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He eased into her, letting her adjust to him. But when she started to move, he decided to let her take charge—he wanted to watch her. He rolled them, pulling her on top.
She smiled down at him, running her hands across his face and along his shoulders. She braced herself on his chest and began to move. Her back arched, her breasts swaying in time. His hands slid up her sides, cupping her breasts, teasing the nipples that peaked over the lacy cups of her bra. He loved the way she felt, the sounds she made. He pressed kisses to her side and nuzzled the place between her breasts, drawing her scent in.
Her movements grew frenzied, out of control. Her hands moved over his chest, her nails raking across his skin. Each touch, every thrust, pushed him closer. But he held on until her body clenched around him. She cried out, her climax forcing his release. He gripped her hips, holding her tightly against him as his orgasm ripped through him. He couldn’t stop his groan, or ease his hold on her.
She collapsed on his chest, gasping for breath. He stroked the length of her back, his fingers tracing each notch of her spine. She was soft and warm, so he wrapped his arms around her and lay there. He didn’t know what the hell he was doing, but it felt good. It was the first time—in a long time—that the ache in his heart and the scars on his chest didn’t keep him from falling into a deep, restful sleep.
2 (#ulink_4e3bc7e6-5b59-597b-86ed-ddeb8efe8259)
“THE GOOD CHINA?” Patton eyed his mother’s carefully set table.
“Zach said he had big news.” His mother sounded far too excited.
Patton knew his mother. He also knew his brother Zach. The two of them had a bond he and his other brother Spence didn’t understand. “You have any idea what his big news is?”
His mother glanced at him, her light blue eyes bright. “No.”
He arched an eyebrow.
“I don’t,” she argued. “Don’t you use that look on your mother.”
He smiled. “It normally gets me results.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Only if someone has something to hide. I don’t.”
He held up his hands. “Okay, fine.”
“She tell you what’s going on?” Spence arrived, carrying a bag of ice. “Whoa, the good china?”
Patton nodded. “Exactly.”
“You two knock it off.” Imogene Ryan shooed her sons out of the way and headed to the kitchen, still talking. “A woman has a right to make things pretty every once in a while—for no apparent reason. I’m not getting any younger, you know. I don’t see the harm in setting a nice table once a month instead of three times a year.”
“Who got her all worked up?” Spence asked softly.
Patton shrugged. “I just asked her if she knew what the news was—”
“And I don’t,” their mother called from the kitchen.
Spence laughed and Patton shook his head. She’d always had ridiculously good hearing. It had made sneaking out of the house almost impossible as teenagers. Almost.
“We’re here,” Zach’s voice came from the front door.
“We?” Spence asked.
Patton shrugged, following Spence into the front sitting room. Their mother brushed past them both, making Patton the last one into the room. His younger brother Zach was holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and the hand of a very pretty young woman with the other.
“Mom, this is Bianca.” Zach was smiling. But it was the way he was smiling that drew Patton up short. His little brother was smiling like a kid in a candy shop with an unlimited budget. “Bianca, this is my mother, Imogene Ryan.”
Patton glanced at the young woman on his arm. His brother was clearly smitten, not that this was necessarily new. Zach was always getting a new girlfriend—his problem seemed to be keeping them. Then again, Zach had never brought one home before, so this would be interesting.
“Mrs. Ryan, it’s so lovely to meet you.” Bianca’s voice wavered—she was nervous.
“Oh, Bianca, please, call me Imogene.” His mother pulled Bianca into a hug. “Zach’s told me so much about you.”
Patton shot Spence a look. Spence shook his head, shrugging in answer. Apparently their mother was the only one who had heard about Bianca. Not that he and his brothers talked daily, but the family still had dinner together once a week. It seemed a little odd that Bianca had never come up in conversation.
“I figured it’s time for her to meet the family now that she’s agreed to marry me.” Zach’s voice was unsteady, his eyes bouncing between the three waiting members of his family.
Patton blew out a deep breath, stunned by the announcement.
Their mother was clapping her hands, hugging Bianca again then Zach. She chattered away, her excitement covering for his complete shock. Spence seemed to snap out of it, too. He exchanged an awkward handshake then a one-armed hug with Bianca before tackling Zach.
When both his mother and Bianca were staring at him, he pulled it together and stepped forward. “Nice to meet you,” he murmured, shaking her hand. “I’m Patton. And...welcome to the family.”
Bianca smiled, her tawny eyes wide. “You, too. I mean, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Let’s celebrate!” His mother was still on a visible high. “I made some fresh-squeezed lemonade and cookies—”
“I’ll get it,” Patton volunteered, heading into the kitchen.
A tray with the “fancy” crystal goblets and a plate of homemade wedding cookies waited. He eyed the cookies. His mother might not have known Zach had proposed, but she knew something was going on. Not that this surprised him. She normally knew what was happening before anyone else did. She was a born investigator and a master at deductive reasoning.
