The Wager

Rachel Van Dyken

To Grandma Nadine. You are truly the inspiration behind this book series. Thank you so much for being such a feisty, wonderful, and loving grandmother. I’ve been so blessed to have you in my life. Cheers to many more years past eighty-six, Grandma, and thank you so much for going to all those book signings with me. You are seriously one of my best friends. Pretty sure I want to be your vice president when you run for office—it’s never too late, right???

Prologue

Summer 2002

“Jake! Catch me, catch me!” Char yelled as she did the trust fall at Junior High camp. She’d had a crush on Jake for years. Now that she was leaving eighth grade and starting high school in the autumn, things were looking up. With her legs shaved, new pink lip gloss, and high ponytail, she knew she looked good and Jake was just about to know how good when she fell into his arms—literally.

“Um, sure,” Jake called from behind her. “I’m almost ready.”

“Okay.” Suddenly nervous, Char took a few deep breaths. “Falling!”

“Fall away!” Jake called.

The wind whipped at her back as Char planked and fell the few feet backward. But she kept falling; nothing was there to catch her. She hit the grass with a thud and looked up.

Amy Stevens was twirling her hair between her fingers and laughing at something Jake was saying. The guy had the attention span of an ant.

“You jerk!” Char hit the ground next to her with her fist. “Jake? We’re partners and it’s called a trust fall for a reason. You’re supposed to catch me!”

His eyes widened. “Oh crap, I’m sorry, Char. Amy here needed help with the directions and doesn’t have a partner so I told her she could join us.”

“Oh, but—”

“Wow, Jake, good thing I offered to be your partner. It’s going to take two of us to catch that girl. She’s like a swollen whale.” Amy laughed and nudged Jake, causing Char’s stomach to plummet to her feet. She knew she wasn’t as skinny as Amy or the other girls. She self-consciously licked her lips as the pain of rejection washed over her. Tears choked the back of her throat as the silence grew longer.

Char looked at Jake. His cheeks reddened a bit, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t defend her. He did nothing.

Maybe that was the worst part.

The nothingness.

He could have joined in and laughed, which at least would cause Char to get angry enough to punch him in the face. But instead he looked at her with pity—as if what Amy said was true.

As if he believed it, too, but didn’t know how to tell her.

Char looked down at the itchy grass as tears welled in her eyes.

“Hey, you guys ready for the trust fall?” Kacey, her best friend, walked up to them and smiled, making Char feel even more insecure. The only girl Jake ever confided in was Kacey. Char and Jake shared a best friend, which really sucked if you asked her; it meant she was always the third wheel, the awkward misfit toy that didn’t ever truly fit.

Jake pulled her in for a hug. “We were just warming up.”

“Cool.” Kacey looked down at Char. “Come on! Stop being so lazy and laying around.”

Amy burst out laughing. “Exercise, Char. Know what that is?”

Kacey glared at Amy and held out her hand to Char. “Ignore her. She’s just grumpy because your boobs are bigger than hers.”

Rolling her eyes, Char got to her feet and took one last look at Jake. She was done crushing on him. Absolutely finished. After all, what girl wants to fall in love with a boy who doesn’t come to her rescue when she needs it most?

She wanted a man, like the ones she saw in movies and on TV. A true hero would have saved her. Real men fought with guns and swords over the women they loved. Last year when the class had watched Romeo and Juliet—Char had had to hide the tears that streamed down her face over the ending scene. That’s what she wanted: a man who was so in love with her he’d follow her into the next life. When she’d said that exact thing out loud, Jake looked at her like she’d lost her mind. Well, the joke would be on him in the end. She would find her leading man and Jake Titus could just… die for all she cared.

Chapter One

Present day

“Grandma, what the hell are you doing?” Jake took in her two larger-than-life suitcases, giant pink Coach handbag, and what looked like a dead animal on her head, and cursed again.

“Language, Jake.” Grandma Nadine squared her shoulders and pushed past him to the ticket counter.

Oh no. Oh, hell no. Merciful God above. Jake looked around for Aileen, his latest conquest and plus one for the engagement party for his brother Travis.

“Yes, I need only a one-way ticket,” Grandma announced loudly to the Alaska Airlines clerk at the kiosk. Jake watched with a mixture of horror and panic as his grandmother bought a ticket on the same flight as him. Please let her credit card be declined; please, please.

“Here you go!” The evil lady handed over a boarding pass and smiled at Grandma. Jake glared at the woman and then at his grandmother.

“No.” He shook his head when she approached him, all smiles. “You aren’t coming.” He crossed his arms and stood his ground.

“I am.” Grandma waved her ticket in front of his face and smiled. “Now, get my bags.”

“But—”

“Jakey?” Aileen strutted toward him. With a skirt shorter than what should be allowed in any public place, let alone an airport, she fluffed her hair and walked next to his side. Her bleached blond hair was held up by at least two cans of hairspray, and by the looks of her inability to walk in a straight line, she was still drunk from yesterday.

Grandma smiled brightly. “How lovely! It seems your whore has arrived.”

Jake groaned and covered his face with his hands. There was no way out of it. His grandmother was going to get him shot.

A&E women scorned, here I come.

“Excuse me?” Aileen put her hands on her hips and did a weird head nod at Grandma, and nearly teetered off her high heels. Oh, this wasn’t good. Not good at all.

Grandma reached out and patted Aileen’s arm. “Sweetheart, I’m the one with hearing aids, not you. I called you a whore. Would you like me to spell it for you, too?” She nudged Jake. “What did you do? Find her at a high school career fair?” And then in a horrifyingly loud voice she began spelling. “W-H-O-R-E.”

Was his grandmother really spelling “whore” in an international airport? To his girlfriend? Sex buddy? What was she?

Shit, he didn’t even know her last name.

Probably a bad sign.

“I’ll have you know that—”

“Jake, I’m hungry. Take me to get food.” Grandma looped her arm in his and began pulling him, with more strength than an eighty-six-year-old woman ought to possess, toward security.

“But what about me?” Aileen pouted behind them.

Grandma stopped in her tracks and turned around. “Honey, I’m sure you can find another nice little plaything between now and the time your flight leaves. This one’s taken.”

Aileen snorted. “Didn’t take you for having that kind of taste.” This was directed at Jake. He opened his mouth to say, This is my grandma. Instead, Grandma smacked a large kiss on Jake’s cheek then pinched his ass.

“Oh, honey, you have no idea what this one is into.” She winked. Good God, she’d just winked and alluded to Jake as—he couldn’t even finish the thought. Horrified, he saw Aileen’s eyes widen. He opened his mouth to speak but was smacked on the ass again as his grandmother pulled him in the other direction.

Karma: It was finally coming for him. And it was in the form of an eighty-six-year-old woman with lipstick on her teeth. Hell.

Chapter Two

“Breathe, Char, just breathe. In and out, there you go.” Char tried to even her breathing but was finding it very difficult, considering her sister continued to slap her across the back every time she opened her mouth.

“Hand me the paper bag.” Char jerked the bag out of her sister’s hands and began breathing slowly into it. Finally, after two minutes of thinking she was going to die, the panic attack receded.

“All better?” Beth whispered.

“No.” Char bit her lip and looked down the aisle. The very same aisle Jake Titus had, minutes before, walked down. He even looked in her direction, offered a polite smile, and then proceeded to go to his seat.

A smile.

That was all she was worth. One polite smile. It didn’t help that the plane chose that exact moment to hit the worst turbulence of her life.

But the icing on the cake, what really made this day the worst day of her life, was when the flight attendant’s boobs accidentally—right; accidently—fell out of her shirt and into Jake’s face.

The man needed to be neutered. He was like walking sex and everyone around him knew it. Even if he wasn’t a real celebrity, he still attracted women like rats to cheese.

She’d been a rat once. “Bastard,” she mumbled under her breath, clenching her hands into small fists.

But that had been years ago. She was jaded now. Wiser and stronger.

Yes, stronger. She was a public figure, for crying out loud! She could and would act like everything was fine.

And it was.

It was, it was, it was.

“Char?” Beth nudged her. “You’re rocking back and forth again. Do I need to get the bag?”

“Nope.” Char felt a smile curl at her lips. “I’ll be right back.”

Beth put out her arm to block Char’s way. “No, absolutely not. You’ve got that crazy look in your eyes. And I really don’t want you to go to prison. As your sister and future maid of honor, I cannot with good conscience let you by me.”

“I’ll buy you a new Louis Vuitton purse.”

“On the other hand… you are an adult and you can make your own decisions. Carry on.” Beth lifted her arm. “Black. I want the black one.”

Char rolled her eyes and made her way toward Jake’s seat.

The FASTEN SEATBELT sign was no longer on, so Char was in the clear. She’d practiced this speech ever since that fateful day last year when they’d reconnected. Char had wanted more than a one-night stand, and Jake—well he’d wanted a one-night stand and a thank you. She’d never told their mutual friend Kacey, and swore she’d take it to her grave. That was, unless she saw him again—and then all bets were off.

She had wondered what she would say to him if she ever saw him again. How would he react? Would he apologize for being an ass? Or would he even remember her? Now, he didn’t even seem to recognize her! Then again, her hair was longer now. But faces didn’t change.

If only they did.

She really should ask God about that one. Jake needed more than a new face. He needed an actual heart inside that muscled body.

Her eyes darted to the passengers a few rows behind him. A girl had a cup of water sitting on her table. “Hey, honey, can I borrow this?”

“Oh my gosh!” The girl looked about twelve, and began clapping her hands wildly. “Aren’t you that news lady?”

“Why, yes.” Char usually loved being recognized, but not now. Now she needed to be incognito. She tried to ignore the excited smile on the girls face, tried and failed. Accepting her fate, she engaged her. “You must watch the news a lot, huh?”

“No.” The girl sighed. “But my mommy and daddy laughed really hard when you fell out of your chair that one time. They said you were drinking alcohol and that’s why you fell.”

Fan-freaking-tastic. Had everyone seen that YouTube clip? It had been filmed the night after she’d hung out with Jake. Because she’d felt sorry for him, which was bad choice number one; followed by bad choice number two, which was bringing along a bottle of tequila and waking up in a hotel suite to nothing but a thank-you note and a killer hangover. She was lucky she’d even made it to work on time.

Then again, luck didn’t get you over two million hits on YouTube and a spot on the Today show with Kathy Lee and Hoda, who graciously declined their wine and offered Char tequila shots in honor of her night of horror.

“I wasn’t drinking,” Char explained. “I was… tired, and overworked and—” Holy crap, she was officially going to lose it in front of a twelve-year-old. “You know what? Never mind. How’s five bucks sound?”

“Five bucks?”

“Give me your water and I’ll give you five bucks.”

“Make it ten.”

Char glared.

The girl glared back. Fine. Ten bucks to make her feel better about Jake being an ass? Deal; she’d take that bet.

Char reached into her back pocket and pulled out a twenty. Shit.

The girl swiped it from her hand before Char could do anything. Grumbling, she grabbed the cup and made her way toward Jake’s seat.

Two more rows.

Finally. She stopped at Jake’s row and cleared her throat.

He didn’t look up.

She cleared her throat again.

Finally, he slowly raised his head. His mouth dropped open. “Char?”

“Jake,” she purred.

“How are you? I mean, it’s been forever!” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Actually it had been eleven months, one week, and five days. But hey, who was counting? Not her.

“Hasn’t it, though?” She leaned against the seat.

“We should catch up.” He eyed her up and down before coughing and looking away.

“We should.” She agreed, and then before she lost her nerve she dumped the entire cup of water down the front of his pants. “But I don’t date assholes who abandon me after sex.”

“What the—”

He made a move to stand up just as she buzzed the flight attendant and announced loudly, “Sorry, it seems Jake Titus just peed his pants. Could you please help us?”

Snickering erupted around them, and Char smirked at a gaping Jake. He reached across the seat toward a striking elderly woman sitting next to him.

“Well, well.” Char leaned on the seat and whispered. “Looks like you’re going for every type of woman these days, eh, Jake?”

“Oh, he truly does,” the lady piped up. “Did you know that he had the balls to take a whore to his brother’s engagement party?”

Holy crap, please let the elderly lady be talking about someone else and not referring to herself.

“I, uh…” Char took a moment to compose herself. “Actually, I believe it.”

“And you know what else?” The woman released Jake’s hand and leaned forward over his seat. He rolled his eyes but otherwise kept silent.

“What?” Whoever this crazy lady was, Char liked her. A lot. Pity that Jake was going to break her heart. No judgment, but was he really the type of guy to go for women twice his age?

“His high school sweetheart is marrying his brother. He tries to pretend it doesn’t bother him. But a grandma knows these things.” She patted Jake’s hand.

Ah… grandma. Wait? Was this the infamous Grandma Nadine Kacey was always talking about? Even though Char had grown up relatively near the Titus family, she’d never actually met the old woman before… until now.

“So…” Grandma leaned back. “I’m going to fix him.”

Jake groaned.

“You mean you’re going to neuter him?”

“Oh, honey.” Grandma choked on her laughter. “There would be nothing better for the boy than getting neutered. Did you know I even looked into a male chastity belt?”

Jake groaned again. “Dear Lord, save me from the female sex.”

“Sex,” Char snorted. “Kind of what got you in this predicament in the first place, wouldn’t you say?”

The flight attendant chose that exact moment to walk up. “Where’s the young man who wet his pants?” There was a nice pair of Depends in her hand.

Both Grandma and Char pointed to Jake.

Chapter Three

Karma. Oh, how he loathed it. That’s what was happening to him. After all, a guy can only whore himself around the world so many times before God starts smiting or killing, or in Jake’s case, plaguing him with emotional women.

“I did not—” Jake cleared his throat and whispered, “Have an accident. This woman here”—he pointed to Char—“accosted me.”

The flight attendant looked between the two of them. “With what, sir?”

“Water,” Grandma answered for him. “She threw water on him.”

“Um…” The flight attendant shifted nervously on her feet. “Sir, did you, um… that is to say… did you want to report her?”

“To whom?” Char laughed. “The air marshal? What’s he going to do? Taser me for throwing water on this one’s favorite anatomical part?” She thrust her finger in Jake’s face and laughed. “Seriously! It’s not like I said ‘bomb’.”

“Oh, hell.” Jake pinched the bridge of his nose as the word “bomb” was repeated and then murmured back through several seats behind him, until like a literal bomb the plane was in an uproar.

“Ma’am!” The flight attendant raised her hands in front of Char’s face. “Calm down. I need you to calm down. Do you have a bomb?”

“What?” Char’s face fell. “Why the heck would I have a bomb?”

Good. At least she had enough sense to stop talking when—

“If I had a bomb, it’s not like I would be stupid enough to announce it anyway!”

Just kidding. No sense, no logic. How could he forget? It was Char they were talking about. She adopted blind dogs and cried during the stupid Sarah McLaughlin animal rescue commercials. Clearly, common sense wasn’t one of her strong suits.

“Ma’am! I need you to stop raising your voice.” The flight attendant motioned to someone behind her. Within seconds a man in jeans and a white t-shirt appeared. Well, it wouldn’t be fair to call him just a man since he probably ate small children for breakfast. Even Jake shifted uncomfortably and avoided eye contact with him.

“Are you the one talking about bombing the plane?” The man asked.

“What?” Char looked to Jake for help. And honestly, helping her probably would have been the right thing to do, all things considered.

But, she had thrown water on his pants and then accused him of having an accident.

And there was also that one time in high school when she’d told everyone that the reason he didn’t play sports was because he was afraid everyone would see his girl parts in the locker room.

So, yeah. Perhaps he wasn’t feeling very Samaritan-like.

“Jake!” Char smacked him on the shoulder. “Help me out here!”

With an evil grin, he opened his mouth to talk, but his grandma slammed her hand across it before any words could come out.

“Both of them. They both have bombs.” Then Grandma Nadine promptly burst into tears.

Real honest-to-God tears.

The next thing Jake knew, he was getting zip-tied and then force-fed peanuts by a man who had hands larger than Jake’s face, because the minute he was escorted to his seat he nearly passed out. Swell, a nervous breakdown. Just another thing to add to what had to have been the worst few months of his life.

Next thing he knew, Char was spouting out nonsense about how Jake needed protein. For some reason—perhaps it was the fact that the room was spinning—he couldn’t respond fast enough to say that he hated peanuts.

He was still trying to decide what was most horrifying: the fact that a man was actually trying to force-feed him something that rhymed with “penis”, or that the man’s fingers were softer than anything he’d ever felt against his lips. Which really begged the question, why were his fingers even touching Jake’s lips? And why did it feel so…

Holy shit. He gripped the armrests and cringed. Was he switching playing fields?

“No more penis—I mean peanuts.” Damn.

Char peered around the man and gawked. “Did you just say no more pe—”

“No!” Jake forced a laugh and tried to move as far away as possible from the man sitting between them. “I said ‘peanuts’.”

“No you didn’t.” Char grinned.

“I did.”

“You didn’t.”

“Can we please take these things off?” Jake said as he jerked against the arm rests. The zip ties wouldn’t budge and were making permanent marks on his skin. “It’s not like we really have bombs! My grandma’s insane, like, literally insane! You have no idea what she’s capable of.”

“That apple didn’t fall far from the tree,” Char huffed.

“Do you mind?” Jake peered around the air marshal. “I’m trying to get us out of a difficult situation. The least you could do is help or apologize!”

“Apologize?” Char’s eyes widened. “Apologize?” Her nostrils flared she leaned as far as the zip ties would allow and glared at Jake. “I’m surprised you even know the meaning of the word.”

Jake snorted. “I know what it means, but I’m not the guilty party.”

“Holy crap, I want to slap you across the face so hard—”

“Slap me ‘across the face so hard’? Who the hell talks like that? Same old Char, all bark and no bite. Besides, your hands are literally tied. I can say whatever the hell I want and you have to sit there and listen. In fact…”

He paused and turned the full effect of his megawatt movie-star smile onto Char. His perfectly straight white teeth clenched together as he slowly licked his bottom lip and leaned in expectantly. An errant wave of dark hair fell over his eye. Damn, the man was so sexually attractive it was offensive.

“Don’t you do it, Jake Titus. Don’t you dare do it! I’ll, I’ll—”

Jake yawned. “I’m waiting.”

“I’ll—”

“So it happened like this.” Jake turned to the air marshal and cleared his throat, but for some reason it wouldn’t clear. His mouth suddenly felt like he was swallowing cotton. “Thar…” His tongue felt huge. “Thar, I—”

“Holy crap!” Char yelled and kicked in her seat. “Um, Jake, um, Mister Air Marshal guy—”

“Randall. The name is Randall.” The guy held out his hand, then realizing Char was still zip-tied, chuckled. Jake was completely blocked from his view. Weird; it was almost like he was having trouble breathing? Maybe it was the altitude? He tried swallowing again. Shit. It was getting harder to breathe. What the hell?

“Jake!” Char yelled louder this time, and kicked the air marshal next to him. “Look, Randall? We’ve got a problem. You’re about five seconds away from having a death on your hands.”

“Dweath!” Jake croaked. Holy freaking shit, was Char going to murder him? Was the plane crashing? Well, it wasn’t as if he had anything to live for now that his grandmother had threatened career suicide if he didn’t straighten up. It was either death by her or apparently another scorned woman. He’d take his chances with Char any day over an irritated eighty-six year old with enough lipstick to outline his lifeless body for the police.

He could see the newspaper article now. Jake Titus, millionaire bad boy, cut off from entire family, dies in a plane crash with peanut crumbs on his face. Not that they would find the peanut crumbs, considering his body would probably be incinerated and… When had his life gotten so depressing?

He blamed his brother’s impending marriage. Everything had gone downhill since his brother had proposed to Jakes childhood best friend.

“Pardon?” The air Marshal stiffened, jolting Jake from his morose daydream—or nightmare, however one wanted to look at it.

“Look!” Char nodded her head in Jake’s direction. So was this how he was going to die? By Char’s hand—a woman scorned. Well, technically it would be by the air marshal’s disturbingly soft peanut-feeding hands. How the hell had he ended up starring in his own TV melodrama?

“Sir, calm down.” The air marshall’s eyes widened as he stood and hit his head on the ceiling, cursed and then ran away up the aisle. Jake’s eyes followed him. Damn, what was his problem? Was he really that concerned about Jake’s impending death?

“So…” Char’s eyes narrowed. “You allergic to anything, Jake?”

“Ha ha!” he croaked. “Yeah, right. What, you gonna poison me? Sorry, babe, I’m kind of on the right fide of pwerfection.”

Char’s bow-shaped mouth dipped into a scowl.“Yeah, there went my apology.”

“For what?” Jake straightened in his seat. Maybe if he moved around he could breathe easier?

With a muffled curse Char shrugged and looked away.

Was it hot in this airplane? What the hell was happening with his mouth? His hands had begun to itch something fierce. He looked down and froze, staring at his hands.

His very swollen, Mickey Mouse hands.

“HOLY SHWIT!” He jerked violently against the seat. “My wands, my wands!”

“Wands?” A lady turned around and stared at them both.

Char nodded solemnly. “Please excuse my friend. He’s under the impression he’s the tooth fairy.”

Full-on panic set in as it got harder and harder to breathe. Was he having an allergic reaction or was he just freaking out? Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. He looked up the aisle and noticed his grandma was strutting down it with some sort of object in her hands. Great. Now he was going to get knifed by his own grandma. Would flying experiences never be normal for him?

“Don’t worry, Jake!” Grandma pointed at him and nodded. “Grandma’s got this.” She raised her hand high into the air. Jake closed his eyes. Maybe this was just a bad dream? Maybe he wasn’t really zip-tied, maybe he was having a nervous breakdown and—

“Son of a bwitch!”Jake wailed as Grandma stabbed a needle through the hole in his jeans directly into his thigh. Well, if he didn’t die he would surely pass out from the pain. So many things to look forward to.

When the pressure subsided and the needle was gone—thank God—he opened one eye then two, to see Grandma standing in front of him with what could only be described as a torture device in her hand.

“He was allergic as a small boy. I wonder if the stress did him in…” She tsked and then motioned to Char. “Thank you, my dear. I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t have told Randall here that Jake was going to die.”

“You’re a hero, ma’am.” Randall’s lower lip quivered as he nodded his head and looked down at the ground.

You’ve got to be shitting me.

All eyes turned to Jake.

He would have sworn the plane around him fell into a deathly silence. To be fair it was an extremely small silence, since the flight from Portland to Seattle was less than an hour.

“Jake.” Grandma sighed. “Don’t you have something you need to say to Char?”

You’re insane? You almost killed me? I want to strangle you? Grumbling, he turned to look at her—really look at her. Damn, if she wasn’t still irritatingly beautiful. He could almost feel her silky hair as if it ran through his fingers. And that mouth? It was enough to drive any man to distraction. Even in his current condition he wanted to touch her lips and…

Where the hell had that thought come from?

Must be the allergic reaction.

Long chestnut hair fell in waves across her shoulders. Her blue eyes widened just a bit as his gaze fell to her full, pink lips. Only they weren’t widened in concern; if anything she was trying not to laugh.

“No.” Jake glared. “I think she knows exactly how I feel about her.”

Char’s smirk fell as her eyes turned icy. “He’s right.” Her gaze flickered back to Grandma. “He said all he needed to say the night after he slept with me and then left me a note on my pillow saying thank you. Isn’t that right, Jake?”

He should have seen the slap coming. But to be fair, he was still in shock that Char would air out their dirty laundry in front of God and everyone.

So when he felt the air whoosh by his ear, he did what any man would do. He ducked. Too bad his grandma wasn’t one to give up easily.

The second slap was a backhand and it burned like hell.

“I’ve raised you better than that!” Grandma Nadine thrust her finger in Jake’s face and shook her head.

With a huff she straightened her jacket and ordered Randall, the weepy air marshal, to untie Char, explaining that really, the issue was not with her but with Jake. Feeling wronged, Jake began yelling at the air marshall about Char saying bomb on the plane, only to get into more trouble for repeating the word again.

The final nail in Jake’s coffin was when Grandma looked Randall in the eye and said, “She saved his life.”

The next hour was the longest of his life.

His breathing was raspy. His face was most likely still swollen from both the reaction and his grandma; never had he felt less like a man. And it was all Char’s fault.

Chapter Four

Jake’s gaze was literally burning a hole into the back of her head. Lucky for her, every time she turned around the Jake she was used to seeing was puffy and sweaty—totally ruining the sex-on-a-stick mentality she’d always associated with him.

She waved her fingers in his direction.

His eyes narrowed as he jerked against the seat again. Char sighed and twisted around her right shoulder, to see Beth sitting in her seat, happily sleeping. Had she really missed that entire drama? Worst. Sister. Ever.

“More wine.” Grandma Nadine handed her empty cup to Char. What the heck was she supposed to do with it?

A flight attendant appeared out of nowhere and filled the glass to the brim. How the heck did a person get that kind of service on such a short flight? They weren’t even in first class!

Wordlessly, Grandma Nadine grasped the cup from Char’s hand and took a long sip. Her red lipstick covered every square inch of the plastic cup’s rim, marking it as hers and only hers. Truly, there was more lipstick on the thing than on most Sephora clerks.

“Now, Char. I know Jake is an ass—”

Char snorted. Grandma Nadine could be her flying partner any day.

“But…” Grandma sipped the wine again. “He’s my ass.”

Char choked on her laugh.

“Now wait…” Grandma sighed heavily. “Not my ass as in my ass; he’s his own ass. He comes by it honestly. I coddled him too much when he was a child. He was terrified of everything, you know.”

“Oh?” Char pretended not to be interested as her heart thumped against her chest with the information Grandma was bestowing upon her. “I didn’t know that.”

“Oh, honey!” Grandma laughed. “He was afraid of his own shadow when he was a boy! Slept with his parents for the first six years of his life!”

Jake’s poor parents.

“At any rate…” Grandma sipped her wine again. Her jewelry clanged on her wrist as she flicked her hand this way and that as she spoke. “It is my job, my curse, to do right by him. To help him along, make him the man he was supposed to be before it’s too late.”

Char’s heart sank as she whispered. “You’re dying?”

“Me?” Grandma laughed. “Oh, honey, God don’t want me yet. He told me so just this morning.”

So Grandma talked to God. Wonder if that meant she was trying to save Jake’s soul, too.

“So…” Char exhaled and wiped her hands on her jeans. “What’s your plan?”

“Oh.” Grandma emptied her cup like a rock star and gave it back to Char. “That’s easy. I already cut him off. All he has is the money in his trust fund. I fired him, too. Though he doesn’t know that yet.”

“Umm.”

“How sweet.” Grandma patted her leg. “You’re concerned for him, I can tell. Don’t worry; he’ll land on his feet. Asses always do.” She paused. “Or is that cats?” She shook her head and tapped her chin with finger. “At any rate… he’ll be fine.”

“So you’re ruining him for his own good?” Char asked.

“Absolutely.” Grandma leaned over, her pert breasts spilling partially out of her low-cut V-neck. How the hell did she keep her body looking like that? Seriously. Grandma Nadine could sell her brand of awesome and people would flock.

“Everyone, and I do mean everyone,” Grandma smiled and placed her perfectly manicured hand on Char’s arm, “deserves a good ruin. It keeps them thankful. I’m going to ruin him, and in the end, he’s going to be a thankful and happy and fulfilled and…” She looked behind her. “Not uglier than sin—oh good lord, that boy used to be beautiful. Now he puts this stuff in his hair and gets facials and…” Grandma shrugged. “Ruin and dirt. He’s going to get both. By the time I’m done, he won’t know what happened to him. And if that doesn’t work…” Fascinated, Char could only wait for what pearls of wisdom would drop from Grandma Nadine’s mouth next. “There’s always seminary.”

“You’d send him to a seminary?”

“Absolutely not!” Grandma looked offended as she pressed her hand to her chest. “He’d offer to go in order to appease me and get back in my good graces—and God’s; mustn’t forget him. Jake’s been pissing him off for years. Bless his whorish heart…”

“Um, I don’t think you should say ‘whore’ and ‘God’ in the same sentence.”

“Posh.” Grandma waved her off. “I’m tired now. I’m going to rest my eyes. Goodnight.”

Apparently the conversation was over. Either that or the three glasses of wine had done Grandma in. She was snoring in seconds. Within the next twenty minutes they landed, and thus ended the weirdest and most terrifying flight of Char’s existence.

* * *

The very second the FASTEN SEATBELT sign went off, Char bolted from her seat. Grandma jerked awake and yawned.

“There already?”

“Yup.” Char wasn’t trying to be rude but she really wanted to put this nightmare behind her. As fast as humanly possible she went back to her seat where Beth was waiting patiently.

“We have to go, now!” Char ordered her sister. “Grab our stuff. We don’t want Grandma Nadine to think—”

“Char!” A familiar feminine voice yelled. “Char! I need help!”

Panicking, Char made a beeline—over chairs even—to Grandma’s side. The old woman was sitting patiently in her seat.

“Yes? Is it your heart? Are you sick? Are you—”

“My bags are heavy and I do believe I’ve had too much wine.”

Shock of the century. Last time Char had drunk that much wine in the course of twenty minutes she’d found herself face down in a dog bed next to a lab named Lucifer, who’d clearly taken advantage of her all night if the hair in her mouth was any indication.

“Carry them?” Grandma Nadine smiled so sweetly Char had no choice but to oblige. Which was exactly how she found herself at baggage claim an hour later with Beth, Grandma, and a swollen Jake in tow.

Chapter Five

The sunglasses weren’t helping. Staggering to the baggage claim, Jake tried the best he could to keep his eyes focused on the carousel; the minute his bags came he was bailing. Grandma was a grown woman. She could find her own damn hotel, and if he had to face Char again he’d either lose his mind and do something crazy, like stare at her lips, or strangle her. Truly, it was a toss-up at this point.

“Jake?” Grandma called to him. “Jake, did you find my bag yet?”

“No,” he ground out, “probably because I’m not looking for it. I’m looking for my bag. You can find your bags and go to the nice little hotel you always like in downtown Seattle.”

Grandma grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Oh, I already have a place to stay!”

“Fantastic.”

Grandma released his hand and pulled out her cell phone. “Yes, just the one limo, please. Perfect. Yes, we have two passengers.”

She waved to Char and another girl. Char ignored him completely, which was fine; he didn’t want to even remember this day had occurred. He walked to the other side of the baggage claim and watched as Char and the girl with her grabbed their bags and walked off. Good riddance. He just wanted to go to sleep.

On the bright side, at least Grandma was getting him a limo. It wasn’t that he was poor or anything, but being cut off from a multi-million dollar company wasn’t exactly a mark in his favor, not after living the lifestyle he’d been living for the past five years. He’d partied through college, spent money like there was no tomorrow, and didn’t care about anything except himself. Which would’ve been fine by him if the money hadn’t suddenly run out. Well, not run out, to be fair. He was still a millionaire, but without his inheritance from Grandma things were going to be tighter than normal. Good-bye impromptu flights to the Grand Caymans, penthouse suites, and six-figure birthday bashes.

This year was the year he was supposed to have taken over the company.

Instead, his grandmother had jumped out of retirement and taken full control of the board again, leaving Jake as a measly vice president. Without the paycheck of a CEO he was feeling a bit… ungrateful. Or maybe just irritated? He wasn’t sure. But he needed a strong drink and sex before he could even think about going to work come Monday morning. Maybe Sarah would be available? Or Natasha? She’d been fun for a while.

“There it is!” Grandma nudged Jake toward the giant pink leopard bag. “Grab it! Hurry!”

With a grunt he lifted it off the carousel and nearly toppled over. “What the hell do you have in there?”

“Oh, you know…” Grandma waved him off. “A girl can never be without her traveling outfits and makeup.”

“Right.” He saw his bag and grabbed it. “So where’s the limo?”

“What limo?” She pulled her dark Chanel sunglasses from her purse.

“The limo,” Jake repeated. Exhaustion from the plane ordeal was really getting to him. “You were just on the phone and you said you got a limo for two people. Where is it?”

“Jake, I’m sure there are lots of limos that fit more than two people in them, and to be honest, I have no idea where one is. I texted instructions to the driver to call Char and her sister.”

“Why the hell would you do that?”

“Because the poor dear was exhausted!” Grandma’s mouth dropped open as she pointed her finger in Jake’s face. “After everything you put her through! And to think! A thank-you note? For what? An orgasm? Do young men truly do that these days?” Grandma scowled. “Poor thing doesn’t even remember sleeping with you. I’d say you’ve lost your touch—I doubt you had it in the first place.”

“What?” Jake snapped. “What the hell are you talking about? I can pleasure anyone, anywhere! I’m damned good at giving orgasms!”

A few snickers ensued around him as Grandma patted his arm patronizingly. “Of course you are, dear.” She mouthed “sorry” to the people behind them and linked her arm in his.

What the hell? Char didn’t remember sleeping with him? At all? Seriously? Was she insane? He remembered every single detail. From her soft hair, that smelled faintly of lavender, to the little sounds she’d made in the back of her throat when he kissed her. And her taste… Damn, a man could never forget the way a woman tasted, and everything about Char was unique, purely hers. It had taken him months to forget the way she tasted, how she clenched the sheets between her fingers and then used those same wicked hands to touch Jake—

“I know exactly how you feel,” Grandma whispered into his ear. “I always get a little randy when I fly, too. You’ll get over it. Now can we please leave before people see that the excitement of airports turns you on? It’s bad enough that you yelled ‘orgasm’. The Lord above knows I’ve exercised enough patience with you today.”

“What—?”

“Jake, a grandma knows. It’s fine. Well, when I was your age…” She chuckled. “One time me and your grandfather went into the airport bathroom—they were smaller then, you know—well, I had red heels on and they made me the perfect height for—”

“Grandma, please, I beg you: don’t tell me what for. It’s bad enough that my imagination is running rampant. I just… I need this day to be over. I need to get some sleep before work, okay? Let’s just get you to wherever you’re staying so I can get home.”

Grandma shrugged and breezed by him to the outdoors. She raised her hand for a taxi and gave him instructions while Jake helped haul the luggage into the back.

Once the taxi was on the I-5 he finally relaxed. Grandma sat silently next to him, her eyes on the Seattle landscape. He knew this was her favorite city in the world. For good reason, too. The air was crisp and even the bustling metropolis was surrounded by forest.

Suddenly it occurred to him: When was the last time he’d even gone for a hike or appreciated the city he lived in? That would be never. Shit, he needed a vacation.

Within ten minutes Grandma was snoring. At least she’d stopped yelling obscenities. With his luck, she’d start talking about her red heels or orgasms again. Aw, hell. He’d never look at red heels the same way again.

He clicked through his phone messages. A few from Aileen, where she’d misspelled words anyone her age should know how to spell. If a woman struggled just sending a text, perhaps she wasn’t dating material for him. Not that he’d ever tell Grandma she was right, lest she hold it over his head for the rest of his life.

The last text was from Travis.

Moved up wedding date. No waiting. Kacey and mom unstoppable. Be ready in two weeks, best man!

“Shit!” Jake slammed the phone against the seat and cursed again.

Grandma stirred but didn’t wake.

How the hell was he supposed to face Kacey and Travis after everything? He’d been best friends with Kacey his whole life and then… things changed; he changed, she changed. People changed, right? It was normal to move on! It was normal to outgrow friends. What wasn’t normal was sleeping with then abandoning them. Clearly Jake had an issue with commitment. He hated the way women whined in the morning. They were like clingy death traps. All legs wrapped around his, lips on his back—no. He hated it. He only wanted that one moment. He refused to give more.

Because in the end, when you gave more, people left you, just like Kacey’s parents had left her. They’d died the night he’d taken her virginity. He’d never gotten the chance to apologize for disrespecting their daughter. But what was worse—he’d never been able to say good-bye to the two people he owed everything in the world to. The only two people in the universe that knew about what he had done back in high school—they’d saved his life. And now… now they were gone.

The idea of going to the wedding put a bad taste in his mouth. Kacey had no father to walk her down the aisle, and she deserved that more than anyone. The worst part was Jake had been just fine living his life until he’d mistakenly pleaded with Kace to be his fake fiancé for a weekend. He had never expected himself to be so affected by her. But the final blow to his pride was Kacey falling for his older brother—the same older brother who used to chuck rocks at her and had a stutter. How was that fair?

He wanted to have his shit together for the wedding. He had to. After all, appearances and money… Really, those were the only two things he had. He knew he didn’t deserve anyone’s love and he never really asked for it. He just hoped that his false security lasted long enough to get him through the next two weeks and to his best man duties.

Shit. Now he needed to start over and find a girl willing to be his date for the wedding. By the looks of Aileen’s colorful text messages, she would be out. The girl before Aileen had reminded him of Kacey so she was out as well.

He felt a headache coming on, but ignored it as the taxi took the next exit. His exit. The exit toward Lake Washington. He shrugged; maybe Grandma was getting dropped off after him.

Once the taxi pulled up to Jake’s house on the lake, he hopped out and grabbed his bags and turned toward the door. It wouldn’t be nice to wake up Grandma. After all, she was in a dead sleep.

Did that make him a bad person? It wasn’t as if the taxi driver was going to kill her or anything. After all, who would kill a sweet old lady with drool running down her—

“Ta, ta! Thank you!” Grandma yelled.

Praying for the first time in years, Jake turned to see his grandmother, bags in tow, waving to the disappearing taxi.

Just as Jake was getting ready to open his mouth she announced. “Get my bags! I’m fatigued. Where’s my phone? Have you seen my phone, Jake?” She dug around in her giant purse and finally pulled out the zebra covered iPhone.

No. Hell no. She was staying with him? For how long? Please God not up until the wedding not—

“Oh my heavens! The wedding is in two weeks. That gives us plenty of time!”

