Seducing The Best Man

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Cady nodded. “The groom-to-be?” It took an effort, but she managed a smile. “Taking care of our girl this evening?”

“I’m trying.” Zach nodded. “You know Bianca.”

“You mean that she’d rather take care of everyone else than let someone take care of her?” Cady nodded. “Bibi’s a nurturer.”

“Patton,” Zach glanced back and forth between the two of them. “Showing Cady around?”

Cady risked a glance at Patton. His pale gaze was wandering the room, disinterested—almost bored. “We just ran into each other.”

Lucky me. Cady sipped her drink.

“Did you see GG dancing?” Bianca laughed.

Cady shook her head. “She was dancing?”

“Zach’s other brother Spence—”

“You met him earlier,” Zach offered.

“—managed to get her onto the dance floor. She can move those hips.” Bianca shook her head, smiling broadly.

Dancing with Spence was an added bonus. He was handsome... “Wait, other brother?”

“Patton.” Zach pointed. “Head of the Ryan clan. The chief. The big kahuna.”

Patton shot Zach a look. “She gets it.”

She blew out a deep breath. Patton was Zach’s brother? Meaning this whole nightmare scenario could get worse? It wasn’t going to end when the wedding was over. No, she’d be running into Patton at every get-together or holiday. Not the most relaxing way to spend her downtime. She sighed. Bianca was her best friend, but she was also Cady’s only family. And she’d be damned if this marriage changed that.

She tucked her hair behind her ear, her agitation increasing. She glanced at Patton again, wanting to say something witty. Big mistake. He was staring at her ear. She took another sip of her drink, resisting the urge to bite an olive off the toothpick. That would be wrong. Too much. A little cruel even. She stirred her drink.

“Having a good time?” Bianca asked, taking one of her hands and squeezing it.

“Yes, of course,” she answered too quickly. “I’m amazed at how everything came together so fast.”

“My mother. Once she gets her mind made up, there’s no stopping her,” Zach explained, slipping his arm around Bianca’s waist.

“Guess it’s a good thing she’s in favor of you two, then,” Patton murmured.

Zach laughed, nodding.

But Cady saw Bianca’s slight frown, her nervous glance between brothers. It was her turn to squeeze Bianca’s hand. She quirked her eyebrow, a silent question. But Bianca just smiled and shook her head.

“Hungry?” Zach asked, tugging Bianca’s arm through his.

“Yes,” she agreed. “Coming?”

Cady nodded, following behind them. She teetered once, but Patton’s hand steadied her. She shivered, the contact of his rough hand against her bare back stirring all sorts of delicious memories up. She kept her eyes front and center, torn between brushing his hand away and turning into him.

She picked up a plate. Patton didn’t.

“Not eating?” she asked.

He shook his head.

She loaded up her plate, trying to listen to Bianca but distracted by him. Patton hovered, steering her in the direction of their table, pulling out a chair for her, making his presence known. He sat across the table from her, against the wall. But his pale gaze always roamed the crowd, scanning, searching. What was he thinking? His face was blank, his eyes shuttered—the exact opposite of the Patton five minutes ago. There was no denying what he was thinking when he’d been looking at her. He wanted her with a ferocity that excited and overwhelmed her... Because she knew how good he was, what he could do to her with a simple touch. How the stroke of his fingers, his tongue, sent her over the edge. She pressed her legs together, throbbing.

“You’ll have to excuse my big brother,” Zach whispered, making her jump. “It’s a cop thing—always on duty. He doesn’t mean to be so...antisocial. Don’t take it personally or let Patton get you worked up, Cady.”

She stared at her plate, hoping it wasn’t evident how worked up she was. “It takes a lot to get me worked up.”

“Zach—” They were interrupted by well-wishers, who drew Bianca and Zach to their feet and animated conversation. Cady dropped the toast point she’d been fiddling with, trying not to look at Patton.

Patton was staring at her when she looked up. “A lot?”

She grinned her crooked grin and lifted her olive-laden toothpick to her mouth.

His nostrils flared and he stared up at the ceiling.

She couldn’t help it—she giggled.

He stared at her then, breaking into a smile that was startling. And utterly breathtaking. He seemed to relax when she put the toothpick back in her drink.

“How’s work?” he asked. “Still putting out fires?”

She shrugged. “Too many fires. Started by the boss’s son. You? Rounding up the bad guys?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.

His attention settled on her arms. “Be a hell of a lot easier if they’d wear black hats.”