He shook his head and opened the refrigerator. His search for the pitcher of lemonade was derailed by a bottle full of olives. Green olives. An instant flash of Cady’s lips, her pearly white teeth tugging the skewered olive off the toothpick and into her mouth. He closed his eyes, his grip on the refrigerator door tightening. It wasn’t the first time in the last two weeks he’d been caught up in the memory of that night. Something about Cady had latched on to him tightly. It didn’t take much to stir the echo of her touch, the warmth of her body, the husky timbre of her sigh as if she was standing before him—staring at him with that saucy grin of hers.
He’d woken up in that hotel room, drained but exhilarated. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it hadn’t been an empty bed. She had been gone, but the all-consuming hunger hadn’t. He’d found himself thinking about her at work, while walking his dog, Mikey, and right before he fell into a restless sleep. Why he couldn’t get her out of his mind, he didn’t know. It was a damn good thing he didn’t know her last name, or he’d have tried to track her down by now. And that have would be bad, for both of them. Clearly, Cady was dangerous...an addiction in the making. He’d made a mistake, giving in to her. He knew better. He didn’t have time for distractions, not now. Not ever. He’d had enough of heartache in his life. When his father was alive and on the force, it had been Patton’s job to comfort his mother through hours of grief and worry. The thought of someone who cared about him going through that... Nope, he was just fine staying a bachelor—without complication or distraction.
Spence was at his side, staring into the open refrigerator. “It’s right there.” His brother pulled the pitcher from the refrigerator. He shot him a look. “What’s eating you?”
Patton sighed, pushing thoughts of Cady from his mind and the door shut. “Long week.”
“Every week’s a long week,” Spence said. “Doesn’t mean you need to let all the penguins out.” He nodded at the now-closed fridge. “You okay?”
Patton nodded. “Surprised.”
“That’s for sure,” Spence agreed. “But as long as Zach’s happy.”
Patton didn’t respond to that. Happiness was a fickle emotion. Especially when it revolved around another person. Sure, he wanted his brothers loved and cared for, but this was way too fast—especially with his little brother’s track record. “How long has he known her?”
Spence put the pitcher on the tray. “A month.”
Patton shook his head.
“Don’t get all cynical. Give her a chance.” He lifted the tray. “Mom’s a pretty good judge of character—”
“Spence, Zach’s talking about getting married to this girl. Marriage leads to kids.” Patton’s grin was reluctant. “Which has been Mom’s constant birthday and holiday wish for the past eight years. I’m thinking her judgment might be a little skewed this time.”
“Maybe.” Spence laughed, carrying the tray out. “But you might as well get over it and come get acquainted with your sister-in-law-to-be.”
Patton glared at the door. Zach was the golden boy, the only non-cop amongst them. Zach made more money than both Spence and Patton combined, racking up airline points and traveling on the fly. While Patton admired his little brother’s willingness to think outside the box and work hard to get what he wanted, his brother was also a player. He and Spence had been regaled with far too many of their little brother’s romantic exploits for Patton to buy into this sudden commitment. Not Zach’s normal MO. If this whole engagement fiasco went the way he suspected, a lot of people would wind up hurt.
He pushed through the kitchen door and joined the others in the sitting room to find conversation in full swing.
“What are we talking about?” Patton asked.
“Flowers,” Zach offered. “Bianca has a flower shop. That’s where we met,” he paused, squeezing Bianca’s hand. “She helped me put an arrangement together.”
“You own your own shop?” Patton asked.
“Bianca’s Jardin?” She smiled. “It’s small. On the corner of Hazelwood and Main—in Lassiter. It’s also a tearoom. Just high tea, a few days a week, but my cousin Celeste handles that part of it.”
He glanced back and forth between Bianca and Zach, asking, “You two met a month ago?”
Zach shot him a look.
Patton cocked an eyebrow.
“I can’t believe it’s only been a month.” Bianca’s voice trembled.
“Feels like we’ve known each other for a lot longer,” Zach murmured, smiling at Bianca. And Bianca beamed back at him.
Patton popped a wedding cookie into his mouth to keep from snorting. He swallowed, adding, “Nothing wrong with a long engagement.”
“Who said anything about a long engagement?” Zach asked before biting a cookie.
His mother hopped up. “Oh, Patton, shush. There’s no time like the present. I’m going to call Henrietta and see if Tucker House has an opening for an engagement shindig.”
Bianca looked stunned. “Oh Imogene, you do not need to—”
“I want to, darling,” his mother cut her off, smiling from ear to ear. “Patton might be a stick in the mud, but I know how precious time is. We’re not putting a thing off. We’re celebrating every second.”
The way Zach was looking at Bianca made him wonder, for a second, if his brother was actually in love. Maybe it was more than attraction. Maybe... Doubtful. He sipped his lemonade, smiling pleasantly at Bianca when she glanced his way. As much as he’d like to be wrong, he knew there was no way someone could fall in love in a month. Not the kind of love that would last forever— He doubted that kind of love existed. His engagement to Ellie—someone he’d known most of his life—had ended with the first obstacle they’d faced. And now he worried his little brother’s new crush might end up having lasting consequences for them all.