“Time?” God was punishing him; either that or Grandma was possessed. Truly it was a tossup.

“Yes.” Grandma’s smile softened as she reached for Jake’s hand and kissed the top of it. “Time to ruin you.”

“Ruin?” Jake chuckled as he pulled his hand back. “I’d rather stay… um, un-ruined. Thanks, though.”

“Have it your way.” Grandma shrugged. “Oh, and Jake?”

“What?” He grunted as he lifted her heavy suitcase toward the stairs.

“You’re fired.”

The suitcase dropped out of his hands. Black spots appeared in his line of vision as he repeated, “Fired?”

Chapter Six

“I need a drink,” Char announced once she and Beth were safely at their shared apartment on Queen Anne Hill. “Scratch that. I need ten drinks and a sedative.”

“So what?” Beth opened the wine bottle and pulled out two glasses. “You were arrested and zip-tied to some hot man candy. Really, there are worse things in the world.”

“You mean like going into anaphylactic shock and having your grandmother stab a needle next to your man parts?” Char chuckled and took a sip of merlot. “That part, I enjoyed.”

“Yeah, well, hopefully Grandma has good aim and Jake can still sire children after that little escapade. How the heck did I sleep through it?”

Char shrugged. “No idea. At any rate, I’m glad it’s over.”

“Right.” Beth snorted. “And I don’t stalk Damon Salvatore on Twitter.”

“Not his real name, Beth.”

“Don’t kill the dream, Char.”

Char sighed and leaned against the table. “I was totally fine; seeing him again, I mean. No flashbacks of that crazy night we shared, no lustful thoughts or feelings, or—”

Beth’s eyebrows arched. “Oh, do continue. It was just getting good.”

“It wasn’t good. It was awful.”

Smirking, Beth tipped back her glass and swallowed. “So you’ve said, over and over and over—”

“Can we just…” Char waved into the air. “Drop it? It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.” Then again he’d probably be in Kacey’s wedding, not that it mattered. He’d be lucky to see past the whiskey haze and the women hanging all over his arms. Right; like he’d pry himself away from skank long enough to make her life a living hell. It wouldn’t be a problem, because she wasn’t going to let it be a problem. So what? If they were both in the wedding, she’d just avoid him at all costs. Hell, she’d drug him if she had to. No way was she letting him near her.

“You’d better hope that’s the case, because next time it’s not gonna be Grandma I’m worried about, but you.”

“Please, he’s like the opposite of sexy.”

“Careful, Pinocchio; wouldn’t want your overly large nose getting in the way of your wine glass.” With that, Beth left the kitchen.

Please. Like Jake mattered at all. So what if he was attractive? He knew it, and that was the problem. He’d always known it. He was a selfish bastard and she wasn’t going to fall for him again. She wouldn’t let herself, because that tragic story always ended badly. With a pint of Rocky Road and a bottle of wine, watching Downton Abbey on Netflix.

Chapter Seven

The madness had to stop. Grandma had only been staying with him a day—a DAY—and in the course of 24 hours she had thrown his life so off balance that he’d probably be in a mental institution come Friday.

Grandma woke him up at two a.m.

Her reason? She thought she’d seen a Huntsman’s spider. Right. A spider that, according to his Internet search, was native only to Australia. But when Jake brought that little bit of information up, Grandma had shouted that she’d been to Australia a few months ago and it was possible that a spider had crawled into her bag and hatched eggs.

Truly, it was Jake’s fault that he even engaged his grandma. His question had been simple—why the hell would a spider choose her bag? Out of all the bags in the world, it had chosen hers? Not likely.

Her response? Because it’s shiny and everyone knows spiders like shiny things. She then proceeded to thrust a flashlight in his face and make him search the house for said spider.

By four a.m., Jake was ready to cut off his own ears. Apparently, Grandma had a snoring problem.

Six a.m. was even worse. Grandma did yoga. Jake was given the opportunity to discover this firsthand, when Grandma proceeded to put on her yoga DVD, blaring it throughout the surround sound in the house. Which really wouldn’t have been so bad had she told him it was a type of stripper yoga for elderly woman, aka Cougars.

Her workout shirt had the picture of a cougar on it. Big shock there.

Finally. Jake locked his door.

But Grandma was relentless. After some banging and a loud clang, his door came off the hinges. “Jake? Oh goodness! I thought you’d died!”

“God isn’t that just. Believe me. I’ve begged.”

“Oh, Jake.” Grandma plopped on his bed. “Chin up! Think of me firing you as an extended vacation.”

“Except…” Jake growled. “It’s not. I’m jobless. I have no career, no money, I have nothing, and you’re downstairs doing damn cougar yoga as if the sun is still shining!”

Grandma paused and then went over to the window and thrust open the curtains. “But the sun is shining… and it’s a beautiful day. I think if you just go outside for a run, you’ll realize how nice it is to be on vacation.”

“Fired,” Jake corrected her.

“Vacation,” Grandma said sternly. “Now, I’m going to go shopping with that nice young girl from yesterday. She’s Kacey’s maid of honor and we only have two weeks to—”

“Wait.” Jake jolted out of bed. “Back up. Who’s Kacey’s maid of honor?”

“That nice young girl who saved your life yesterday. She and Kacey have been friends for ages! She was in Portland with her sister for a quick vacation and considering it was just family, except for your whore, at the engagement party, she wasn’t present.”

“But—”

“Now!” Grandma clapped. “Go enjoy your day off and I’m going to shop!”

“But—”

“And put some damn clothes on, son. You ain’t got nobody to impress in this house.”

With that, Grandma marched out of his room, leaving his unhinged door lying against the wall and Jake staring after her wondering if he’d in fact be arrested for assaulting an elderly woman.

Fired.

No more family money.

And he had to go to his brother’s wedding in two weeks.

With a woman he’d scorned not once, but twice in his life.

Maybe he’d carry some peanuts, just in case he needed an easy escape… or a new way to meet his maker, since apparently God was keen on keeping Jake on earth so he could torture him for the rest of his days.

Chapter Eight

“It’s brown.” Char blinked a few times at her reflection in the mirror. “Why is the dress brown?” Had she really taken a sick day in order to go shopping and feel fat and depressed in a bridesmaid’s dress?

“Because that’s the color, dear.” Grandma Nadine sipped on her champagne and tilted her head. “But it is atrocious. Do you think Kacey was confused about the color?”

“God, I hope so.” Char shuddered at her reflection. The dress was an awkward brownish orange, as if it was a tree turning colors in the fall but had forgotten exactly what color it was supposed to be turning into and just decided on ugliness as a last resort. It was strapless and form-fitting until it hit her hips, and then it flared out so wide that she looked like a poor excuse for Marie Antoinette.

If this was what that poor woman had been forced to wear, no wonder she was beheaded. Char sighed as Grandma pulled out her cell phone.

“Kacey? It’s Grandma.” She yelled into the phone so loudly that Char jumped half a foot. “Kacey! I can’t hear you! Oh wait, just wait.” Grandma stood and walked over to the window. “Yes? Is that better? Oh, lovely, I say this gown would look fantastic on you, Char! Come over here.”

Not really given a choice, Char shuffled over to the mannequin in the window. “It’s a wedding dress.”

“I know!” Grandma put her hand over the mouthpiece. “It would look divine on you! Just try it on! Just this once; go on! I’ll just be a minute.” Grandma shooed her away. “Kacey! Kacey! Sorry, I was talking to your little friend. She’s beautiful by the way and—Oh, I see…”

Char shifted uncomfortably while she searched the racks for the dress in the window. Her fingers came into contact with its delicate silk. It was a beautiful dress. But it wasn’t as if she was getting married. Wasn’t it bad luck or something to try on a wedding dress before you even had a groom?

“Try it on!” Grandma shouted, causing Char to jump. “What a lovely idea, Kacey. Yes. Yes, I understand. Yes. No. No, you let Grandma work her magic. Yes. No. Now, Kacey… Fine. Tell him I’ll take that wager.”

Char paused, hoping if she was quiet enough she could hear what the heck Kacey and Grandma were talking about.

“Try it on! Shoo!” Grandma made a motion with her hand and turned her back toward Char. “You tell Travis it’s a bet.”

Char carefully pulled the silk dress off the rack and went into the dressing room. Oh well, what did she have to lose? She shimmied out of the brown bridesmaid dress and carefully unzipped the white silk wedding gown. It was entirely open in the back, meaning she couldn’t wear a bra. It fastened just behind her neck and dipped somewhat low toward the front. Once it was zipped on the side, she looked in the mirror.

Damn. She was not going to cry. Not over a pretty dress. Sucking in the ridiculous tears, she opened the curtain and stepped onto the platform in front of the mirror.

The dress felt incredible against her bare legs, she swished this way and that and then heard clapping.

“Question,” an irritating male voice said from behind her. Her head jerked up to see Jake’s reflection in the mirror. “Isn’t it bad luck to try on a wedding dress before you even have any prospects?”

Damn him. “No.” Char glared. “It’s not. Besides, Grandma said it was a good idea.”

“Famous last words.”Jake whistled. “Grandma’s also standing in the middle of the window display shouting into a shiny zebra phone as if the person on the other end is on Mars. Not sure I would use her as a solid excuse right now.”

Irritated, Char snapped. “Is there a reason you’re here? I mean other than because you got fired.”

His face paled.

Char grinned triumphantly.

“Vacation…” He coughed. “Actually, I got a text from Travis saying he needed me to pick up a few things for him and get fitted for a tux. So, yes. I’m doing my best man duty.”

“Best man?” Char repeated. Dread made itself permanently comfortable in the pit of her stomach.

“I can tell you’re excited by your perky attitude. Oh wait. Maybe it’s just because you aren’t wearing a bra. My mistake.”

“You’re an ass.”

“Thank you.” He smirked.

Crap, Char wasn’t sure if she should cover her chest or just give him a view of her goodies, flaunting to him once and for all that he’d had her but wouldn’t ever have her again.

His hazel eyes darkened. “If it’s any consolation—I like the dress.”

Char swallowed slowly as he took a cautious step toward her. Why did he have to be so beautiful? His golden brown hair had that glistening wave to it that normal people only saw on glossy magazine covers. His smile was deadly, and right now his eyes, those piercing eyes, were locked on hers.

She licked her lips as he took another step.

The room was suddenly too small, too hot, too everything. He held out his hand to help her off the platform.

She really shouldn’t have taken it. Because the minute her skin came into contact with his—she remembered. The scorching night she’d shared with him had been anything but forgettable. The way his lips felt would be permanently etched in her memory, never to be exorcised.

“Jake!” Grandma peered around the mannequin and yelled. “Help her out of that dress! We have a wedding emergency! Hurry!”

“Right.” Jake released Char’s hand and shook his head as he took a step away. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve helped you out of your clothes, huh, Char?”

And special moment gone.

Ignoring the burning sensation on her face, Char walked into the dressing room and pulled the curtain.

“Don’t you need help?” came Jake’s voice.

“I think I know how to undress myself, Jake.”

“Yes.” His warm chuckle made Char want to smack him. Shivering, she reached for the zipper. “But when I do it, it’s unforgettable. That’s all I’m saying.”

Fine. She’d had enough. Refusing to let him think she was afraid of him touching her, she took his challenge. With a huff Char pulled open the curtain. “Prove it.”

His eyes widened and then a wicked smile curved his lips. “My pleasure.”

The way the man said “pleasure” did really unfortunate things to Char’s body, things that made her re-think her rash decision.

“Where’s the zipper?”

“Aww… can’t find it? That happen to you often, Jake? Can’t find the zipper, where does my equipment go…”

“Oh that, I never have problems with. You should know.”

Her eyes narrowed into slits as she watched him close the curtain and then do a turning motion with his finger.

She turned around and faced the mirror. Jake placed his hands on her shoulders then ran them down both of her arms. She would not shiver, she would not react!

He placed his hands on her hips, then unzipped the dress. Slowly he ran his hands back up the sides of her body, all the way until he hit just below her breasts. Her breath hitched as he winked at her in the mirror, bypassing her breasts and finding the fastener behind her neck.

Char chewed on her lower lip as she watched him delicately undo the fastener and then held the dress to her body so it wouldn’t fall.

“You have beautiful hair.” He ran a few pieces through his fingers and sighed, locking eyes with her in the mirror.

He wasn’t smiling. Was he seriously paying her a compliment? To her face? Or her reflection?

“I, uhh—”

“It’s just a compliment, Char. Not a proposal.”

She blushed profusely. “Thank you.”

The way he looked at her made her feel naked. And now she remembered why things had gone haywire in the first place. She never knew which Jake she was talking to. The one who had been her friend when she was little, or the millionaire playboy who had no soul.

Char doubted he even knew which one he was. She just needed to make sure she remembered, lest she end up with a broken heart again.

“Everyone decent?” Grandma called from the other side of the curtain.

Jake stepped back and winked. “Unfortunately.”

Char felt her face heat.

“Damn,” Grandma called. “You’ve lost your touch, son.”

“Don’t I know it.” He licked his lips and nodded one last time at Char before stepping on the other side of the curtain.

What the heck just happened?

It took Char a good five minutes to get her jeans on. Her stupid hands were shaking so much she couldn’t pull up the zipper. And that was why men like Jake shouldn’t be free of their cages. It was dangerous, oh so dangerous.

“You ready yet?” Jake called. “Grandma’s pacing.”

“Coming.” Char bolted out of the dressing room, purse in hand. “Okay, what’s the emergency?”

Jake sighed and pointed to Grandma, who was at that very moment twirling in the middle of the store.

“I’m confused. Is she high?” Char examined Grandma as she continued to do the two-step and then twirl, only to stop, stomp her foot, and start over again.

“Wouldn’t put it past her,” Jake whispered.

“Hush!” Grandma stopped mid-twirl. “I’ve got it!”

“Funny, I thought she’d lost it,” Char murmured.

“Both of you!” Grandma pointed at them. “You’ll go.”

“Go?” Char.

“Both?” Jake.

“Ah, it’s settled. After all, I have a manicure I simply cannot miss. Here’s the to-do list. Most of these things need to be finished before we leave at the end of the week. Oh, and don’t be late. Madame despises tardiness.” She straightened her long pink scarf and clapped happily. “I’m so glad we’ve figured everything out! Kacey was in such a panic! You’ve both saved the day!”

A groan escaped Char’s mouth before she could stop it.

Jake put his hands out in front of him as if to calm Grandma down, or maybe himself; who knew? “Grandma, we can’t spend every day together figuring out last-minute wedding details.”

“Why ever not?” Grandma paused, concern etched in her brow.

“Because… I’m busy.” He coughed.

“Feeling sorry for yourself isn’t an occupation.”

“Neither is whoring around, and look where that got him,” Char added.

“See what I mean?” Jake pointed back at her. “I can’t even get along with her, let alone plan something. Do you want her death on your hands?”

“You’ll be fine. Besides, Char needs you—after all, she does have a job, and a great one at that. Now, you know how to get a hold of me if you need me.” Grandma jerked her sunglasses out of her giant purse and put them on her face. “Love you.”

The bell on the door jingled as Grandma swept out of the shop, leaving Jake with a list in his hands and Char wondering if it was at all possible to kill a person by staring daggers into their back.

Chapter Nine

“Grandma’s up to something.” Kacey looked at the picture text from Grandma and sighed.

Travis snorted. “Since when isn’t she up to something? I almost feel sorry for Jake.”

At Kacey’s’ glare he put up his hands in front of him. “Easy, tiger, I’m just saying, Grandma can be relentless. I mean, she’s staying with him.”

“She fired him, too.”

“What?” Travis roared. “From Titus Enterprises? Can she do that?”

“Apparently.” Kacey shrugged and showed Travis the picture. “She’s also bent on playing matchmaker.”

Travis grabbed the phone and burst out laughing. “Is that Char?”

“Yup.”

“In a wedding dress.”

“Right.”

“And Jake behind her… staring?”

“Lusting,” Kacey corrected. “He’s lusting.”

“You can’t even see his face.”

“No.” Kacey snatched back the phone and pointed at Jake. “But his stance is all He-man.”

“Pardon?”

“You know.” Kacey nudged him. “He-man.”

“Are you speaking English?”

With a dramatic sigh, Kacey put her hands on her hips and showed Travis how Jake was standing. “You see what I mean? Guys only stand like this when they’re presenting, or he-manning. They take up as much space as they can to look bigger and more protective.”

Someone honked their horn at Kacey. She rolled her eyes and turned to glare at the car full of people. When she turned back around Travis had his hands on his hips, legs wide.

“Point proven.” Kacey pointed at Travis and laughed.

“Damn.” Travis rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t prove anything, and let’s be honest, if Jake wanted to date Char he could have dated her years ago. I mean, it’s not like she’s a stranger to our family. She practically grew up with all of us.”

Men. Kacey threw her head back and laughed. “Right, and you and I grew up together, yet we just reconnected and now we’re getting married. Growing up together doesn’t mean anything.”

“We gonna run or gossip about my whorish brother?” Travis smacked her butt and jogged past her.

“Remind me why I thought doing the soldier wedding workout was a good idea?”

“It was in one of those stupid magazines you’ve been collecting like squirrels collect nuts. I noticed the girl’s six pack, you bruised my arm—thanks for that by the way—and then you said you were going to be hotter for your wedding. Thus the current five-mile run that has me dreaming of a nice hot shower.”

Kacey fell into her stride next to him. “Whatever, and it’s not my fault you bruise like a peach.”

“Aw, baby… You know I don’t mind when they’re those kind of bruises.” He bit down on his lip and stopped running, pulling Kacey into his embrace. “I love you.”

Kacey scowled. “But what are we going to do about Grandma!”

“Women are weird. I’m talking about biting every square inch of your body and you want to talk about my grandma? Really?”

“Travis.”

“Kacey.” He nibbled her lower lip and then kissed her nose. “We’ll beat her at her own game. If she wants to play matchmaker, we’ll just play matchmaker ourselves.”

“You mean, like, set Jake up ourselves? And see who wins?”

“Absolutely.”

“I like that idea.” Kacey wrapped her arms around Travis’s neck. “After all, we know what’s best for Jake.”

“The monastery?”

Kacey snorted. “Probably. At any rate, we can invite some single girls to the wedding, ones that would really click with him.”

“A wager.” Travis nodded. “Between us and Grandma. We win, she pays for the honeymoon. She wins…”

“She can sing at the wedding,” Kacey sighed.

“No!” Travis touched his forehead to hers. “I’m not that insane. I’d rather buy her a boat or pay for her stripper workouts every week.”

“It’s what she wants.”

“She also wants to buy a tiger like Mike Tyson. Just because she wants something doesn’t mean we have to indulge her.”

“Travis.” Kacey kissed his lips softly. “There’s nothing to worry about; it’s not like she’ll win.”

Grunting, Travis kissed her head. “Fine, but if Grandma does win and she ends up with a microphone, it’s on you. Now, let’s finish our last mile so I can have my way with you in the shower.”

“Gotta catch me first!” Kacey yelled as she breezed past him.

Chapter Ten

“You’ve got to be shitting me.” Jake stared at the building with a mixture of horror and confusion. “We have to have the wrong address.”

Char snatched the piece of paper from his hands. “Let me look.”

“I can read, you know.”

Rolling her eyes, she scanned the paper. “Unbelievable.”

“What?” He leaned over her shoulder to look at the address. Her scent pulled at him, making his insides tense.

“That you can read.”

“Very funny.”

“It’s the right address.” Char slapped the paper against his chest and walked up to the dark door. “I guess we just… go in?”

“Hell, no.” Jake crossed his arms. “Not gonna happen.”

“The list says that Madame is expecting us at one! We’re going to be late if we don’t go in.”

Jake licked his lips and looked at the building again. The windows were filled with pictures of women laughing and throwing confetti into the air while men danced with them. It was like a very bad tampon commercial gone wrong.

“No. And who the hell is Madame anyways?”

Char rolled her eyes. “It’s her name. Why, you scared you’re gonna grow a pair of boobs? You afraid your balls are gonna disappear?”

Jake snorted. “Fine, let’s go.” Irritated, he grabbed her arm with his left hand and pushed open the door with his right.

The room was blanketed in black.

“See, wrong address.” Jake released Char’s arm and pulled out his cell just as music began to fill the room. Then a few stage lights popped on, causing Jake to go blind momentarily. “What the hell?”

And then the singing began.

Char tensed beside him. More lights flickered on, although Jake had no idea where they’d come from; he was still seeing spots from the first ones. He tried to take a step to the side and ran into a table. Placing his hands on the table he looked down.

Pictures of shirtless Chippendale men greeted him.

He jerked back and bumped into something hard. He turned around to steady whatever he’d bumped into.

A naked statue.

Of a dude.

Where the hell was he supposed to touch? He reached out to grab the waist of the statue since it had conveniently been set on a table so that he was eye level with the nakedness, and was bumped by Char, who apparently had been fighting her own battle with a swarm of balloons in the shape of, er… parts.

“Holy crap.” Char grabbed Jake’s hand. “We have to make a run for it.”

“It’s like hell, only worse.” Jake agreed grabbing her arm.

“Welcome, welcome!” Came a voice over a loudspeaker.

“Holy shit, we’re officially in the Hunger Games.” Jake grabbed Char and put her behind him. “Just let me die first. Please God, let me die first.”

“I’ve been expecting you!” the female voice happily announced.

“Somehow that doesn’t make me feel better,” Char whispered from behind Jake. “Oh, and by the way, it’s only romantic to sacrifice yourself for me if death isn’t the better option, twinkle toes!”

Jake paused. “You swore you’d take that to your grave!”

“Oops?” Char shrugged. “How many years were you in ballet? One, two?”

“Oops, my ass!” Why the hell would she bring up that old nickname? Now of all times? Had she any idea how emasculating it was?

“Just stay still—”

“I can both hear and see you,” the voice said. “And I don’t have all day. Now, let me examine you.”

“We’ve officially skipped Hunger Games and jumped into Saw.” Jake shook his head and yelled at the voice. “Can you at least turn out the lights? We can’t see you.”

“That, my dear,” the voice laughed, “is the point, is it not?”

“Er, not?” Char gave a hollow laugh.

“I do not have all day!” the voice yelled. “Now, separate. I need to see what I have to work with.”

Char slowly stepped out from behind Jake and stood, head held high. Jake had to admire that. Any other girl would have run out of the room. Shit, he was a guy and he was going to have nightmares.

“Not bad,” the voice said coolly. “Not bad at all.”

“Thanks.” Char grinned.

Jake rolled his eyes. “She’s only complimenting you so you’re all fat and happy before she kills you.”

“Sharp-tongued, that one,” the voice announced. “But you’ll do. Oh Jake, you’ll do just fine. Tell me, how comfortable are you with the stage?”

“Not comfortable.” Jake coughed. “Not at all, you see. I have this bad knee and—”

“His knee’s fine!” Char interjected with a wink.

He lunged for her just as the lights flickered off and the room returned to a normal state.

In the normal light, it wasn’t so daunting. It looked like a dance studio mixed with a really weird party shop.

“Hello!” A woman appeared from a balcony above them. “Sorry to put you on the spot like that, but your dear old grandma said you kids needed a good laugh.”

“Ha ha.” Jake was going to strangle his grandmother.

“Anyway, I assume you’ve been given instructions about the dance you’ll be performing?”

“Dance?” Jake asked.

“Performing?” Char echoed.

“But of course! I am Madame, the best dance instructor in the city.”

Yeah, Jake highly doubted that. The woman was at least his grandmother’s age and was at that point walking so slowly down the stairs that he was pretty sure she was actually aging before his eyes.

“Um, I think perhaps my grandmother was confused.” Jake’s eyes were glued to the woman’s shaky legs as she slowly descended. Good Lord, her heels were at least six inches and her skirt… It covered nothing. To be fair, the woman’s legs were quite fit. He tilted his head to gain a better view.

“I think it’s Jake who’s confused.” Char nudged him. “Either that or he’s under a spell in the form of a pair of long legs.”

Madame grinned as she settled on the last stair. “Happens all the time. What can I say? I’m a treat for the eyes.” She thrust her chest out and winked at Jake.

“I want to go home,” Jake whispered as he reached for Char’s hand.

Char jerked her hand away and approached Madame. “Like Jake said, I think Grandma was confused. You see, we have a list of things we have to get done before the wedding. This was the next appointment. So do we need to pick something up or—”

“Silence!” Madame shouted. “I will not have your back talk. Grandma said you will perform the dance, so dance!”

“Dance?” Jake croaked.

“Dance!” Madame twirled in front of them and snapped her fingers above her head. “I shall teach you the dance of love. You’ll perform it at the wedding ceremony. Now, this specific dance is that of a mating ritual.”

“Aw, shit.” Jake took a few deep breaths. “There will be no mating on the dance floor.”

Madame laughed. “But of course not! You’ll be dancing! It is a ritual, not the act, you naughty boy.” With a wink she lifted her hand and tilted Jake’s chin toward her. “My, but you’re pretty.”

Jake was going to kill his grandmother. But he was too traumatized, too shocked to do anything except stare back into the Cougar’s eyes and pray she didn’t tie him up somewhere and put him in a cage.

Madame growled and released his chin. “Now, places in the middle of the floor. Remember, this dance is what brings good luck to the marriage. Mess it up and the future of your brother’s happiness weighs on you.”

“No pressure,” Char interjected.

Madame pressed a button and suddenly the lights lowered again. Soft music resembling a type of tango began to play in the background.

“Middle of the floor,” Madame instructed.

Jake went to the middle of the floor and held out his hand to Char. “Come on, the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can leave and get alcohol poisoning.”

Char’s eyes darted between his hand and his face before she begrudgingly took his hand and stepped into the frame of his body. “Fine, but keep your wandering hands to yourself.”

“Please,” Jake snorted. “Like your body is any sort of temptation for a man of my tastes.”

Char smiled sweetly. “I forgot—you like fake… my mistake.”

“I—”

“Now!” Madame clapped. “close your eyes. I shall walk you through the dance, but you must trust me, you must trust one another.”

* * *

Char’s hands were perspiring. That one word, trust. It immediately thrust her back into junior high. When she and Jake had been doing the trust fall—when he promised he’d catch her—and he’d failed.

When she was called fat.

And he refused to defend her.

Char’s mom had always told her that she’d laugh about it someday, that the things that happen to you in junior high don’t hold any power over your life in adulthood. But she was wrong… When you’re hurt at such a vulnerable age it’s impossible to forget the hurt. Especially if that one hurt launched you into a two-year issue with bulimia and diet pills.

So, trust? No, she didn’t trust Jake Titus, because the last two times she had. He’d walked away from her.

“Trust,” Madame repeated. “And follow my hands.” Char felt a hand on her shoulder and then she was pushed forward into Jake’s arms. His breath hitched as her cheek came into contact with his firm chest.

“Now, Jake, step back,” Madame instructed. “And do the—Oh my, you do know how to dance, don’t you?”

Char opened her eyes just as Jake pushed her away and twirled her, then pulled her back into his frame, tipping her over his leg in a dip.

“Trust me.” He whispered as he turned her in his arms, causing her entire backside to be firmly pressed against his front.

He felt too good.

With another twirl she was facing him.

“Now,” Madame called. “There are a series of seven dips, be sure to twirl her out, dip on one side and—oh dear, heavens, child. Have you done the mating dance before?”

Jake blushed.

Char opened her mouth to ask the same thing, but he dipped her across his leg and then twirled her out, causing her to nearly stumble until with a tug, Jake had her firmly in his arms again; only this time her feet dangled above the ground.

Slowly, he released her as she slid down his body, feeling every damn muscle of his six-pack. She only knew it was there because she counted muscles as her body descended.

The music stopped.

Char looked into Jake’s eyes.

His lips parted as he leaned forward.

“Marvelous!” Madame clapped.

Char jumped back and wiped her hands on her jeans.

“You’ve done this before, haven’t you, darling?” Madame winked at Jake and patted him on the butt, then turned to Char. “As long as you let him lead, for the day of the wedding you will be perfectly fine.”

Char nodded. “Are we done then?”

“Dancing is part of life. One is never done dancing.”

“Or mating,” Jake said helpfully.

Madame blushed and began fanning her face. “Would you care for some refreshments?”

Char might as well have been invisible.

Jake reached for Char’s arm and pulled her into his body. “Um, no thank you. I’d best get my girlfriend home.”

Madame’s lips formed a pout. “Girlfriend?”

Jake’s grip tightened on Char’s waist.

“Yeah, Jake, girlfriend? I mean…” Char twisted to face him. “I didn’t know we were going to make it official and everything.”

His nostrils flared as his eyes darted between Madame and her. “We’ll just seal it with a kiss, shall we?”

Before Char could protest his lips were on hers.

Holy crap.

He tasted like pure virile man. He parted her lips with his tongue and dove into the depths of her mouth. His lips were like velvet, perfectly formed against hers, which were not fighting but—partaking.

With a moan Char wrapped her arms around his neck—completely forgetting herself—and kissed him back. He made a sound low in his throat as his grip on her body tightened.

“This… is not a brothel,” Madame interrupted frostily.

“Could have fooled me,” Jake said against Char’s lips.

With a snort of laughter Char pulled away. “Thank you, Madame, for everything. But as you’ve just seen, my boyfriend and I need to go celebrate!”

“Well then, off you go.” Madame’s voice was high-pitched but her face was pinched at the mouth, as if she had just sucked on something really sour.

They left the store and made a run for it to Jake’s BMW. The minute Char slammed the door shut, they both burst into fits of laughter.

Jake started the car. “And I thought Grandma was crazy.”

“Right?” Char’s voice sounded a bit breathless. Great; now she couldn’t talk like a normal human around Jake. It was a kiss: one damn kiss to fend off the Cougar, nothing more.

“Thanks for that…” The car pulled to a stop at the light. “For helping me out. Had I been there alone—I’m pretty sure you would have seen me on the evening news.”

“Candy.” Char nodded.

“Huh?” The light turned green.

“That’s how she would have lured you into her bedroom. She would’ve made a candy trail to her bedroom. It’s how all the Cougars do it. Then, once you were there, she would have gotten you drunk, you would have accepted—anything to ruin memories of the night—and there you have it. Love slave. Dateline. Woman Scorned.”

Jake shook his head and snorted. “The way your mind works frightens me.”

“Hey.” Char lifted her hands in the air. “I’m just saying.”

Jake shuddered and pulled onto the freeway toward downtown. “So, drinks? I did promise and I’m pretty sure I owe you.”

After that kiss? No, it was actually she who owed him. The all-too-familiar pang of rejection washed over Char. Sure, she could go have drinks with him and then fall for all the things that most normal breathing girls fell for. He’d get just tipsy enough to ask her to come home with him. They’d share a cab, she’d say just one drink, they’d end up in his bedroom.

And she’d wake up to find a thank-you note and a twenty-dollar bill for her cab fare home on her pillow.

No thanks.

“Actually…” Char looked at her watch. “I can still put in a full afternoon at the office. Can you drop me off at the KOMO station?”

Jake nervously scratched his head and shrugged. “Sure, I mean if that’s what you want. I for one think margaritas are better than working any day.”

“Yeah.” Char put on her sunglasses. “Then again you’re kind of unemployed right now so…”

“Thanks for the reminder,” he grumbled, taking the downtown exit. “I’ll, uh, I’ll just look at what else Grandma has on her list and give you a call.”

“You’ll need my number.”

“I’ll get it from Grandma.” He shrugged.

Damn the man. He couldn’t even ask her for her number? Really? “Well.” Char opened the door once he’d stopped the car. “Wouldn’t want you to have to program me into your cell and risk taking up too much space from your booty calls.”

“Char, wait—”

She slammed the door before he could finish what he was going to say and walked purposefully into the office building.

Chapter Eleven

What the hell had just happened? One minute they were joking and laughing and the next Char was talking about booty calls and slamming the door in his face? What had he said? She’d seemed in a hurry so he hadn’t wanted to irritate her further by making her wait for him to get her number.

In his mind he was being a gentleman, or at least trying.

But according to Char he was being a jackass?

Women. Would he never understand them?

As he pulled out of the parking lot, contemplating all the reasons that kissing Char again would be a bad idea, his phone rang.

“What?” His voice was hoarse.

“Whoa, there… bad day?” Travis chuckled.

“I had dance class. You tell me.”

“I’m sorry, did you say you had dance class?”

“I’m not repeating it,” Jake said dryly. “Oh and by the way, Grandma may not make it to the wedding.”

“What? Why?”

“I’m killing her. Tonight. Either that or putting some sleeping pills in her Fiberease.”

“Oh. Well, just don’t use Benadryl. She’s built up a tolerance.”

“Yeah, well, ever since Kacey, I think we can all claim a tolerance. I swear last time I had allergies I went through an entire box.”

“Glad you’re still breathing.” Travis chuckled.

“Don’t be an ass. What do you want?”

Travis laughed again. “First tell me about the dance.”

“Mating dance,” Jake corrected as he took the exit to the tux shop. “It went well. Char saved my ass. The Madame, and yes that was her name, wanted a new plaything.”

“Come again?”

“Chew toy, plaything, man toy to dress up and play with. Yeah, you probably would have never seen me again.”

“Scary.”

Jake shook his head. “You have no idea. Anyway, I just dropped Char off at work and now I’m going to go get my tux fitted.”

“Okay.”

The phone went silent. “Trav, you still there?”

“Yeah.” He was quiet again. “I have to ask you something.”

“No, I won’t give you a kidney—take one of Grandma’s.”

“She only has one kidney.”

“My point exactly.”

Travis sighed. “It’s not that, it’s…”

“Okay, now you’re scaring me.”

“So, you know how Dad’s going to be walking Kacey down the aisle?”

Jake pulled into the parking lot and sighed. “Yes.”

“She, um…” Travis cursed. “She wanted to know if it would be okay if maybe… you walked with them.”

“Me?” Jake yelled. “Why in the hell would she want me on the other side of her? Is this a joke? It’s not funny—”

“Stop yelling.” Travis swore. “See? I knew you’d freak out. It’s just that… Kacey and you were best friends for so long and even though you guys had those rough couple of years, you were still a huge part of her life, and she wants to honor you because of it.”

Well, shit.

Jake never cried.

Ever.

The last time he’d cried was when Kacey’s parents died, and even then he’d locked himself in his dorm and gotten trashed so he wouldn’t remember the fact that he’d shed actual tears.

But now… now he felt a hell of a lot like sobbing his damn eyes out. Because it shouldn’t be him walking Kacey down the aisle, or his father—but hers. Part of him, a small part, felt like it was his fault. That if he could just go back in time and fix a few things, that everyone would be alive and happy.

“Jake, you still there?”

“Yeah,” he croaked. “Can I… um, can I think about it?”

“Sure.”

“Look.” Jake hit the steering wheel with his hand. “I gotta run. Say hi to Kace for me.”

“Okay. Later, man.”

Jake turned off the car and hit the steering wheel.

Once wasn’t enough. He hit it again and again until finally his hand was so damn numb he was sure he’d have to ice it later.

One of these days he would tell her everything. He’d explain to her that her father… had saved his life.

A bitter taste filled his mouth as he thought about the past—about his past in general. Would Bill have been proud of Jake and his choices? Or would he have done what he did eight years ago… take him out back and make him chop wood and dig holes until his fingers bled—until Jake realized the giant error in judgment he’d made?

With a curse, Jake got out of the car and walked toward the tux shop. He’d think about it—he’d think about walking Kacey down the aisle—even if it meant he wasn’t going to be the man at the end of it. He’d never been deserving of that kind of love and he probably never would be.

Chapter Twelve

Beth snapped her fingers in front of Char’s face. “Um, did you hear anything I just said?”

Char felt her cheeks flame as she took a long sip of wine. “Sure, you were talking about work.” It wasn’t as if that would be anything new. Beth’s job as a chemist for one of the medical labs always produced dry stories.

“And?”

Char set her wine down and used her fork to spread some of her dinner salad across her plate. “And, tell me more?”

Beth sighed. “Really? I just listed the periodic table of elements and you want to hear more?”

Snorting, Char leaned forward. “No wonder I blacked out.”

“Where are you tonight? It’s girls’ night! Remember? Food? Drinks? Fun?”

Oh you know. Exactly where every other girl’s brain would be. Kissing Jake, touching his muscular chest, running her tongue along his plump bottom lip and—

“Did someone say girls’ night?” A familiar voice shot through the restaurant. Char turned and came face to face with Grandma. Well, Grandma and a blinding gold jacket with leopard fur around the collar. Her skinny jeans were accentuated that much more by matching leopard heels.

“How did you—”

“Oh.” Grandma waved off Char and took a seat at the table. “There’s an app for everything. Did you know that?”

“Yes but—”

“Anyways.” Grandma waved over a waiter and ordered three shots of tequila. The woman better be drinking those alone; no way was Char going to take shots with Jake’s grandmother! “There’s this handy little app called find a friend!”

Char grabbed her phone. “I didn’t even know I had that on my phone or that you were—”

Grandma shrugged as if she was keeping a big giant secret. “It’s how I keep track of Jake’s whores.”

Beth spit out her drink all over the table and began coughing.

Grandma yawned and examined her nails, totally unaffected by Beth’s outburst. Char gave her sister a glare and turned back to Grandma.

“I’m pretty sure they created that app so people wouldn’t worry about their friends and family. You know, not stalk people.”

“Oh well, to each his own.” Grandma set her phone down and clicked on the screen with one finger, and then clicked again, and again.

Beth mouthed something to Char; she couldn’t make it out.

The waiter dropped off the shots just as Grandma jerked back and clapped. “I knew it!”