She heard the frustration in his voice. “I know you’re a cop but...what division? Or is it department?”

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “I work narcotics.”

“Drugs?” She sat back, crossing her arms over her waist. She knew the cable crime shows she watched when she couldn’t sleep at night didn’t compare to what the reality was like. But still. “So you must have a hell of a workout regime? Or some over-the-top hobby?” She watched him frown and explained, “To decompress? I’d imagine there’s a lot to decompress from?”

He tapped his fingers on the table, nodding once.

“Play piano?” she asked.

He arched an eyebrow. “Used to.”

“Used to?”

His eyes narrowed slightly before he looked back at the rest of the room.

“You’re just as loquacious as I remember,” she murmured.

He chuckled a little, though his eyes continued their sweep of the room. His fingers kept up their tapping.

Bianca and Zach shifted, adding chairs at their table—which pushed Cady closer to Patton. Cady chatted away, making every effort not to acknowledge the man sitting silently, driving her crazy, two feet away. She’d almost completely forgotten him when she ate her first olive. Patton stood up so quickly, he nearly knocked his chair over backward. He didn’t say a thing as he headed out of the room.

Conversation stopped, all eyes on his retreating figure.

“What did you do to him?” Bianca asked.

Cady stared at her friend. “What are you talking about?”

Bianca shot her a disbelieving look and waited.

Cady shook her head. “What?” She pulled another olive from her toothpick. “I didn’t do anything to Patton.” Today. But...today wasn’t over yet.

4 (#ulink_40ec3a50-d17f-5b51-b4ce-3b2b12594edb)

PATTON DID HIS best to avoid Cady for the rest of the evening. He’d hoped she wouldn’t get to him. He’d hoped he could sit there and make small talk. But when that olive hit her lips, he knew the best thing for him to do was retreat. He’d done his part, being magnanimous with each and every family member and friend sent his way. Hell, he even danced one dance with Ellie—despite how awkward it had been. Breaking up a minor fight between two of the more intoxicated guests had offered some sort of distraction.

But he knew where she was every second. If she was on the dance floor, he was at the bar. If she was at the bar, he was on the veranda. Each smile or laugh, every damn time she tucked her hair behind her ear, he was sucked back into wanting her—now. And it was driving him crazy.

When the party started winding down, he found a chair in a dim corner of the porch and waited. Once Cady left, his tension would leave with her. Now that he knew he’d be seeing more of her, he’d be more prepared next time. His hands tightened on the arms of the chair. Next time.

Tonight was supposed to be about Zach and Bianca. Assess the situation, find the weaknesses in his brother’s relationship, find the reason for this rush to the altar and determine how feasible ending the engagement—or postponing it—was.

The party had been great, sure, but real life was different. The day in, day out was work. He wanted to say as much to his brother, to remind Zach of their parents’ marriage. To call it one-sided was being generous. Dad had been a taker, opinionated, inflexible and selfish. Not to mention his first devotion had always been to the force. Mom had been second to the job, to his hobbies, to his sons...to everything. Her life had been worry and lonely nights, slim to no praise, and four rambunctious sons to raise. Sure, Bianca wasn’t marrying a cop, but that didn’t mean their marriage would be easy. And going into this as near strangers couldn’t help. Zach needed a wake-up call, to be reminded what marriage was. And since no one else was willing to broach the subject from a realistic point of view, Patton had no choice but to do it himself. That had been the plan anyway.

Somehow Cady had changed that. Instead of watching the interaction between Bianca and his brother, he’d been fascinated by the dip in her lower lip when she spoke. When he should have been familiarizing himself with Bianca’s family and friends, he’d been hypnotized by the curve of Cady’s neck and the slight angle of her chocolate-brown eyes. She got to him. And he didn’t like it.

He closed his eyes and rested his head on the headrest. He didn’t need this—any of it. Not Cady or Zach or this harebrained engagement. He was exhausted. Tense. Worried. Weeks like this made him wonder why he didn’t look into another line of work. The latest tip had led him down a long path to nothing. Tomorrow he’d start again. A new string of shake-and-bake meth had hit the market. The car explosion on the state line had been another headache. Traces of cold tablets and a few everyday household chemicals hinted that they were facing mobile meth labs, but no one knew who or where. Their normal sources had no leads. At least, no one was admitting to it.

“You sure you don’t want to stay tonight?” Bianca’s voice. “There’s a block of rooms reserved.”

“If I leave now I’ll get back before it’s too late.” Cady answered. “Have to go in to work for a few hours tomorrow.”

