Seducing the Best Man (Wild Wedding Nights #1) Page 7

  “Bad news?” Patton asked softly.

  She stared at the text, laid the phone on the table then hit Lock Screen. If she responded right now, she’d probably get fired. She shrugged, shaking her head and sighing.

  “All that?” he asked, laughing softly. His voice was gravel, sending a shiver of delight along her spine.

  She arched an eyebrow and looked at him. “Words can’t begin.” He was too good-looking—dangerously good-looking.

  “Charles again?” Bianca asked.

  “Charles?” Patton’s voice was hard as nails.

  Cady looked at him, startled by the change in his demeanor. His eyes were narrowed, his fork held in a white-knuckled grip.

  “Her boss’s son,” Bianca explained. “Cady’s basically babysitting him.”

  Was she imagining the rapid shift of emotions on his face? From almost fury to relief? She had to be—it didn’t make sense.

  “How did Charles not come up on your date?” Zach asked. “You said all you did was talk shop.”

  “Guess I forgot.” Patton shot his brother a crooked smile. His pale eyes locked with hers, making her insides molten.

  “That’s my brother, the gentleman,” Zach teased.

  I’m not really looking for a gentleman tonight.

  She remembered the way he looked when she’d said that to him. The way he’d touched her face. The way she’d wanted him, ached for him... From the raging heat in his gaze, he was remembering, too.

  Was everyone at the table truly oblivious to the pull between them? She hoped so. She hoped that, in time, this desire to rip his clothes off and make him beg for mercy would fade. Right now, it was what she wanted more than anything.

  And the way he was looking at her wasn’t helping. “I never said I was a gentleman,” Patton murmured, tearing his gaze from hers.

  “Guess I hoped you’d be on your best behavior, seeing as it was your first date and all,” Zach quipped back.

  She remembered every wonderful non-gentlemanly thing he’d done to her. Right now, she was seriously hoping tonight would lead to a repeat performance. Patton wasn’t looking at her anymore. He was no longer restlessly tapping his fingers. Instead his hand was fisted on the table.

  “So, you’re a couple, too?” Carolina asked.

  “No,” Zach answered quickly.

  “Zach and I thought they might hit it off,” Bianca sighed. “But we were wrong.”

  “It wasn’t a total disaster,” Cady teased. Patton was looking at her then, she could feel it. “We had a nice meal, a short yet direct conversation. But we skipped dessert.” She knew she was playing with fire. “Speaking of dessert, this cake is fabulous.”

  “It is. But my cousin Diandra has a bakery. You know how GG is about family working together.” But Bianca didn’t look very enthusiastic.

  Cady’s phone vibrated again. This time it was one word.

  Hello?

  “Excuse me,” Cady sighed, taking her phone to find a nice, quiet place to deal—as calmly as possible—with the man who might hold the key to her promotion.

  * * *

  PATTON COULDN’T CATCH a break. Not at work. Not at home.

  Even though he did his best not to react to Cady, he was aware of everything she said or did. Her throaty laugh, her quick comebacks, the gentle smile she had for Bianca. The tenderness on her face as she melted into Bianca’s hug gripped at some cold place in his chest. And every time she tucked that bold strand of blond hair behind her ear, his body reacted.

  She had a piece of sugar stuck to her upper lip. He had a hard enough time not staring at her mouth without the sparkling sweetness taunting him.

  He had to get control. His body’s ready-and-willing response to her was bad enough. He had no right to get furious over some guy texting her. She wasn’t his. He had no claim on her. Even if he did, his anger wasn’t okay. But in the five seconds before Charles was established as the tool coworker that drove Cady crazy, Patton wanted to track him down and beat him senseless.

  He watched Cady make her way from the room, the sway of her hips causing him to take a long, slow drink of ice water. He was on fire, willing to follow her just so he could touch her... He was in serious trouble.