Beth seemed to be in a trance as she watched Grandma clap her hands and thrust her phone into the air. “He’ll be here soon.”

“Who are you again?” Beth asked.

“I’m Grandma.” This was stated so normally, so factually, that Char had to hand it to Grandma. I mean, was there any other way to describe the woman? Saying “I’m Grandma” must have covered a multitude of sins. “Cheers.” Grandma reached for a shot and lifted it into the air then eyed both Char and Beth.

Taking a big gulp of water, Char reached for the shot and lifted it into the air with Grandma.

“A toast,” Grandma said. “To singing at my grandson’s wedding!”

“Sure.” Beth clinked her glass with Grandma’s. “I’ll drink to that.”

Char shrugged and took the shot. Just as Jake walked into the restaurant and made a beeline for their table.

Char was no stranger to shots—not at all. But for some reason the way Jake’s distressed jeans hugged his muscular thighs did something to her. The tequila burned all the way down and then threatened to come back up, especially when he winked in her direction and leaned down to kiss his grandmother on the cheek.

Char coughed.

Beth sighed.

Char kicked her sister underneath the table.

And Grandma ordered more shots.

“Um.” Char laughed nervously. “Are we celebrating anything?”

“Ladies’ night!” Grandma announced, shaking her chest back and forth in glee.

Jake looked away and blushed.

Strange that a man who had no morals actually knew how to blush?

“But Jake’s here.” Char pointed to the sinfully wonderful-smelling man and prayed he’d lean in just a bit closer so she could feel the heat radiating off his body without looking like a lunatic in heat.

Grandma looked her grandson up and down. “He doesn’t count.”

“Thanks, Grandma.” Jake said tightly.

“Hi. I’m Beth.” Char’s sister reached across the table to shake Jake’s hand. “I would have said hi to you on the plane but you were all swollen.”

“Thanks for the reminder.”

“Any time.” She winked. “Welcome to girls’ night.”

“Famous last words, I’m sure.” Jake took her hand in his and shook it, then turned to his grandmother. “Okay, so by the looks of your outfit, you didn’t get run over by a truck, nor are you suffering from a concussion or scarlet fever—that was a new one, by the way. “Jake directed the last part to Char. “Usually she saves the rare diseases for someone more gullible, like my brother.” He turned back to Grandma. “What gives?”

Grandma held up her finger and then began digging in her giant purse.

Jake swore. “I’m sure there are lost children in that purse. Can you just tell us so we don’t have to wait?”

Grandma shushed him.

Jake took two shots off the table and downed them.

Char patted him on the back, poor guy. She did truly have half a mind to feel sorry for him. Grandma would drive anyone to drink excessively.

“Here it is!” Grandma pulled out a slip of paper and with a shaky hand began reading it. “You both still need to complete a few of the things on the list I gave you earlier, by the way.” She dropped the list onto the table. “Where is it?”

She dug around her purse again and pulled out a pair of diamond-encrusted reading glasses.

“Your mind?” Jake asked. “Maybe it’s in your purse.”

Beth cleared her throat to hide her laugh.

“No, you ass,” Grandma seethed.

Char ordered more drinks. Cursing. Not good.

“The list I gave you and Char this morning! It had all those tasks on it for you to complete for the wedding. Where is it?”

“In the car,” Jake said, just as Char said, “We lost it.”

They glared at one another.

“I’ll just be—” Beth rose from the table.

“Sit!” Char yelled.

Beth sat.

“Jake has it.” Char pointed to Jake and gave him a sweet smile.

A muscle twitched in his jaw as he leaned on the table and took a few deep breaths. “Right, it’s… safe.”

“Safe.” Grandma snorted. “Fine, just be sure to finish the last few tasks.”

“Why can’t you do it?” Jake asked. “You’re retired; can’t you just… run around in one of my cars and get the errands done?”

Grandma paused, taking great care in her breathing. Then she turned her head ever so slightly in Jake’s direction. A frozen smile appeared on her face before she carefully picked up the list and stuffed it in her purse. “If you weren’t such an ass you would know. I have bridge with the girls.”

“Every day?” Jake asked.

“Every day. At least…” Grandma chuckled, seeming to remember her good humor. “In the mornings.”

“Great. So you can finish the tasks in the evenings.”

“Oh, Jake.” She patted his arm. “You innocent little thing.”

It was Char’s turn to choke on her drink.

“The evening is for different… activities.”

“Good Lord, at least try to hide the fact that you’re out… doing things.”

“What things?” Beth asked suddenly, leaning across the table.

“Don’t worry about it.” Jake glared at Beth and shook his head.

Grandma tittered. “You know, things.” She took great care pronouncing “things”, as if there was some very important underlying meaning to the word, and then began to chuckle to herself all over again. “I do love the evenings, yes I do.” Her eyes took on a glassy appearance.

“We’re going to need more alcohol,” Char whispered under her breath to Jake.

“And a roofie,” Jake added. “I don’t want to remember this conversation. Ever.”

“Tomorrow.” Grandma pushed away from the table and stood. “Jake, take me home. I’m tired. But tomorrow you will meet Char, say… for lunch, at the house? And finish up the rest of the list before we board the plane Thursday.”

“Thursday?” Both Jake and Char yelled.

Grandma squinted. “But of course! You have to be early for the wedding by a week at least! Whatever is wrong with young people these days!” She pulled a fifty from her purse and slammed it onto the table. “You have fun, girls. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Great, Grandma.” Jake swore. “May as well just give them permission to get arrested.”

“That was one time!” Grandma argued.

“You were in a Mexican prison. We’re lucky you’re alive.”

“Oh, Pablo, he was something.” Grandma tugged at her necklace and began caressing the pearls.

Beth’s mouth dropped open.

Char had to kick her under the table again to get her to close it.

“Well, ta ta!” Grandma waved and then pulled Jake by the shirt until they were out the door.

The table fell silent.

Tequila shots were everywhere.

Beth looked at Char.

Char looked at the table.

“So.” Beth sucked on part of a lime. “That was fun.”

Char groaned and then banged her head against the table. “How am I going to make it through the next few weeks with those two?”

Beth laughed. “Easy.”

“Huh?”

“Xanax.”

“Very funny.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jake paced in front of the door. Char had texted and said she’d stop by around noon. It was officially five minutes past. Where was she? He needed to find a way to get back his job and his manhood, preferably in reverse order.

The morning had started off normally enough, with Grandma doing her damn yoga and then demanding he drop her off at her Bridge group. But even when Grandma asked for one thing, it was never just one thing. No, she’d demand you do something else, fail to give an explanation, and then look at you like you were an idiot if you asked why.

He felt like a kid again, like he had the time Grandma caught him stealing M&Ms from the convenience store and then bought him a five-pound bag and demanded he sit and eat the entire bag in front of her.

Her reasoning was that it would keep him from stealing again. Because if she ever caught him with sticky fingers, he’d either have to consume said object or wear it around the house.

In high school it had happened again with beer. She’d given him a six pack and told him to chug until he got sick. It took him three before he was puking. Naturally, Grandma had finished the rest of the pack.

Suffice it to say, it was always wiser to agree with the woman than to tempt fate. So he drove her around town, played the nice grandson, and then prayed to God she would finally hire him back so he could stop playing chauffeur and wedding planner.

Good God, he was going to turn into a woman waiting for that damn irritating girl.

The doorbell rang.

He ran to it. Then stopped and took a few deep breaths. Yup, definitely turning into a woman. He was acting like this was a first date or something! It was Char! Char! He had to repeat her name several times out loud before he was able to finally pull the door open.

Her smile lit up his dark mood and suddenly he remembered all over again why he stayed away from girls like her.

They were trouble.

They promised you pleasure and in the end wanted commitment, something any guy would run from—especially a guy like him. He didn’t deserve anything like it—he wasn’t that much of an ass to not know that a girl like Char, well, she deserved one of the good ones.

Not him. Definitely, not him.

Her eyes lit up when he smiled.

Shit. He was going to have to stop flirting with her. She was going to get the wrong idea, and he was going to lose his mind if he had to partner up with her for the entire wedding week, wondering if she was just waiting for the right time to pull a knife on him.

“Come in.” He opened the door wider and fought hard not to stare at her backside as she walked past him and her heels clicked against the marble floors. Clearly she’d been at work. She was wearing a tight pencil skirt, white blouse, and red heels.

Poor choice.

Because now he was thinking about Grandma and her stupid airport story and…

“Jake?” Char’s soft voice brought him back to the present. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

“No.” He laughed awkwardly. “I was, um, just admiring your shoes.”

“My shoes?” Her eyebrows arched in amusement. “You have a thing for heels?”

“On you?” He nodded. “I think I just might.”

Shit, there he went again. What was wrong with him? It was like second nature with Char, as if he couldn’t help but be drawn to her. His body involuntarily moved toward her. Was it her eyes? Her hair? A little voice, one he hadn’t listened to in a long time, told him no. It wasn’t physical; it was something completely different, something foreign. Something he really didn’t want to think about or dwell on too much, because then he’d have to admit to actually having a heart, which only meant one thing… Eventually it would break, only this time he wouldn’t have anything to fall back on, just air and nothingness.

He swallowed and looked away. “So, lunch?”

She took his arm and looked around the house. “Sounds good.” Her eyes narrowed.

“What?” He stopped in his tracks. “What’s wrong?”

“A girl forgets.” She chuckled slightly.

“Forgets?”

“How totally and ridiculously rich you are.”

Jake snorted. “Jobless at the moment, but thanks.”

“Oh please.” Char pulled her arm away and walked ahead of him as she stepped into the giant kitchen. “All of this? This is what people dream of living in their entire lives. I mean, I would kill for your kitchen. You have two ovens! My one oven barely works.”

Amused, Jake leaned against the counter. “You like to cook?”

“I love it.” She sighed. “I don’t have as much time as I used to, and my kitchen kind of sucks, just like you…” She smiled sweetly. “If I had a place like this I wouldn’t be feeling sorry for myself like you are.”

“Gee, thanks.” He mumbled, feeling scolded. “And I’m not feeling sorry for myself.”

“Yeah, you kind of are.” Char drummed her fingers against the granite counter top. “So, where’s lunch?”

“In the fridge.”

Char walked over and opened the fridge. “You have more food than most small countries.”

“Grandma likes her food.” Jake shrugged. “I’ll grab the croissant sandwiches and veggies. You want to eat outside on the porch so we can sit by the water?”

“Um, sure.” Char looked around the kitchen. “Anything else we need?”

“Grab a bottle of wine from the fridge, too… maybe a white wine? Your choice.” He winked and walked toward the sliding glass door that led to the veranda that overlooked Lake Washington.

Now, all they needed to do was eat, play nice, and get done with Grandma’s damn list and he could be free to move on with life. His plan was still the same. Survive WW3, also known as the invasion of Grandma, and then go back to his lifestyle.

Though, as he took a minute to sit and enjoy the view, he realized it had felt like years since he’d actually relaxed or been sober enough to enjoy it.

Char’s footsteps echoed across the deck. “Here you go.” She handed him a glass of wine and set the bottle on the table. “It’s pretty out here.”

“I guess it is.” He squinted against the sun and shrugged, forgoing the glass of wine and taking a sip of water instead. “Guess I don’t really notice it much.”

Char snorted and shook her head. “So, this list. Let’s get it over with.”

Abrupt subject change, but fine. Jake pulled out a new piece of paper. “Okay, we have to be careful with this one. The last one was lost in a tragic paper shredder accident. I had to steal Grandma’s backup while she was sleeping last night.”

“Wow, you’re a regular 007.”

“The woman sleeps like the dead.”

“So it was easy?”

“She has a gun under her pillow and has never taken a shooting lesson in her life—easy?” Jake shuddered. “Not if you want to keep all your parts.”

“Fair enough.”

Jake cleared his throat. “It looks like we just have to worry about the cake topper and Kacey and Travis’s wedding gift. Grandma says it will be delivered later this afternoon so I guess we’ll just take it on the plane with us?”

“Sure.”

They fell into an awkward silence. Jake wasn’t really sure why things felt so stilted. Like all the fight had been taken out of Char and suddenly she was just ready to do anyone’s bidding and be done.

But that was exactly what he was doing.

Except, he wanted her to want to be with him. He liked her fiery. Shit, he was happier when they were fighting than when she was quiet.

“Rough day?” he asked after a few more awkward moments of silence.

Char shrugged.

“Whoa, I got the shrug.” He poured her another glass of wine. “You want to talk about it?”

Sighing, Char tilted her head and faced him. “Not really.”

“No pressure.” He lifted his hands. “But maybe I can help.”

“Ah, the millionaire’s offering his help. How thoughtful.”

Jake winced. “What the hell is your problem?”

“My problem?” Char repeated. Then in a flurry she stood, nearly knocking over her wine, and threw her napkin on the chair. “My problem is everything is so damn easy for you! It always has been! You have this perfect life, perfect grandmother—and don’t you dare say a word against her. She may be crazy but at least you have a family that cares, not parents who forgot, again, about your birthday.”

Jake froze, a sickening feeling began to stir in his stomach as he watched the sadness wash across Char’s face. He knew that look—he knew it well: loneliness. Feeling like the forgotten one in the family was almost as bad as being the black sheep, the one nobody wanted. So, yeah it was possible their situations were different, but not by much. She was forgotten and he was a joke.

“It’s fine.” Char laughed bitterly. “We barely talk to one another anymore; there’s no way you would have known it was my birthday. I just—I don’t know. Beth had to leave for a work trip this morning and I know she was stressed, too. Maybe I sound like a complete child, but just for once… I wanted someone—other than Kacey—to remember.”

“I’m an ass,” Jake whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“No.” Char pointed at him. “See, that’s not what I want. Pity isn’t the same thing. It sucks. I get pity all the time. ‘Oh look, that’s the poor news reporter that was drunk during the five o’clock news and fell out of her chair!’ ‘Oh look, there’s Char; she’s funny but don’t take her seriously.’ ‘Oh, how sad, Char’s family doesn’t even celebrate Christmas together because they leave her for vacation.’ Or how about this one: I can’t even visit my parents today and give them a piece of my mind because they’re spending the weekend on Alkai Beach.”

Jake licked his lips and watched as Char’s dark hair blew in the wind. Her blouse tightened across her chest as it rose and fell with her exertions. “I’m sorry,” she finally said. “Maybe lunch wasn’t such a good idea. I’m just not in the mood to be social, and then I come here and everything is so easy for you, and you have the audacity to feel sad because your grandma’s living with you and forcing you to eat donuts and drink wine. Hell, I’d kill for that.”

Never in his life had Jake ever felt so low. He’d just yelled at Grandma that morning for fixing him eggs. In fact, he’d told her to eat her own damn eggs and leave him the hell alone. Then he’d taken it a step further and actually asked for his job back. And here Char was, alone on her birthday, and apologizing for being bad company. What the hell was wrong with him? He deserved her reprimand and more, though to be honest, nobody had ever reprimanded him other than Grandma.

And that’s when he saw it.

The pull, the reason he was so unable to leave well enough alone—her strength. He craved what he saw in her so much—his subconscious, moral compass, everything about him was so screwed up that he craved her the same way an alcoholic craves whiskey.

Regardless of his feelings, he needed to tread carefully. The last thing he wanted was to get involved with anyone when he knew his own life was on such shaky ground. But he could—no, he would—make it better. He was being given a second chance, to be the hero, to be the good guy, and he was going to take it.

He stood very slowly and walked around the table to where Char was standing. With fluid movements he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a hug. “Do you know where your parents are staying?”

She cursed into his chest. “I could always text them; that is, if they even answer their phones. Why?”

Jake laughed, though on the inside he was cursing a blue streak for her parents’ selfishness. “Well, I have a plan. We’re going to visit them, right now. Call work.” His heart beat a little faster in his chest, almost like a rush of adrenaline as a plan began to form in his head. Maybe it was pride, not selfish pride, but him actually being proud of a decision he was making on someone else’s behalf.

“But Jake.” Char pulled away. “What are we going to do? Go to their little bed and breakfast and demand they wish me a happy birthday?”

Jake laughed. “You’ll see.”

“Jake, seriously, I’m not in the mood for games and I don’t even know where they are.”

“We may not know, but I think I know a woman who used to work for the CIA.”

“Huh?”

“Let me give my people a call.”

“Your ‘people’?” Char repeated. “I think being jobless has already addled that sexy brain of yours.” With a gasp she covered her mouth. “It was the wine! Crap!”

“You think I’m sexy?” He baited her with a wink; old habits die hard. And he hadn’t participated in said habits for over a week now. The fact that she said he was sexy both terrified and excited him. Blood pumped to all the wrong places. Easy, his brain told him, it would be so easy just to bag her and then you could forget about caring. Forget about trying. The truth? He was scared shitless that the minute he took a chance on someone actually worth taking a chance on, they’d laugh in his face. He wasn’t good enough for Kacey; why the hell would he be good enough for Char?

“No.” She turned away and shook her head as if trying to understand where saying “sexy” had come from.

“It’s okay.” Jake came up behind her. “Lots of women do.”

“I needed to hear you say that.”

“Why?” He tensed as she turned around and ran her fingers up and down his chest.

“It helps me remember what a selfish ass you are.”

“You may change your tune after this afternoon.”

“I have my doubts.”

Jake leaned in until their lips were a breath apart. “I live to prove you wrong.”

Char sighed. “Fine, make the call. I’m worthless at work anyways.”

Grinning, Jake pulled out his phone and dialed Grandma’s number. She answered on the second ring. “This better be good, Jake. I’m winning.”

“I need you to find someone.”

Grandma was silent.

Jake groaned. “It’s for Char.”

“Text me specifics.” Grandma said in a low voice, “I’ll see what I can do.”

The phone clicked off and Jake shoved it into his back pocket. Char was glaring at him through long lashes. “That’s your people?”

“Sweetheart, you have no idea.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and grabbed the food with his other hand. “Now, run home, change into something sexy, grab an overnight bag and meet me back here in an hour. We have some celebrating to do.”

Char’s shoulders slumped beneath Jake’s arm. “You don’t have to do this. Seriously, I’m fine now. See? All better.” She pointed at her face and managed a pathetic smile.

He didn’t have the heart to make her feel worse by telling her how sad she looked, so he went another route. The one that made him look like an ass. At least he knew how to default into that guy. The type of male who knew exactly what to say to push a woman’s buttons. Only this time, it was to save her from herself, not to selfishly convince her to be with him. Odd, how past weaknesses could turn into strengths. He gave her a crooked grin and eyed her up and down, then reached for her face and tilted it as if examining it for age lines. “Fine. Have it your way, but if I was turning another year older—you know, approaching thirty as fast as you were—I’d want to be with someone who knew how to have a good time. Besides, I’ll buy you dinner.”

Her eyes narrowed, “But you’re jobless.”

“And as you pointed out… still a millionaire.” Jake set the wine bottle down on the table and grabbed Char’s hand and kissed it. “Let me make up for it. Please.” The last time he’d said please and meant it had been a year ago when he’d begged Kacey to go with him to see his parents. Great; so basically the last time he’d said please and actually meant it for non-selfish reasons he’d been eight and wanted a popsicle for his invisible friend.

Her eyes darted back and forth between the door and the floor. “Fine, but just… don’t be too nice. I may mistake it for pity and get mad at you all over again.”

“Deal.” He nodded toward the door. “Now drive your sexy ass home and put on something…” He stepped back and looked her up and down. “hot. Put on something hot.”

“This isn’t hot?” She twirled in front of him, her good humor seeming to return. He chuckled as she twirled like a little kid. Damn, she really was beautiful. He cleared his throat and looked away.

“You’d look beautiful in anything, but you need to be wearing a birthday outfit.”

Char’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Okay. I’ll be back soon.”

Jake nodded as he watched the sway of her hips as she walked off. Once she reached the door, Char turned. “Jake…”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, well, I still don’t like you.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I don’t like you either.”

The door clicked shut and Jake had to take a seat to gather his thoughts. The problem was, they were all over the place. He was growing a bit too attached to Char’s smiles.

And it killed him inside to know that she felt that alone. What kind of person did that make him? That he would sit there and complain about his lot in life when she barely had an oven that worked and a family that could care less that it was her birthday?

If anything, his family cared too much.

And he’d never appreciated it until this moment.

With a shaky hand, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Travis’s number.

“Hello?” Travis answered gruffly.

“I’ll do it.”

“Huh?” Travis coughed. “Did you mean to call me?”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Stop being difficult. I said I’ll do it, and I’ll stand by that.”

The phone went silent.

“You still there?” Jake asked.

“Yeah.” Travis laughed. “I was just checking the time to see if it was happy hour or something. You drunk?”

“I’m not drunk!” Jake yelled, getting more irritated by the minute. “I just wanted you to know I thought about it and I want to do it. I want to walk Kacey down the aisle with Dad.” He hadn’t meant for his voice to crack at the end. Hell, how many times would his past haunt him? He envisioned Bill’s smile, the way he’d looked at Kacey, and his gut clenched again. It was the least he could do for family—for hers and for his.

“Thank you.” Travis’s voice was hoarse. “It’s… it will just mean a lot.”

Needing to lighten the subject, Jake laughed. “Yeah, well, consider my good deed done for the year.”

“Done.” Travis sighed. “Everything else good?”

“Yeah.” Jake looked around the empty house and for the first time in his life felt guilty about what he had. Guilty that he had taken it for granted. “It will be.”

“You okay?”

“Great.” Jake cleared his throat. “Listen, I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

Chapter Fourteen

Char took more than an hour to get ready. Nothing looked good, and she at least wanted to look good if she was going to be seen with a celebrity. What was she supposed to wear, anyway? The way Jake had been looking at her made her shiver. Well, everything was confusing the crap out of her, and making her suddenly thankful that she took an hour rather than her usual twenty minutes. She had to keep reminding herself that he probably just felt sorry for her. He wasn’t really that altruistic. He was Jake Titus, for crying out loud. When he passed mirrors they got jealous if he didn’t look at least once.

She drove her beat up Ford Escape down the driveway to his house, alternating between full-out panic, wanting to turn around, then determination. It was her birthday. She should have fun. She deserved that much and right now the only future she had was a four-book series on her Kindle and a bottle of wine.

If she turned around she’d just fall asleep to Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake doing their seventh history of rap, and then awaken to Carson Daly’s two o’clock in the morning ramblings.

Depressing. To say the least.

Jake was already waiting for her when she pulled the car to a stop in front of the house.

Her jaw nearly dropped to the ground. What the—she’d only seen a car like that on TV and even then she wasn’t sure they were actually real.

One thing was for certain: she was clearly in over her head. Suddenly it felt wrong to have her old Ford parked next to his car.

She grabbed her purse and stepped out of the SUV.

Jake had on fitted jeans, aviator sunglasses, and a pale blue shirt with a few buttons opened at the top. He completed the effect with a fitted camel-colored leather jacket and well, to be honest, he was almost too much to stare at. But it wasn’t as if she could look at the car. It was practically blinding her. It was… it was incredible. No words would come.

“You like the car?” He asked, throwing the keys in her direction. She nearly stumbled as she caught them out of the air.

“Is it real?”

Jake laughed. “Is what real? The car?”

Char could only nod.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you start it and find out?”

Eager to get inside the alien-looking thing, she quickly pulled open the driver’s door and sat down in the plush leather seat. It fit her like a glove. It was as if the car was molding around her body, fitting her like a dress. “What is this?”

“A Bugatti Veyron.”

“It’s—” Char ran her hands across the steering wheel and looked at Jake, who was now sitting in the passenger seat. “It’s beautiful. Can cars be beautiful?”

Laughing, Jake reached across and caressed the seat next to Char’s leg. “You feel this?”

She’d have to be dead not to feel the heat from his fingertips as they caressed the leather right next to her thigh.

“It’s hand-stitched. Amazing, isn’t it? That a car could feel sexy. But.” His hand moved to her leg. “I wanted you to feel sexy on your birthday. You look beautiful, by the way. I love red.”

She’d chosen a tight-fitting red halter-top dress and gold heels. That was after she’d made a hurricane out of her bedroom.

“You ready to go?” Jake pulled back. “You can drive if you want.”

Char shook her head and edged out of the driver’s seat. “No way. It’s too expensive for me to drive. I’d be going ten down the freeway for fear someone would hit us.”

Jake walked around the car and helped her get the rest of the way out of the low seat, but she ended up stumbling into his arms looking all kinds of clumsy. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” His eyes focused on her lips for a brief second before he stepped back. “First rule of birthdays… you never have to be sorry. Now, get in the car. We have some parents to find.”

“Jake, I doubt you’ll ever find them—”

“Already did, or should I say Grandma did? They’re staying at the first place Grandma called. She said it was one of the nicer places on Alkai and would be a good place to start. All she did was call and say she was on her deathbed and needed to talk to her son. She gave him your dad’s name and well… hung up.”

“She’s an evil genius.”

Jake put the car in drive. “One day she’ll rule the world. Mark my words.” He reached across her seat and buckled her seat belt. “Hold on. I’ve only driven this thing once and it’s fast.”

***

He wasn’t kidding about the car being fast. Or the fact that he’d only driven it once. A few times they got so lost in their conversation that he didn’t even realize he was doing over a hundred miles an hour.

For once in her life, Char felt like she was in a fairy tale. When she was younger she’d been the girl that Jake didn’t fall for, and now… She stole a glance at him while he changed radio stations. She was his Cinderella. It felt good, even if it was out of pity. For once, someone had picked her.

She’d never realized how much she needed it. Until now.

Chapter Fifteen

Jake pulled the car into the first parking spot. “This looks like the place. They think they’ve won some sort of contest put on by the bed and breakfast. I had to time it right so that we’d arrive when they were seated for cocktails.”

Char laughed. “Wow, you’re just as bad as your grandma with all your plotting.”

“Good to know that if I never get my job back I can at least manipulate people for a living. Glad that’s the only thing my grandma passed down to me.”

“That and impeccable taste.” Char murmured, looking at the car.

“I think so, too.” Jake said, but when Char looked at him he wasn’t staring at the car; he was staring at her. It wasn’t real, it wasn’t real. He held out his arm. “Shall we?”

Giggling, she took his arm and walked with him into the large bed and breakfast. It was attached to a really high-end restaurant nestled right on Alkai Beach. The sun was still perched high in the sky but it wasn’t too hot to go for a walk on the beach or have dinner outside. Char wanted to do both. That was, if she didn’t turn into a pumpkin first.

“You ready?” Jake whispered in her ear once he opened the door for her.

Unable to find her words, she gripped his arm and nodded.

The smell of rich food flooded her senses as they walked arm in arm into the building.

“Ah, Mr. Titus!” An elderly gentleman in a full tux stood in front of them. “We have the table set to your specifications. Would you care to start with champagne?”

Jake looked at Char as if waiting for her opinion.

“C-champagne’s fine.” She swallowed the nervousness in her throat as her gaze scanned the restaurant and finally landed on her parents. They were sitting in a corner in deep conversation.

Char’s breath hitched. Suddenly losing her nerve, she made a move to back away but Jake held her firm. When both of her parents looked her way with curiosity, Jake pretended not to care who they were; he merely nodded in their direction as the waiter led them to their own private section of the restaurant.

Char almost cried when she saw the table. It was littered with rose petals and on the plates, drawn in chocolate, was “Happy Birthday.” Strawberries were formed around the message. In the corner there was a giant present.

She had to hold back the tears so they didn’t stream down her face and ruin her makeup. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. It was inconceivable that Jake could even think to do something like this, let alone plan it in an hour! It had to be Grandma’s work. No way did he possess that big a heart… Either that or he just felt guilty that she’d accused him of being selfish.

He went to pull out her chair and whispered again in her ear. “Happy Birthday.”

Char felt herself blush as she focused on breathing. It was damn difficult, considering she’d just felt his lips on the tips of her ear, causing her heart to pound like crazy.

Jake took his seat as the waiter popped the cork on the champagne bottle. When Jake excused him, they were left alone with their appetizers and champagne.

“Char?” Her mother’s voice was tinged with excitement and surprise. “Is that you, honey?”

With a tight smile, Char greeted her mom and dad as they made their way to the private table, their eyes taking in every single detail and then finally landing on Jake.

“Jake Titus?” Her father held out his hand. “Heard you were just let go by your own grandmother. That’s gotta hurt. How ya holdin’ up?”

Char had to fight to keep her mouth from dropping open.

With a smooth elegance, Jake stood and shook her father’s hand. “Obviously, I’m doing fantastic. A job’s a job. All that matters is that Char’s here to help support me. As long as I have her, I’m fine.”

Had she not known he was lying, she would have believed him. Her mother looked between the two of them. “Are you… dating?”

Char opened her mouth to speak but Jake cut her off. “Of course. Why else would we be here?”

Her mother’s mouth pinched into a tight smile as she glanced down at Char’s outfit and then at her plate. “Oh, sweetie! Of course, it’s your birthday! How could we forget again?”

“Not sure,” Char croaked, reaching for her champagne. “I’m twenty-three today. Cheers.”

Jake lifted his glass and clinked it against hers.

“Oh, that’s so nice.” Her mother tilted her head at Char. “Jake took you out for your birthday then, so it’s not really serious.”

“Serious?” Char repeated. Were they insane? How did this go from them lamely apologizing for forgetting her birthday to not being convinced that Jake would actually date her? She bit down on her lip and looked across at Jake. All her insecurities came flooding back. Why would he be with her? He was one of the most famous bachelors in Seattle. He’d even dated a few models.

She made a move to stand. Birthday or no birthday, she couldn’t take it anymore. But as she stood, Jake pulled her to his side and down onto his lap. “Maybe it is best that they hear it from us, Char.”

“Hear what?” Her father seemed totally oblivious to the underlying tension.

“About us.” Jake ran his hands slowly up and down her arms. “We’re dating, and it’s quite serious.”

Char tensed.

Her mother laughed.

Her father joined in.

Char tried to pull away but Jake held her firm. She could feel the anger radiating off of him.

“You know what, sweetheart?”

Char turned in his lap.

“Why don’t we celebrate somewhere else? I have a condo right on the beach… We can celebrate your birthday with the rest of the family.” Well, he’d gone and done it; he’d rescued her and turned from assy frog into a prince. Her breath quickened when his fingertips grazed her cheek. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. Insecurity from junior high came rushing back. A whale. She’d been a whale, and now she was sitting on his lap. Char told her heart to stop beating so fast. She needed to remind her body that the physical reaction was what Jake was good at. That’s why he was so well-known. He’d made her love him twice in her life; hell if she was going to fall for him again. And then he moved his other hand and rubbed up and down her back. She gave an involuntary shiver. Hadn’t she always wanted Jake to stand up for her? Granted, she was a lot older now, and of course it was too late, but she could almost believe he had the potential to be the man she’d always dreamed of. The one who didn’t just take every single easy route thrown at him, but the hard ones, too. And she needed that quality in a man desperately, especially after seeing her mom and dad again. She didn’t want the type of relationship they had. The type where they lived in their own special bubble. Char wanted love, excitement, a hero, a best friend. Damn, maybe she was just projecting all of her needs and desires onto Jake because he was the one giving her the time of day. Which just brought her back to insecurity number one: Why would he of all people, suddenly want her? He wouldn’t. The truth stung, but she needed to stay strong in front of her parents so they’d believe the lie even though she wished to God it was the truth. He was there because for some reason he was trying to do what was probably his one yearly good deed—not because his heart had suddenly broken away from its icy cage and beat after her.

“Family?” Now her mom seemed irritated. “What family? Her family is all here. Right now… Well, except Beth; she’s on a work trip in LA.” Her mother sighed. “So successful, our Beth. Did you know she was a chemist?”

Char wanted to cry. Actually, she wanted to jump out of Jake’s lap and throw something. Jake had been a better family to her in just a few hours than her parents had been in years! Family? As far as she was concerned, he’d just acted more like family than they ever had. A battle raged within her: stand up and slap her own mother across the face? Or storm out?

Instead, she pulled away from Jake’s viselike grip and stood glaring at both her parents for a minute. She would never seek their approval. It was pointless to try, so instead she was going to enjoy showing them that she could be happy without them.

“Jake, you’re right. Let’s call Grandma and see if she wants to join us for dinner.”

He stood and pulled her into his arms. “Great plan.” With no warning whatsoever, his lips were on hers. He kissed her as if he wasn’t faking it. As if he really liked her and wanted to prove to her parents what they were missing out on. Again, she was swept up into the moment of what it would feel like to be wanted. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed into his mouth. It was her birthday, after all.

They broke apart when her dad cleared his throat.

“Now, Char. Do you think it’s best to be seen with a playboy—”

Jake laughed. “Millionaire playboy.” His smirk was so condescending Char wanted to punch him, but they’d asked for it. “At least get the title right.” With a wink he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few hundred-dollar bills. “Let’s go, love.”

Without so much as a wave, they left the restaurant and got into Jake’s car. Satisfaction felt sweet when her dad’s eyes bulged at the sight of Jake’s car.

And then, once they were at least a mile from the restaurant, Char burst into tears.

Chapter Sixteen

Cursing, Jake pulled the car over and turned it off. “I’m so sorry, Char. If I’d had any clue they’d treat you like—”

He cursed again, wanting nothing more than to strangle both of her parents for ruining their daughter’s birthday. What the hell were they thinking, comparing Char to her sister? Char was unique, her own person. Normally that was how he described women with no body or personality, but not Char. He actually meant it. She was different, but in a way that made a man take notice. She was undeniably fierce… With a body as beautiful as sin and an attitude to match, it didn’t even make sense that they would find her lacking. A chemist? Her sister was a boring chemist? It made no sense. They made no sense. The more he dwelt on it, the more pissed he became.

“dirt?” Char offered, wiping her eyes. “It’s fine. I don’t know why I expected any different. I guess maybe it was the car, or the dress, or maybe even you.”

“I thought if they at least saw you they’d feel guilty, and if that didn’t work then at least they’d be envious that you were having the time of your life.” Jake swore. “I swear that was not what I had planned.”

“Oh, yeah.” Char giggled. “What was your plan?”

“Oh, you know.” Jake played with a piece of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “Sweep you off your feet. Be Prince Charming to your Cinderella… only this time the plan was to actually be the guy to take off the shoe rather than to try to find the girl fitting into it.”

“So you would be the naughty Prince Charming? Taking off the princess’s shoes? Scandalous.”

Jake laughed as his heart pounded loudly against his chest. “I didn’t say I was totally redeemed, you know.”

Char seemed to like that. She laughed and then looked up at him with clear green eyes. “I like a little bad boy.”

She was so close. He hadn’t meant to kiss her at the restaurant but he was just so damn pissed at her parents; he’d wanted to prove to them that even if they didn’t find their daughter worthy, he sure as hell did. The only problem was, as much as Char probably felt like he was being the prince, he really felt like the villain. He couldn’t fall for her—and he was a bit terrified that he was already halfway there.

“Are you going to kiss me again?”

Jake nodded. “Another rule of birthdays.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?” Char leaned in closer until her lips grazed his.

“Kisses don’t count. So if I kiss you, say, right now…” His lips met hers. “And again right now… you can’t slap me or hold it against me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.” He licked the corner of her mouth and then placed his hands on either side of her head as he deepened the kiss.

His phone buzzed in his pocket but he ignored it. He ignored everything but her taste as the tart champagne from her tongue drove him insane.

The phone, however, wouldn’t stop.

Finally, with a curse, he pulled back and answered with a gruff “Hello?”

“Those bastards!” Grandma yelled.

“Huh?”

“I’m on my way.”

“What?” Jake was too focused on Char’s low-cut dress and swollen lips. “Where are you going?”

“To find you. I had Stuart call me. He told me everything.”

“Stuart? Who the hell is Stuart?”

Grandma sighed heavily, as if he was the one being ridiculous. “The waiter, Jake. You know, sometimes I wonder about you. He had a nametag. Meet me at the condo. We’re staying the night and we’re going to give her a party she won’t ever forget!”

Grandma hung up.

Jake swore and looked at Char. “So that was Grandma.”

“Yeah, I heard her. The woman doesn’t do quiet.”

“She wants to throw you a party.” Jake was still staring at his phone, then back at Char’s lips. “We should probably humor her.”

“Well.” Char buckled her seatbelt. “It is my birthday, after all… and I’m starving.”

“Me too.” Jake agreed, but he wasn’t hungry for food. No. He wanted more of her lips. Damn, but he wanted to consume her. Reining in his lust, he started the car again. “Well, let’s not keep her highness waiting.”

Chapter Seventeen

Jake wasn’t at all prepared for what Grandma had planned. It was only four in the afternoon, after all. He had only planned for an early dinner with drinks.

What had previously been only him sweeping Char off her feet was now Grandma outdoing every nice thing he’d ever thought to do.

Because she brought along Char’s best friend.

“Kacey?” Char’s mouth dropped open when both Kacey and Travis walked into the condo. Grandma told them to have some champagne and sit tight, and wait for the party of the century. Her words, not his.

After two hours Jake was convinced Grandma had fallen asleep at the wheel. Not that he cared. Char wanted to walk on the beach; he obliged her. Then she wanted more champagne, and hell, he would have given her whatever she wanted. He just wanted her to feel… wanted… desired. And damn if he didn’t want to be the guy to make her feel that way.

It had been a few hours since their last kiss, and he was seriously thinking about locking the door to the condo so he could do it again when his brother and future sister-in-law burst right in.

“Surprise!” Kacey squealed, running into the large living room.

“I can’t believe you guys are here!” Char ran into Kacey’s arms and hugged her. “How did you even—”

“Grandma.” Everyone said in unison.

Jake rose from his seat on the couch and went to shake his brother’s hand. “I’m surprised you could catch a flight out.”

