin it down to my head injury?’ He was teasing her. Hinting that she’d caused the whole thing.

  But Rose was far too quick for him. She laughed. ‘Are you trying to make out I’ve taken advantage of the person I’m supposed to be looking after? What does that make me?’

  ‘A ruthless businesswoman.’

  She smiled. She seemed to like that, then something flitted across her eyes and she glanced at her watch. ‘Will? Weren’t you supposed to have a business meeting this afternoon?’

  Recognition flooded through him. ‘Oh, no. What time is it? Darn it.’

  She shook her head and opened the door. ‘We’ve got five minutes. We can make it in that time, can’t we?’

  ‘Let’s run.’ He grabbed her hand as he jogged past and pulled the door closed behind them. It only took a minute to run along the path to the boat and he started the engine quickly. Rose didn’t wait to be helped into the boat. She lifted her skirt up, giving him a complete flash of her bronzed legs as she jumped over the gap between the jetty and the boat. The boat rocked furiously as she landed and he grabbed her around the waist and pushed her into one of the seats.

  The boat crossed the water in a few minutes. This meeting was important. He had to make it on time. But his eyes kept skimming across to Rose. Her blonde hair was streaking behind her in the wind and her yellow dress outlined her curves again.

  He groaned. How on earth was he going to manage the next few weeks?

  * * *

  The football player was every bit as sleazy as she remembered. He’d practically sneered once Will had introduced her and he’d clicked about who her father was. But Rose couldn’t have cared less. She’d work to do.

  Her jewellery equipment had arrived and with the help of two of Will’s staff she’d set it up quickly and spent a few hours putting the finishing touches to the two wedding rings.

  ‘Rose, are you in here?’

  She looked up from giving the rings a final polish. Will crossed the room in a few steps, smiling as usual. ‘I see you managed to get things set up. How’s it going?’

  She held up the rings encased in their black velvet boxes. ‘I’ve just finished. The courier will be here to pick them up in the next hour. What do you think?’

  He bent forward and moved her Anglepoise light to get a better look at the intricate mix of rose and yellow gold for the bride’s ring, and solid white gold for the groom’s. She could see the flicker of surprise on his face.

  ‘Rose, these are beautiful. You made these from scratch? Yourself? How on earth did you know where to start?’

  She sighed and leaned back. ‘Did you think I was pretending to make jewellery?’

  He shook his head, obviously realising his mistake. ‘No, I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just...’ Then he stopped. And smiled. And sat down next to her.

  ‘How do you do that to me?’

  She couldn’t help but grin. She knew exactly what was coming but she put on her most innocent expression. ‘Do what, exactly?’

  He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Make me start babbling like some teenage boy. I always seem to say the wrong thing around you, then can’t find the words to straighten things out.’

  She raised her eyebrows. ‘I thought you said I didn’t make you nervous.’

  He frowned. ‘Well, you don’t. But then—you do.’ He flung up his hands. ‘See, I don’t know.’

  She laughed. ‘How did your business meeting go with El Creepo?’

  His mouth fell open and his shoulders started shaking. ‘El Creepo? That’s what you’re calling him?’

  She nodded sombrely and folded her arms. ‘I think it suits him.’

  ‘I think you might be right.’ He ran his fingers through his hair, carefully avoiding his stitched forehead. Guilt surged through her again. It had to be sore, but he hadn’t complained at all. ‘But at the moment he’s the best bet I’ve got. You’re right. There’s just something about him I can’t put my finger on. But if it’s the only way to raise publicity then what choice do I have?’

  Sitting in such close proximity to Will, she could see the tiny lines around his eyes and on his forehead. He was genuinely worried about this. He was genuinely trying to do some good. How far would he go?

  She bit her lip. ‘I might have some alternative ideas about that.’

  ‘For the publicity?’

  ‘Yes.’ She rubbed her hands on her dress. It was warm in this room. Her soldering equipment gave out a lot of heat, which only made it worse. And she couldn’t wait to actually hit the shower and change her clothes.

  ‘Tell me more.’

  She shook her head. ‘Not yet, and you still have to hold your side of the bargain.’ She stood up. ‘I want to get changed and have a shower but I don’t have any of my things.’

  He looked a little sheepish. ‘Actually you do. Violet sent your bright blue case over. I take it you’ll have
everything you need in there? Why don’t you freshen up and we can have some dinner?’

  Violet had sent her case over? Just like that? Just wait until she spoke to her sister. She’d better not be trying to matchmake.

  She gave a little nod of her head just as Will’s eyes twinkled and his smile broadened to reveal his dimples. Darn it. Those were the last things she needed to see right now.

  ‘Now, I’m only showing you to a room in my house if you promise not to cause any damage.’

  He was waiting for her at the door. ‘Do you keep any ancient vases in your rooms?’ she quipped.

  ‘Not in yours,’ he countered.

  ‘Any unidentified men crawling into bed with perfect strangers?’

  His gaze met hers. ‘Only if requested.’

  Her breath caught in her throat as her skin prickled involuntarily. Oh, boy, he was good. She had to keep remembering just how many times this guy had been attached. Still, dinner at Gideon Hall might actually be quite nice. Rose was as nosey as the next person and always liked to see around beautiful homes.

  Will led her up the large curved staircase and along a corridor. Everything was sparkling. Everything was clean. Everything was cream.

  He swung open the door of one room and she stepped inside. Finally, a tiny bit of colour. Pale yellow to complement the cream. It was gorgeous. She couldn’t help but walk straight across to touch the ornate curtains. Curtains and soft furnishings had always been her weakness. It was like something from one of those classy house magazines. An enormous bed with soft bedding and cushions that just invited you to dive in, pale yellow wallpaper with tiny flowers, a pale yellow carpet and light-coloured furniture all leading to large windows looking over the gardens.

  ‘These are beautiful. The whole place is beautiful.’ She smiled wickedly. ‘Which one of your brides-to-be helped you decorate?’

  ‘Actually, some of it I chose myself. Others, I had some help from professionals.’ He straightened a little more and his chest puffed out. He was obviously pleased with the backhanded compliment.

  ‘Really?’ She was surprised. She’d just imagined that he’d waved his hand and asked someone else to sort all this out for him.