  “I left the samples in my office,” Carolina said, interrupting his thoughts. “Let me get them and we can talk about how you’d like the space arranged. You can finish up your cake. Patton, would you like anything else?” Her blue eyes waited.

  “I’m good,” he answered, acutely uncomfortable. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll be back.” Carolina stood, one hand resting on his shoulder for a brief moment before she left.

  “Wow.” Zach laughed. “Pretty sure you could get us a discount.”

  “Zach!” Bianca had a horrified expression on her face.

  “It’s the least we can do, Bianca. After he and Cady’s miserable date, we should set him up with someone who’s willing to show my big brother a good time.” He pointed after Carolina. “I’m thinking she’s got the hots for you, bro.”

  Patton frowned at his brother. Carolina Vincent? She wasn’t the woman he wanted to have a good time with.

  “Patton?” Bianca asked. “I am really sorry about that.”

  “What?” he asked, a little too gruffly.

  “You and Cady. It was my idea. One I sort of forced on Zach. I have this idea that people are meant to find a partner. Maybe it’s an only-child thing?” She shrugged.

  “Or your family being matchmakers?” Zach interjected.

  “Or that.” Bianca grinned. “I know Cady can be...outspoken. But she has the biggest, most loyal heart. Zach said—”

  “You were a jerk,” Zach interjected.

  Bianca smiled. “You two wouldn’t hit it off, but I hoped—”

  “You two would hook up,” Zach finished.

  “You said that,” Bianca argued then turned a bright shade of red.

  Zach laughed. “Patton does need to relieve some stress.”

  Bianca turned an even darker shade of red. “Zach, I cannot believe you said that. And besides, what about Cady?”

  Patton watched the two of them with interest.

  “I get the impression Cady can take care of herself,” his brother answered, smoothing Bianca’s hair back and looking at her with nothing short of pure adoration. His little brother had no idea how right he was.

  “Zach, please,” Bianca whispered, letting his brother know just how much she disapproved of his dismissive attitude. To his surprise, Zach actually looked remorseful as she continued, “I admit, I was hoping you’d fall madly in love.”

  Madly into bed was more like it. He grinned.

  “And while I’m disappointed you didn’t hit it off. It would have been nice, since we’ll be spending so much time together from now on—”

  He was still trying to recover from the images of Cady, naked, in the hotel bed when he realized Zach was watching him. Bianca was still chatting away, but the look on his brother’s face told him he needed to be more careful. His brothers knew him, too well sometimes. If he didn’t take care, they might just figure out what happened between him and Cady.

  “I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic.” Bianca smiled.

  “Patton’s not the hearts-and-flowers type.” Zach patted her hand. “Don’t let it get to you.”

  “Found it.” Carolina returned with a large black leather book. “This has some lovely sample arrangements for the Grecian ruin in the garden where the ceremony will be held.” She sat, smiling at Patton. “Why don’t we look through it before we go see the site?”

  Patton stood. “On that note, I’ll let you do your thing,” he said, pointing at the book. “I’ll find Cady for the tour.”

  He couldn’t care less about where the we
dding might take place, but he needed space.

  And he needed reinforcements. Cady was just as enthusiastic about this wedding as he was; she’d said as much the other night. The other night, when she was sprawled out across that chaise longue, wanting him... He swallowed. Maybe they could spend a weekend alone, just Cady, a bed and no clothes. Maybe that would cool his response to her. Then he’d be able to get on with more important things—like breaking up this wedding. And since Cady knew Bianca best, she might be the key to breaking this off.

  He wandered through the gardens, from a hot and dry desert with prickly cacti and spindly trees to a lush and humid rainforest. He was about to turn back when he heard her voice and followed it. She sat on the edge of a fountain, her ankles crossed. She’d kicked her shoes off, so one foot swung back and forth, the grass brushing her bare toes.

  “Yes, Charles.” Her voice was cool yet patient, as if she were speaking to a child. “That’s exactly right...No...you don’t need to apologize for calling me. I understand that this is new to you...”