Travis cursed. “You and me both. We barely had time to pack anything. I just tossed clothes from the floor into my bag and grabbed some frilly things for Kace.”

“Lingerie.” Kacey sighed. “He grabbed my silk lingerie.”

Travis shrugged. “I’m a guy.”

“And I can’t walk around naked!” Kacey all but shouted.

Travis didn’t seem to care, lucky bastard. “You’ll be fine.” He winked.

Kacey blushed and looked away. “So Char, Grandma tells me Jake’s been your knight in shining armor today.”

“Whoa, there.” Jake put up his hands. “Don’t go ruining my bad reputation.”

Kacey winked. “Wouldn’t dream of it. He’s still an ass, Char. I hope you know that.”

Char laughed with Kacey.

Jake wasn’t laughing.

Not at all.

Was he a giant joke to everyone?

“So.” Kacey pulled Char onto the couch. “I’m glad I get to say this to you face to face so I can see your reaction.”

“You’re pregnant!” Char yelled.

Travis spit out his drink and began to cough.

“Uh, no.” Kacey glared at Travis. “Make that two asses.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time she’s accused both of us.” Jake lifted his champagne in a toast to his brother and took a long sip.

“Do you remember Jace Munroe?” Kacey asked.

Char’s eyes widened. “The Jace Munroe? The quarterback at our rival school who looked like a hotter version of Justin Timberlake?”

“Um, yeah, that one.” Kacey laughed. “I invited him to the wedding.”

“Not following.” Char pulled off her shoes and tugged her legs underneath her on the couch. Pity, because Jake was watching her shapely legs quite closely. “Why would you invite someone you barely know to your own wedding?”

“Travis plays golf with him.”

“So?”

“They hang out, they’re friends, and he’s single.”

Jake sucked in his champagne too fast and began coughing but hid it with a laugh. Even though he found nothing about the situation amusing.

Char cringed. “I don’t want to be set up like that.”

“Don’t think of it like that.” Kacey put her hand on Char’s arm. “Besides, he remembers you.”

“He does?” Char’s face lit up. Aw, hell. How could she be so blind to her own charm? The girl was gorgeous. Of course that tool would remember her; the ass had probably dated a hundred women in his lifetime and was finally ready to settle down with the one. Which was exactly what Char was. Bastard.

“We kind of told him you’d be there and, well, I don’t know, you should go for it!”

“I’m sorry,” Jake interrupted. “ ‘Go for it’?”

“Um, yeah?” Kacey pinched his arm. “She needs to get out there and start dating. At the rate she’s going she’s going to end up buying a hundred cats and living in a trailer in our backyard.”

“Not true.” Char blushed. “I’m just picky.”

“I blame junior high.” Kacey sighed. “I swear, ever since eighth grade camp you’ve sworn off most men who even look twice at you.”

Char blushed and looked down at her folded hands.

“Eighth grade?” Jake repeated. “Hey, I was at that camp with you guys.”

Char lifted her head and smiled. “Right. I forgot.”

Jake sure hadn’t. He’d made out with tons of girls that summer. It had been the best summer ever. He’d even had a small crush on Char before she started going all crazy on him: one day they were friends and the next, sworn enemies.

Until that fateful night he’d slept with her.

Then they’d been more than friends for a few hours.

Which begged the question, what were they now? It wasn’t like he wanted her dating anyone else. No, he’d kill any other guy that touched her.

Not that he wanted to be the guy that got to touch her.

Then again. His eyes scanned her face, lips, eyes. Shit, maybe he wanted to try to be that guy she giggled with Kacey about. You know, if girls still did that at twenty-three.

“Please?” Kacey begged. “For me? Just keep an open mind when you meet him, okay? And if anything happens—” she shrugged—“it happens.”

Jake came to Char’s rescue, at least in his mind, when he added his two cents. “Don’t pressure her, Kace. Being alone isn’t a terrible thing. I know lots of single girls who are perfectly happy with their careers and lives. Not everyone wants to get married and have kids.”

“Right.” Kacey pointed at Jake. “And if you want to end up like him, then by all means, Char, be my guest.”

“But…” Jake shook his head. “I’m just trying to say it’s her choice.”

“Just like your choice is to whore around.” Kacey slapped his back. “To each his own, right?”

Why was he suddenly embarrassed by his past? And why the hell was he letting Kacey browbeat him?

Char was looking at him as if she expected him to say something or defend her, but he didn’t know what he was supposed to be saying or doing. The only thing he noticed was that her color was high. Was she embarrassed, too?

“Finally!” Grandma burst through the front door with tons of bags in her hands. “Do you even realize how hard it is to find a good firework in Seattle?”

“Um, should we be concerned?” Sure enough, Char pointed at a bag labeled “Fireworks”.

“Not unless she has matches.” Travis answered just as Grandma pulled out enough matches to burn down the whole of Alkai Beach.

“I told you it would be the best birthday!” Grandma smiled, dropped her bags, then walked over to Char. In an instant she was in Grandma’s arms. “You’re a special girl, and you deserve a special day with family.”

A tear ran down Char’s face when she pulled away from Grandma and said thank you.

The room fell silent again, and then Grandma began barking orders about a cake, fireworks, and margaritas.

Chapter Eighteen

If someone had told Char when she woke up this morning that she’d be having the best birthday of her life in a million-dollar condo on Alkai Beach, she would have laughed. It was hard to believe it even though she was living it.

Grandma had bought a ridiculously good cake from downtown. It was red velvet with sprinkles and had the most amazing frosting she’d ever had in her entire life. She’d even brought the makings for margaritas, Char’s favorite.

Since Grandma’s arrival, Jake had been distant, almost cool. She only hoped it wasn’t because of all the kissing. She’d been upset, and he was just trying to be nice. Like he’d said before, it wasn’t real. It didn’t count because it was her birthday. Right?

“How you holdin’ up?” Jake said, taking a seat by her. “Best birthday ever?”

Char laughed and clinked her glass with his. “Best birthday ever. That is, unless Grandma sets someone on fire, then that would trump it.”

“We’ll be lucky if no one ends up in the ER tonight,” Travis said from their spot on the beach. He and Grandma had been fighting a losing battle with the fireworks for the past hour while everyone else drank margaritas and watched.

“I’m glad we did this,” Kacey said. “Before all the crazy wedding stuff. It’s nice just to be with everyone.”

Grandma snorted as she pulled out another match. Travis backed away while she waved it in the air. “Crazy wedding stuff is right. And don’t think I forgive you two for inviting Petunia.”

Travis groaned. “She’s your sister.”

“She’s a disappointment!” Grandma thrust her fist into the air.

“What did she do?” Char asked, even though Jake was shaking his head no and Travis was waving frantically behind Grandma.

“What did she do?” Grandma asked. “What did she do?”

“She’s repeating herself.” Jake groaned. “Bad sign. Quick, get her another margarita.”

Grandma smacked him on the back of the head and approached Char. “My sister called me a harlot.”

Char bit her lip to keep from laughing.

“At my own wedding!”

Jake raised his hand. “Grandma, you do realize she only called you that because you were on the table—”

“Ssh!” Grandma waved him away. “She’s a prude and she only wears white.”

Char frowned. “Why only white?”

Jake groaned next to her but she ignored him.

Grandma threw the match into the bonfire and shook her head. “She says red’s the color of the devil.”

“And black?”

“The color of hell.”

“Blue?” Char had to ask.

“Sadness.”

“Well, that’s silly.”

“It is,” Grandma agreed. “What she needs is to get a man, but she’s so terrified of them that she’s stayed single. All those years.” She shook her head and tsked.

“All those cats,” Kacey sang from behind Grandma.

“Your future,” Travis nodded, “if you don’t take our advice and go out with Jace.”

“Jace?” Grandma whipped around. “You invited him to the wedding?”

“Fair is fair,” Kacey nodded. “I mean, we want to even out the odds with all the couples, right?”

Grandma glared and then began wringing her hands together.

Char scooted closer to Jake. “I think we’re missing something.”

“Don’t look at me! I’m as clueless as you.”

At that, Grandma snorted. “Yes, he is. Tell me, did you get any wedding preparation done today?”

Jake coughed and looked away.

“Two days!” Grandma held up two fingers. “And Char, don’t forget to request those extra days off with your boss. We don’t want you getting fired.” She winked at Jake.

“Very funny,” he grumbled.

“I think we’re ready!” Travis announced from a few feet behind them.

“Me first!” Grandma charged toward him with her one match and lit it. After a few seconds the firework shot into the sky and cracked.

Fireworks, and they were all for her.

Char giggled and tried to get comfortable in the sand. She felt fingertips graze her shoulder and then Jake was pulling her into his arms. She leaned back against him and sighed as he whispered in her hair. “Happy Birthday, Cinderella.”

“Thanks, Charming.”

“Can I take off your shoes now?”

“Not a chance.”

He tensed behind her.

“But you can hold my hand.”

“Even better.” His hands engulfed hers from behind as he held them in the safety of his embrace.

It was the perfect moment.

Until they heard sirens.

“Uh, Grandma?” Travis scratched his head. “You did get a license from the fire department to set off fireworks on the beach, right?”

Grandma’s silence was answer enough.

Everyone jumped to their feet and made a run for it. All the while Grandma yelled, “I’m not going back to the slammer!”

Luckily they made it safely into the house just as the fire truck and cops showed up on the beach. They turned off all the lights and locked the door.

“On that note,” Grandma sighed happily, “Shall we all go to bed?”

“Yes.” Travis growled, pulling Kacey against him.

Kacey pulled away. “Not until the wedding, hot shot… enjoy the couch.” She slapped his stomach and winked, but Travis wasn’t having any of it. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly, pushing her against the wall.

“Close your eyes,” Jake whispered in Char’s ear. “Last time I kept them open too long I saw tongue—haven’t been the same ever since.”

He let out a grunt when Char smacked him on the stomach and made her way to the bedroom.

“Oh, and Char? You and Jake can take the loft.” Grandma waved good night and walked off.

“But…” Char called to her. “Aren’t there more rooms?”

“Nope,” Jake murmured under his breath. “Looks like you’re stuck with me. Look on the bright side. It’s still your birthday; maybe you’ll get lucky.”

He moved away before Char could hit him. “And maybe you’ll survive the night without getting castrated.”

“Not what you said last time.”

Char glared. “You really want to bring up last time when I’m this close to knives and matches?”

Jake nodded and backed away. “I’ll just go take a shower and see if I can’t find you something to wear to bed.”

Chapter Nineteen

He was fine.

Fine, fine, fine.

Way too many fines in that sentence. Sure, Jake was doing a stellar job of convincing himself that being in the same room with Char wasn’t going to kill him. It was like junior high camp all over again. Except this time, he knew exactly what he was missing out on while the girl slept far, far, away from him.

He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to focus on the task at hand: finding Char some clothes. Then again, no clothes were always an option. He smirked, then remembered her threat and continued his search.

Opening up the top dresser door, he found some boxers and a t-shirt he used to wear in high school. Those would work.

By the time he had climbed the stairs to the loft he had almost convinced himself that it wasn’t a big deal. “Almost” being the key word.

Char was already lying on the bed, her legs crossed and her arms behind her head, causing her breasts to push against her dress in such a dizzying way that Jake had to close his eyes for a brief second. Take that back—not like junior high camp, not at all.

“I found you clothes.” He threw them toward her face. Okay, so maybe kind of like junior high camp after all, since he was still bullying the girls he liked. Where had his game gone? Out the window, that’s where.

“Thanks,” Char muttered, pulling the clothes off her face. “Hey, I remember this shirt.” She laughed and held it up to her chest. “Man of the Year, huh?”

Jake scratched his head and looked away. “Yeah, well, that was a long time ago.” He had been voted Man of the Year in high school, which basically to a hormonal teenage guy meant he was some sort of sexual god sent down to give attention to all girls within his vicinity. They’d loved that shirt. Every time he wore it—well, let’s just say every time he wore it, he was tardy to class.

“I hated this shirt.” Char put it on the bed and sighed.

“You hated it?” Jake took a seat next to her and grabbed the shirt. Had he really been that small? Hell, back in the day he’d thought he was a cut, muscled god. Pathetic, really. The shirt wouldn’t even fit him now.

“Hated it.” Char leaned back on her arms. “I thought it was stupid that people voted on something so silly and that girls took it so seriously. Like, oh my gosh! Did you see Jake Titus today? He’s so hot and he’s wearing the shirt. You know what that means!”

“Shit, how’d you know?”

“Everyone knew.” Char laughed. “If you wore the shirt, it meant you were ready for a little… extracurricular make out session behind the gym. Girls would go to their lockers, add lipstick, hike up their skirts, and just wait for you to pick them. So yeah, I hated that shirt.” She sighed. “Not that much has changed, though. At least now you get your pick without the shirt, right?”

He didn’t really know what to say to that. Was he supposed to agree? Or just lie his ass off? Because technically and sadly, she was right.

“Anyway, I need to change.” She looked at him pointedly.

He didn’t move.

“So…” She nodded toward the door.

Jake shrugged. “I can close my eyes if you’re being that much of a prude, but let me just justify my actions for a brief moment here…”

“Oh please do.” Char turned to him and crossed her arms, again causing her breasts to spill over her dress. Good Lord, she had a nice body. He licked his lips and looked away so he could concentrate.

“One.” He held up a finger. “I’ve seen you naked like four times in my life.”

“Four?”

“Four.” He confirmed. “Once when we were in sixth grade. I was supposed to be in my room when you and Kace changed for the pool. Instead, I snuck over to the guest room and peaked through the door.”

“Pervert.”

“Hey, I’d just discovered I liked girls.”

“Versus what? Mice?”

“Cute.” Jake scowled. “The second time.” He waved two fingers in front of her face, and she pushed his arm away but he kept talking. “Junior high camp. You and Kacey thought I was asleep and you changed into pj’s. I swear ever since then I can’t even look at blue and white stripped underwear without getting a—”

“Stop.” Char moved to stand. “I think it’s safe to say I know where that was going.”

“A huge smile”—Jake winked—“on my face. Gotta love stripes. Anyway, the third time was in high school when you tried out for the basketball team and hit the showers early because you had to go home sick.”

“You do realize that you sound like a Peeping Tom, right?”

Jake shrugged. “And you realize that guys are desperate enough to not give a shit how creepy we sound. We hear ‘naked’ and all bets are off.”

“Which brings us full circle. You want me to trust that you won’t watch when really we both know you will, so let’s get it over with.”

“P-pardon?”

“Stand up.”

He wasn’t really sure he could, or should, for that matter.

“Or sit.” Char moved to straddle his legs. Holy shit, was this really happening? Was she going to—?

“I think you’re under the false impression that I don’t know how guys think.”

“Well I—”

“And because of that little mishap, and you know, for all those times you watched me like the creepy, horny little high schooler you were…”

She grabbed his hands and placed them on either side of her thighs.

“… you don’t get to watch.”

Did that mean he could touch?

She ran his hands from her thighs all the way up her sides, stopping right below her breasts, and then she lifted his hands to her chest and up to her face. “Feel that, Jake Titus?”

Hell yeah, he felt that.

He felt his eyes flare with desire as his body hummed with need to have her.

“Now you don’t have to watch.” Char stepped away. “You and your perverted little mind can imagine. Now, out.” She pointed to the door and crossed her arms.

Was she serious?

She wanted him to stand? Right now? And actually walk to the door? And close it behind him? Without…

“I’m waiting.” She winked.

Well played, damn it.

With difficulty he rose to his feet and slowly shuffled out of the room. It wasn’t until the door clicked shut behind him that he managed to exhale, and even then he had to lean against the wall so he didn’t collapse in a pool of his own unsatiated lust.

“Things go well?” a voice called from down the hall.

Travis walked slowly toward him and smirked. “Ah, so you’ve finally lost it.”

“Huh?” Was he sweating? What the hell! When had a woman ever affected him like this!

“Your game, skills, wooing magic, ability to charm a nun out of her skirts—”

“Point made,” Jake interrupted.

“So…” Travis crossed his arms. “You and Char, huh?”

Jake was silent.

“Don’t do it.”

“Clearly, I’m not doing anything. That’s the damn problem,” Jake muttered.

Travis swore. “Just… don’t do anything rash before the wedding, okay? I can’t even imagine how pissed Kacey would be if she found out you were trying to dally with her best friend and maid of honor.”

“There was no dallying, believe me.” Was that bitterness seeping out of his every word?

“Good.” Travis slapped him on the back. “Because I’ve already got someone lined up for her. Someone stable who doesn’t date chicks with names like Jak-Jak or Honey.”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Jake pushed away from the wall.

“It means,” Travis stepped closer to him, “stay the hell away from her. You just want her because she’s playing hard to get. The minute she makes it easy, you’ll be gone, and I’m going to have to deal with two hysterical women, not to mention Grandma, on the happiest day of my life. Just… Jake, for once in your life, leave it alone, okay?”

What the hell? A pain hit him sharp in the gut. Was it disappointment? Guilt? Shame? He wasn’t really sure, but the last thing he wanted was to continue to let everyone down in his life. He backed away and sighed.

“She’s not my type anyway.”

Travis rolled his eyes. Yeah, he wouldn’t believe himself either, mainly because he was lying his ass off.

“And,” he shrugged. “We’re too good as friends. I wouldn’t want to ruin that. Never actually had a friend that was a girl; I mean we can only count Kacey for so long. I just wanted to do something nice for her birthday. That’s all, I swear.”

“Really?” Travis’s eyes narrowed.

“Of course.” Jake forced a smile. “Besides, you know I love blondes.”

“Travis!” Grandma yelled from the other room. “Couch! Now!”

“No sleeping anywhere near Kacey until after the wedding. Grandma’s orders,” Travis mumbled. “If you hear a man weeping in the middle of the night, ignore it.”

Jake winced. “At least you only have less than two weeks left of torture.”

“Right. Tell that to my—”

“Travis!” Grandma yelled again.

Mumbling an oath, Travis made his way down the stairs and toward the couch. Jake turned back toward the door and knocked.

Char was already in the bed with the lights off. Disappointed, Jake took off his shirt and pants. Clad only in his boxers, he lay down on the bed and pulled the throw blanket over his body.

She had fallen asleep. How could she sleep at a time like this? Wasn’t her body still humming with desire? Did she have no feelings for him whatsoever? And why the hell did he care? With a yawn he attempted to close his eyes and sleep.

Chapter Twenty

Char wiped a warm tear from her eye and tried to keep herself from making too much noise as she sniffled under the blanket.

It was pathetic, really.

She was crying over Jake Titus—again.

Only this time, he hadn’t been rude, just honest. It still hurt like hell. It still made her want to drown her sorrows in ice cream and have a good cry, not that any of that would fix anything.

Friend.

A good friend.

And he liked blondes.

She wasn’t sure why it hurt so much to get rejected again. Maybe it was because of the way he’d kissed her or how sweet he’d been to her today. Then again, it had been her birthday. He was just trying to be nice because it was quite possible, that underneath all that vanity and whorishness, Jake was actually a decent guy.

He just wasn’t her guy.

Careful not to make any noise, Char pulled her phone out from underneath the blankets and texted Kacey.

Excited to meet Jace!

There. Sent. She would move on, because if she didn’t she really would be the crazy cat lady, still waiting on Jake to open his damn eyes and proclaim his undying love. Her chances of that happening were probably just as good as Brad leaving Angelina for her.

With a sigh she set her alarm for six so she could get up in time to run back to her apartment and change for work. Alarm set, she tucked the phone back underneath the blankets and tried to fall asleep.

* * *

The sound of Maroon 5 jolted Char awake so abruptly that she almost fell off the bed. In fact, she totally would have except a warm muscular leg was pinning her to the mattress. Somehow, in the middle of the night, she’d thrashed all the covers off of her body and was now firmly planted underneath 185 pounds of lean male muscle.

Maybe she should just enjoy the moment since it would never happen again?

His breathing deepened. When Char tried to pull free, Jake’s arm snaked around her waist and pulled her firmly against his body.

With a moan he pressed his nose into her hair and sighed. Holy crap. Frantic, she looked around the room, then realized she still had her cell phone in her hand. One-handed she pressed a few icons on her screen and turned on the really annoying alarm clock that made people wake up screaming—you know, payback and all that. She pressed it and held it close to his ear.

The minute the alarm went off his eyes snapped open, but he didn’t move. Instead he stared directly into her eyes as if she was some sort of dream. His pupils dilated and his breathing picked up. Every muscle on top of her tensed. Char could swear she heard his heartbeat as he continued to stare at her.

And then, as if snapping himself out of his stupor, he jerked back and looked away. “Thanks for that wake up call. That didn’t make me want to murder you on the spot.”

“Anytime,” Char snorted. “You were sleeping like the dead.”

“I was warm.”

“You were using me as a blanket.” Char pointed out, standing.

“Women are the best kinds.” He turned over his shoulder and gave her a wink just as she threw a pillow at his head. Drat, he ducked.

“You’re a pig.”

“At least I’m not a tease,” he sang.

“What!” Char marched over to his side of the bed and poked him in the chest. “I’m the tease? At least I don’t run around kissing people saying it’s okay because it’s their birthday!” She made fake quotes in the air with her fingers and scowled.

“You liked it. Admit it. And you’re still a tease. At least I was honest about what I was doing. So I like kissing you? Sue me. I like kissing my grandma, too, doesn’t mean I’m going to—” His face contorted.

“No, don’t stop.” Char crossed her arms. “I really want to see where you were going to go with that one.”

“Oh shut up. It’s early and I’m horny and you’re taking your life into your own hands by even standing that close to me in nothing but a t-shirt and boxers.”

“So now I’m not a tease, I’m just available?”

He shrugged. “If the shoe fits—Cinderella.”

Low blow.

Seething, she made a move to slap him, but he caught her hand and pulled her onto the bed, then rolled on top of her. “Admit it. You were thinking the same thing. Oh look, man-whore of the century wants me; I’ll just have a little bit of my birthday cake early…”

His eyes took on a different color, almost as if he was angry. She tried to push against him, but Jake was like an immovable rock. Every single plane of his body felt like it was carved out of stone, but he was warm, so damn warm it was killing her slowly to even be touching him. He was singeing her to within an inch of her life.

“Fine,” she lied. “I just wanted one taste.”

His eyes flared with anger.

“Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it, too?”

Eyes wide, he swore under his breath and released her, rolling onto his back. “I’ll take you home.”

“What? No snappy retort?” Char asked innocently.

He was silent for a moment, then mumbled something about grandmothers and their manipulative ways before he whispered, “No. Nothing.”

“Fine.”

“Fine!” he yelled.

“Fine!” She pushed him back against the bed and ran toward the door to open it, but it opened before she could get her hands on it.

“Everything okay in here?” Kacey asked, peering around Char to give Jake the glare of death.

“Peachy,” Jake sang from the bed, still lying on his back and staring at the ceiling. “I’m friggin’ fantastic. Just waiting for Char to get ready to I can take her back to the city.”

Char pasted a smile on her face. “I’m just going to go wash some of the man-whore from my body and I’ll be ready to go. Some of us still have jobs to go to in the morning.”

“Heard that!” Jake yelled from the bed.

“I’m surprised you can hear anything at all after how loud you snore!” Char fired back and stormed out of the room.

Chapter Twenty-one

Mad as hell, Jake continued to stare at the ceiling.

Something kicked his foot.

He refused to move.

“What did you do?” The mattress sunk as Kacey sat next to him. “Seriously.”

“Nothing,” Jake grumbled. “That’s the damn problem.”

“The problem is you didn’t do anything?”

“Right.”

“Are you drunk?”

“Why is that always the first thing people ask me? Have I really been acting like an alcoholic these past three years? Seriously?” He sat up and sighed.

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“No.”

“Seriously.” Kacey nudged him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I think the tin man discovered he had a heart.”

“Was that before or after you didn’t do anything?”

“Both.” Jake rose from the bed and stretched. “Not that it matters, but I took the higher road and now we’re fighting again.”

Kacey shrugged. “Higher roads have better rewards.”

“Says the happily engaged woman.” Jake turned around and winked. “No offense, but I think I like the other road better.”

“Probably because you like easy.”

“Not true.”

“Um,” Kacey snorted, “very true.”

“Karma.” Jake pressed his lips together in a firm line. “For the first time I think I may actually want something that I know I have no chance in hell of getting, no chance of deserving or winning, and it just makes it that much worse.”

Kacey stood. “Why is it worse?”

“Remember when I gave you that turtle for Christmas?”

Kacey laughed. “Speedy? Yeah; best gift ever.”

“And you ended up setting him free in the pond because you said it was better that he be a turtle with his family?”

Kacey felt Jake’s forehead. “Seriously.” She whispered. “Are you on drugs?”

“No.” He swatted her hand away. “I’m trying to communicate.”

“Try harder because you’re freaking me out.”

“You love something, you let it go.” He swallowed and looked away.

“I don’t think that’s true.” Kacey pulled Jake in for a quick hug and kissed him on the cheek. “Since when have you ever backed down from a fight?”

Char came back in the room, interrupting their moment. “You ready?”

“Yeah,” Jake called. “Be there in a minute.” Char walked out of the room, leaving it emptier than before. Which was ridiculous. Maybe he was just exhausted. Instead Jake shrugged at Kacey and answered. “I’m not backing out of the fight. I’m just choosing not to participate in it, especially when I know I don’t deserve to even participate, let alone win.”

Chapter Twenty-two

Kacey kicked Travis awake. He was still snoring on the couch. Poor guy. He was going to be exhausted for their little flight home.

“What?” He jerked up and cursed. “Seriously? You kicked me? Why not wake me up with a kiss or sex or—”

“We have a problem.”

“There is no ‘we’.” Travis rubbed his eyes. “Only me. I have a problem. I slept on the damn couch. I have two kinks in my neck and if I’m not able to share the same bed with you soon I’m going to lose my damn mind.”

“Find your morals.” Kacey punched him in the leg, forcing him to move to a sitting position so she could grab a spot on the couch.

“Lost them. Don’t want to find them.” Travis yawned. “Why’d you wake me up again?”

“The problem.”

“Oh, right.” He sighed. “Do I get coffee first?”

“No,” she snapped. “It’s serious!”

“Holy shit. Are you—?”

“Why does everyone keep asking if I’m pregnant? How’s that even supposed to happen with you sleeping in a separate bed?”

Travis seemed to actually think about this.

Rolling her eyes, Kacey grabbed his hand. “Focus. I think something’s wrong with Jake.”

Travis snorted. “If I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me—”

“Shut up. I’m serious! He actually looked sad! He was all depressed and—”

“Morning, Jake!” Travis called as Jake came bounding down the stairs.

“Yup.” Jake waved. “Char already in the car?”

Kacey nodded.

Jake licked his lips and headed for the door. The minute it clicked shut, Travis spoke. “Damn, I think something’s wrong with Jake.”

Reining in her withering patience, Kacey managed not to groan in frustration. “Like I said, we have a problem. What if he actually likes her?”

“Impossible,” Travis said. “The guy hasn’t been in a serious relationship, ever. I mean the closest he ever got was with you and we both know how that ended.”

Ignoring him, Kacey continued. “It just seems like he’s really upset over her. Did you say anything to him last night?”

Travis didn’t answer.

“Baby?”

Travis looked at his hands.

“Did you say something about Char?”

“I may have given him a little… warning.”

“Warning?” Kacey said. “What type of warning?”

“You know… one where I tell him to put on his big boy pants, stop eating where he shits, and leaving Char the hell alone.”

“And he listened to you?”

“Weird, right?” Travis smirked. “At any rate. We both know Jake better than anyone. He doesn’t like her; he just thinks he does because she’s probably the only girl that won’t toss up her skirts for him. Jace is better for her, I promise.”

“But—”

“Kace.” Travis grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Remember, if we lose, Grandma sings at our wedding. I guarantee that if you push Char into Jake’s hands, he’ll bang her and leave her just like every other notch on his bedpost.”

“Okay.” She slumped back against the couch.

“Baby.” Travis chuckled. “I know you have a big heart and want both of them to be happy, but there is no way that Jake’s turned over a new leaf that fast. No chance in hell. And you don’t want to see your best friend hurt like that, especially right before the wedding. Trust me, okay?”

“Okay, but if you’re wrong…” Kacey pulled her legs onto Travis’s lap. “No sex for a week.”

“You do realize we’re not even having sex now?”

“Once we’re married.”

“You’d withhold sex from your husband?”

“To win a wager?” Kacey winked. “Absolutely.”

“Heartless.”

“No.” Kacey kissed his cheek. “That would be Grandma. She’s the one who’s banned you to the couch.”

“I’m only listening to her because she bought a shock collar the other day.”

Kacey gave him a confused look.

“She doesn’t have a dog, Kace. She bought a collar. If I don’t listen, she may use it on me. I put nothing past that woman.”

“Kacey! Travis!” Grandma called from the back room. “Time for breakfast! I’m hungry!”

Groaning, Travis put his face in his hands. “Do you think she has a quiet button? Forget dying from lust. I’m going to go deaf.”

It was quiet for a second then, “Heard that!” From Grandma.

Travis wordlessly lifted his hands into the air in frustration, then got up off the couch. He held his hand out for Kacey and pulled her in for a hug. “Seriously, Kace, don’t worry about it. I promise. Jake’s just being Jake, okay?”

She nodded, but she wasn’t convinced. Because for the first time in years Jake actually looked… sad about the way that his night had gone. He looked anything but happy and, that was the thing: he’d never let a girl affect him like that before. Not even when she and he had been together. Which really made Kacey wonder if he was falling for her best friend.

Chapter Twenty-three

“Can you drive faster?” Char asked, a bit annoyed that it was taking them so long to get back into the city. She had exactly forty minutes to get ready and be at the office.

“Sure. I’ll just get a speeding ticket,” Jake said.

“It’s not like you can’t afford it.”

“What is up with you?” He pulled into the carpool lane. “Everything was fine last night and then all of a sudden you’re a cold b—”

“If you value your life, you won’t finish that sentence.”

“Brat.” Jake grinned and sped past another car.

Char ignored his ridiculously flashy smile and looked out the window. “It’s fine; everything’s fine. I just have a lot to get done if I’m going to take all that time off from work for the wedding.”

They fell silent.

After a few minutes, Jake asked. “Is it something I did?”

Something he did? Was he really that dense? He was toying with her feelings! Making her fall for him when he really had no interest beyond friendship. “No,” she lied. “I’m just tired.”

“I’m sorry.” He pulled the car on to Queen Anne Hill. “You know, if it was me, I didn’t mean to upset you with your parents or get us arrested or—”

“Jake.” Char interrupted. “It was the best birthday ever. I promise. I just have to return to reality, you know?”

Gosh, how depressing did that sound? Returning to reality, where she wasn’t a princess, Jake sure as hell wasn’t her prince, and she worked at a job where people still snickered behind their clipboards.

He seemed satisfied with that answer because he didn’t say anything, just parked the car and let her walk away without as much as a good-bye.

It was better that way.

It had to be.

* * *

By the time Char made it to work, she was already ten minutes late and had missed her morning coffee.

A few people whispered when she walked by, which really wasn’t all that odd. She made her way to her desk amidst all the stares. Please! It wasn’t as if she was doing the walk of shame, not that she’d been opposed to the idea last night. Ugh, how could she be so stupid! The man was her kryptonite! One kiss and she was powerless. The man needed a warning label or an act of government to warn unsuspecting women.

“Hey.” A man she’d never seen before stopped her. “Happy Birthday, Char. Hope it was awesome.”

“Um, yeah, thanks.” Self-consciously, Char looked around the room and noticed every eye on her. Keeping her head down, she made a beeline for her desk.

It was covered in roses.

Hundreds of yellow roses.

With shaking hands she picked up the card. Written inside was a simple note: “Sorry you cried. Hope you had a great birthday. I’ll pick you up at five to finish the list—Jake.”

“Damn.”

“Who are those from?” Her boss, Mark, walked up behind her and smiled. “And why didn’t you tell us it was your birthday?”

“I, uh—”

“You don’t have to tell me. But I need to see you for a few seconds, okay? When you’re ready.” He lifted his coffee cup in the air, giving her a waft of the caffeine she so desperately needed, and walked off.

Char set her purse down inside her desk and stomped off toward Mark’s office. After closing the door, she took a seat.

“You didn’t tell me you were going to be in the Titus wedding,” he began. No hello, no hi, how are you? Nothing. Just a simple fact. She’d failed to mention she was going to be in the wedding of the century. Whoops?

“I, uh, was trying to respect their privacy.” The lie came swiftly; really she was just trying to push the attention away from her and Jake, again. Eventually, word would get out and she didn’t want to be hounded by all her female co-workers, asking what he smelled like.

“I want you to cover it.”

“But I’m in it.”

“Exactly.” He leaned forward and folded his hands across the desk. His gray eyes gleamed as the fluorescent lights drew attention to a vein in his forehead. “Ever since the incident—” That’s what he called it. The incident where she showed up for a news report completely wasted after a one-night stand with Seattle’s infamous bachelor. Would she never live that down?

Mark paused and cleared his throat. “You’ve been doing a few stories for us here and there, but have yet to gain your spot back as one of our premier reporters. It’s not you. It’s our reputation that’s at stake. We can’t have a girl with your type of—”

Oh, this should be interesting.

“Reputation, being the face of KOMO news, but I’d be willing to give you another chance if you did a good job covering this wedding. Every news station wants the story, but we’re the only one with the in. We have you.”

“I’d have to ask permission, Mark. You know that.”

He shrugged. “Ask permission or don’t. It’s up to you, but if they say no I still want you to do it.”

“But—”

“This is your career, Char. Do you really want another chance or not? Because if you don’t, the door is behind you.” He turned on his computer and didn’t give her another glance. “We’re done here.”

Char rose carefully. “Yes, sir.”

“And Char?”

She turned.

“I would think very seriously about your future. Maybe KOMO news isn’t the right place for you. There are plenty of other eager college graduates willing to take your place.”

Fighting back tears, Char stalked out of the office and made a beeline toward her desk. The scent of the roses literally choked her. Or maybe that was fear. She wasn’t sure.

With shaking hands, she picked up the phone and dialed Kacey’s number.

Voicemail.

Of course.

They were probably flying.

The thing was, Char knew that Kacey wanted privacy. It was one of the prime reasons they’d chosen to get married at Titus Abbey rather than in a big church. Their house was private property, therefore they could control the paparazzi. Granted, Travis wasn’t as famous as Jake, but their family owned basically half of Seattle and had been featured in Forbes more times than Char could count. The wedding was big news. They were millionaire business moguls. And people were obsessed with the Titus brothers, almost as much as they were with the Seahawks.

It was a cranky start to Char’s day; she worked through lunch and by the time five arrived she was so ready to leave she almost bolted out the door the minute the big hand hit the twelve.

“Ready?” a voice said behind her.

More whispering and gasping, a few swear words, and then a moan. Yes, one woman had actually moaned out loud.

“Jake.” Char swallowed and turned around, ready to face the god himself. He had on tight ripped jeans and a white t-shirt. Sweet mother of God, he was beautiful.

Now she understood the moaning.

Pretending not to be fazed as his hazel eyes met hers, she reached for her purse and stood. “I’m ready if you are.”

A few cell phones were lifted in the air, pointing in their direction. Jake’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. In fact, he looked almost… angry. Licking his lips, he gave a small wave to the people standing around them and turned away. A few women began talking loudly next to Char’s cubicle.

“Great.” He smiled and helped her to her feet, then put his hand on the small of her back as he walked her down the hall.

A few more snickers were heard as they passed offices.

And then a cat call.

The touch of Jake’s hand was burning itself into her back. It wasn’t lost on her that when she walked by Mark’s office she could see he had a satisfied gleam in his eyes. Bastard. They were almost home free.

Char hit the down button on the elevator and prayed it would go faster. You could seriously hear a pin drop, the room was eerily quiet of it’s usual buzz and laughter.

“Jake? Jake Titus?” A woman cleared her throat.

Both Char and Jake turned.

Michelle Klike was the reporter that had replaced Char on the five o’clock news. She had bright blond hair and was Barbie-doll small; her nickname was Legs.

“Yeah?” Jake licked his lips and flashed that fake smile again.

“Michelle Klike. I’m sure you’ve seen me on the news.” She tossed her platinum hair and winked. “We should do lunch sometime. I’d love to get to know you better.”

Right. Char snorted softly. Michelle sent her a glare and then turned her attention back to Jake.

“I, uh…” Jake shook his head and wrapped his arm around Char. “I’m busy.”

Michelle’s smile turned feral as she eyed Char, and then Jake and then Char again, her brow furrowing in confusion. “Well,” she pulled out a card, “you just let me know when you’re done with Char and I’ll set up a date.”

Done? Char’s eyebrows shot upward, most likely getting lost in her hairline as she took a step toward Michelle.

Jake’s muscles flexed as he gripped Char with his arm and took the card with his other hand. “Thanks, but I’ve already got a reporter I talk to.”

“For now.” Michelle flashed that damn smile again and strutted off.

The elevator doors opened, thank God.

Jake pushed the button for the doors to close at least ten times before they actually did, and then cheesy music blanketed their awkward silence.

“Sorry,” he finally said, his voice hoarse. “It’s not normally that bad. I mean—”

“Jake,” Char held up her hand. “You don’t have to explain. I know who you are and what you are, okay? Let’s just leave it at that. And who knows? At least now you won’t have to go to the club for your next booty call, right?”

Nostrils flaring, his eyes went cold for a brief moment before he looked away and shook his head. When the elevator doors finally re-opened, he let Char step in front of him and again placed his hand on the small of her back. What was he doing? She’d just pushed him away again and he was still, what? Being nice?