* * *
“WHAT DO YOU mean you’re getting married?” Cady’s heart was lodged in her throat. “Bianca, you can’t be serious.” She knew Bianca. She knew how focused her friend was. Bianca was careful, methodical—she’d set a goal and she wouldn’t let anything get in her way.
Bianca laughed. “I’m totally serious. You met him. Zach?”
Cady remembered him all right. Zach. The good-looking, charming one that was far too proprietary over her best friend. “The controlling, handsome one?”
“Controlling?” Bianca’s eyes went round.
“Controlling.” Cady sat forward. “Why marriage? Can’t you just bang his brains out for a while? Get him out of your system.”
Bianca frowned. “Cady.”
“Don’t Cady me, girl.” Cady sighed. “Why? Are you knocked up?”
“No!” Bianca cried, glaring her disapproval. “I’m marrying him because I love him.” Bianca’s simple answer made Cady wrinkle up her nose.
“Oh, please.” She shifted in her wrought-iron chair, staring blindly down the street to the fair at the end of the block. She and Bianca had come here the past few years, enjoying the wine tasting, touring the historic homes and exploring the booths of handmade treats and crafts. It was their thing—something that would change if Bianca got married. And while Bianca’s idea of marriage had always been warm and fuzzy and complete fiction, Cady knew the truth. Marriage, love and commitment were illusions. What happened after the honeymoon? Compromise to the point of losing one’s self, resentment or disgust replacing affection for your once-dreamy significant other, and—ultimately—betrayal and distrust. Not that Bianca saw it that way.
“His family is throwing us an engagement party Friday,” Bianca added, pulling Cady from her thoughts. “Apparently they know the woman who owns one of the inns on the lake.”
Cady stared at Bianca. “Friday as in two days?”
Bianca nodded. “You have to come.”
Cady frowned. “What does Zach do?”
“He’s a promoter for a luxury resort chain. He just loves it. They have locations all over the world that he gets to visit. And they’re growing.”
“While he’s off traveling the world, you’ll stay here?” Cady asked, frowning.
Bianca shrugged.
“Well, you can’t travel all the time,” Cady pointed out. “What about the shop?”
Bianca’s answer was soft, “We haven’t worked out all the details yet.”
“Details of your everyday life? Don’t you think you should do that before making him fifty percent owner in your shop? Texas is a fifty-fifty state, Bibi.” She took a deep breath. “You love your shop. You’ve fought tooth and nail to buy that space, to open your own business. Since the day we met, you’ve talked about this. Having a shop like the one your grandfather had in Puerto Rico.”
“Cady,” Bianca sighed. “Zach is willing to take a demotion so he doesn’t have to travel.”
“You don’t think he’d come to resent you for that later?” Cady shook her head. “I know you, Bibi. If there’s a compromise to be made, you’re the one who’ll end up making it.”
Bianca shook her head. “We’ll find a way to make it work without sacrificing our personal dreams along the way.” Bianca paused, stirring her iced tea with a long spoon. “The shop wasn’t my only dream, Cady. You know that.”
Cady did know. Bianca was the earth-mother type. Cady fought to convince her that kids, the minivan, the Saturday soccer games, big birthday parties and the adoring husbands would never be as rewarding as a solid career and loyal friendships. Bianca didn’t buy it. Even after having her heart ground to bits, Bianca held on to the hope that she’d find real love and support in the form of her own personal Prince Charming.
“Shack up with the guy,” Cady argued. “Why do you need to marry this Zach?”
Bianca laughed. “My family would love that.”
“They’re okay with you marrying some guy you’ve known for five minutes?”
Bianca frowned at her. “It’s been longer than that.”
Cady shot her a disbelieving look. “Fine, five hours.”
“I love him, Cady. I see a future with him. One I want.” She stared into her iced tea. “It would mean a lot if you could support me.”
Bianca was serious. Dead serious. And Cady didn’t know what to do. Since freshman year of college, the two of them had been through a lot. They didn’t have much in common, but somehow that didn’t matter. Bianca had grown up in a huge, sometimes too invasive family of unwavering loyalty and strong opinions—freely shared. While Cady’s childhood was comprised of disappointing birthdays, indifferent and cold holidays, and broken promises. Over the years, Bianca had been a conscience when Cady needed it. And Cady had been the realist when Bianca needed it. Apparently, that wasn’t right now, no matter what Cady thought.
“I love you, Bibi.” Cady took her friend’s hand in hers. “I’m not a good liar, you know that, so I can’t gush and jump up and down over this, okay? But I’ll try to wrap my head around this for you.”
Bianca smiled. “I really appreciate it, Cady. Give him a chance. I know you’ll become good friends.”