His eyes opened, watching the two of them hug.

“Bibi,” Cady’s voice was low.

“Please don’t,” Bianca interrupted. “I know you’re not excited about this. But I am. So, for me, because you love me, please get excited with me?”

So Cady wasn’t thrilled over this engagement either? Interesting.

Cady hugged her again, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I do love you.” She laughed. “Enjoy the rest of your evening... And that energetic fiancé of yours.” He heard the innuendo in Cady’s voice and felt his pants tighten.

“Cady.” Bianca sounded legitimately shocked. “Be careful driving. The roads are so dark and curvy.”

Cady waved, then walked down the steps, her green dress fanning out on the evening wind before she disappeared from his view. He was getting what he wanted. Her—gone.

He gripped the arms of the chair, forcing himself to stay put. He would sit there until she got in her car and drove away. Not get up and follow her.

He sat, waiting, listening for the sound of a closing door or the roar of an engine. His eyes scanning the road for some sign of her departure. The longer he waited, the more frustrated he became. He pushed out of his chair, searching the dark as he crossed the porch. He saw her, illuminated by strands of white lights and several tiki torches, walking across the lawn toward the lake. She wasn’t getting in her car. She wasn’t leaving.

And he was going after her.

Every step he told himself he was headed for trouble. This attraction was combustible. Now that they were bound by more than this out-of-control physical connection, he’d be smart to turn and run the other way. But when she glanced over her shoulder, the ghost of a smile on her mouth, he gave up. He followed her, he had to. She wanted him to. And he wanted her.

She wandered toward one of the cabanas, circling a fire pit before she stopped, her gaze locking with his through the flames. He kept moving until she was within arm’s reach. He froze, wishing he had some logical explanation for his behavior. He was following her around like a dog in heat. Telling her he needed her so bad it hurt probably wasn’t the best way to start. Or the most reassuring thing to hear either. But it was the only explanation he had.

So he didn’t say anything. His hands cupped her cheeks, tilting her head back. In the shadows cast by the fires, her eyes were fathomless, and he could see the hunger on her face...hear the rasp of her aroused breathing.

She ran a hand through his hair before taking his hand and leading him into the cabana. The building was small, one solid back wall with rolled-up bamboo sides. He watched her untie the bamboo, her fingers tripping over the knots. She’d known he was watching her, wanting her, and brought him here. Because she wanted him, too. His heart picked up, his lungs emptied and his body grew rock hard. She couldn’t crave him the way he did her, but it didn’t matter. He remembered the feel of her, the taste of her. And he couldn’t wait to have her again.

She had two sides down when he pulled her back against his chest. She shuddered, her head falling back against his shoulder as his hands roamed across her stomach. He pinned her hips against his, his erection pressing against the soft curve of her ass. His mouth descended on her shoulder. She tasted like heaven and felt even better. When his teeth latched on to her earlobe, she melted into him, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck.

His hands slid up her sides, his fingertips tracing the outer swell of her breasts. Her husky breath filled the cabana, a soft moan escaping as her hands twisted in his hair. Knowing she wanted him—the way he wanted her—was empowering. He caught her chin, angling her head, ready to kiss her. Her brown eyes were glazed, and her lips parted in invitation.

His mouth claimed hers. He’d never felt so desperate. So hungry. So uncontrolled. Something about her in his arms. She turned, pressing her curves against him as her mouth opened to him. His tongue thrust deep into the heat of her mouth, making her groan. He gripped the back of her head, holding her closer. She clung, hands tugging his shirt free from his pants. Soft fingers traced his waist, sharp nails scoured his back. His body responded, demanding more. He held her so tightly he worried he’d crush her. But when he tried to put space between them, she whispered, “No,” before kissing him in a way that left no room for misinterpretation.

His shirt was gone. His pants unfastened. He untied her dress, choking back a moan at the feel of her breasts filling his hands. He bent, nipping and kissing each peak until they were hard and Cady was frantic. He liked her like this, wild and out of her mind for him. He laid her on one of the chaise longues, holding her head as he kissed her.

His hand slid beneath her skirts, cupping her buttock.

“You’re so damn soft,” he bit out as his fingers trailed the edge of her panties.

She didn’t say anything, but her gaze never left his face.

He tugged her panties down, unable to stop his groan when her legs opened for him. Seeing her sprawled breathless and waiting on that chaise was the hottest thing he’d ever seen. He knelt between her legs, pulling her hips to the edge of the chaise. She stretched her arms up, holding on to the back of the chaise.