She eyed him suspiciously. “What’s your game here?”

He shrugged as they made their way through the parking garage.“I thought we’d eat before we finish off the whole wedding gift and cake topper thing,” Jake said as he unlocked a white BMW. Seriously, how many cars did the guy have?

“Sure.” Char got into the car and was reminded yet again how many straws she was attempting to grasp by even thinking she could be with a guy like Jake. He was playing with her: that was his angle. The minute she was gone he’d call Legs. “Where to first?”

“Well.” He put the car in drive. Merciful God above, what was he wearing? What type of cologne was that? She leaned forward and felt her face flush when she actually shivered at his scent.

“What are you doing?” Jake asked. The car was back in park. His eyes were twinkling with amusement.

“Er.” Char jerked away. “Just helping you see.”

“See?”

“The traffic.” She pointed behind them to nonexistent cars going by them in the parking garage.

“I think I’ll be okay on my own.” He winked and continued backing out while Char prayed for the car to swallow her whole.

“So this restaurant.” Changing the subject, she dug into her purse for some lip gloss. “It’s by the cake place?”

“Yup.”

“Cool.”

Holy crap. Was it going to be this awkward the entire time? “Thanks, for the flowers. They were really pretty.” There, she made her peace.

“They were yellow.” Jake pointed out as he maneuvered the car onto third street.

“Right,” Char said slowly.

“That means forgiveness.”

“Okay.”

“Just thought you should know.” He shrugged.

“Jake, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

He didn’t say anything. Just kept driving while Char managed not to look like a dog in heat as his smell continued to radiate off of him.

Jake pulled the car into a parking spot by a small restaurant and ran around it to help Char out. “I know it looks like a hole in the wall but it’s really good. I promise.”

The building was old and brick, like most buildings in downtown Seattle. The door to the restaurant was red, and spray-painted beside it was the word “Fork”. Hmm. She shrugged and followed him inside.

People were scattered about, sitting at mismatched tables with checkered tablecloths topped with giant glasses of wine. Hmm, maybe she would like this place after all. Jake grabbed her hand, took her to the corner table, and pulled out her chair.

“You already ordered?” She pointed to the full wine glasses on the table.

“Nope.” He grinned. “That’s how the tables are. The wine is all inclusive, as much as you want, at all times. The first glass is always the house wine and then they bring you whatever your preference.”

“Holy crap.” Char looked lustfully at the glass of wine. “You’ve brought me to heaven.”

His smile was so large that Char gasped before looking down at the menu on the table. It was handwritten on a small chalkboard that sat like a placemat by her silverware.

“You like it?” he asked.

“I love it.” Char met his gaze and smiled.

Chapter Twenty-four

It had been an accident. He’d only meant to order one damn flower. But then he thought of Char’s dejected face, and how sad she’d looked when she got out of the car. So he ordered a few more. It was seriously like he had no control over his mouth as he talked to the florist.

When the florist asked why he was sending flowers, well. That’s when things spiraled out of control. Because he couldn’t help that his imagination began conjuring up images of what Char’s face would look like when she went to work and saw her desk littered with flowers. He was convinced nobody had ever taken the time to do something nice for her. He’d bet his life on it.

So fine. It had been excessive.

Perhaps too excessive.

But it was a peace offering. Whoever said peace offerings couldn’t be excessive? He’d wanted her to feel good.

Mission accomplished.

Until he saw her face again.

He really needed to stop seeing her in person. It was making him feel things he didn’t want to feel, like vulnerable and stupid.

And now she was looking at him like that again. The same look girls got on their faces when they were falling. Normally he hated it. But now? He craved it. Slowly, she was ruining him. He wasn’t sure if he should run the other way or just kiss her and get it over with. But that same irritating fear was still blocking all logical thought, making him re-think every damn choice.

He knew he was an ass and didn’t deserve her. He also knew he would most likely mess up and she’d hate him.

And then there was also his past with women. Add that on top of all the shameful things he’d done to Kacey and he wasn’t sure he could trust himself, let alone allow someone else to put their trust in him.

With a sigh he looked back down at the menu and tried to find something to order. Everything looked fuzzy; nothing sounded good, nothing but her.

And sadly, Char wasn’t on the menu. Maybe if he could find some chalk he’d put her on there and ask nicely.

Then he’d nicely push everything off the table.

And nicely strip her of her clothes.

Then nicely lay claim to her—

“Jake?” Char interrupted. “You’re all flushed. Are you okay?”

Hell no. He was not okay.

He gripped the sides of his chair and gave her a curt nod. “I was just thinking.”

“Care to clue me in?” Char laughed. “Your thoughts seem exciting.”

Oh, if she only knew.

“Ready to order?” A waiter popped out of nowhere.

Damn. If Jake would have actually been looking at the menu he could’ve fired something off, but his mind had gone completely blank, and now he was staring at Char’s mouth, like a starving man. Perfect. He was turning into a lunatic. Grandma would be pleased with herself.

“I’ll have the chef’s salad with a side of fries.”

Jake laughed and pointed at Char. “Same for me.”

She took a sip of wine and closed her eyes.

Mouth completely dry, Jake watched as she savored the red wine and finally swallowed.

He’d be lucky to get out of the restaurant without dying from arousal. He cleared his throat and managed to look away. “So, fries and salad, huh?”

“Best of both worlds.” Char answered.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed that the glass of temptation, aka the wine, was back on the table. He exhaled and managed to gain a bit more control over himself as their eyes met again.

“So we eat.” Char chewed her lower lip. “Then we get the cake topper, and only one more task?”

“Yup.”

“Should be easy.”

“We’ll be done in no time.” Jake winked.

Chapter Twenty-five

“We really need to stop saying things like that.” Char sighed as they watched the elderly woman type into the computer using only her pointer fingers.

“Now.” Blanche, the owner of the cake shop, stopped typing. “What was the last name?”

“Titus,” Jake said slowly.

“Can you spell that, please?” The lady smiled, revealing a large set of teeth that looked like the perfect dentures.

“Uh, sure. T, I, T, U, S.”

“T.” She typed and looked up.

Char managed not to laugh but only barely. She had to look away.

“I.” Jake paused.

Sure enough Blanche looked up again. Holy crap, the woman would try the patience of a saint!

“T,” he continued.

“Tit?” Blanche coughed. “What kind of last name is that?”

“No, no, no.” Jake leaned over the counter. “There’s two more letters.”

“Oh!” Blanche touched her hands to her cheeks and laughed. “Dearie, I’m so sorry, this old brain doesn’t work as well as it used to!”

“Does it work at all?” Char mumbled under her breath. Jake elbowed her as he continued spelling.

“U.”

Blanche poked the U button and looked up.

Seriously. They could have baked bread in the time it took that woman to type one name.

“S.”

Both she and Jake exhaled as Blanche finally typed in the last letter and pressed enter on the computer.

They only sound in the tiny shop was the hum of the computer and the light violin music playing in the background. There were cupcakes layered in a glass box in front of the register and a few cake toppers lying around. All in all it was a really small shop.

“Oh no.” Blanche sighed.

Jake glanced at Char, and a look of complete irritation flashed across his perfect features before he said in a strained voice, “Blanche, is something wrong?”

“It’s the topper.”

“Yes?”

“The one we ordered and the one that came in are different. I tried calling the number they gave me but they never returned the call.”

“What number did you have?” Jake asked.

Blanche’s slow hands made their way across the computer. Two minutes later she was reading off a number.

“Grandma.” Char and Jake both said her name as if it was an expletive.

“Why don’t I show it to you and you can decide?” Blanche put her hand in the air. “I’ll go get it. I just need to find it.”

When she disappeared to the back, Char leaned against the counter and sighed. “By the time she gets back I’ll be too old to have children.”

“At least you won’t have all those cats.” Jake winked.

“Wow, helpful, Mr. Sensitive. Thanks.”

He shrugged and looked around the shop. “This doesn’t seem like the type of place Kacey would choose for a cake topper.”

“Tell me about it,” Char grumbled. “The dress I had to try on was awful. I swear I thought Grandma took me to the wrong shop.”

They both gasped and looked at each another.

“Do you think…?” Jake asked.

“What?” Char put her hands on her hips. “That this is some sort of sick joke and Grandma’s doing it on purpose to torture us?”

“No.” Jake shook his head. “You think?”

Char squinted and looked at the door. It was a reputable shop, and the lady did seem to have nice designs. “I don’t think she would stoop so low.”

“She faked her own death to get Kacey and Travis together. Believe me, this is exactly the type of thing she’d do.”

“Here it is!” Blanche showed up with a cake topper that looked perfectly normal. It was a couple who looked like Kacey and Travis, dancing in each other’s arms.

“Not bad.” Jake looked at Blanche. “What’s wrong with it?”

Blanche held up her hand and picked up the stand from the box then set the glass figurine down inside it.

The stand said, “Tits Forever.”

“Holy hell.” Jake swore under his breath. “We can’t take that to the wedding!”

Char covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing, then cleared her throat. “Is um, is there any way we can do it without the stand?”

Blanche looked horrified that she would even suggest it. “Without the stand?”

Char nodded.

“Without the stand?” Blanche’s eyes flared.

“Just back up slowly,” Jake whispered, grabbing Char’s hand and shielding her with his body.

“It needs the stand!” Blanche shouted. “Every figurine has a specifically made stand to sit on the cake; otherwise it sinks through. Do you want to ruin this wedding? What type of a bride are you?”

“Oh.” Char peaked around Jake’s body. “I’m not the bride.”

Blanche’s eyes narrowed. “But you’re picking up your cake topper.”

“Maid of honor.” Char raised her hand.

Blanche looked to Jake.

“I, uh,” he stuttered. “I’m the brother. Best man.”

“And you let this happen? You let them order a cake topping with the wrong spelling?” Blanche walked slowly around the counter and faced them. “What type of friends are you?”

“Bad ones,” Jake agreed. “Terrible ones.”

Blanche shook her head. “When’s the wedding?”

“Next week,” Char piped up.

“Well then, good luck telling them you won’t have a cake topper.”

“We’ll take it!” Char shouted from behind Jake.

He swung around. “It says Tits forever. No way in hell is that going on the wedding cake.”

“They need a topper!” Char argued. “You’re a guy. Can’t you just build something for the cake, so we can still use the topper they ordered? It’s really pretty. I mean when you take the ‘Tits’ out.”

Jake cracked a smile.

Char looked away again.

“Damn it.” He pulled out his credit card. “We’ll take it. Stand and all.”

“Lovely.” Blanche smiled. “I’m sure the bride and groom will love it. And if you ever need another cake topper, please be sure to keep Tops R Us in mind.”

“Over my dead body,” Jake mumbled and handed the receipt to Char while he grabbed the box and made his way out the door.

Char followed mindlessly.

They got into the car.

And laughed.

“We really shouldn’t be in charge of things,” Char finally said when she stopped laughing.

“What the hell are we going to do? If that’s the one Kacey ordered she’s going to flip if it’s wrong.”

Char shrugged. “Well, we’ll figure something out. Now let’s finish everything up. We have to leave tomorrow night.”

“Right.”

“Oh, and here.” She handed him the receipt and buckled her seatbelt.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Jake swore fluently and crumpled the receipt in his hand before throwing it against the floor.

“Something wrong?”

“Yeah, that cake topper cost two grand.”

“What?” Char shrieked.

Jake smirked. “Tits sure are expensive these days.”

Char covered her face with her hands and laughed. She froze, however, when she felt Jake reach around and touch the back of her seat to back up. His hand grazed her neck. An involuntary shiver ran through her body.

“Um.” She leaned forward and grabbed the list. “Okay, now we just have to pick up Grandma’s gift.”

“Where to?”

Char squinted. “That’s weird.”

“What?”

“It’s just an address?”

Jake shrugged. “What is it? I’ll put it in the navigation.”

Char read off the address. Luckily, wherever they were going was only a few blocks away from downtown, closer to the college as well as to Queen Anne Hill.

After they turned down the right street Jake added, “I wouldn’t put it past Grandma to get them something inappropriate; just a fair warning.”

“Please.” Char rolled her eyes. “How bad could it be?”

Chapter Twenty-six

Jake realized that it could be that bad and worse when they pulled up to a drugstore. “I don’t get it. This is the address she gave us?”

He looked at the paper again and then at his watch. It was getting late and as much as he didn’t mind being with Char, there was no chance in hell was he going to actually spend late into the evening with her, not with the way his body was acting. He’d ruin everything. Wow, so now he was turning into a runner. Never thought he’d see that day.

“So should we just leave?” Char asked.

“I’ll call her.” Jake pulled out his phone and dialed Grandma’s number. She answered on the second ring.

“What?”

“We’re at the drugstore. Did you give us the wrong address for the gift?”

“No.”

Damn, the woman could try the patience of a priest. “Right. So is it in the drugstore?”

“Yes, they are.”

“They?”

Grandma yelled something and covered the phone and then cleared her throat. “Yes, just go in and tell them you’re there to pick up the things for Jake Titus.”

“Why’d you put it under my name?”

Grandma paused and then laughed. “Oh, I’ll be right there!”

“Huh?”

“Not you.” She giggled. “It’s under your name because you’re picking everything up. Now just go introduce yourself to the nice manager. He should be working tonight, and he’s expecting you.”

“Grandma, I hate to ask—”

“Then don’t!” The phone went dead.

Jake cursed and put it in his front pocket. “Something tells me we shouldn’t go in.”

Ignoring him, Char opened the door. “Come on, grow a pair. It’s just a drug store. She could have gotten them a gift card or something and needed us to pick it up.”

Jake thought he should really learn to listen to that inner voice. You know, the one that screams May Day! or Red Alert! when you’re walking into a trap. Everything about going into the drug store screamed trap.

Instead of listening to his inner voice, he ignored it altogether, mainly because Char was walking in front of him and he found himself hypnotized by the sway of her hips. He could do nothing less than follow.

But he really should have stayed where he was.

He knew that the minute they walked into the store and he introduced himself.

“Oh!” Bob, the manager, held out his hand. “We’ve been waiting for you! Now I think I have everything your grandmother needed right here for that wedding night!” He winked.

Jake cringed.

Char looked into the basket.

She really shouldn’t have.

Bob, thinking she couldn’t see, dumped the contents of the basket onto the counter.

“Now.” Bob cleared his throat. “Your grandmother has expressed interest in grandchildren. This is the top of the line fertility test. It will of course show when the lovely lady…” he waved at Char, then looked back at Jake, “will be ovulating. Do you know how to use one of these, miss?”

Char’s eyes widened with horror. Her mouth opened and closed.

Jake laughed nervously. “She uh, I mean we will… figure it out.”

Char gave him a look that said over my dead body will we be figuring anything out together. But otherwise she said nothing.

“Now these.” Bob pulled out a box of condoms and waved them in the air. “Oh wait, no that’s not right; they’re the wrong size.”

“We’ll take them.” Jake tried to put the condoms back in the basket but Bob jerked them away just in time.

“Now, young man.” Bob shook his finger in Jake’s face. “You know as well as I do how irresponsible it is to wear a condom that doesn’t exactly fit. Your grandmother and I have been over all your… issues. You need the right size—”

“Perfect!” Jake interrupted, feeling his face heat. “Those are perfect.” He reached for the box but Bob pulled it away and then called in to the intercom.

“Yeah, Stacey, can you run back to aisle three and grab the extra small Trojan box? A customer needs them.”

Good Lord above.

He was going to murder his grandmother.

Jake laughed nervously. “No really, it’s a joke. My grandmother’s joking. I’m not really… I mean, that’s not actually true. I’m not that size; I’m, I’m…” Well shit, what was he supposed to say?

Panicked, he looked to Char for help.

She snickered, then batted her eyelashes at Bob. No. Not a chance in hell she would throw him under the bus like that.

“Jake.” She purred, looping her arm within his. “We’ve talked about this at great length.” Shitty choice of words. “And we’re in agreement. You need to come to terms with your body image. Everyone has their… little, tiny, miniscule, shortcomings. Wouldn’t you say, Bob?”

“I do not have a small p—”

“Here they are!” A girl in her mid-twenties approached the register with the small box and glanced at Jake, then her eyes widened. “Jake? Jake Titus?”

Could a man die from embarrassment?

Stacey. He didn’t remember her name, but he remembered her face. Two months ago, bar in Belltown. What were the odds that the one girl in his life that he couldn’t actually perform for would be in this drugstore? At this moment.

That’s it. Grandma had put a microphone on his body. Somewhere. She was listening, always watching. Holy shit, she was working for NASA.

“You been good?” She played with the box, and then, seeming to remember she was holding it handed it over and paused. “Wait, these for you?”

Char reached for the box. “Yeah, they are. Right, Jakey?”

Jake could only nod while little parts of his manhood floated away before his very eyes. May as well go grab a Nicholas Sparks movie and sit at home with a bottle of wine and talk about his PMS.

He was done for.

“Well, uh.” Stacey started backing up slowly. Like any sane woman would when faced with this type of situation. No doubt she was thanking God for small favors as she disappeared down the aisle.

“Okay.” Bob clapped his hands. “Let see what else that treasure for a grandmother put on the list.”

“Yes.” Char grinned. “Let’s.”

“Really?” Jake ground out as he elbowed Char in the ribs. “A tiny problem? You know that’s not true. I mean, you really know that’s not true.”

She shrugged.

Damn it. You know a man’s desperate when he’s ready to strip his clothes down and flash the man at the drug store just to prove a point.

Either desperate or eager for prison.

Holy shit when would this day end?

“Ah, here we are.” Bob said, pulling out a small white bag with a prescription stapled to it. “This should help immensely. Now, be sure to only take it when you need it. If your erection lasts for longer than four hours, seek medical help immediately. But it should truly improve the honeymoon. If you get my meaning.” He winked at Char.

She giggled back.

“I don’t need that.” Jake crossed his arms.

“Your grandmother said—”

“She’s senile! Last week she wanted to do a Vegas show with tigers!” Jake yelled.

“Now son—”

“Jake.” Char patted his arm. “It’s okay to admit when you have a problem.”

Forcing himself to grin, he turned to Char. “You know what, sweetheart?”

Her eyes smiled. “What?”

“You’re right.”

“I am?” Her smile fell as her eyes narrowed.

“Of course.” Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Which is probably why Grandma opted against the liquor or wine in the basket.”

“But—“

“Drinking problem.” Jake nodded his head toward Char. “It’s okay, though. After all, you’ve been clean for how long, sweetie? A day?” He snapped his fingers. “Oh wait, never mind, I forgot about the flask in your purse. Baby, it’s good to know we can talk about these things together. Maybe now that you’ve told me you’ll stop drinking we can get pregnant. So, so thankful for that fertility test.”

Char’s eyes flared to life. “Yes. So thankful.” Her words were clipped. “After all, if you take the Viagra at least I’ll be able to remember the fact that we even had sex!”

“Oh, you’ll remember!”

“Funny, last night I made a grocery list!”

“For more alcohol!” Jake shouted.

They were nose to nose, breathing heavy, and for some insane reason all Jake could think about was kissing her. Hard. Teaching her a lesson and then pushing her against the counter, preferably away from the fertility test, and having his damn way with her, over and over again.

Her eyes flickered to his lips.

Jake reached for her but she reached for him first.

Their mouths collided with such force that Jake groaned.

Her lips were plump and tasted like wine and salt. Good Lord he wanted to lick up and down her body until she begged him to stop.

“Um, Mr. Titus.” Bob cleared his throat.

Jake jerked away from Char.

“T-the, fertility test.” Char said hoarsely. “You know, all those magical baby-making powers and stuff.” Her eyes closed as if she realized how lame she just sounded.

“We’ll take it all.” Jake wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and watched as Char shook her head once and walked out of the store. Shit.

“Now, would you like me to add in any candy for an extra fifty cents?” Bob asked.

“No candy.”

“Gum.”

“No gum!” Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just what Grandma had on the list.” Bob shrugged and took Jake’s credit card then very slowly put everything into a bag. As soon as Jake got his receipt he ran out of the store. Char was waiting by the car. His footsteps echoed on the concrete as he walked up to the BMW. “You okay?” She sighed and turned to face him. “Well I do wish I had a flask.”

“Oh yeah?”

She managed a smile.

Jake shuddered. “Well, I don’t wish I had to use extra small condoms, thank you very much.”

That brought a smile to Char’s face as Jake unlocked the car for them to get in.

“So that’s it,” he said before starting the car. “Mission accomplished.”

“Right.” She nodded. “Guess so.”

“Yeah.” Irritated with himself, Jake prodded her further. “So you need a ride to the airport or anything Thursday?”

“Um, no, no I’m good.” Char licked her lips. They were still swollen from their kiss. What the hell had come over him? It was the fertility test—well, damn if it didn’t work without ever taking it out of the box.

He gripped the steering wheel hard, and managed to keep his smile as tight as the rest of his humming body.

“Jake?” Char said after a few minutes of silence. Jake was seriously contemplating just pulling over the car and attacking her.

“Yeah?”

“About the wedding. Do you think they’ll let any press inside, you know, to cover some of the pre-ceremony details and family interviews?”

Poor Char, she was probably worried her face would be splashed all over the news again. He needed to put her at ease. “Not at all. Kacey was really specific about no media. So you have nothing to worry about. They don’t want to turn it into a field day. I mean, you know as much as me what happens when the media gets involved.”

“Right.”

“No offense.” He cringed, momentarily forgetting she was a reporter. Though he hadn’t seen her on the news in a while. Not that he’d been some creepy stalker who’d Tivo’d her channel or saved them or anything. He cleared his throat. “So how’s work?”

“Swell.”

“You have any big projects coming up? Curing world hunger or something like that?”

“Something like that.” Char let out a breath and looked out the window. “I’m sorry, by the way.”

“For?”

“The condoms.” She turned to look at him; the moonlight reflecting through the windows of his car highlighted the curve of her delicate neck.

He adjusted himself in his seat and managed to clear his throat, sounding relatively normal and not at all as turned on as he felt. Damn. When was the last time just the mere appearance of a girl had him acting like he was fourteen again? “Yeah, well, I’m sorry I called you an alcoholic.”

She smiled, the type of smile guys dream about at night, the smile that holds promises of forever and stolen kisses, lots of laughter, and… He shook his head. Not on the agenda, not in his life, not his future.

He pulled up to her work where her car was parked. Soft music from the radio played in the background. It wasn’t a date. It wasn’t meant to be, except it felt like one. It was awkward in the same way first dates are. You know, the kind of date where you’re terrified of where to put your hands, if you have food in your teeth, or whether you’re giving off a creepy vibe.

Char reached for the door handle and pushed it open. “See you later, Jake.”

“Yeah.”

He let her walk away.

Again.

It seemed as if he was always doing that. She was always walking toward something and for some reason it made him want to chase her. As if she was a zebra and he was a lion in need of pouncing on her.

Did he only want her because she was angry as hell and hard to get? Or was it more? He put his car back into drive and turned up the music.

Reality. He needed a large dose of it. Either that or a cold shower. Travis had warned him away and for once in his life he didn’t really feel like letting Travis or Kacey down.

“Siri,” he said aloud to his phone. “Find me the closest bar.”

Chapter Twenty-seven

How was it fair that even though Char and Jake weren’t dating, all she wanted to do when she got home was open up a giant bottle of wine and watch bad reality TV? He’d done nothing wrong.

Other than being mind-numbingly attractive, treating her like a princess, then accusing her of being an alcoholic.

She smirked, and opened the bottle of wine, pouring herself a glass. Beth was already asleep but Char still couldn’t get the afternoon’s events out of her head. As typical of any girl, she wanted to dissect every last piece of conversation she and Jake had had until she could figure out what it all meant. Was he just being nice? Turning over a new leaf and all that? Or was it all a ploy to get her into bed again? Was he just being that guy until he had what he wanted? And did he even want her to begin with or was he suddenly just bored with his playboy lifestyle?

To add to her list of already growing problems—he’d said no media. Maybe if she presented her case differently, was completely honest with him and said she’d be jobless just like him if she didn’t cover it. Would he take pity on her? Then again, she was damn good at her job; that one little incident didn’t define her, all she needed were some details of the wedding, a few pictures, and she’d be golden. Nobody ever had to know it was her that gave the information up to the press. Besides, wouldn’t they rather have a friend cover such a special day than some random person with a camera? Was it right for Char to even ask such a favor? Especially given the stress of the wedding? She didn’t want to add more, and honestly it wasn’t Kacey’s problem that Char’s boss was a greedy ass who had no moral compass. The quiet ticking of the clock in the bedroom didn’t matter. It was like being on Jeopardy.

She put herself in Kacey’s shoes: What would she do? Kacey always did the right thing, even if it killed her. Char, on the other hand, wasn’t marrying into a Titus fortune. She needed money to eat! After getting her demotion, she knew this was the final straw. If she didn’t get the pictures, her dream of being on the news would be officially over. So what if she just asked Kacey? Or Travis? Or even Grandma? A headache began to pound at her temples.

Her phone went off and she looked at the screen. It was an e-mail, which she quickly opened. One word. That’s all it was. One word and a question mark.

Well?

It was from Mark. The only answer she could come up with rhymed with it, Hell, and that was it. As if she needed another sign, Kacey’s face popped up on her cell.

She needed advice, wise counsel, something, anything. Or maybe just another chat with her boss. Maybe if she explained the predicament he’d back off?

Groaning, she closed her eyes for a second, allowing all the stress of the day to wash away from her. She needed a job. Period. Jake Titus? Well, that was more of a want, and she still hadn’t figured out if he’d lost his mind or somehow just found a heart in that muscular body of his.

With a grunt she sat on the couch and flipped on the TV. Soon her eyes felt heavy and she fell asleep.

* * *

The sound of the TV jolted her awake. Slowly, Char rose from the couch and grabbed the remote to turn it off.

But when she reached for the button, something on the screen caught her eye.

“Holy crap.” She turned it up, more awake than she’d been in hours.

“Millionaire playboy Jake Titus returns to party scene.” The reporter said. “He was seen downtown at hot spots Brazeel and Ice. Sources say he left with not one, but two women on his arm. Rumors have gone rampant over the past week, ever since Mr. Titus was asked to step down from Titus Enterprises. Women all over Seattle must be happy to see the city’s most famous bachelor in high spirits and back to his old self.”

The remote fell from her hand.

Shaking, Char took a sip of wine.

The ass.

He was toying with her, playing a game, and she’d totally fallen for it again! How many times in the past few days had she promised herself she wouldn’t fall, and yet she justified her feelings because he had seemed so different.

Clearly, leopards didn’t change their spots.

And Jake Titus could sleep with whomever the hell he wanted. She was done, completely done.

Chapter Twenty-eight

The first thing Jake thought when he woke up alone in his bed was that God had taken away his sex drive in order to punish him.

But if he was really being honest…

It wasn’t God.

It was Char.

He wasn’t sure if he should hate her or just run over to her house and have his way with her over and over again.

Two girls, both gorgeous, both models… and nothing. Absolutely nothing. Even the whiskey had turned sour in his stomach the minute they’d both started stripping in front of him. He’d actually told them he had to go to the bathroom.

An all-time low.

The bathroom? Had he lost his damn mind?

He pulled a total chick move, ran into the bathroom and sat on the toilet seat with his head in his hands—shaking, yes, shaking over the fact that he’d completely lost control of his life.

All because of a stupid girl he’d met at a stupid junior high camp, that had a stupidly amazing body with stupid bright eyes and luscious lips and—

Well, at that point, in the bathroom, he had more than a drive back.

But then he heard the girls, the twins, calling his name.

And there it went.

Down the toilet.

He sat there for ten minutes. Then, walked out of the bathroom making the lamest excuse known to players everywhere. “Look, I’m just not feeling it tonight. I’m sick.”

The girls both looked at one another and then approached him. Twin one had a black lacey bra and underwear on and twin number two was wearing nothing at all.

Maybe he was gay?

Once they were close enough to touch him, he stepped away. Their perfume was literally suffocating him. Why couldn’t they smell more like Ch—

“Shit!” He yelled, causing both girls to jump. “Sorry, it’s not you guys, it’s me.”

“Really?” Twin one said. “Are you getting rid of us? What the hell is your problem?”

“You. Both of you.” Jake growled. “Now leave.”

They flipped him off in perfect synchronization and grabbed their clothes. The minute the door closed behind them, he fell onto the couch and groaned.

Damn his brother for telling him to stay away from the one girl that actually made him want to give it up. He had to keep telling himself it would get better, that soon he wouldn’t have this problem. Because in the end he knew he was the type of guy that would hurt Char. There would be no happily ever after because guys like him didn’t know how to give it, and he wasn’t really sure he was able to be what she needed him to be.

Had he ever been that guy? The one girls ran to when something went wrong? No, that was his brother Travis. Jake was the screw up, the partier, the one who, when caught by Kacey’s dad at the age of fourteen snorting cocaine and partying with girls twice his age, took him by the ear, and told him he was ruining his life.

Which he was.

It hadn’t helped that the minute that Bill grabbed Jake, he was so high and disoriented that he had fallen into the river by their house and nearly drowned.

He hadn’t touched drugs since. Alcohol? Yes, maybe it was because it was the only way to numb everything. Jake never pretended to be something he wasn’t… he just wasn’t sure if he liked what he actually was anymore.

Chapter Twenty-nine

“Hey, jackass!” An irritating female voice called to him in his dream. “Wake up! It’s time to board the plane!”

“Why are you yelling?” Jake whispered, holding his hands to his temples. “And what the hell are you wearing?”

Char stood in front of him, hands on hips, wearing a bright pink sweat outfit straight from the pages of Victoria’s Secret.

“Son of a bitch, turn off the lights.” He put his hand over his eyes and kept swearing.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Char kept talking loudly. “Does my bright outfit make your headache worse? How about a shot of tequila, hmm?”

His stomach clenched at the thought. How was it that he was completely drunk out of his mind and still managed to turn down two women at the same time? And yet, the object of his affection looked about three seconds away from taking a knife to his nether region.

“No.” He croaked. “No alcohol.”

“Have fun last night?” Char crossed her arms. Her bright blue eyes were clear as the morning. What. The. Hell. So now he was a poet? He hit his chest and cleared his throat. Good. Chest thumping, he’d resorted to cave-man style) in order to prove he still had balls.

Good-bye last shred of manhood. He flicked his hand in the air as if to wave it off. Then realized he must still be a bit drunk.

“Get up.” Char kicked his chair.

“No.” He needed food. How did he even get to the airport? Was it a taxi? Right, a taxi, and then he paid the taxi, got his tickets, and numbly waltzed through security smelling like last night’s skank.

Funny. It was like a repeat of the last time he flew.

“Why are you smiling?” Char grasped his forearm and pulled him to his feet. “And why do you smell like ass? Did you even shower?”

His brain worked, slowly, as he thought about his morning. He’d forgotten to pack so ran around tripping on his furniture in order to get ready in time, barely grabbed his cell phone and had time to call for a taxi, but at no point did he think to take a shower. “Uh… no time.”

“You went home at nine o’clock last night. Must have been a rough evening with Tweedle dee and Tweedle Duh.”

He chose to say nothing. Instead, he leaned on Char as they handed over their boarding passes and made their way down the terminal to the plane. At least it wasn’t going to be a long plane ride. He also had it on good authority that Grandma was flying first class so there would be no bomb threats, EpiPens, or arrests.

Where the hell was Grandma?

Once they were on the plane he looked around. She wasn’t in first class, at least that he could see, and she wasn’t in coach.

“Where’s Grandma?” He asked Char, hating how gravely his voice still sounded.

“She flew out last night, something about a wedding emergency, do you ever check your phone or do you just stare at it and ask Siri to tell you your messages?”

Jake looked guiltily at the floor again, choosing not to answer.

“So.” Char kept talking. Seriously, why was she still talking? Couldn’t she tell he was about three minutes away from puking his guts out? Rolling her eyes she reached across his lap and buckled his seat belt. Great, now he was a two–year-old.

Fantastic that at that precise moment his manhood decided to sweep back in and make an appearance. He was too miserable to care.

“How was your night?” She was pissed. Yup, definitely pissed.

“Horrible.” He answered truthfully. “I drank way too much and finally realized something I should have a long time ago.”

“Oh yeah?” Char’s voice was deadpan. “What’s that?”

With a shrug Jake answered. “I hate blondes.”

The first smile he’d seen all morning briefly appeared across Char’s face before she turned away to look out the window.

“Doesn’t change anything.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” She turned back toward him. “You still smell like ass.”

* * *

He felt every bump. Every movement. A tiny drum-playing monkey had taken up permanent residence in his head along with a demon-possessed elephant in his stomach. He almost puked five times before the flight was over with.

Char was no help at all.

She refused to talk to him, look at him, touch him.

Clearly he’d been on the news; it was the only explanation. He’d briefly remembered some cameras flashing.

How could he be so insensitive? He knew what he was doing, but he did it anyway. To prove a point. To prove it to himself.

And now he just felt like someone ran him over with a truck then backed up just to make sure he was dead.

Once the plane landed, he shuffled out of the aisle and walked out toward baggage claim, hoping that for once in his life Grandma would take some sort of pity on him and have something waiting, like a car, or a gun, or maybe even just aspirin, yeah he’d take an aspirin.

No such luck.

“Where is everyone?” He dropped his carry-on, and was hit with another wave of nausea. Jack Daniels was coming back to haunt him. His stomach roiled as he closed his eyes and tried to focus on breathing in and out.

“Char?” A deep male voice said.

Jake’s eyes snapped open.

A large Thor impersonator started walking toward them.

“Who the hell are you?” Jake asked, a definite edge in his voice. Gathering up all the strength he had, he stood taller and glared at the guy in the eyes.

“Oh.” The man smiled, revealing white straight teeth that glowed against his tan face, damn him.”I’m helping out the family with wedding stuff. Travis and I are really good friends and—”

“Jace?” Char’s voice sounded too hopeful and too damn excited for Jake’s taste.

“You remember me?” He grinned, moving closer to her.

“Of course I do!” She stepped into his outstretched arms and hugged him. While Jake imagined what it would be like to wrap his hands around Jace’s neck and strangle him to death. “I didn’t know you were helping out Travis and Kace?”

“Ah well.” He stepped away and shrugged. Did he just blush? Seriously? Cocky piece of work probably knew how to blush on command in order to get play.

Maneuvering himself between both Char and Thor, Jake held out his hand. “I’m Jake, best man, brother to the groom.” And Char’s mine, she’s mine. It’s possible he revealed his teeth and may have growled; all he needed to do was pee and mark her as his.

“Oh.” Jace looked between the two of them. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good I’m sure.” Jake’s eyes narrowed.

Jace smirked. “If you say so.”

Somehow they’d gotten chest to chest. Thor was a little taller, but only by an inch. Jake had already sized him up; though Jace was a large man, Jake had him in the lean muscle department.

“We should, uh, get going.” Jake felt Char’s hand press against his chest, he looked down into her pleading eyes and stepped back, but only by an inch. He didn’t want to be the one to back down first.

“You’re right.” Jace shook his head and managed to look as humble as shit. The jackass. “Shall we?” He grabbed Char’s bag and offered his arm.

Why hadn’t Jake thought to carry her bag?

Oh, right; because he was still wasted from last night and had spent the better part of the flight trying to keep all bodily fluids inside. It hadn’t occurred to him, just like it hadn’t occurred to him to stop being an ass before he put his foot in his mouth or allowed his heart to get engaged with hers.

With a curse, he followed them outside.

To the waiting limo.

Of course.

“So the family sent the limo?” Jake asked nonchalantly as he handed his bag to the driver.

“Nah.” Jace shrugged. “I thought Char might be tired so I called in a favor.”

So he was poor. That Jake could work with.

“A favor?” Char asked, taking Jace’s hand as he helped her into the backseat.

“Yeah.” Jace held the door open and let Jake go in first. “I normally don’t use the limos or cars but I decided just this once it would be worth it since you would be so tired.” He winked.

Jake rolled his eyes.

“Normally you don’t use the limos or cars because you drive yourself to the mall where you work? Tell me; how is Abercrombie and Fitch these days?”

“Great.” Jace smirked. “Though by the looks of your clothing you’ve been there more recently than I have.”

Jackass.

“Ready to go, Mr. Senator?” The driver asked.

“Yes, Donald, thank you.”

“A pleasure, sir.”

“Senator?” Char’s eyebrows furrowed.

Son of a bitch.

Jake’s smile froze on his face as Jace shrugged and pulled out a bottled water. “Youngest senator in Oregon history.”

“Wow!” Char’s smile widened. “You must be so proud!”

There went that stupid humble look that Jace pulled off so well; no wonder he was a good actor: he was a damn politician! Don’t fall for it, Char! He’s a lying, cheating—

Shit, it was like he was looking in a damn mirror.

What the hell had Travis been thinking?

The car started moving and Jake’s stomach rolled again. He was never going to make it the fifteen minutes to their house.

Sitting backward wasn’t helping.

Char and Jace fell into easy conversation while Jake opened the window and wondered how awful it would be to jump from a moving vehicle, or to plan a homicide for that matter. Was there still a jail sentence if he paid someone off?

The car pulled to a stop.

Jake groaned against the window.

“Hey, champ, you okay?”

Champ? Did Jace just call him Champ?

“Fantastic.” Jake said through clenched teeth.

Jace’s smile was so damn irritating that if Jake did throw up, he vowed to do it all over the man’s black t-shirt and white linen pants. Who wore linen pants in the city? They weren’t at the beach, and they were practically see-through. The man might as well say, “Please stare at my junk.”

“Jake, are you sure you’re okay?” Char sounded actually concerned. He set his eyes on her and wanted to yell. He wasn’t okay, far from it, but he had to look strong; his self-esteem had suffered enough. Swallowing the bile in his throat he nodded once and winked at Char.