  He saw her shoulders slump as she let out a long sigh.

  “It is a big account,” she agreed.

  Her head was tilted forward, the back of her pale neck exposed. He denied the urge to run a finger along the curve of her neck. He didn’t want to scare her... And once he started touching her, he knew it would be impossible to stop.

  Instead he walked around her, taking a seat in front of her.

  She glanced at him. And just like that, one of her finely arched brows rose high and her posture straightened. She went from exhausted to defiant in seconds—because of him.

  “No.” Her huge brown eyes never left his face. “I understand...Yes. I should be available after nine...No, coffee isn’t necessary.” She stared at the glass ceiling overhead, her full lips pressed flat. “Fine. Coffee—black, great...Yes. See you in the morning.”

  He waited as she hung up. “Needy little bastard, isn’t he?”

  He’d surprised her. And the smile that lit up her face made him breathless.

  “He is,” she agreed, laughing. “This promotion had better be worth it.” Her gaze wandered over his face. “Hunt me down for a reason?”

  “Hunt?” He swallowed. “That sounds...predatory.”

  She nodded, a rosy hue staining her cheeks. She still had that crystal of sugar in the corner of her mouth. What would she do if he brushed it away? With his tongue... He cleared his throat, shifting where he sat. “I wanted to talk to you,” he admitted.

  “Talk? To me?” Her smile turned hard. “That’s a first.”

  He frowned. “Talk. Not fight.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “So talk.”

  No point in beating around the bush. “Still have reservations about this wedding?”

  She stared into the fountain, her fingers barely breaking the surface of the water. “That’s putting it mildly.”

  His relief was instantaneous. “Then we need to stop it.”

  That got her attention. Her gaze locked with his. “How do you propose we do that?”

  He shook his head. “We’re smart. We’ll figure it out.”

  “You don’t think it’s...mean?”

  “Mean? No.” He shook his head. “Think of it like preventative medicine. You take steps to prevent something bad from happening.”

  She was watching him carefully, weighing his words. “And this wedding is bad.”

  “If it doesn’t happen, then there’s no messy divorce or permanent scars.” He shrugged. “You and I know they’re rushing into this without thinking it through.”

  She sat there, staring at him. He let his gaze wander over her every feature. Her huge expressive eyes, full lips, pale skin and dramatic brows that she arched as she asked, “Even if I agree and we do try to break this off—we have another problem.”

  “We do?” he asked, staring at the corner of her mouth and the sugar that demanded his attention.

  “The one that makes us get naked and attack each other within thirty minutes of seeing each other?” Her attention wandered to the dancing seahorses at the top of the fountain, but he could see the rapid pulse in her neck.

  “It’s been at least thirty-seven minutes.”

  “And I was ready to commit a felony or misdemeanor at the table. Which was it, you tell me?”

  He laughed.

  She glared at him. “And now you can’t stop looking at my mouth.”

  He paused, consumed by the need to touch her. “Because I like the way you taste,” he answered.

  Her mouth parted but no words came out.

  He reached out, his thumb dislodging the grain of sugar before sliding across the full softness of her lower lip. He felt the heat of her breath, her slight shiver. “I can’t keep my hands off you. I don’t want to. But if you tell me to stop, I will.” His words were low.

  His hand fell to the inside of her knee, his fingers brushing along her leg and up the back of her thigh.

  She jumped up. “We need to get back.”

  He stood slowly, adjusting his pants to alleviate his discomfort.

  She stared down at his clearly defined erection. “Patton—” She breathed heavily. “Dammit.”

  “It’s your fault.” He stepped forward.

  She scowled. “It’s not—”

  His nose nudged her temple, drawing her scent deep. “You smell so damn good.”

  She stared up at him. “So do you.” Her hands settled on his shirt, her fingers gripping the fabric.

