Seducing the Best Man (Wild Wedding Nights #1) Read online

  “Not a fan of olives?” she asked.

  “Not at the moment.” His fingers slid along her forearm, tracing the slight indention at her elbow. He pulled his hand back, the feel of her satin skin still on the tips of his fingers. How long had it been since he’d wanted to touch someone? To feel something? Right now, he’d never wanted anything more. He flexed his hand then gripped the empty beer bottle.

  Her phone vibrated again, immediately grabbing her attention. She relaxed, transformed from sexy to sweet by the all-encompassing smile on her face. “It’s Bibi,” she said.

  “Bibi?”

  “The one who set this up.” She tucked that piece of hair behind her ear again, unknowingly taunting him. “She told me to behave.” Her brown eyes met his.

  “What are you telling her?”

  “Not likely,” she murmured, her voice breathy.

  “Here you go.” The waiter placed their drinks on the table. “Your steaks will be out shortly.”

  There was no mistaking the desire in her eyes as she rasped, “Can we get that to go?”

  Patton’s pants grew painfully tight.

  “To go?” the waiter asked.

  “To go,” Patton affirmed. The sooner the better. At the moment, he was seriously contemplating breaking a few laws about what should or shouldn’t be done in public. It was crazy, he knew it, but he didn’t care.

  “Of course.” The look of confusion on the waiter’s face as he left was comical.

  “Unless you have plans?” she said with a coy grin. “I thought I’d be going to bed early tonight.”

  “Oh, you are.” He couldn’t resist, or hold back the smile.

  She laughed. “You’re a surprise, Patton.”

  He was a surprise? He shook his head.

  Their waiter returned long enough to place their to-go bag on the table, setting the small black bill binder on the table. “It was a pleasure serving you this evening.”

  Patton pulled his wallet out, tucked several bills in the binder and stood. He came around the table and slid Cady’s chair back for her.

  Cady stared up at him. “I knew you had it in you to be a gentleman.” She stood, leaning closer and lowering her voice. “I’m not really looking for a gentleman tonight.”

  Patton stared down at her. “Good to know.” The few inches between them was charged with undiluted hunger. He couldn’t resist. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the fullness of her lower lip. The simple touch had her leaning into his hand and him leaning into her. When her lips fastened on his thumb, his breath escaped on a hiss. She smiled up at him, the thrill of power in her gaze a challenge he’d gladly accept.

  He took her hand and led her from the restaurant. He had no idea where they were going. It would take too long to get to his place, and he didn’t want to wait. Once they were outside the restaurant, he sized up their options. They were downtown, a place he tended to avoid. But there were perks. Like having two hotels to choose from within walking distance. He picked the closer, heading in that direction. Her fingers twined with his, inflaming and soothing him. He glanced at her, taking in her flushed cheeks and accelerated breathing. She felt it, too.

  It took ten minutes to check in to the upscale hotel.

  He took the key card, and Cady tugged him into the elevator. He waited until the doors closed behind them before grabbing her around the waist and lifting her to sit on the wooden railing that lined the elevator.

  She reached for him, threading her fingers in his hair. “Kiss me.” It was part plea, part demand—the hitch in her voice telling him everything he needed to know. She wasn’t as in control as she pretended to be.

  Neither was he.

  He bent his head and her fingers tightened in his hair, pulling him close. He angled his head, dragging his nose along the shell of her ear and the arch of her neck. Her scent wrapped around him, drawing him to her. He tilted her head back, his mouth grazing her skin where neck met shoulder. She shivered, her skin contracting beneath his lips.

  The elevator dinged, forcing them apart. He helped her from the rail before an older couple and several teenagers joined them. She stood in front of him, the curve of her hip resting against the ridged length of his arousal. His hand skimmed along her hip then slid around her waist to rest against the lower part of her stomach. He could feel each unsteady breath.

  The ride to the eighth floor took too freaking long.

  The elevator dinged, and Cady pulled him from the elevator. She turned into him, knocking them into the wall as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him. He caught her, his hand cradling the back of her head. Her lips were soft, welcoming him, opening to him. Her breath, her tongue... When his hand slipped to the bare skin of her shoulder, he couldn’t stop his groan from spilling out into the hallway.

  The elevator dinged again behind them, reminding him that they still hadn’t reached their destination. He read the small room number plaque, gripped Cady’s hand and led her to their room. She opened the door and he kicked it shut behind her.

  She pulled off her sweater, wriggling out of her gray skirt and heels before he’d caught his breath. And seeing her, in barely-there black panties and a bra that left little to the imagination, knocked the breath out of him again.

  He shook his head. “Cady—”

  She launched herself at him, pressing those silky curves against his still-dressed chest. He didn’t argue when her hands tore open his shirt, sending buttons flying all over the room. He didn’t give his scars a second thought as he yanked off his undershirt; shedding clothes was the only thing that mattered. He wanted to feel all of her against all of him.

  His mouth devoured hers, nipping her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth and sealing them together. She swayed into him but he held her up. He couldn’t get enough of her, deepening the kiss until he was dizzy with the taste of her.

  They stumbled across the room to the massive bed, hands and mouths exploring. She lay back on the bed, breathing hard.

  “You’re beautiful,” he rasped, meaning it.

  She rested on her elbows, staring up at him. “So are you, Patton.” She sat up then, her fingers trailing down his shoulders. She paused at the sight of the scars, but not for long. Then her fingers were stroking down his chest, to his stomach. She tugged his boxer briefs down and smiled, falling back onto her elbows again. “This night just gets better and better.”

  He choked on his laughter when those dark-blue-tipped fingers wrapped around his cock.

  “Wow,” she whispered.

  He knelt, tugging her panties off and throwing them over his shoulder. She watched as his hands explored the dip of her hip, the curve of her thigh, the soft thatch of hair between her legs. Her legs parted for him and he stared up at her. She had no inhibition... And it was sexy as hell. He kissed her stomach, licking her belly button while his hands ran back up her stomach to the satin of her bra.

  “Patton,” she whispered. “Please.” She buried her hands in his hair, tugging him up.

  His arm held her to the bed as his tongue found the soft nub at her core. Her hands gripped his hair, her moan soft and breathy. He smiled, using the tip of his tongue to set a quick, light rhythm. She tried to arch up, to move, but his arm kept her still. His tongue continued as he slipped a finger deep inside her. Hand and mouth, he fought his own desire until her hands fisted in his hair, her body bowed off the bed and a raw moan tore from her throat. It took everything he had not to bury himself inside her then, but he wasn’t done yet.

  He kissed his way up her body, lingering over the ridge of her hip and the underside of her breast. He tugged the lacy cups down so his tongue could explore the tight peaks of her breasts, sucking first one nipple, then the other.

  He settled between her thighs, so hard it hurt. “I don’t have any protection—”

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sp; “I’m protected.” She paused and took a deep, shaky breath. “I’m clean. Are you?”

  He nodded, holding her gaze. She reached for him, gripping his upper arms and hooking one leg around his hips. His breath hitched as he pressed into her slowly. She was so hot, so tight. He closed his eyes briefly, reining in the need to move. But he wanted to see her, to watch her. Her lips parted, her eyes closed. Her hands gripped his forearms tightly, and her head lifted off the bed.

  Her hands moved, clasping his hips. “Please.” Her nails dug in.

  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

  “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 refrigera
tor. 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.