Her cheeks stained a pretty pink before her eyes darted away from his and back to Jace.

“Anyways, as I was saying…” Jace cleared his throat and shot an irritating glance at Jake before turning his megawatt smile back on Char.

The smell of fast food floated through the window. Jake tried to push the up button but it was too late. It knocked him flat. All of the nausea he’d been holding in starting rushing toward the back of his throat.

“I think I’m going to be si—”

He didn’t have time to finish the sentence; he hung his head out the window and lost every drink he’d had the previous night and probably the past year on the door.

And then he heard sirens.

Too miserable to say anything, he could only stare in horror as the cop pulled over the limo and approached Jake’s puke-stained door.

“Sir, you do know it’s against the law to—”

“It’s okay, Jim.” Jace said from behind Jake. “He’s with me.”

“Mr. Senator! Lovely day, isn’t it?” Jim, a pudgy cop, saluted. “You sure you got this? I could bring him in, rough him up a bit.”

You know you’re hungover when the thought of prison actually sounds like an attractive alternative to the pounding in your head.

“Not necessary.” Jace slapped Jake on the back and laughed. “Seems to me he just can’t hold his liquor.”

“Not many men can compete with you, Mr. Senator.”

“Get a room.” Jake mumbled under his breath.

“Pardon?” Jim reached for his Taser. Oh, hell no.

Jace cleared his throat. “We need to get going Jim. Say hi to Linda and the kids.”

“Will do!” Jim waved then leaned down to Jake. “I’ll be watching your punk ass.”

Great, so he wasn’t just a sport—well, that was a relief—now he was a punk ass kid. Did that mean he would only go to juvy if he went through with his murder plan?

Hmm, things to think on.

The car pulled away and again Jake was left alone in his corner while Char and Jace laughed and talked as if they were already buying a house together.

Shit.

He needed to find his A-game and fast. For the first time in his life he had serious competition. Of course, because karma’s a bitch, it also happened to be the first time he had any real danger of losing not only to said competition, but his heart altogether.

Chapter Thirty

Jace was hot. He was more than hot. He looked like Thor, only his eyes were green, not blue. She noticed because they were framed by such long eyelashes that she almost wondered if the man was wearing some sort of eyelash extensions.

He was incredible.

And his tan skin?

He was like dessert, a really nice dessert that your mom won’t let you eat until after you clean up your plate… the dessert that spoils you for other desserts. The type of man that girls watch from afar but never actually talk to.

And he was talking to her.

Her stomach clenched with excitement, until she looked over at Jake. He was miserable. She didn’t want to feel sorry for him. After all, he was with skanks all night, but still.

While her body was responding to Jace, her heart was calling to Jake, which really sucked if you asked her. It wasn’t even fair; for once in her life it seemed like the guy that was interested in her was actually just as great as everyone else said and her heart decided it wasn’t interested? Seriously?

They pulled to a stop in front of Titus Abby. They still a good week before the wedding but you wouldn’t know it by looking.

Catering vans were everywhere, along with decorators, florists—geez, it was like a wedding magazine threw up on the place.

“Char!” Kacey ran out of the house toward the limo and stopped dead in her tracks. “Holy crap, did you guys hit a rotten cat or something?”

“Rotten cat.” Jace laughed, getting out of the car. “Sounds about right, huh Jake?”

With a groan, Jake got out of the car and made a beeline toward the house.

“Oh, come on, weddings aren’t that bad, Jake!” Jace called after him, laughing.

Char squinted, not liking that Jace was taunting Jake. Truthfully, he deserved that and more, but still. It wasn’t attractive. Not to her.

“Looks like Jake’s returned to his partying ways, huh?” Kacey nudged Char and looped her arm in hers, totally oblivious to the fact that Char’s heart was clenching in her chest over the thought.

He’d spent a few days with her.

And it hadn’t been enough to keep him away from that lifestyle. Which just proved the point again—he wasn’t worth it, because in the end he would always choose himself, his lifestyle, his money. It would never be about her.

“So.” Char ignored the pain in her chest. “Jace is really nice.”

“He’s a senator,” Kacey sang. “And he graduated two years early from college. He’s a MENSA member and I have it on good authority he adopts injured dogs.”

“You talking about Jace?” Travis came up and gave Kacey a kiss on the head. “He’s like porn to women. Seriously, if you don’t like him, there’s no hope for you.”

Char didn’t have time to reply. Grandma soon burst into the room carrying a large microphone embellished with small pink crystals.

“Um, what’s that?” Char pointed at the offending device.

“My microphone, for the wedding.” Grandma lifted it out of its case and handed it to Char. “It makes me sound like Mariah Carey.”

“If Mariah Carey was a dying squirrel,” Kacey said under her breath.

“Heard that,” Grandma snapped.

“You won’t be singing at the wedding.” Kacey grinned. “So it doesn’t matter anyway.”

Grandma took the microphone back, careful to put it in its case, which looked a heck of a lot like a caboodle and stuffed it under her arm. “What you and Travis are engaged in is mere child’s play. I dated a Kennedy.” She straightened her blouse. “Enough said. Now move along, I have things to plan. Tonight we celebrate!”

“What’s Grandma talking about?” Char asked, wondering why Travis and Kacey were staring after Grandma as if they could figure out the puzzle that was her life and behavior.

“Dinner party and cocktails for the guests,” Kacey said, still watching Grandma. “I don’t like her tone. What does she know that we don’t?”

Travis scratched his head. “She’s just trying to get in our heads.”

“Feeling left out here.” Char raised her hand. “You guys in some sort of war with Grandma?”

“No,” Kacey snapped and looked back at Char. “A battle of the minds, possibly… but we’ll win. Grandma thinks she’s knows what’s best but for once, she’s wrong. We’ll prove it and then she won’t be singing at the wedding.”

Chapter Thirty-one

Char watched with Travis and Kacey as Grandma moved to the middle of the room and pulled out a red whistle.

“Who the hell gave her a whistle?” Travis muttered an oath under his breath and groaned about how slight breezes were making him horny just as Grandma blew loud enough to cause deafness.

“Hello!” Grandma shouted and then blew on the whistle again.

Char hid a smile as she heard curses erupt from somewhere in the house. Jake clearly wasn’t a fan of the whistle, either.

“I need everyone’s attention.” Grandma pulled out a clipboard. “I’ve been nominated—”

“Volunteered,” Travis corrected. “And quite forcefully, might I add.”

Grandma ignored his outburst and continued talking. “As I was saying I’ve been nominated.” She glared at Travis. “To be the wedding planner for the duration of your stay here at Titus Abbey. Because most of the wedding party will be staying at the house we’ve decided to assign rooms.”

Char listened to Grandma’s voice drone on and on as she peered around the room for Jake’s return. What was she doing? It was only concern that he’d choked on his puke or ran into a door or something.

“And because we only have one suite and Travis has happily taken a vow of celibacy.”

Travis made a shooting motion with his hand and pointed at his head.

“The suite will be have to be shared.” She grinned. “Now the schedule is exact to the minute; try not to be late to any of the activities. We have a lot going on. I expect everyone to go back to their rooms so they can change before cocktail hour.”

Grandma proceeded to hand out laminated schedule sheets. “These cannot be changed so please don’t ask. If you have any questions…” Travis raised his hand. “That don’t have to do with sleeping arrangements…” Travis put his hand down. “Then please ask.”

Char took the schedule from Grandma and groaned. Jace walked up behind her. “Hey, you think Jake will be up to changing bed partners?”

Had Jake said something like that to her, she would have rolled her eyes and laughed, because it was such a Jake thing to say. But hearing Jace say it was like throwing cold water on her; in fact it made her cringe a bit. How was a hot guy flirting with her making her want to cringe?

She managed a small laugh and waved the schedule in his face. “Grandma’s rules are final, believe me, I’ve learned my lesson in that department.”

“Tell me,” Grandma spoke up behind her. “How were those fertility tests, Char?”

Jace’s eyes widened as Char’s mouth dropped open. Holy crap! What was she supposed to say? She stuttered for words. “Hah, very funny, Grandma, you mean the tests you got for Kacey and Travis?”

“Sure.” Grandma winked.

Char’s face heated in embarrassment as she turned to Jace. “She’s kidding. I swear.”

“I like kids.” He grinned and eyed her up and down. “Or let me put it this way, I would think any guy would be lucky to have kids with you.”

And officially too far.

“Right.” She choked. “I’m just gonna go freshen up.”

“I can grab your bags.” He reached for her bag but she swatted his hand.

“No.” Char laughed lightly. “I’ve got it. I’ll see you in an hour.”

He smile was smug as he walked off.

Char ran up the stairs as fast as she could. They had the suite. Her and Jake. It had to be some kind of sick joke. The one and only suite? Meant for Kacey and Travis, and she had to stay in it with Jake? The man-whore who screamed when someone said “commitment” and got drunk to purposefully prove a point to society that he was exactly what everyone believed—a player.

With a grunt, she pushed open the door and immediately dropped her bag onto the floor.

Something was wrong with her. It was like all the pent-up emotion of her childhood, her past, drama with her parents, and finally the pressure of losing her career, were finally hitting her.

Stupid flowers.

It was their fault.

They were yellow roses, just like the ones Jake had gotten her a few days ago. Damn him.

She pulled a rose from the vase and inhaled. For a brief minute she allowed herself to dream, that it was her honeymoon suite. That Jake was her husband, that he’d bought her flowers and hadn’t been puking just an hour ago.

When she opened her eyes, the reality of her situation hit her square in the face. In the form of a single king-sized bed.

So close, yet always so far away; that was the story of her life. She was so close to graduating with honors, but it was Beth who finally clenched the title of Valedictorian.

And when she had her first job interview, her parents had taken her out to dinner only to be disappointed that it was with a news station.

When Beth got her job, she was given a car.

It was as if all the things she’d ever wanted in her life were always close enough for her to want them, yet never close enough for her to grasp them.

She was like that damn hamster and his wheel.

She hated hamsters.

With a huff she sat on the bed and watched as the door swung open, revealing a very haggard-looking Jake. At least someone was having a worse day than she was.

“How you doing, princess?” she asked.

“I hate my life.” With a groan he stumbled to the bed and fell face down on top of it. “Best part of my day… Go ahead, ask me.”

Char leaned back on her elbow so she could see him better. “Almost getting arrested.”

He shook his head.

“Hmm, meeting the youngest state senator in Oregon history?”

Jake showed her his middle finger.

Laughing, Char guessed again. “Finally puking in a toilet like a big boy.”

He sighed and lifted his head so their eyes were locked. “Rooming with you.”

The teasing smile fell from Char’s face as her heart hammered in her chest. The room was silent except for the sound of her sharp intake of breath. She suddenly seemed to have an inability to inhale and exhale softly.

She finally managed an “oh.”

Jake just continued to stare at her as if she was the most precious thing in his existence, as if he really meant what he said—that the best part of the day was being with her in a room. Then again, he was a player. Maybe he thought he was getting lucky.

“Well, hate to break it to you, champ…” His eyes narrowed. “But you’re not sleeping with me.”

“Oh, that.” He rose slowly to his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I already knew that. I’m pretty sure me and the floor are going to have a good time tonight. All that heavy breathing and grinding.”

“What the hell kind of night do you have planned for the floor? And in what universe is any of what you just said okay?”

Jake grinned. “That’s for me to know and for you to find out. You know you can always join me and the floor if your bed gets too soft.”

“I like things soft.”

His eyes twinkled. “Pity.”

“Jake Titus!” Char threw a pillow at his face.

Laughing, he walked toward the bathroom. “Hurry up, Char. We gotta freshen up for cocktail hour. By the way.” He turned on the faucet and pulled out a wash cloth. “Who the hell gave Grandma a whistle? That should be illegal in all fifty states.”

Char didn’t answer. Fascinated, she watched him get ready as he ran the cloth over his face. Droplets of water fell onto the sink. Feeling a bit heated, she took off her zip up sweater.

Damn Jake Titus for making eye drops look sexy as he tilted his head back and dropped them into his eyes. He blinked, once, twice, and then they were running down his chiseled cheeks.

“Stop watching, Char.” Jake called. “It was creepy ten minutes ago. Now I’m just concerned you’ve had a seizure or something.”

Flustered, Char almost tumbled from the bed as she stomped over to her bag and began digging through it for a sexy cocktail dress.

Two could play that game.

She didn’t just want to play—she wanted to win.

Chapter Thirty-two

“Jake?” Travis’s voice was muffled by the blood roaring in Jake’s ears. “Did you hear anything I just asked you?”

No, sorry, I was watching legs. Two of them to be exact, and those legs belonged to a beautiful brunette with striking blue eyes and such an electric smile that it hit a man dead center in the chest. “Sure, bachelor party. I’m in.”

“No strippers.” This from Kacey.

Jake nodded in agreement, still keeping his eyes trained in Char’s legs as she stood a few feet away from him talking to his mom.

Travis snapped his fingers in front of Jake’s face. “Get it together, man. If you don’t watch it, you’re going to start panting.”

Already there. “Sorry, just distracted.” He cleared his throat and turned to look at Travis and Kacey. Travis looked irritated, Kacey looked concerned. Oh great, he was going to get the talk again. To save time he beat her to the punch. “Kace, I’m fine. It was a rough night, bad choices, I’m better now, and I’m hitting the water, not the alcohol. Seriously, you’re not my mom.” That sounded harsher than he’d meant it to sound, which was proven when Travis took a step forward. But Kacey stopped Travis with her hand.

And then her eyes followed Jake’s as he stole another glance at Char.

With a growl she handed Travis her drink and pulled Jake by the ear outside. “OW, what the hell, Kace!”

“You slept with her!”

“What? Who?”

“Char!”

“Yes!” Her eyes grew twice their normal size. “No, I mean a long time ago, yes.”

Holy shit he was sweating.

Kacey released the hostage ear and crossed her arms. “How long?”

“A year or so.” He looked down at the ground. “It was a mistake.”

“You!” Kacey poked his chest as Jake tried to shush her. “You’re the one that she spent the night with before the whole YouTube clip.”

“Guilty.” In more than one way.

Scowling, Kacey shook her head. “I should have known. All signs pointed to a Titus.”

“All signs?”

“Yeah, drinking, debauchery, irresponsibility, TV…”

Jake held up his hand for her to stop. “Fine, I get it. But it’s not like I’ve done anything since, and you know it.” Damn her for calling him on his bullshit. When he’d got drunk at her engagement party she’d told him to shape up his life or die in a prostitute’s bed—no joke. It wasn’t as if he didn’t try to do right, it just seemed like every time he did, he got shit on. It was so much easier to go the other route, to be what people expected. Irresponsible and carefree. It seemed the minute he did try to act serious and be responsible—people asked if he was drunk. It was embarrassing and again made him want to flinch, to pull away, and fall back into old habits.

“You have that look,” Kacey said, interrupting his morose thoughts.

“Look, what look?” Jake tried to change his face but failed miserably when Char walked by the window.

“That look!” Kacey poked him in the chest again. “You’re falling for her!”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

Jake wiped his face with his hand and cursed. “Can you please be an adult?”

“Says the guy who slept with two drunken twins last night.”

“I didn’t.” Jake coughed. “I couldn’t… I mean… I didn’t want to and I didn’t.”

“Couldn’t? Or didn’t?”

Jake felt his face flush. “Both.” Damn, maybe he did need Viagra. What a depressing thought. How old was he, twenty-three?

“You hurt her,” Kacey’s finger pressed harder into his chest, “I cut off your—”

“Dinner!” Grandma announced, opening the door to the outside porch.

Kacey turned away and answered. “Coming, Grandma!’ Then shot a glare to Jake. “Use your imagination.”

“Finger?” He said sweetly.

“You’re an ass.” She looped her arm within his as they walked around the house to the outdoor gazebo where dinner was being served.

Jake exhaled. “So I’ve been told, over and over and over again.”

Kacey stopped walking and sighed. “Aren’t you tired of it?” Her eyes pleaded with his and for once in his life he couldn’t find his mask of indifference, the one any insecure guy used when he was trying to damn the world and live for himself. With a heavy shudder he shrugged. It was all he could manage to do. Words seemed too hard to form.

Kacey looked toward the gazebo where Char was escorted by Jace. “I hate losing, so know I’m only saying this because I love you… but.”

Jake waited.

“Love is always worth it.”

With that, Kacey leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek, then walked toward a waiting Travis.

Chapter Thirty-three

Char was going to gnaw her own arm off and eat it. Was Jake’s mom trying to torment her by waving those delicious-smelling potatoes under her nose? Char had heard that Jake’s mom had a problem with talking too much, but she had no idea it would be like that.

Back and forth the spoon went as Bets talked. Over the plate, over the bowl, over the plate, over the bowl. She probably looked like a cat playing with its mouse.

Bets laughed with Kacey—dipped the spoon into the mashed potatoes and lifted to serve Char—but then was distracted by the conversation. The spoon hovered yet again over Char’s plate and then returned to its serving bowl. Char could have sworn Kacey was keeping Bets talking on purpose.

Finally, three hours later—okay, fine, it was more like twenty minutes—everyone was served and happily eating. You know, if happily eating included Grandma telling Vegas stories while Travis stared at the chicken like it was turning him on.

Char had half a mind to feel sorry for the guy; then again, he was getting married in a week. It wasn’t as if he was going to die or anything.

Jace was to Char’s right, Jake was to her left. Yeah, so that wasn’t awkward. Each time Jace’s arm brushed hers she leaned further into Jake, which made her shiver all over whenever his skin touched hers.

Drinking water had always been her nervous tic. Awkward moment? Take a sip of water. Don’t know what to say? Take a sip of water.

She had no water.

Only wine.

Which meant if she had any hope of getting through the night she’d be polishing off every single bottle on the table.

As it was, she had already had two glasses and they were only on the third course.

“So.” Jace poured her another glass. Oh dear. “Travis tells me you’re a star reporter.”

“I don’t know if I would say star…”

“Of course you are.” Travis winked from across the table. “She’s a Seattle favorite.”

“You’d be my favorite.” Jace winked.

Jake coughed wildly next to her. She elbowed him in the ribs while she kept her eyes trained on Jace’s. “Thank you. That’s sweet.”

He shrugged in an oh golly gosh way that made Char want to puke and said, “Yeah, well, it’s true.”

Char looked away and took a bite of mashed potatoes. At least the food was amazing even if the company were all slowly losing their minds. Jace said something else, but she wasn’t focused enough to care, not with Jake’s leg touching hers.

She turned her attention to Jace, who laughed and leaned in. “Sorry, it’s just that you have mashed potatoes on your face.”

His mouth was inches from hers when all of a sudden Jake jolted from his seat. “Son of a bitch!”

“What? What’s wrong?” Wescott Titus, Jake’s dad, flew out of his seat and looked around the table.

“Uh.” Jake’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. “Squirrel. I thought I saw a squirrel.”

Kacey took a sip of wine. “Jake’s scared of squirrels.”

“Remind me to put one in your pants,” Char joked.

“Maybe then he could find his nuts.” This from Travis.

Bets laughed awkwardly and poured more wine into her glass and then nudged for Wescott to say something, but Grandma was already on top of things.

“Oh, I don’t know. All my grandsons possess nuts. Every last one. I made sure every one of them were males when they were born, didn’t I, Wescott?”

“I, uh…” Wescott looked to Bets and nodded his head emphatically. “To the most dutiful of Grandmothers.” He cringed and lifted his wine glass. “Cheers.”

“No nuts?” Jake repeated, apparently still stuck on the first jab against his manhood.

“You heard him,” Jace said from Char’s right. “The first step is admitting you have a problem.”

“With what?” Jake clenched his fists. “Finding my nuts? My manhood? My balls? Who the hell do you think you are?” His face had turned red.

“Oh, he’s a senator.” Bets piped in. Not helpful.

Someone kicked Char. It was probably meant for Bets, because seconds later she winced in pain.

“You know what?” Jake threw down his napkin. “I’m about done with you and your attitude, Mr. Senator.”

“Are you?” Jace said coolly as he set down his water and grinned. “That’s funny, because I was about done with you the minute I heard you were going to be in this wedding. Tell me, when was the last time you even had dinner with Travis? When was the last time you went golfing with him? Hmm? Met his friends? Any of that ring a bell, best man?” Jace gave Jake a smug grin. “You’re the brother, therefore he has to give it to you, but as far as friends go? You’re as shitty as they come.”

“That’s it!” Jake launched himself at Jace.

Jace backed up and then threw a punch at Jake’s face.

“And stay the hell away from Char!” Jake landed another blow to Jace’s cheek, but Jace moved out of the way just in time for Jake to crash into the table, causing wine to spill everywhere.

Char stood, but Grandma pushed her down into her seat and whispered. “Oh, honey, just enjoy it. Positively lovely entertainment. Let them fight.” She winked and began playing with the pearl necklace around her neck.

“Jake!” Wescott yelled. “Stop!”

With a curse, Travis rose from the table and marched over to where Jake had fallen and was now staggering to his feet. He caught him just as Jake lunged again for Jace.

“Stop,” Travis said in a steely tone. “I mean it, Jake.” He pushed against Jake’s chest. “For once in your life, let it go.”

“But—” Jake’s face twisted in agony as he looked at the shocked faces around the table. Char’s stomach clenched when his eyes pleaded with hers. What was she supposed to say? Ashamed, she looked down at her plate, and heard Jake curse and walk away.

“So that was fun.” Kacey laughed nervously. Everyone else joined in. Jace regained his seat next to Char and straightened his tie.

“Sorry about that.” He lifted a napkin to his bloodied lip and winced. “The guy sure can pack a punch.”

“He trains.” Wescott poured himself another glass of wine. “Every day.”

“Trains?” Char asked. “What do you mean, trains?”

Bets patted Wescott on the back and gave Char a shaky grin. “Boxing, dear. He’s a boxer.”

“Probably needs some sort of fight training considering how many women he’s scorned.” Travis said from one end of the table.

“Enough!” Kacey yelled, pushing back from her seat.

Holy crap, how many fights were going to break out?

Travis’s eyes bugged out of his head and Kacey thrust her finger in his face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but he’s your brother!” She threw her hands up in the air. “Did it ever occur to any of you to just give him a chance? I’m sorry for ruining the schedule, Grandma, but I’m done.” With that, Kacey walked off toward the house.

Travis swallowed and looked guiltily at the table. “I’ll be right back.”

Chapter Thirty-four

Furious, Kacey went in search of Jake but couldn’t find him anywhere. Damn him for choosing this weekend, her wedding weekend, to suddenly find a conscience. His timing couldn’t be worse! But the look in his eyes when he’d glanced at Char, and then the rest of the family.

It made her sick to her stomach.

Yes, he was a jackass, but anyone with two eyes could see he was actually trying, minus that minor hiccup last night where he decided to relapse. But he’d said nothing had happened. Men with that look in their eyes didn’t lie. He was too vulnerable, already too raw to do anything.

“Kace…” Travis called down the hall.

She wasn’t hidden enough in the hallway. Travis’s footsteps neared until he stopped directly behind her. “What?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not enough.”

“Damn it.” Travis grabbed her from behind and flipped her body around so he was pinning her against the wall. “I said I was sorry.”

“What exactly are you sorry for? Being an ass to your brother? Telling him to stay away from the one girl he actually likes? Or constantly degrading him in front of your parents and even Jace. Hmm? Take your pick.” She tried to fight against him but Travis was too damn big. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he leaned closer. Why did he have to be so attractive? It would be so much easier to fight with him if he was ugly, or if his stutter from childhood decided to make a sudden appearance.

“Listen.” He tilted her chin up and grinned. “I can’t help it.”

“Worst apology ever.”

“I’m not finished.” Travis’s eyes brightened as he kissed her softly against the mouth and pulled back. “I still have issues with him. Clearly, you can see that, Kace. I mean, he slept with you and abandoned you in college. Just last year he was actually contemplating marrying you and keeping a mistress on the side. As in, he thought it was an intelligent idea! He used you to get ahead in his job, and now, a few months later, you want me to suddenly jump on the Jake bandwagon? He hasn’t proven anything to us. You have to earn trust, and he’s learned nothing. He’s never had to.”

Kacey sighed and bit down on her bottom lip before answering. “I get what you’re saying, but you have to trust me. I know that look on his face. I know him. He’s your brother, yes, but he was my best friend growing up. I think he’s tired of being the black sheep, but he won’t get better if he feels like he’s never being given the chance. Maybe we should let them play it out?”

Travis cursed. “So, what? You want me to go give him a damn hug or something? And I’m sorry, but letting them play it out means that not only are we taking a risk on Jake, but if we lose—and there’s a ninety percent chance of that happening, by the way—Grandma’s going to sing at our wedding for an entire hour while people drink themselves to death.”

Ah, Travis, so rough around the edges and protective. That was why she was marrying him. He was the most attractive man she’d ever met, and he was going to be all hers. With a sultry grin, she leaned in and nipped at his lips. “I want you to try. Please? For me?”

“Try?” His voice was hoarse. “Try what?”

“Try not being an ass and give him a chance.”

He groaned against her mouth and pushed her against the wall harder, his body aligning with hers as he lifted her into his arms and gripped her body against his. “Fine. I’ll try, but if I try with him that means you have to try with Grandma.”

“Huh?” His lips left hers as they burned a hot trail down her neck. “Grandma.

Try to get by her tonight.”

“Why?” Was that new? His tongue felt so good as it licked down the base of her throat that she clenched his shirt in her fists and moaned.

“Because I want you.” Using his teeth he tugged on the front of her dress and moved his assault lower. “And I may die if I can’t have you.”

“Don’t be such a guy.” She panted.

“Ahem.” A voice said from the hall.

Cursing, Travis slowly let Kacey slip back to her feet and pushed her in front of him. Coward. Grandma stood there, arms crossed, staring lasers into both of them. “Rules, both of you, like children.”

“Wouldn’t want my children acting that way…” Travis said behind Kacey. He just had to say something.

Grandma’s eyes narrowed as she stomped the rest of the way toward them. Being the dutiful fiancée that she was, when Grandma stopped in front of Kacey, Kacey moved out of the way so Grandma could grab a hold of Travis’s ear and drag him down the hall.

“Thanks a lot, Kace!” he called as Grandma led him out the front door.

Chapter Thirty-five

The cool night breeze blew across the Columbia River as Jake took a sip of beer. The view from the tree house had always been a family favorite. The tree house had been built with the river in mind. It was high enough to be able to see the view beyond the trees, but not too high, so that when Jake, Travis, and Kacey were little, they wouldn’t fall out and kill themselves.

Char had been there once, maybe twice.

He’d been eight when he met her for the first time. She walked right up to him and punched him in the nose. When the bleeding stopped two hours later, he asked why she did it.

Her answer?

He’d been staring at her funny.

Angry, he’d yelled at her and told her if she wasn’t so ugly he wouldn’t stare so hard. She’d cried—and so began their tumultuous relationship throughout elementary school.

In middle school things had changed. She’d started turning into a really pretty girl, a pretty girl that still wanted nothing to do with him.

Until sixth grade. He’d written a note to her during study hall and asked her to hang out during break.

They were inseparable after that. It had been about a damn Twinkie. The Hostess kind that you knew would probably survive a nuclear holocaust if need be. Seriously, that would be the one food that aliens would find millions of years from now. No mold. Just as yellow as ever.

He’d always hated Twinkies, but that day, he’d decided to take it. He never told her he hated them. He just pretended to save them for later, all the while watching her eat hers. She’d been so pretty. Her hair was a lot darker than it was now. More black then chestnut.

Her eyes had been such a pretty contrast to her dark hair that he’d found himself staring at her again. This time she didn’t punch him; she just blushed and looked away.

In that moment he knew the crush was bad. He was even embarrassed to tell Kacey, who at the time was his best friend in the world. Forget telling Travis; Travis hated everyone and Jake had always felt like he was being compared to Travis as a child. So he kept it to himself.

As well as his collection of Twinkies.

All in the tree house.

He laughed at the memory, wondering if anyone had ever found those damn things and wondered why the hell he stocked them like a half-starved squirrel.

Looking back, he couldn’t remember what had caused the animosity as well as the divide between him and Char. Freshman year she’d just stopped talking to him. He’d even bought her a box of Twinkies and put it in her locker with a note.

He knew she’d got it because he watched her smile as she read the note and opened the box. But that was also the first day of high school. And high school had been his peak. It was hard to talk to her when she made herself so damn unavailable. As for the rest of the girls, they were ridiculously available, so he took advantage. Char turned into an acquaintance after high school, and then a one-night stand, and now… now she was just… a complicated hot mess.

A mess he wanted to jump into and fix.

Only he was somehow the cause of it. The smart thing, the right thing, to do would be to ask what had happened. But the past was the past; he needed to move forward. When had his life turned into something he was no longer proud of? He’d been given everything and somehow he’d screwed it up. His own brother didn’t even want him as his best man! How had he not seen that?

He hadn’t seen anything.

Not the fact that his father looked twenty years older than last time he saw him, or that his mother was pretending everything was okay with Grandma, when he’d seen Grandma hacking up a lung in the bathroom before dinner.

A sharp pang hit him square in the chest. What the hell was he doing with his life?

Stomach in knots, he reached for his second beer in the last fifteen minutes. A seagull landed on the roof of the tree house and stared at him. He lifted his bottle in salute and winced.

This was his future.

Beer, seagulls, a tree house.

The seagull made a noise that sounded a hell of a lot like heckling.

Great, so he was losing his mind, too.

A figure walked away from the house and made its way closer to him. Ignoring it, he finished his beer and popped open another one.

The sound of someone climbing the ladder made his stomach clench even more. If it was Travis or Jace, he couldn’t be held responsible for his actions. Not at all.

The hatch opened and Char popped through, beautiful black dress and all.

“Jake!”

He readied himself for the full force of what her beauty did to him, what that dress did to him, what those damn crystal eyes made him feel.

“Yeah?” Wow, he needed to work on his acting skills. His voice sounded so strained it was ridiculous.

“You doing okay?” Char lifted herself the rest of the way up and moved to take a seat beside him.

“Of course.” He shrugged. “I just needed to get away.” Play it cool, keep it simple. He shrugged again. Maybe that was too much shrugging. His shoulder seriously lifted as if to do it one more time. Okay, forget acting lessons, just more alcohol. He took a long sip and looked away, like a pubescent kid in junior high.

“You don’t look fine,” Char said softly.

His eyes flickered back to hers before he licked his lips and pointed to the Columbia river. “Did you know that at its deepest, the river can be over twelve hundred feet?”

“That’s um, inter—”

“And.” Jake cleared his throat. “Native Americans believe that a fight between two brothers caused the eruption of Mount St. Helens. You see, they were both in love with the same girl, but when she couldn’t choose, they became angry. Fighting broke out, villages were destroyed, and the father, angry that his sons could not put family ahead of their love for the girl, turned them into mountains.”

Char smiled and looked out at the river. “Which ones?”

“The first son was turned into Mount Hood, with his head lifted in pride toward the sky.” Jake pointed toward Mount Hood. You could see it from here on a clear day, and lucky for them it wasn’t too dark yet. “The other brother was turned into Mount Adams, with his face down toward where his lover fell.”

Char was silent while she looked toward Mount Adams. “What about the girl? What happened to her?”

“She blew up.”

At Char’s sharp intake of breath, Jake laughed, feeling better than he had all day. “No, seriously. Legend says she was turned into Mount St. Helens.”

“So…” Char leaned back on her hands and tilted her head. “You’re telling me two brothers wanted her, she couldn’t chose, and in the end everyone suffered and then she died?”

Yeah, probably not the best story to tell Char at the moment, but he was grasping at straws, trying to keep her from asking him the obvious: what was wrong, and have him blurt his feelings.

“I think I know why you like the story,” she said.

Surprised, Jake snorted. “What? It’s just a story.”

“No.” Char pointed toward the river. “The whole ‘this is how deep the Columbia River is’ fact lesson was just you avoiding pouring out your feelings. The story, however, is your way of doing it.”

“Excuse me?” Since when did she become a shrink?

Char reached for a beer. “Would you have fought for the girl? For your lover, or would you have given up?”

Jake was silent. His eyes flickered to the two mountains in the distance. “I would have done what was easy.”

“And what’s that?”

He shrugged, Good God, what was with his shrugging! “I would have walked away.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s what I do, Char. I walk away. I take the easy route. Is that what you want to hear? You want me to tell you that I’m different? That I’m the good guy? The guy that fights for what he wants? Well, I don’t fight for shit. I don’t have to, I’ve never had to.”

Char silently drank her beer, but her hand was shaking as she lifted it to her lips. He sighed and looked away. “I’m not that guy.”

“Says who?” her voice was pleading.

Jake shook his head and looked back toward the house. Laughter floated out of the backyard. “Everybody.”

“Even Grandma?”

“Fine, I have one fan.” Jake cursed.

“Two.” Suddenly Char’s beer was in front of him; she clinked her bottle against his and smiled. “You have two fans.”

Jake laughed. “Says the girl who’s threatened my life how many times in the past week?”

“Hey.” Char didn’t scoot away; instead, she leaned against him. “Fertility dance partners stick together.”

“Right. Apparently I need all the help I can get, you know, since my self-esteem is so low from the extra small condoms.”

“Who am I to judge?” Char winked. “I’m hitting the bottle and clearly I have a drinking problem.”

They fell into easy laughter, until the wind changed and Jake was able to smell her flowery perfume. He tensed, as if she could sense it too, and she lifted her head and leaned in.

“Char!” Jace called from the ground. “You up there? I can’t see you! It’s time for dessert!”

“I know.” Her eyes never left Jake’s.

“Pity,” Jake whispered, cupping her chin. “I was just getting ready to have my dessert early.”

“Most people have to work harder for such a benefit.”

He swallowed and looked down at her plump lips. “I promise I will.”

“Don’t be a mountain.”

“Huh?” He pulled back.

Char rose to her feet. “Don’t give up; don’t be a mountain.”

“So what am I supposed to be?”

Char didn’t answer him as she moved to the ladder and began slowly climbing down, but just before her head disappeared she whispered. “Yourself, Jake. Just be yourself.”

Chapter Thirty-six

Char woke to yelling. After her odd conversation with Jake where she was at least eighty percent sure he was drunk, she’d faked a headache and gone to bed, skipping dessert and family game night.

With a groan she picked up her cell and looked at the time. One a.m.? Were they still up?

Not thinking, she swung her feet over the side of the bed and hit something soft. It groaned, then cursed as it pulled her feet out from underneath her, causing her to land with a thud against it.

“Jake?” She breathed.

“No, it’s some other half-starved, half-drunk, crazy seagull-talking lunatic. Yes, it’s me, Jake. Who else would be sleeping on your floor?”

“Good point.”

“You can get off me now.” He grunted.

“Why are you talking to seagulls?”

“That’s all you took from that last statement? Not even gonna ask about the whole starving or drunk thing, just straight to the seagulls?”

Char moved away from his warm body and sighed audibly. “It’s simple subtraction.”

“Huh?”

“Which thing is not like the other? Food and alcohol go hand in hand. Seagull taking? Not so much.”

“Either you’re brilliant or drunk. I can’t decide which.” The tone of his voice was gravelly. “Why the hell did you step on me? Better yet, why are you out of bed?”

“I heard a noise.”

“It’s called breathing, Char. Some people need to do it in order to live.”

“Shut up, you ass.” She pushed him down and walked toward the door. “It was more than that. It was like a scratching or something.”

“So, we have a squirrel problem.” He sounded bored.

“You hate squirrels.”

“Let them get me! You hear that, squirrels? I’m ready for you!” Jake lifted his hands into the air and sighed.

“How much beer did you have?”

With a curse he struggled to his feet. “Clearly not enough. Otherwise I would still be passed out right now, instead of having this ridiculous conversation with you.”

He moved into the moonlight.

Char’s mouth went completely dry.

The man was a god.

How had she forgotten that?

Thick-corded muscles lined his abs and plunged into his pajama pants. Every part of him was smooth and tan. Just… way too beautiful to be real. She stepped forward. Was it possible for a man to be Photoshopped? In real life? In person?

Curious, she pressed a hand to his chest. He was so damn warm, and hard. Dang, but his body was hard.

“Char?” His voice was hoarse. “Are you sure you’re not sleep-walking?”

Jerking her hand back, she laughed nervously. “I thought I saw a, um, scratch, just there.” She pointed to the perfectly smooth skin on his chest.

“A scratch?” Jake’s eyebrows rose. “Really? Well, if you’re so concerned I’m sure I can take off my pants and you can check everywhere else. Wouldn’t want me not waking up in the morning. I’ve heard scratches can turn septic.” He winked.

“Ass.” Char pushed against him and reached for the door, opening it a crack.

“Char,” Jake groaned. “I’m exhausted. Like I said, it’s probably nothing—”

With a curse, Char hit him directly in his hard stomach and told him to shut up, then pointed to the hallway.

Sure enough, Kacey was making her way down the hall toward Travis’s room. His door was open. He was mouthing directions to her and pointing to the floor. Did he expect her to army crawl? And then he made a motion with his hands and cupped his ear.

“Hmm,” Char whispered. “Squeaky floor?”

“Yup.” Jake chuckled; his breath was warm on her neck.

“You know where the spots are?”

“Oh yeah.” He moved past her out into the hall and looked smugly from Travis to Kacey.

Kacey’s eyes narrowed. She made a cutting signal with her hand across her throat then flipped him off.

Like a lunatic, Travis was making obscene gestures toward Jake. It looked like he was threatening him, but Char couldn’t tell. It was like watching a mime get angry. His hands were everywhere in the air, but it was too comical to mean anything.