  He pulled her against him, cupping her hips and pressing himself against her soft curves. She gasped, her head falling back as his mouth sealed across hers. His tongue stroked deep once, pushing his control to the limits. He tore his mouth from hers. “You make me crazy, wanting you.”

  “You’re right, this is...crazy.” She slipped from his hold, drawing in deep shuddering breaths before she managed. “You can’t always have what you want.” She shook her head. “What is it they say about anticipation heightening sensation?”

  He didn’t know whether he should laugh or drag her farther into the gardens. She wouldn’t say no, she didn’t want to. She craved him as much as he wanted her, and they both knew it.

  “There you are.” Bianca appeared. “You two ready?”

  He was impressed with Cady’s quick recovery. “Yes, Patton was kind enough to wait for me to finish talking to Charles.”

  “I still say Charles has the hots for you,” Bianca sighed. “Is he cute? Any potential there? It might actually be a good idea, considering how much time you spend working.”

  Bianca’s words were like a cold shower. For the second time he reminded himself he had no right to feel this way. It was natural for other men to want Cady. He glanced at her. But he didn’t want to think about that—or her wanting someone else.

  “He’s fine, I guess. No potential,” Cady argued. “He’s just so...so incompetent. I swear we go over and over the same thing, and he still has the same questions.”

  “Exactly,” Bianca said, taking Cady’s hand. “If he gets it, he won’t have any excuse to call and text you whenever he wants. And you always said his dad adores you, calls you the daughter he should have had. Makes sense that Charles, who has a daddy complex, would try to win you over.”

  Patton followed them, considering Bianca’s take on things. He had never met Charles, so he didn’t know how sharp this guy was. But Bianca had a point.

  “Does he have any relevant experience or training?” Patton asked.

  Cady glanced back at him. “He has an MBA. I think his bachelor’s degree is in business. So, even if he did take a computer class or two, he really doesn’t understand coding or database management or security programming.”

  He didn’t say much as Bianca led them out of the main buildin
g of the Botanical Gardens. He was too busy grappling with jealousy—serious jealousy. And it was something he’d never experienced before. Not that he had a reason to be jealous.

  He paused then. What would she say if he asked her out on a real date? Was he seriously thinking about asking her out? Now? When the only thing he needed to be thinking about was work and his brother’s disaster of a wedding. No, this wasn’t the time. First things first.

  He followed the women outside, toward a field with a dramatic stone arch that led into a fanciful stone temple.

  “What do you think?” Bianca asked. “It’s like a mini Parthenon? Can’t you just see it, wrapped in vines and flowers—and some pretty candles?”

  Cady ran a hand along one of the carved stone pillars, her eyes sweeping along the curved ceiling of the structure. She nodded. “It’s very you.”

  “It is, isn’t it? But GG thinks a wedding should be inside. She always goes on about some friends’ wedding. It was outside and it rained so there was mud all over. She’s very anti-outdoor wedding.”

  Carolina jumped in then. “Sadly, this is the only space we have available for at least eighteen months.”

  Zach slid his arms around Bianca from behind. “I’ll make sure there’s no rain on our wedding day.”

  Patton glanced at Cady and noticed the calculating way she was inspecting his brother. He stiffened, ready to defend Zach. But then he relaxed. She didn’t need to like his little brother. All she needed to do was help him break this up... And spend every nonworking, nonplotting second naked in his bed.

  6

  CHARLES HEMBRECHT THANKED Cady for the hundredth time then surprised her by asking, “I was hoping I could take you to dinner?”

  She shook her head. “You don’t have to—”

  “But I want to,” he countered then cleared his throat. “I was hoping you’d come to the annual office party with me.”

  “Charles.” She wasn’t about to get involved with the boss’s son, but she sure as hell didn’t want to piss anyone off. “I have a strict policy. I don’t date people I work with. And...I have a date for the party already. But thank you.” She didn’t have a date—but she’d get one. Since Mr. Hembrecht had asked her to do a security presentation, she couldn’t really skip it.