And Grandma, bless her heart, was sitting in a recliner in the middle of the hallway. Mouth ajar, snoring louder than sin. Her leopard print pajamas practically glowed in the moonlight, and her face was covered with one of those creepy sleep masks with the eyes painted on as if to say, she’s always watching.

Jake took a tentative step toward Grandma.

Kacey waved her hands frantically.

Char covered her mouth to hide her laugh.

Kacey glared in her direction.

A loud creak sounded down the hall. Jake took another step. The second creak was even louder.

Travis began banging his head softly against the wall.

Kacey looked like she’d started praying.

And then, all of a sudden, Grandma moved. Without pulling the mask up, she pulled a gun from underneath the cushion and pointed it directly at Travis.

“You sneaking out, son?”

Char’s mouth dropped open as Jake hurried back to their room and stood near safety.

“I, uh…” Travis closed his eyes. “Do it. Just kill me. I’m miserable enough as it is. Sorry Kacey, I can’t do it. I can’t make it; if that makes me weak, so be it.”

“Kacey!” Grandma scolded, pulling back her mask so she could see. “And to think! I was blaming poor Travis for this fiasco, but look at you! Halfway down the hall! You little hussy.”

Jake snickered behind Char.

“Both of you!” Grandma waved the gun around in the air. Travis eyed it tentatively while Kacey slumped against the wall.

“Now.” Grandma pointed the gun at Travis. “Back in your room. Go to bed. You’ll be married soon, and then you can have all the sex you want.”

“Grandma just said ‘sex’.” Jake commented behind Char. “I think this is my favorite night ever.”

“And you!” Grandma pointed the gun at Kacey. “Stop tempting him! He’s a boy! He can’t help his urges.”

“Just kidding,” Jake said. “ ‘Urges’, ‘urges’ trumps ‘sex’.”

“Now! The both of you, back into your rooms so you can put this fornicating business behind you!”

“There it is,” Char whispered. “The winner of the night.”

“Fornication.” Jake held out his hand from behind Char. She gave him a high five before they slowly closed their door.

Grandma called out their names.

“Quick!” Char yelled. “Get on the floor! This is not a drill!”

Jake dove for the pillow and face planted onto his blankets just as Char sprawled across her bed. The door clicked open.

Grandma sighed. “Such good kids, so well-behaved.”

When the door shut, Char exhaled loudly. “That was close.”

“I’m curious.”

“About?”

“She had a whistle this morning… and now she has a gun. I swear my dad locks the gun cabinet for that very reason. He even hides the ammo.”

“I’ve stopped asking why when it comes to Grandma.”

Jake laughed. The sound of his voice caused a warmth to drape over Char as she moved to her side and looked over the edge of the bed.

Jake glanced up. “What? Looking for more scratches? My offer still stands, you know.” With a wink he moved his hands to the band of his pajama pants and began sliding them off.

Char covered her eyes. “Keep your pants on.”

“Hmm,” Jake said. “I think that’s the first time a girl’s actually asked that while in the same room with me in the dark.”

“How’s it feel?”

“Stings a bit.”

Char’s eyes were still closed when she felt Jake’s hands on her cheeks. She had no choice then but to open them and feel the full force of what his hazel eyes did to her. He smiled, a real, hot, honest-to-goodness, soul bearing, I’m-going-to–sell-my-grandmother-to-North Korea-in-order-to-marry-this-man smile. “It always stings before it gets better.”

“W-what?” Words weren’t really forming well, not with his hands on her, his shirtless torso before her, and his eyes gazing at her face as if she was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever encountered.

“Scratches. They always sting before they heal. So it stings to get rejected, but I think in the end it will be worth it.”

“You should drink more often,” Char joked. “You get all sentimental.”

“It’s not the drink,” Jake murmured, his lips so close to hers she could almost taste him. “Good night, Char.”

“ ’Night.” Her voice was foreign and airy to her as Jake released her face and slid back down onto his makeshift bed. “Sweet dreams.”

He turned on his side and gave her another one of his megawatt smiles. “If you hear your name, you’ll know why.”

And melt.

Well, crap.

Char managed a smile before she lay back in the bed and waged war within herself. What if Jake really was changing? What if he was trying and she missed it because she was too focused on Jace?

Jace was interested.

Jake was a gamble.

Add another sleepless night to her list of growing problems. Not to mention the fact that every single phone call from work had been ignored.

Him. She’d always wanted him, and now that he was right in front of her, actually vulnerable and trying, she owed it to herself to try, too.

She was going to do it.

Possibly lose her job, and her heart, all over again, on the slim chance that the boy from junior high camp really did want to kiss her back.

Chapter Thirty-seven

It was settled.

Karma had come and gone, and in its place it had gifted Jake a heart. One that was so irritatingly tender that he was about five seconds away from losing his mind.

She smiled.

He got giddy, actually giddy, as in his heart did a little flip in his chest. When Char offered to go with him into town, he was actually excited.

Right. Excited that he was spending the afternoon with Char at the courthouse.

What the hell?

Two months ago he would have wanted to kill himself.

And now—now he was looking forward to just spending time with Char, a girl, a woman to be exact. The longest date he’d had in years was taking place at a courthouse. That had to be a bad sign.

Grandma had forgotten to pick up the license after Kacey and Travis stopped by to show that they were in fact who they said they were.

At any rate, all Jake had to do, as the best man, was pick up the license and then take Char out to lunch. Not too hard. Granted, it seemed ridiculous that he of all people had to do it, but Grandma had thrown such a fit that morning over coffee that he would have said yes to anything including going to Africa to fight for lion rights—if it would just get her to stop talking. Travis and Kacey were busy doing some last-minute scheduling with the wedding band and everyone else was helping set up, so that left him and Char.

Char had been eager to get out of the house, what with Grandma following her around snapping orders.

Jace had asked to come with them.

Jake’s answer? Not a chance in hell, and Grandma, bless her heart, claimed to need Jace at the last minute, which was most likely a falsehood. Not that he cared; the situation had totally worked in his favor.

The courthouse wasn’t too far from their house. They had just opened by the time he and Char walked up to the registrar.

“Can I help you?” The elderly lady asked. She had owl-shaped glasses perched low on her nose, bright red lipstick, and a loud electric blue shirt. It was almost like looking at Grandma’s doppelgänger.

“Yes,” Jake said smoothly. “We need to pick up the license for the Titus wedding.”

“Oh.” The lady’s face fell. “Just one moment, I’ll just…” Shaking, she mumbled something under her breath as she searched through a file on her desk.

Char chewed her lower lip, drumming her nails against the countertop while the lady searched. Jake, being the lunatic he now was, watched Char. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, giving him the perfect picture of her high cheekbones and graceful neck. He wanted to reach out and touch her, to feel her smooth skin under his hand.

“Here’s the thing.” The lady cleared her throat. “I don’t have it.”

“Sorry, what?” Jake snapped his attention away from Char and looked at the lady. “The license? But they’re getting married this weekend.”

“Right.” The lady smiled nervously. Lipstick stained her two front teeth. “I have an idea, but I could get fired…”

“I’m all ears.” Jake tried to stay calm. “Because they need that piece of paper by Sunday evening.”

“We can expedite the process. I’ll fudge the date, but I’ll need to leave the names blank on the license.”

“Why?” Char asked. “Can’t you just type them in and fudge the entire thing?”

“They’ll know,” the lady whispered, motioning behind her to all the other people working in the office. “And like I said, I could get fired.”

Jake groaned and looked at Char. “What do we do?”

“Well, we need a license!” Char exhaled. “Okay, fine, we’ll do it. What do you need from us?”

“Sally.” A woman approached. “Is everything okay over here?”

“Perfect!” Sally exclaimed. “These young people were just picking up their marriage license! They’re getting married this week!” Her eyes pleaded with theirs.

“Right!” Jake nudged Char. “We are so excited. Aren’t we, sweetie pie?”

“Sure, Twinkie pants.” Char’s teeth clenched. “So, so, so very excited for this holy union.”

“In front of God.” Jake nodded. “And our family.”

Char nodded emphatically. “It’s just too bad I got knocked up before the wedding, huh?”

“I wouldn’t say bad.” Jake’s eyes narrowed as his grip around her shoulders tightened. “In fact I would say it was very, very, very good.”

Char shrugged. “It was all right.”

Sally and the lady chuckled.

“If you get my meaning.” Char winked.

“We are so in love!” Jake shouted, trying to cause a distraction so Char wouldn’t continue talking about his level of sexual prowess.

“Oh.” Sally clapped. “I almost forgot. I’ll need your driver’s licenses just to prove you are who you say you are.”

With a kick, Char stepped on Jake’s foot then handed over her license.

Muttering a curse, Jake pulled out his.

“They check out!” Sally beamed.

The lady behind her disappeared.

Everyone exhaled.

“I’m so sorry,” Sally said. “I know I’m being unprofessional. Now remember, you have to fill in the names of the two parties and then the witnesses, all righty?”

“Perfect.” Jake took the piece of paper and winked. “How much do we owe you for the license?”

“Sixty dollars cash.” Sally held out her hand.

Jake almost choked. “Sixty dollars? To get a piece of paper?” Was it printed on gold? Who the hell paid sixty dollars for something that took two seconds to type out?

Char elbowed him in the ribs. Luckily he always carried cash, so he pulled out three twenty dollar bills and handed them over.

“Thank you so much!” Sally winked. “And congratulations.”

Jake stared at her for a minute. Why did she look so familiar?

“Oh, look! Lunch break!” Sally stood. “Now off you go!”

“It’s ten,” Jake pointed out.

“I like to eat.” Sally walked off.

Jake stared after her.

“Let’s go.” Char grabbed the manila envelope with the license in it. “Mission accomplished, and you Grandma swore you’d make it worth my while and buy me lunch.”

Actually, his goal was to take her on a date, but she didn’t have to know that. It would freak her out; hell, it was freaking him out. He was actually going to do this. Was he ready? Would he ever be ready to take that plunge?

His manhood was on holiday, his brain was fuzzy from last night, and Char’s short white shorts weren’t helping matters.

“Hello?” She picked up her ringing cell phone. “Right. Okay, yeah, not a problem. Uh.” She flushed and looked away from Jake. “I don’t think that—” She cringed. “Fine, okay, yeah.”

“You all right?”

“Sure.” Char waved him off. “It was nothing, just work.”

“They do know you’re on vacation, right?”

“Vacation and Grandma don’t exactly fit in the same sentence.”

“Tell me about it,” he grumbled as he turned the car toward his favorite coffee shop. “I can talk to your boss, you know, if you want.”

The car fell silent.

“My boss?” Char laughed. “What are you going to do? Waltz in there, throw your name around, and make my problems go away?”

“So he is giving you problems.”

“Drop it, Jake. You’re not my big brother protecting me from the bullies on the playground.”

“Hell no, not a brother. I was thinking more of a superhero, like Superman, sweeping in to fix everything.”

Char rolled her eyes and laughed; there went more giddiness. “So you’d pick Superman.”

“Yes.” Jake exhaled and pulled into the coffee shop. “If for no other reason than wearing super tight Speedo-like pants so everyone on God’s green earth could see that I don’t wear extra small condoms.”

He should have remembered the window was open.

A woman getting into her car gasped.

Her small child asked, “Mama, what’s a condom?”

Jake didn’t think it would be appropriate to say a toy, so he just smiled and mouthed sorry to the mother, all the while thinking God hated him.

“I think you should have explained that.” Char laughed, unbuckling her seatbelt when they’d parked.

Jake got out of the car and slammed the door. “Right, and end up getting arrested for saying the wrong anatomical word to a small child. I can only imagine how that could be taken. Jake Titus flashes small child in parking lot.”

“Oh, come on!” Char threw her hands in the air. “You’re exaggerating. The media isn’t that bad.”

“Um, yes they are.” Jake opened the door for her, and the smell of organic coffee floated around them in the shop. “And how can you defend the media? You know as well as I do that a story about me helping a small child would only get twisted into me somehow stealing their ice cream or something.”

Char reached for his hand and squeezed it. “The media isn’t against you.”

“I’m sorry. Do you watch the news?” Jake clenched her hand within his and refused to let it go. In fact, he was holding it hostage, forever. Wow, mature.

They walked up to a small bistro that served coffee and sandwiches and made their way inside.

“What will it be?” The barista asked, eying Jake up and down and completely ignoring Char and everyone else within her vicinity. Why did it suddenly bother him so much that women checked him out and openly ignored Char?

Irritated, Jake lied. “My fiancée and I—well, we just got back from getting our marriage license.” He sighed longingly and gazed into Char’s eyes. “And the thing is, I want to celebrate with my sweetum’s favorite drink. I want it to be extra sweet, just like her.” Oh, gag him.

With a giggle, Char turned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, playing right along. Though she seemed a bit stiff in his arms. Jake whispered go with it, in her ear and before he knew what was happening she said. “But, baby, all I really need is you.”

She kissed him.

And suddenly… Hell, forget about holding her hand. He was taking her mouth hostage. With a groan he kissed her back, sliding his tongue into her mouth. Tasting her would never get old. He craved everything about her, the way her hands played with the longer hair at the nape of his neck, the graze of her teeth against his lips.

“Excuse me?” The barista said loudly. “There are people behind you and children present. Geez, get a room.”

With strength he nearly didn’t possess, Jake pulled back and glared at the barista. “Already got one, but thanks for the suggestion. Two iced coffees with cream.” Without releasing Char, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty. “Keep the change.”

The barista flushed red and mumbled a thank you as Jake pulled Char away from the counter and then attacked her mouth again.

Char was saying something, but he didn’t care.

Damn, if they’d been anywhere but a public place he’d already have her stripped. He’d completely lose himself in her, and it wouldn’t be just once. No, it would be a marathon of Olympic proportions. He’d chain her to the bed so she couldn’t leave even if she wanted to.

Wow, never took himself for the BDSM type of guy until now. Until the thought of her actually rejecting or leaving him was potentially a reality.

“Jake.” Char’s lips were cherry red from his assault, and swollen at every plump angle. “She’s not watching anymore. That is why you did that, right? You can stop.”

“Right.” He breathed. “I figured.” He tried to get his ragged breathing under control as he heard air escape her swollen lips.

“But you kept kissing me.”

“I did.”

“Two iced coffees on the bar!” someone called out.

Without waiting for Char to ask any more questions, Jake picked up the drinks and led her outside.

After Char took a sip, she opened that lush mouth to speak, but her phone went off again.

“Yes, Grandma? Yes, we have the license. No, no we, no—”

With a curse Char put the phone on the table. “Do you think they’d put a shot of vodka in this if I asked?”

“Do I need to get you help?” Jake winked.

“Shut up. Grandma needs us to get together the rest of the details for the joint Bachelorette and Bachelor party.”

“Wait.” Jake paused, his drink halfway to his lips. “Joint?”

“You heard me.”

“Why? I thought Travis was going to let me—”

“Travis no longer has possession of his balls.” Char sipped on her drink and chewed her straw. “I think we can all agree Grandma has him in a vise grip. Until he gets married, it’s going to stay that way.”

“Poor bastard.”

“Tell me about it.” Char shook her drink. “If it was me and I was getting married, I’d go somewhere far, far away, or just not tell anyone.”

“Good plan. Tell Grandma after you get married, but be sure to do it over the phone so when she pulls out her gun the only thing she has to shoot it at is the wall.”

Char’s smile made a direct hit to his gut. He had to look away. “So, where do we have to go now?”

Shifting in her chair, Char sipped the rest of her drink and avoided eye contact. “Well, uh, Grandma had high tea planned but scratched it this morning.”

“Why?”

“Petunia arrived.”

“Ah! Great Aunt Petunia.” Memories of Aunt Petunia were always so warm: she knitted him the ugliest scarves every Christmas but never failed to send him birthday cards. She’d even attended all his graduations and a few of his baseball games. Too bad Grandma and Petunia hated each other. “Wait, why aren’t you guys doing the high tea?”

Char made a face. “Well, it seems Grandma has something more lively planned for Petunia’s visit.”

“How lively?”

Char didn’t answer.

Chapter Thirty-eight

Jake stood in the middle of the Pleasure Room and tried to keep his eyes focused on the lady telling him all about the party. Her lips were moving but damn if he wasn’t having a hard time paying attention. Any guy would. Damn, he was uncomfortable.

“Now.” The lady pulled out a sheet of paper. “Just put a check mark next to all the products you’d like me to display, I’ll be sure to show up early. Oh, and there’s an extra charge for costumes.”

“Costumes?”

She nodded. “Yes, of course! I thought Nadine told you on the phone! The bridal party will be in costume. She’s picked the theme: Leather and Lace! Fantastic, right?”

The lady popped her gum and winked at Jake.

Consequently, he almost swallowed his tongue. “So you’ll be bringing the costumes and then we—”

“Wear them.” She smiled. “While I display the products. People will eat, drink wine—“

“Scotch.” Jake corrected. “Large amounts of Scotch.”

She waved him off. “Whatever your preference, yes. And then people can go into rooms and have a closer look at the items, if you get my meaning.” She bit her lip and squeezed Jake’s arm.

“Great.” Char said crisply to his right. “I’ve been wanting to try the uh”—she read from the list—“Whip me pack for a really long time.”

Jake gave Char a helpless look. It was impossible that she seemed to expect him to keep a straight face. How the hell was he supposed to concentrate? Leather? Lace? Whips? He gripped the table and tried to keep his breathing even.

“Well, I’ll just leave you two to decide.”

“Do that,” Jake snapped. His teeth were clenched so hard he was going to get lockjaw.

Once the lady was out of earshot, Jake exhaled and leaned over the table.

“You all right?” Char patted his back.

“Don’t touch me.” He didn’t mean to sound like an ass, but he was literally two seconds away from losing his mind.

“Ah.” Char continued touching him, damn her. “Sexual tension. Been a long time, my friend? You feeling a bit… stressed?” Her hands moved across his back and then to his neck. He groaned.

“Enjoying the list, I see!” The lady’s voice came from the back room.

Shaking himself a bit, Jake stepped away from Char. “You pick. Just put check marks next to things. I don’t care.”

“Really.” Char slowly walked toward him. Even the metal of the counter jabbing into his back wasn’t enough to cool his arousal. “You don’t care?”

“Nope.” He lied. Oh he cared; he cared way too much.

“How about”—she lifted the sheet and read off a few things he didn’t even know how to spell let alone pronounce. “You think those would be good products?”

“God and Grandma have it in for me,” he said honestly. “That’s what I think. I also think”—he pushed away from the counter and stalked toward Char as she backed up—“that if you don’t stop looking at me like that, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”

“Like what?” Her eyes pleaded with his. Shit, they were practically begging him to kiss her.

With a curse he turned away, breaking eye contact. “Like that.”

“Ready?” The lady came back around the corner.

“Not really.” Char handed her the sheet. “Can you just pick for us? I’m sure whatever you choose will be fine.”

With a shrug, the lady grabbed the paper and then handed them a card. “I’ll be at the house around seven to set up. See you tonight!”

“Tonight?” Jake and Char said in unison.

The lady looked confused. “Yes, tonight. I’ve been told the rehearsal dinner is on Saturday, and today’s Friday. It’s the only available night for this type of demonstration.”

“Well, how long does it take?” Jake asked.

“Oh, honey.” She winked. “If that’s your question, you really aren’t doing it right.”

Char had to physically pull him from the store. Not doing it right? Not doing it right?

* * *

If the look on Jake’s face was any indication, he was just ready to slap someone. “Whoa, there, cowboy. Calm down.” She walked him to the car, feeling every inch of his muscles as they flexed beneath her hands.

“Not doing it right?” he repeated, this time in a softer voice, as if he was really trying to figure out if he’d been doing it wrong this whole time. “Char?” He looked up. Oh no. Oh hell no.

“Hmm?” She played with her hair and looked away.

“Did I?”

“Did you what?”

He was silent.

And then he cursed for a good few minutes. “You know what I’m asking.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t think I—”

“Char.” Jake walked around the car and reached for her. What she should have done was laughed off his concerns and pulled away. The smart choice would’ve also been to lie her ass off, but she couldn’t, not with him touching her like he was. Or with the full force of his chiseled face so close to hers. “Answer the question.”

With her heart slamming against her chest, Char swallowed past the dryness in her throat and answered. “You may have to remind me since the memory’s kinda fuzzy…”

He broke out into a grin. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“I think I can manage that.” His hands slid up her sides.

And then her damn phone went off again.

Work.

Crap. Jake took a step away while she hit ignore.

“Something wrong?” His brows drew together in concern.

“Nope. It’s actually, really good.” She stepped up on her tiptoes and kissed him hard on the mouth.

With a groan he placed both hands on either side of her and used his body to push hers against the car. “What are we doing?” he whispered against her lips.

“Kissing.”

His tongue dove into her mouth. It was impossible to describe the way he kissed, the way he tasted. Heat pounded in hundreds of places all over her body; her nerves were on edge so that every single touch of his tongue sent shivers all the way to her toes; and even when he touched her lightly she was a puddle at his feet.

Everything he did seemed to singe her, mark her. If this was kissing, she would be ruined for all other men’s kisses.

“Are you”—he pulled back—“sure you want this?” It was the most vulnerable she’d ever seen him. His eyes were filled with need but it was more than that; it was… desire and insecurity. Her whole life she had wanted to be his security, his rock. She’d wanted the best of both worlds, friends turned into lovers, and now she felt as if she could actually have it.

“I’m sure.”

The phone rang again.

Jake cursed. “Seriously, I’m going to throw your phone into the river.”

She stole a peek and sighed. “It’s Grandma. We either take the call or suffer the consequences.”

Jake took the phone from Char and answered it, putting her on speakerphone. “This better be good.” His eyes darkened as he licked his lips.

“I’m dying!” Grandma wailed from her end.

“Are you at the house? Where are you?” Jake shouted.

“The house! Hurry!”

“Shit!” Jake unlocked the car doors and they scrambled inside.

Panicked, Char could only grip the seat as he drove and hope that Grandma would be okay. She had to have the worst timing in the world!

Chapter Thirty-nine

Jake pulled the BMW up to the house and left it running as he jumped out of the car and ran toward the front door. “Grandma!”

“Jake!” She flew out of the front door, her purse in hand. “Take me to the hospital.”

He paused. She looked absolutely fine. In fact, she had on a nice white pantsuit and her giant black sunglasses. She stomped by him and opened the car’s back door.

“Hi, Char.” She slammed the door behind her.

And then Jake saw the object of her disdain waltz out the door after her.

Petunia.

From the pinched look on her face, Jake could tell it hadn’t been a good meeting. Petunia’s oversized pink cardigan was wrapped around a turtleneck top, even though it was summertime. Nude-colored tights peaked out from beneath a long jeans skirt. The outfit was complete with orthopedic shoes.

“Oh, Jake!” Petunia giggled. “I’ve missed my boy!”

He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. “Aunt Petunia, you don’t look a day over fifty.”

“Oh you.” She swatted him with her hand.

Her white hair was pulled in a knot at the top of her head; her overly large glasses slid off her nose. She pushed them up and put her hands on her hips. “She’s not dying, by the way.”

“Yeah, I figured.” Jake looked back at the car, where Grandma had just finished reapplying her lipstick and smacked her lips together.

“She didn’t have a car.” Petunia looked past him. “The rest of the gang ran out to do wedding errands, leaving just me and Nadine to our lonesome.”

“Any blood I have to clean up?” Jake looked behind her into the house. “Or broken dishes? Anything?”

“Of course not.” Petunia sniffled. “I was merely having a conversation with Nadine about her loud outfit.”

“But she’s wearing white.” Jake scratched his head, confused. “Don’t you like white?”

“It’s not the color, dear.” She pointed. “That woman is wearing red spiked heels, and when she showed them to me, do you know what I saw?”

“What?”

“A tattoo!” Petunia wailed and then crossed her heart and pulled out her prayer beads.

“It’s probably fake.” Jake lied. Right; Grandma had probably gotten the tattoo just to piss off her sister.

“It’s not! I asked!” Petunia stuffed her beads back into her shirt and sighed. “I just don’t want her to go to hell. Is that too much to ask?”

“Tattoos don’t send people to hell.”

“You’re right.” Petunia straightened. “God does, and the minute he sees that tattoo all bets are off!” With a huff she turned and walked back into the house.

Women. Rubbing the back of his neck, Jake walked up to the car and knocked on the window. Grandma lowered it but refused to make eye contact. Just pouted and looked straight ahead.

“Well, go on now.” She licked her lips. “Sass me.”

“Grandma, I’m not going to sass you,” Jake said, flabbergasted. “But why can’t you just try to get along?”

“I wore white!” She pointed her finger in the direction of the house. “And that, that woman, said I was an abomination!”

“Right. So you probably should have hid the tattoo.”

“Mr. Casbon got me that tattoo in Hawaii last winter. It was a gift. I can’t just say no to a gift.”

“Mr. Casbon?” Char asked from the front seat.

“Neighbor,” Jake growled. “Don’t ask.”

“He has a walker now,” Grandma added. “It’s harder for him to get around, though he is much more creative these days.” She chuckled. “You’ll meet him at the wedding.”

“Can’t wait.” Char grinned and winked at Jake.

“All right.” Jake opened the door. “Let me see it.”

“I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Pull up the pant leg. Let me see it.” He pointed down at her leg. “If you don’t let me see it I’m announcing it in the local church bulletin.”

Grandma gasped. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“He would,” Char said. “Believe me, his apple definitely fell from your tree.”

Grandma smiled. “That’s my boy.”

“Up.” Jake motioned, ignoring the compliment.

“Fine.” Grandma pulled up her pant leg. The tattoo was really colorful; in fact it would’ve been a really pretty tattoo if the woman in the hula skirt wasn’t naked.

“Sailor Jerry,” Jake guessed.

At Char’s gasp Grandma said, “It’s a classic! Why, we had these around war time!”

“Naked is still naked, war or no war,” Jake said.

“Topless,” Grandma shrugged, “is not naked. It’s not as if I have the girls—”

“And you’re done talking,” Jake interrupted. “So what do we do? Char and I have to plan this joint party you’ve suddenly come up with out of nowhere and you don’t want anything to do with Petunia.”

With a dramatic sigh, Grandma got out of the car. “Fine, I’ll play nice. Just don’t let that, that, woman, near me!”

“Grandma.” Jake kissed her hand. “I knew we’d see eye to eye.”

“Rogue.” She winked. “You always were my favorite.”

“Funny; I heard you say the same thing to Travis not so long ago.”

She waved him off. “Yes, well, right now he’s on my shit list.”

Char burst into laughter behind them.

Grandma peered around Jake. “I know, I said ‘shit’, but it’s true. He’s been sneaking out of his room! Not to mention he’s terrible at it. He’ll thank me after the wedding night; that is if he doesn’t die first. But if he does at least he’ll die pure rather than as a sinner.”

“I think he and Kacey have already—”

“Shh, all right. I’m off to search for the vodka. I’m going to need strong spirits if I have to breathe the same air as Petunia the Prude.”

Char got out of the car and followed them. “Grandma, it’s like ten in the morning.”

“Dear.” Grandma turned and faced Char. “When you’re eighty-six and you’ve lived a long, full, and happy life, the last thing you pay attention to is the time. So it’s ten in the morning? It’s five o’clock somewhere!” With that, she waltzed off.

“Hmm,” Char said.

“What?” Jake looped his arm in hers.

“I’m trying to figure out what I’m more concerned about.”

“Huh?” Jake stopped walking.

“Grandma listening to Jimmy Buffett or the fact that she’s drinking nine hours before the pleasure party.”

“Her costume may be a lamp shade,” Jake agreed. “But you heard the woman, and what she says is law.”

“So maybe being eighty-six won’t be so bad.” Char laughed.

“Live by her rules.” He pointed to the kitchen where Grandma was pouring herself a healthy drink. “And I’m sure it won’t be.”

Chapter Forty

“Open the door, Char. It can’t be that bad.” Jake knocked for the tenth time and waited. Char swore on the other end. “Char? I’m waiting. We’re the hosts of the pleasure party.”

“Don’t say it like that.” She said from the other side of the door.

“How do you want me to say it?”

With a groan, she pulled open the door. “Don’t laugh.”

Laugh? Was she insane? She looked like a hotter version of Britney Spears, before the crazy. Her long chestnut hair was straightened and hung past her breasts. She had on a leather hat that matched her short leather dress. She put her hands on her hips; they were covered with lace gloves.

“Get in the bathroom,” he growled.

Char’s eyes widened as she backed up.

Jake kicked the door closed just as his mouth found hers. He lifted her onto the counter and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Damn, you look good.” He kissed her exposed neck. She tilted her head back and let out a soft feminine sigh as her fingers dug into his back.

“It’s time!” Someone banged on the door.

“No it’s not,” Jake argued, not taking his lips from Char’s neck.

“Oh, but it is.” The door burst open, revealing the lady from the store. “Trying out some products, I see? The costumes do it every time.”

Jake jerked away from Char and cursed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“It’s your turn.” The lady handed an outfit to Jake. “Everyone’s ready but you.”

“Right.” He took the outfit. “Thanks for reminding me.”

She stood there and waited for Char to leave before the door clicked shut again.

Char’s outfit had been something out of his wildest fantasies; his couldn’t be that bad, right?

* * *

“Have you seen Jake?” Jace asked as he took a seat across from Char. “I’ve been meaning to ask him about his toast. I kind of want to do something tomorrow night, too; that is if he’ll pull his face out of his ass long enough to talk to me.”

Char offered a polite smile. “I haven’t seen him yet, but I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“He’s not worth it, you know,” Jace said in a voice so low only Char could hear him.

“I’m sorry; what?” Char took a sip of wine and smiled as friends poured into the large living room.

“Jake.” Jace moved to sit next to her on the couch. “He’s a player. The man’s good at what he does, but he doesn’t do commitment. You should know that.” Jace sighed. “Things with him… relationships with that type of guy… They’ll always be difficult to manage. And in the end there’s always a fifty-fifty chance your heart will get broken.”

“Thanks for your concern.”

Jace winked. “It’s selfishness on my part, purely selfishness. I think you’re beautiful. I’ve only known you for a few days but I’d love to take you out on a date.”

“Well, um, Jake and I, you see, we’re—”

“Ladies and gentlemen, the best man has offered to do a dance for us!”

Offered my ass, Char thought. He’d probably been probably coerced; either that or drugged.

The lights were lowered and then a spotlight went on in the hall. “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” by Big and Rich started to pound through the sound system.

Jake appeared in leather chaps, with something resembling euro shorts underneath but no shirt. No worries there, though: He was wearing a lace tie and a black cowboy hat.

Hot damn, the man looked edible.

Clearly, the sales lady had wiped some product on him by the looks of it; he was glowing with some sort of oily liquid all over his chest. Char’s mouth dropped open when his eyes found hers. With a purposeful strut, he made his way toward her.

Dollar bills were stuffed into his pants as he crossed the living room.

Stopping in front of her, he leaned down low and then straddled her lap. Holy crap, holy crap—she looked around for help. Was he really going to give her some sort of cowboy lap dance? Magic Mike style? In front of the entire wedding party? And Grandma?

With a wink, he began to move across her lap. He mouthed sorry when he elbowed Jace in the face as he did a body roll.

Move over Channing Tatum. Holy crap, she was going to have a stroke.

The chorus hit and everyone joined in on the song. “Save a horse, ride a cowboy!”

Jake tilted the brim of his hat to Char and moved off of her lap. Had she had it her way, he would have stayed there all night.

He moved across the room with pantherlike grace. His golden brown hair fell across his face and had a slight curl to it. She wasn’t sure if it was sweat or the oil that was causing his hair to curl. But she’d had no idea it was so naturally curly, or so devastatingly hot that she’d literally throw Grandma under a bus in order to put her hands through his hair.

A few other girls yelled his name. He turned his full attention toward them and danced into their group.

“Like I said.” Jace cleared his throat next to her. “Once a player always a player. You think he’s ever going to give that up?” For you? The last part wasn’t spoken out loud, but Char felt the words like a punch to her chest. The music stopped; everyone clapped. Char looked down at her lap and played with the stem of her wine glass.

“Now, everyone welcome the bride and the groom, with a special guest in tow!” A miserable-looking Travis walked down the hall. The man was huge, all corded muscle and brute strength. He was also in a leather caveman costume. Poor guy, definitely got the short end of the stick.

Kacey was dressed in a short white leather skirt and a lacey white shirt. She looked ready to party.

Behind them followed Grandma.

In an actual cat suit, which really wouldn’t have been such a stretch if she hadn’t painted whiskers on her face. But if anyone could rock it, it was Grandma.

“Let’s get this party started!” Grandma shouted.

Kacey sipped her wine as the music changed to techno. People around the room mingled and laughed, but Char felt completely alone.

As if someone had taken the fight out of her.

Her dress wouldn’t allow for her to sneak in her cell phone, so she was officially the lame girl staring at the table at a party she was supposed to be hosting with Jake.

Jace leaned in to her left. “You want me to refill your wine?”

Anything to get rid of him and his condescending attitude. “Sure, thanks.” She handed the glass over and stared as Jake continued to flirt and talk with a few mutual friends Char hadn’t seen in a while. These were the rest of the bridesmaids. Technically, it was Char’s job to go make introductions and be the bigger person but she kind of wanted to wallow.

“Char!” Jake called from across the room, waving her over. Trying not to scowl, she got up from the couch and felt her face heat as the girls eyed her up and down. Sizing up the competition perfectly.

When she was close enough Jake wrapped his arm around her, holding her hostage. “This is Char. I think a few of you guys went to high school together.”

“Really?” Char asked, not recognizing any of the faces.

“Yeah.” Jake squeezed her shoulder. “Really? Don’t you remember, Britney?”

“Ugh.”

A tall blond girl with a wide set mouth and brown eyes held out her hand. “It’s nice to see you again.” Mental note: Britney was nice and had a really kind smile.

“And Lillian.” Jake pointed to an Asian woman with blue streaks in her hair. Char had never seen her before in her life, but shook her hand anyway.

“I know you remember me.” The next girl said with a touch of venom in her voice. She was about as tall as Char, but curvy in a Kardashian sort of way. “Amy—”

“Stevens.” Char choked out. Clearly God was finished punishing Jake and had now moved on to her. Great. What were the odds? The same girl they’d gone to junior high camp with? And why the hell did Kacey have her in her bridal party? Seriously? To be fair, Kacey had never known why Char hated Amy. Char had been too embarrassed over her obsession with Jake to tell her. As far as she knew, Amy had kept in touch with Kacey. Technically, it was Char’s fault the girl was here; she’d been so focused on work that when Kacey had sent her all the details on bridesmaids Char had all but ignored her and just agreed to whatever. Ugh, now she regretted not thoroughly reading those e-mails. How had she missed Amy’s name?

“Great to see you again, Char.” Amy’s smile didn’t reach her eyes, and after a few awkward moments she touched Jake lightly on the arm. “So tell me about life. I’d love to catch up; it’s been ages.” And just like that Char was pushed out of the way. Jake looked back at her and gave her a pathetically kind smile, which just made everything worse.

If he was a jerk at least she could be angry with him.

But when he was nice or when she felt like he was pitying her? It sucked—hard.

“Here’s your wine.” Jace came up alongside her. “Hello, plastic surgery.” He shook his head and stared at Amy and Jake.

Char growled low in her throat and took the wine from Jace’s hand.

“You okay?” he asked.

Char let out a breath and faced him. Why couldn’t she like him? Maybe if she closed her eyes she could believe he was Jake, and not Jace she was kissing or touching.

Would every man fail in comparison to Jake? Would she forever live her life comparing them to him in the first place?

“Attention, everyone! Please take your seats!” The lady from the store moved to the middle of the room and slowly began removing different gadgets from boxes and setting them out on a black velvet tablecloth.

Char was no prude, but even she was shocked. Helpless, she looked to Jake but he was still engrossed in conversation. Her eyes darted around the room. Kacey was laughing, Travis was looking longingly at Kacey, and Grandma was…

Oh great. Grandma was dragging Petunia down the hall for the show.

It was going to be a fight of epic proportions.

Char cringed when the lights went off.

The table glowed.

Hell.

“Now.” The lady clapped her hands. “I’m Lola. I’ll be your pleasure consultant for the evening.” Jace choked beside her. She slapped his back and he wheezed out a “thank you”.

“To make this party more intimate, I’ve set up different tables and products in the spare bedrooms. I’ve also brought some wonderful lingerie from our romance line. Perfect for the bride!”

“Here, here!” Travis shouted.

The room filled with nervous laughter.

“Now…” Lola started at the far end of the table.

A half hour into the presentation Char was thankful the lights were turned down. Her face was probably as red as a tomato.

After the final product was displayed, Jace whispered next to her. “Does it make me less of a man to admit I didn’t know half of what she was saying?”

“No, that makes you normal,” Char said.

“Good, because I started getting worried about a quarter of the way through.”

Laughing, Char patted him on the arm, just as Jake’s eyes fell on her hand from across the room. He shook his head, lips in a firm line, and made his way down the hall.

“Any questions?” Lola asked. The lights went up.

Grandma was swaying in the middle of the room with her wine. The fight had gone out of Petunia. Either that or she was dead. Jury was still out. Her eyes were closed and she was leaning back on the couch with her mouth open.

“You killed her.” Char pointed to Petunia.

“I drugged her.” Grandma did a little twirl. “She wouldn’t stop complaining about the party, so I crushed a Benadryl into her juice.”

“Grandma!” Char scolded. “That’s dangerous!’

Grandma took a long sip of her wine. “I dated a pharmacist once.”

“Doesn’t make you a pharmacist.”

“Ah, details.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Char decided not to fight that battle.

“Are you okay, dear?” Grandma’s eyebrows furrowed with concern.

“Headache.” Heartache; same thing.

“I’ve got aspirin just down the hall in my room. Go grab one, they’re on my nightstand next to the Benadryl. Just be sure to take the white pill and not the pink pill. The pink pill will have you three sheets to the wind after all that wine.”

Nodding, Char walked off down the hall to grab some aspirin. Grandma’s room was on the bottom floor because she hated climbing stairs. Kacey had said that just this last year Grandma had wanted to move upstairs because she’d watched the movie Up and thought it would be fun to have one of those chairs that attaches to stairs like a ride.

She was vetoed.

With a sigh, she pushed open the door and found Jake and Amy in an embrace. Amy’s arms were wrapped tightly around his neck and she was wearing nothing but cheap lingerie from the party.

Jake pushed her away, and then saw Char.

“Do you mind?” Amy spat in Char’s direction. “We’re kind of busy here.”

“Char, wait!” Jake called, but she was already running, in platform heels no less, down the hall and out the door.

Chapter Forty-one

“Damn it, Amy!” Jake yelled. “What the hell is wrong with you? I said I wasn’t interested.”

“You looked interested.” Her eyebrow arched as she tried to get close to him again.

Jake lifted his hands to stop her. “Seriously, not interested. Not now, not ever.”

“Guys like you…”

“Guys like me, what?” Jake sneered. “Finish what you were going to say.”

She licked her lips and crossed her arms. “They don’t say no.”

Jake nodded. “You’re right.”

Amy’s smile was vicious as she approached.

“I must not be that guy anymore.” He stormed out of the room in search of Char.

An hour later, he still hadn’t located her to apologize. The only damn reason he’d been in that room in the first place was because Amy had had so much to drink that he didn’t want her to ruin the party by going crazy—he’d seen her pop a few pills before her last glass of wine.

Muffling another curse, Jake made his way upstairs to get some of the oil off and to change into clothes that didn’t make him look like a poorly paid prostitute. Funny, how just a few months ago he would have been totally okay with looking like this. Now he just felt dirty, used, gross.

He’d grabbed a wet cloth and started wiping off the oil when a phone started ringing. He looked over at the nightstand. It was Char’s phone, and the screen told him the call was from her job.

She’d been ignoring her phone the whole weekend so he figured he’d just ignore it, too.

But ten minutes later, after two more missed calls, he lost his patience.

“Hello?” he snapped the minute it rang for the third time.

“Who the hell is this?” a man yelled.

“Jake Titus. Why? Who’s this?”

“Mike Cromwell. I’m your little girlfriend’s boss.”

Jake didn’t have the strength to say that they were anything but dating, and that Char was probably planning on killing him in his sleep tonight. “What can I do for you, Mike?”

“You can tell Char that she has exactly six hours to get a story to me or she’s fired.”

“A story?” Jake repeated. “Any story?”

“No, you idiot.” Mike cursed into the phone. “The wedding. She’s supposed to be covering the wedding.”

“But—”

The phone went dead.

Stunned, Jake sat on the bed, still holding the phone in his hand. So it was all about a story? She was being nice to him to get to him?

Like every other girl in the world.

Char wanted something from him, but now he wondered if the something she wanted wasn’t what he was willing to give. His body? Something snapped inside. Maybe she’d pushed him past his breaking point, but he was pissed. No, he was more than pissed. How could she do this to him? After everything he’d said to her? All they’d shared? To her, all he was worth was a flashy smile and a story. But to him? She was the world.

All the nameless faces of past conquests flashed through his mind. All the women, all the sex, all the partying… Every last female had wanted something from him, whether it was his money, his status, his bed. And Char? She’d turned out to be the worst of them all, because she’d pretended to be his friend. She’d maneuvered herself into his life so fully that the idea of purging her out was so repulsive he felt like he was going be sick. So this was what betrayal felt like? Like knives stabbing into your front and your back, an absolute loss of control over your own emotions? Right. Well, he hated it. He hated that Char had been the one to make him feel that way. He’d never expected more out of those other women because he’d known what those relationships were. They’d wanted something from him and he’d wanted something from them. All parties left satisfied. But now? He was left feeling empty, as if he’d just offered Char all of his possessions in hopes that she’d at least give him a damn hug and say “thank you” rather than run him over with the moving truck and drive off.

He hated putting her with those other women. He hated allowing her name to even be next to their names. But…

She’d ended up being just like them.

A wave of nausea overtook him as he set the phone down. With shaking hands, he ran his fingers through his hair. Char had just wanted a piece of the Jake Titus joke.

Which meant only one thing: He was getting ready to jump off the commitment cliff without a parachute.

Well, if she wanted a story, she was going to get one. No way was he going to let her blame him for losing her job.

* * *

An hour later, Char walked back into the room. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was wind-blown.

“Where’ve you been?” Jake asked. Char rolled her eyes and tried to walk back out, but Jake caught her arm and dragged her back inside. “I was worried.”

“Oh, spare me. You looked really worried in Amy’s arms.”

Jake muttered an oath and walked away from her. “I didn’t want her then and I don’t want her now, but then again, you trusting my word means you actually have to trust me as a person. It means I have to trust you, too. And I don’t.”

Char threw down her purse and charged toward him. “How dare you! I’ve done nothing to—”

He held up her cell phone. “Mike called.”

“You’re such an ass!” Char jerked the phone away from him. “You answered my phone? That’s private.”

“You’re lucky I’m a good guy.”

She snorted.

“So ask me.”

“What?” Char scrolled through her messages. “What the hell do you want me to ask you?”

“About the wedding. You know, details, who the caterers are, what celebrities are going to be stopping by… you know, the nitty gritty details. Interview me.”

Char’s face fell as she stared into his cold, unresponsive eyes. “Jake, I was never going to go through with the interview.”

“I don’t care.” He did care but he didn’t want her to know he did, because it just made him look pathetic. “Ask me the questions.” He threw a piece of paper and a pen onto the bed. “Come on. Do you want to get fired?”

“No, but—”

“I’m pissed as hell right now,” Jake said honestly. “But I’m not going to be the reason you lose your job.”

“Well, aren’t you just a regular Mother Theresa.” Char snorted. “Don’t you know me better than this, Jake? Do you really think I’d betray my friends to get ahead in the world? I’m not you!”

“You’re being a bitch.”

“You’re an ass if you think so little of me,” she yelled.

“Yeah, well, you’re a shitty friend.” Jake’s nostrils flared as his voice rose. “I thought you were different. That’s why I—”

“Jake?” Travis’s muffled voice came from the other side of the door. “The party’s breaking up, man. Have you paid that crazy lady with the sex toys yet?”

“So many things wrong with that sentence.” Jake rolled his eyes. “Coming.” He walked toward the door. “You.” He pointed at Char. “Not a word to Travis and Kacey. Don’t even tell them you were thinking about taking your boss up on the offer. It will break their hearts, and they have enough going on. I’ll give you a damn story. I’ll run down the street naked if I have to; just leave them alone.”

Disgusted, Jake walked out the door, all the while wondering if his heart would ever be able to trust anyone.

Chapter Forty-two

Char stared in shock at the closed door. What had just happened? Was Jake actually giving her advice on how to be a good friend? After he’d led her on and then took Amy into a room and made out with her? The man was a mess! And he had the audacity to say that what Char was supposed to be doing was low? She wasn’t even going to do the interviews! She’d decided to sacrifice her job, a job she needed in order to eat, because she didn’t want to betray her friends.

The jackass hadn’t even given her a chance to explain! Once again, his cocky know–it-all attitude had surfaced, leaving her heartbroken and confused. She’d seen him in a searing lip lock with enemy number one and he was lecturing her as if she was the one who’d broken his heart!

Jake would never understand her hesitation about what she did because he’d always had money. He didn’t realize how tempting it was—to be able to pay rent, to eat, to not let your parents down again and again!

With a cry she threw herself onto the bed and cursed Jake Titus to hell. It was becoming a habit. Maybe if she cursed him enough times her heart would stop breaking. So close, yet so far away.

* * *

Jake said almost nothing to Char all day Saturday. In fact, the only time he did speak to her was when he’d asked to use her floss that morning. She’d dangled it in front of his face and waited for him to make some sort of joke.

Instead, he took it, flossed his teeth, and left the room.

Adding insult to injury, she was fired that morning.

She’d missed her deadline. It was entirely possible her life as a reporter was completely over.

Char checked her watch. It was already five and Kacey and Travis still weren’t back from town. They’d run some sort of last minute errand.

She tried Kacey’s’ phone again, but there was no answer.

Everyone was getting restless. Char began to pace in front of the gazebo. Thirty minutes later Grandma burst through the door.

“They won’t be making it to the rehearsal,” Grandma said. “Flat tires.”

“Tires? As in more than one?” Jake asked, rising from the pew.

“I’m afraid so. It was as if someone slashed them.”

Petunia shook her head. “Portland’s full of gangsters. Probably one of them boys.”

“Right.” Jake smirked. “Because we know lots of gangsters that want to off us.”

Petunia stiffened.

“We’ll just have to carry on without them.” Grandma rubbed her hands together. “Char, you’re the maid of honor, you’ll stand in for Kacey; and Jake, as the best man, you’ll be standing in for Travis.”

Char’s stomach plummeted. God was cruel. The one man she had been in love with since junior high was now standing in the groom’s, only it wasn’t real. And again, so close. Her heart constricted as she looked into his eyes because she knew this would never be her reality. It was all some sort of sick joke from the universe. She’d hold his hands; he’d pretend to put a ring on her finger.

And at the end he’d walk away.

Char jumped when Grandma blew her whistle. “Order, everyone!”

“We aren’t in a court,” Jake grumbled.

“I need order!” Grandma blew the whistle again, this time right in the pastor’s ear. He winced and looked away, poor soul. “Now, let’s have the girls fan out under the gazebo. Yes, perfect!” She pointed to the guys. “And the men: let’s have you line up on the other side. Oh, that looks lovely.”

It looked horrible, but nobody asked Char so she kept quiet. Then again, it could just be her crappy attitude.

“Pastor?” Grandma raised her hand instead of blowing the whistle, praise God.

“Yes, Nadine?”

“Will you please go through the entire ceremony? I want to be sure that the microphones are working and we’ll be able to hear the bride and groom.”

“Of course.” The pastor smiled and held out his hand to Jake. “I’m Jim.”

Jake shook his hand.

Pastor Jim turned to Char. “And you must be the maid of honor.”

Her smile was tight as she took his hand.

“Both of you stand just here.” He pushed them together.

Char almost stumbled into Jake’s hard chest. His eyes were distant, as if he was shutting her out from his world. She could almost see his abs through his tight black t-shirt. Lowering her gaze didn’t help because then she had a full view of his distressed designer jeans, and his Marc Nason boots that had probably cost more than her car.

“Dearly beloved…” Jim began reciting the welcome and the prayer. “Now we are going to move on to the vows. Take each other’s hands and repeat after me.”

“I, Jake Titus…” Jim started.

Jake cleared his throat. His hands were so warm as they held Char’s. “I, Jake Titus.” his voice had a husky drawl to it as he continued to talk. “Take you, Char Lynn, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” His voice caught in his throat as his eyes burned into hers. “To love and to cherish, to treasure, to be my best friend, from this day forth until my last breath leaves my body—I will be yours, as long as we both shall live.”

Char had to bite her lip to keep from crying. It was everything she’d always wanted to hear him say.

Jake closed his eyes when he was finished.

“Now, Char.” Jim cleared his throat. “Repeat after me. I, Char Lynn…” Char repeated the same vow. Halfway through her hands started shaking. Jake opened his eyes and mouthed It’s okay, so she kept going.

By the time she was finished, her heart was pounding so hard she would swear Jake could hear it. He smiled sadly when they had to release each other’s hands.

Jim addressed the nonexistent guests. “Travis and Kacey, or in this case Jake and Char, both expressed interest in writing personal vows to each other. We will hear them now.”

He handed the microphone to Jake. Clueless, Jake handed it back. Jim shook his head. “No, no, Nadine needs to hear your voice. I doubt you’ll have trouble talking about a pretty girl like Char.”

Holy crap. He was going to humiliate her in front of everyone.

“I’ve always liked pretty girls.” Jake laughed into the microphone, ruining Char’s brief moment of happiness. “And I can honestly say, Char’s the prettiest I’ve ever come across.”

The bridesmaids sighed behind him.

“Too bad she’s crazy.” He winked. “I mean really crazy. She’s threatened me more times than I care to admit. Don’t even get me started on wedding gifts and drug stores. Some of my happiest moments have been with her, some of my worst moments, too.” He paused. “Maybe that’s what love’s all about. You share the good and the bad, and hope to God that in the end the person will still be waiting for you on the other side. Marriage is a complete and total leap of faith—I’ve always thought of myself as a risk taker. The greatest risk of all is pursuing someone with your entire heart, knowing that it’s completely possible they won’t want you back.”

Char wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry.

Everyone was silent.

A car turned into the driveway. It was Kacey and Travis.

Grandma blew her whistle. “Finish the ceremony, Jim.”

Char shook her head. “But—”

“Finish it!” Grandma yelled as she made her way down the driveway.

“Do you take her?” Jim asked Jake.

“Uh, yes?”

“Do you take him?”

Char felt her eyes narrow as she gave a jerky nod.

“You have to say it.” Jim laughed nervously.

“Fine. Yes. I take him.”

“Then with the power vested in me by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

Everyone clapped lamely, until Jake stepped forward and pulled Char in for a mind-altering kiss that melted every defense she had erected that morning.

“Looks like I married the shrew.” He winked.

“Better than marrying the harem-possessing whore!” Char fumed, pushing against his chest.

Pastor Jim tried to separate them but they were already nose to nose.

“Is that jealousy I hear?” Jake snorted.

“Jealousy?” Char repeated, then threw back her head and laughed. “Yes, I’m so jealous of all the women who’ve shared your bed! At least I’m only one notch on your bedpost.”

“Two.” Jake smirked. “You’re two; you know why.”

Char lunged for his throat but Jim stood in the way.

“Smile and laugh all you want, Jake, but ten years from now, when I’m married with kids and living a happy life, you’re going to be nothing but a lonely bachelor.”

She couldn’t stop the words from coming. It was as if all the hurt inside her bubbled up and finally forced their way out into the open. Jake’s rejection had re-opened so many old wounds, wounds she’d kept packed away for so long.

His smile fell. “Better a bachelor than a bitch.”

The entire wedding party fell silent.

Travis walked up, shoving his hands into his pockets. “So what did we miss?”

Pastor Jim still stood between Char and Jake, his face a deep shade of red. “A blessed union.”

Jake swore and walked off.

Kacey came up alongside Travis; her gaze followed Jake’s disappearing form. “What happened?”

“What always happens with Jake?” Char shrugged. “He’s walking away.”

Chapter Forty-three

He couldn’t drink away his problems, he couldn’t whore them away. It was as if every step he took toward Char, he had to take a step back. Yes, he was still pissed about the fact that she had planned to sell out his family for her job, but the more he thought about it the more he respected her for saying no to her boss.

She needed a job.

Unlike him.

He could waste away the rest of his life and still have more money than he knew what to do with. Char, however, didn’t have a trust fund to fall back on; she didn’t have a multi-million-dollar house she could sell, or her pick of at least ten foreign cars.

The girl had to eat and pay bills, things Jake had never worried about, ever.

He’d had it all planned in his head. He’d joke around with her a bit to break the ice, and then he would apologize for snapping at her the night before.

Except then they’d had to stand in for the damn wedding ceremony and things had become so unbelievably real that he’d started to shake when he held Char’s hands. When he’d said those vows, he wanted to mean them. For the first time in his life he’d wanted the commitment to be real. Damn, but he wanted her to see past the façade he put on and just accept him.

In that moment, when he’d held her hands, when he’d looked into her blue eyes, his heart begged for her to see more than everyone else before. He though if anyone could see past his insecurities, it was Char.

But instead of seeing past it…

She’d exposed him, like a live wire, for the world to see. And for the first time in his life he had nothing he could say to make it better. He’d called her a bitch and walked away; again, he’d walked away. Was that how he was dealing with things now? Walking away and sulking? He didn’t want to be that guy anymore, the one that ignored all of his emotions, stuffed them into the farthest part of his brain and got drunk in order to forget he had them in the first place.

The problem with finally dealing with his past demons was that they’d been a part of him for so long that they’d almost become a comfort, or to him, a crutch.

He still had issues with Kacey’s parents’ deaths—never getting over the fact that they were taken from both him and Kacey. And then never feeling like he could live up to his dad’s strict standards of what a Titus should be. Then finally, his own belief that in the end, he wasn’t capable of loving someone the way they deserved to be loved.

His whole life he’d been afraid of commitment, yet it was only now that he realized he’d been in a relationship for twenty-three years. He was shackled to himself, in a relationship with his own demons. The most important thing in his life had always been to live for the moment, to live for himself. Parents always warned their kids about the dangers of unhealthy relationships with others—so why didn’t they ever warn kids about the dangers of an unhealthy relationship with yourself? With your own damn heart?

Jake walked to the back of the house and out onto the dock that overlooked the river. With a sigh he sat at the edge and watched one of the dinner cruise boats slowly go by.

Life had been so much easier when he was a little kid, when his only worries had been whether his mom was going to wash his basketball uniform on time or if the kids at school would want to play kickball.

Being an adult sucked.

Finally realizing you were a selfish jackass didn’t help either.

“Can I sit down?” Travis asked behind him.

“Sure,” Jake said.

“It’s a nice evening.” Travis’s knees cracked as he took a seat on the dock.

Jake nodded and kept looking out at the water. If he looked his brother in the eyes he’d probably snap—he was that on edge.

“You wanna tell me what’s going on?” Travis asked.

With a sigh, Jake leaned back on his hands and shook his head. “Not particularly, no.”

A movement caught Jake’s eye. He watched as Travis pulled a small envelope from his pocket. “Here’s the thing. I never wanted to give this to you.”

“Are we divorcing?” Jake tried to sound lighthearted but he was a bit freaked out. What the hell could be in that envelope?

Travis rolled his eyes. “You should be so lucky to get away from me. No, it’s not anything like that. It’s just…” He swore. “This last year, Kacey finally read a few of the letters that her parents had left in their will. Apparently, they’d updated it the year before they died and had put a few keepsakes in with it, just in case.”

Jake bit his lip and looked away as tears threatened in his eyes. This was why he never talked about his feelings. Just talking about Kacey’s’ parents made his chest hurt. Damn, why did they have to go and die like that?

Why did it have to be that same night Jake had been caught doing another irresponsible thing? Why hadn’t Jake been given the chance to apologize to Kacey’s dad?

Travis handed the envelope to Jake. “This one was for you.”

“For me?” Jake took the envelope. “Why now? Why are you giving this to me now?”

Travis smirked. “Because my future wife is relentless…” He nudged Jake in the side. “And because there were strict instructions to only give it to you when something specific happened.”

“Oh yeah? What? Insanity?”

Travis licked his lips and looked away. “No, it was for when you fell in love.”

“I kind of feel like we’re having a moment here,” Jake joked.

“Shut up.” Travis laughed. “They wrote letters for family and friends. Apparently Kacey’s’ mom was really into taking notes; she has an entire notebook full of her thoughts and poems. At any rate, there were two letters left. One was for Kacey on her wedding day and one was for you…”

“What about you? Did you have a letter?” Jake asked.

Travis shook his head. “I have Kacey. Guess we’ll see what that letter says tomorrow when we say our vows. You still planning on walking her down with Dad?”

Jake fought the hammering of his heart and gave a jerky nod.

“Good.” Travis slapped him on the back. “I’m going to leave you to—” Travis waved at the letter. “See you at dinner.”

Jake clenched the letter in his hand and watched Travis walk back down the dock. With shaking fingers, Jake undid the seal of the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. Its contents were short, to the point, in scratchy handwriting:

I knew it would happen. I told Rose just this morning that it was gonna happen and she up and laughed at me. I wonder if it’s Kacey who’s finally caught your eye. Ah, a father knows, the way you look at her is the way a man looks at his best friend. I can tell these things.

At any rate. We never talked about that night, Jake. You know which one I’m referring to. Hell, I doubt you’ll ever forget about digging holes in the backyard and having to apologize over and over again for getting caught with drugs and women you had no business being with. You always were a feisty one. In that moment, Jake, I knew, you’d probably grow up to be one of those big corporate guys. The ones with the fancy cars and fast women. You had that look about you, and I have to admit, it scared me a bit thinking about Kacey being with you.

I guess I’ll just have to trust that what was engrained in you when you were a boy stayed with you. It should, if that grandmother of yours has anything to say about it.

Rose says we have to write letters to our friends and family just in case. I know you’re probably wondering why I wrote you one. You’ve always been like a son to me, Jake. I’ve known you since you were still in diapers. The thought occurred to me today, what if I’m not able to see you full grown? What if I can’t see you on your wedding day? What if I can’t be a part of your life, your future? When a man gets old he thinks about his past, about his regrets. My regret was never talking to my own father one last time before he left this world and went into the next. Although you have a damn fine father, I always felt like I was another one for you. That being said, Jake, I’m so damn proud of you. By now I hope you’ve had both failures and successes, but more than that, I’m proud you’ve found someone that’s worth holding onto. When men fall, they fall hard, they fall ass backward into the water without a life preserver—you’re one of those men, Jake. My advice? Be the man. Don’t let yourself drown. Don’t run or swim away from the safety of the boat. The boat, that’s your home, your family, your life. The preserver that keeps you afloat will always be your wife, your partner. Without a preserver you drown, a preserver without something to hold onto has no purpose, so you see, you need each other… you need to rely on one another for everything. Never forget that if it’s not worth fighting for, it’s not worth having. When you feel like giving up, when you feel like you may not be good enough, remember that none of us really are. We’re all undeserving of the women in our life, but damn if we don’t try every single day to become worthy of their love. I guess what I’m saying is… love her. Please her, cherish her, and by God, son, her smiles better outnumber her tears.

To my second son… and his new wife… may your bed be filled with laughter, your nights filled with pleasure, your home filled with the smell of good food, and your hearts be full of joy. This is the reason we are on this earth—to love.

Jake choked back the giant knot in his throat and stuffed the letter into his pocket. Damn Bill for making him feel like an emotional woman.

Did he love her?

Char?

His breath came faster as he began thinking about the past few weeks. Sure, they’d just reconnected, but he’d known her all his life. He knew about the freckle on her hip, her aversion to pickles or anything green, and finally her laugh.

Oh, he knew her laugh, because it made him feel like a damn superhero when he made her laugh.

And now he felt like an ass because the last time she’d laughed was too long ago and he truly was part of the reason for her tears.

With a curse he got up from the dock and made his way back toward the house.

Chapter Forty-four

Char drank her second glass of wine and took a seat at the large table set up outside. The dinner was a catered event with full-on entertainment. It should have been hosted by Kacey’s parents but because they were gone, the entire Titus clan was footing the bill for everything.

A few food tents were scattered to the side. The main table for the wedding party was long and covered with different types of tropical flowers and candles. All of it was heartbreakingly romantic.

Grandma took a seat next to Char and eyed her glass of wine. “How many of those have you had?”

“Enough.” Char sighed.

“Hmmph.” Grandma reached into her large purse and pulled out a manila envelope. “The pastor gave me permission to have you and Jake sign separately since you’re in such a huff.”

Char eyed the marriage license. “Isn’t this supposed to be filled out tomorrow?”

“Agh.” Grandma waved her off. “It’s just one more detail we won’t have to worry about. Sign here.” The paper was only pulled slightly out of the envelope so most of it was covered, which was just better when Char thought about it. She didn’t want to even see the spot where Jake was supposed to sign. They’d both lost their tempers. She couldn’t even remember why she was so mad at him. If she really thought about it, it wasn’t anger, really; it was total and complete humiliation and rejection.

He’d made her fall for him.

And she had—hard.

After the wedding they’d go their separate ways and she’d be on her couch jobless and lamenting the fact that the one guy she’d ever loved didn’t love her back, or didn’t want her enough to try to love her.

Char signed her name quickly and handed the pen back to Grandma.

“Now, now.” Grandma patted Char’s back. “Everything’s going to work out just fine. You trust your Grandma.”

“Only one problem,” Char leaned into Grandma and whispered. “You aren’t my Grandma.”

The smile on Grandma’s face widened just slightly before it went back to normal size. “Why, of course I am. Remember when I told you I would ruin Jake?”

Char didn’t really want to talk about Jake; she nodded but tried to pretend she wasn’t interested.

“He was already ruined.” Grandma patted Char’s hand. “The minute he set eyes on you in that wedding gown. I bought it, you know.”

“What?” Char shrieked, gaining attention from the guests around the table waiting for the first course. She coughed and hid behind her dark hair. “Tell me you’re joking, Grandma!”

“Oops.” Grandma shrugged. “I thought you liked that dress. And it was so pretty on you. Truly divine.” She poured herself a glass of wine and closed her eyes as she took a deep sip, then placed the glass back on the table. “Besides, you may need it one of these days.”

“Right.” Char fought back tears. “I guess anything’s possible.”

“Oh, but it is.” Grandma said. “Did you know I always wanted to be a fairy godmother?”

“Huh?”

“Most girls want to be the princess in the story. I want to be the fairy godmother.”

Was she drunk? Already?

“Okay.” Char squinted. “Well, all you need is a wand and some magic, and anything’s possible.”

“Got my wand, and all grandmas have magic.” She shrugged. “So, tell me about Jace.”

“He’s…” Char looked down the table. His blond hair was combed back, revealing perfect green eyes and a chiseled face. “Nice.”

Grandma sputtered with laughter. “Oh dear, that man is many things. ‘Nice’ would not be the word I would use to describe him. He’s damn sexy is what he is. A beast among men.”

“Grandma.” Char groaned. “Keep your voice down.”

“Well.” Grandma lifted her hands in the air. “All I’m saying is, that man could make a girl melt with just one stare.” As if hearing them, Jace looked at Grandma and winked. “Good Lord, I think I just experienced a mini-stroke.”

“Seriously?” Char reached for the elderly woman’s arm in panic.

“Well.” Grandma winked back at Jace. “If that was a stroke, I want another.”

Char felt her face heat.

“He doesn’t turn your clock?” Grandma asked.

Char choked on her wine and began coughing wildly as Grandma smacked her hard on the back. “Dear, drink slower. You’ll get a stain on that pretty yellow sundress.”

“Right. It was the wine that did it,” Char croaked. “Not the clock turning.”

“Well.” Grandma leaned forward and whispered. “What do you kids call it these days? Does he get you—”

“Grandma!” Char hissed. “Stop, just stop.” She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. “He’s a nice guy, but not…” She was about to say ‘not Jake’ when he came in and sat at the end of the table. Her eyes betrayed her will as they greedily took in every damn plane of his perfect body. Jake leaned forward on the table, his forearms brushing against the flowers scattered around his plate. Oh, but if she were only a flower.

“I see,” Grandma said in a low voice. “He’s not my grandson.”

“What?” Char pulled her gaze from Jake and began twisting her hands in her lap.

“Jace.” Grandma pointed. “He could be two steps above Marlon Brando and you’d still look at him as if he were nothing but a stand-in.”

“Marlon Brando? Stand in?” Char smiled tightly but didn’t glance up at Grandma.

“For the one you really want.” Grandma placed her hand on Char’s, calming her down. A few diamond rings shone from her fingers as she continued to pat. “My grandson. You’re in love with him.”

“I’m—” But she couldn’t deny it so instead she met Grandma’s gaze and said, “Please don’t tell him.”

Jerking back, Grandma snorted. “Honey, if he don’t know you love him now, he’s an idiot. Then again, he is a man.” She looked in his direction and threw her hands in the air. “He looks miserable. Probably all the sex he’s not having.”

And there went Char’s racing heartbeat. Did Grandma just say ‘sex’ again? At the dinner table?

This time her words drew the attention of Travis and Kacey, who both gave her pleading looks as if to say please, no more embarrassing moments.

Pastor Jim choked on his wine, while the table fell silent.

Helpless, Char looked to Grandma.

“I was discussing Petunia.”

Oh no. Petunia stiffened across the table, and her eyes narrowed on Grandma as if she was the spawn of Satan. “I do not say such vulgar words.”

“No, you just knit and read dirty books.”

“Well, I never—”

“Don’t deny it.” Grandma swirled her wine in her glass. “I’ve seen those books firsthand. You aren’t as prudish as you let on, sister.”

Petunia’s lips pinched together as she looked around the table. “She’s clearly drunk.”

“Tell me, did Captain Jack find his way home with the slave girl? I haven’t gotten to that part yet, though I have to admit I’m very excited to see if they’re able to—”

“Grandma,” Travis warned.

She shrugged. “I was going to say ‘fall in love’.”

“My ass,” Jake muttered from the other side.

Petunia glared at Grandma. “You’re a heathen.”

“At least I’m not a heathen in hiding… Where’s your whip, Petunia?”

Char’s eyes widened.

Wescott chuckled. “Now let’s just calm down, everyone. We’re here to celebrate—”

“Probably with your red heels, you tattooed hussy!” Petunia screamed.

“I do like those heels,” Grandma said longingly.

“Oh look, dinner!” Bets said in a high-pitched voice. “Everyone, eat, eat!” She clapped and began piling food brought in by the waiters that came with the catering crew onto her plate.

“Oysters.” Grandma pointed to one of the buckets. “Eat up, Travis. You’ll need this tomorrow night.”

He cursed and looked to the sky. “And I was doing so well reining it in.”

“If that’s you reining it in, I’m a nun.” Grandma winked while Travis groaned and scooted away from Kacey.

“Oh look!” Bets pointed to the middle of the table. “We’re out of wine.”

“I’ll get some!” Travis shouted, pulling back from the table, his hand firmly grasping Kacey’s forearm.

Grandma calmly reached into her purse and pulled out a collar that looked a lot like the kind you’d put on a dog in order to shock it. “Sit down, Travis.”

With a curse he sat.

“I’ll uh, I’ll go.” Char rose from her seat.

“Me too.” This from Jace. “You may get lost in that wine cellar.”

“My hero,” she said dryly. Although he didn’t seem to care. His gaze was trained on Grandma. He nodded just once and then looked back at Char.

“Ready?” He offered his arm, ignoring her curious look altogether.

They walked in silence the rest of the way back to the house.

Chapter Forty-five

Jake was going to give them exactly five minutes alone before he burst into the wine cellar, guns blazing. He had just been about to offer to escort her when Jace rose from the other end of the table. Jace had exchanged a weird look with Grandma then left.

Eyes narrowing, Jake took a sip of wine and watched the door, waiting for their return. He checked his watch. Damn, it had only been thirty seconds.

“My, my.” Grandma pulled up a chair next to his. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Huh?” Jake flinched when a bird landed on the doorknob. Wow, how pathetic was he?

“You’ve chosen well.” Grandma sighed. “Why, I would have picked her myself, had I anything to do with matters. But my matchmaking days are over, as you well know.”

“Right.” Jake licked his lips and checked his watch again. A minute and a half. He was in Hell.

“… so I just need you to sign here.” A pen was forced into his hand. He barely glanced down at the paper and signed his name where Grandma’s hand was hovering, then handed the pen back to her. “Three minutes, Jake, it’s been barely three minutes. Not much can happen in three minutes. Well, except…” Grandma chuckled. “That one time your grandfather and I only had five minutes and you won’t believe the ways we—”

Jake jumped to his feet and stomped toward the house.

* * *

The Titus’ wine cellar was like something out of a magazine. There was a granite bar on one side of the room with leather stools lined up along it. They even had their own brand of beer, since brewing was one of Wescott’s hobbies. Wine bottles lined most of the walls. It could be like heaven. Even the company wasn’t so bad, except again, he wasn’t who she would have chosen. Maybe she just needed to be thankful.

“So.” Jace pulled a bottle out. “How about this one? A vintage merlot?”

“Sure.” Char couldn’t care less. Mindlessly she wandered toward the bar. A few framed pictures were scattered across the table top. One of them was of Jake and Travis as kids. Kacey was between them, kissing Jake on the cheek.

Kacey had always been where Char wanted to be.

Not that she’d ever been jealous enough to end their friendship, but with Kacey things had always been so easy.

“You okay?” Jace came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.

“Yeah.” Char tensed. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I’ve been talking to you for the past few minutes and you haven’t even made a sound. I swear I was worried you weren’t breathing.”

Laughter escaped her lips before she could stop it.

“There it is,” Jace whispered.

“What?” She turned around to face him.

“The laughter. I like the way you laugh. You don’t do it enough.”

Char licked her lips and leaned back against the bar. “It’s been a rough week. What can I say?”

Jace nodded. “I know.”

How could he possibly know? He didn’t even know her!

“Unrequited love isn’t for the weak.” He reached for the corkscrew and opened the wine, pouring her a small glass and one for himself. He lifted it into the air, clinking it against hers. “How are you holding up?”

“How do you even know—?”

Jace laughed. “I’m not stupid. But let me ask you one thing.” He took the wine from her hands and set it on the table.

“What?” His eyes were so clear and beautiful it was hard not to get lost in him.

“Do you think…?” He tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned his forehead against hers. “That maybe the reason you love him, or think you love him, is because he never returned your feelings? Maybe what you really need is closure.”

Char trembled beneath his touch. “Is that what you’re offering, closure?”

Jace’s hands cupped her face as his thumbs ran over her bottom lip. “I don’t like being second, Char. But I’d be willing to be your second. That is, if you would have me. I’d love to take you out on dates, wine and dine you, make you feel deserving, because honestly, as a man, that’s my job. To make you see you how I see you. And I don’t think you see yourself clearly. I think your whole life can be summed up into one word.”

She tried to pull back from him but he held her firm. “Yeah, Dr. Phil, what’s that?”

He smiled sadly. “Almost. That’s how you define yourself. Almost. And it makes me sad, because you’re not an Almost sort of girl.”

“And you’re the expert on what type of girl I am?”

“Absolutely.”

“Well then, what am I?”

Jace tilted his head to the side and gently ran his left hand down the side of her throat. “Forever. You’re the forever girl.”

His mouth met hers softly before he pulled back. “The question is, do you want to forget him? Do you want to move on? Maybe with me? Or would it be enough? Would my words, my money, everything about what a relationship with me would mean, would it be enough to permanently abolish him from your memory?”

Char’s lower lip trembled. With a small gasp she shook her head. “No, Jace. I’m sorry, but no.”

With a brilliant smile he pulled back. “I’m glad.”

“Huh?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I took acting class for fun in high school. I have to admit, this has been the best time I’ve had in years.”

Confused, Char could only stare at him. “You jackass! You pretended to like me?”

“Hell no.” Jace took her hand in his. “I would gladly and happily take you off that ass’s hands, but you don’t want to be taken anywhere. Am I right?”

“I don’t understand.” Char massaged her temples.

“One word.” Jace nodded. “Grandma.”

“No!” Char gasped. “She’s paying you?”

“Don’t need the money, just needed to get over a bad break-up. That woman has been trying to set me up for the past year. She introduced me to Travis, and the rest is kind of history. I was already planning on being at the wedding; it was all too easy. Travis wanted me to meet you. Grandma had other plans. And here I am. Drinking wine while everyone plots our impending nuptials.”

“Holy crap!” Char paced in front of him. “That woman is insane.”

“Insane genius.” Jace lifted his glass. “Admit it. She’s helped more than hurt.”

“She bought me a wedding dress.”

“Isn’t that bad luck?” Jace tilted his head. “Just curious.”

“So you’re not really a pompous ass.”

He seemed to think about it, then said, “No, I don’t think so. But if you ask my ex she’d say that I am and more. I’m just trying to get through the wedding without having your grandmother kill me and bury my body. You know she bought a shock collar, right?”

Laughing, Char threw her arms around Jace’s neck. “I don’t know whether to thank you or slap you for kissing me.”

“Hey.” Jace pulled back and kissed her cheek. “My offer still stands. Your incredible, manipulating Grandmother aside, I would have wanted your number regardless.”

“Thank you.” Char kissed him briefly on the lips.

But apparently it wasn’t brief enough.

Because the next thing she knew, Jake was charging down the stairs, his eyes wild with anger.

Chapter Forty-six

All Jake saw was red.

Jace was holding her. His girl, his woman, his future—in Jace’s grimy politician hands! With a war cry that would have done any fan of Braveheart proud—Jake charged toward Jace and slammed him into the countertop.

His fist flew toward Jace’s face and landed a blow along his jaw, causing the other man’s head to snap back and hit the table.

In the back of his fuzzy mind he heard Char yelling for him to stop, but it was too late. Jace crumpled to the ground.

“Holy crap!” Char covered her face. “You just knocked out a state senator!”

“Well,” Jake cursed. “He was touching you!”

“Great!” Char began pacing. “Be sure to tell that to the judge when they ask you why you shouldn’t go to prison!” She swatted him across the stomach and swore.

“I’m sorry. I just… I panicked. I was protecting your honor!”

“Easy, Pot,” Char said. “You’re getting black on your kettle.”

Jake glared. “Very funny.”

“What are we going to do?” Char pointed at Jace’s body. “You didn’t kill him, did you?”

“I didn’t hit him that hard,” Jake muttered under his breath and then leaned over Jace. “He’s probably just knocked out for a bit.”

“Well, how long do we wait for him to wake up?” Char was still pacing, only now she was thrusting her wineglass into the air, alternating between drinking it and yelling.

“I don’t know. Put the wine down. You’re making me nervous.”

“I’m making you nervous?” Well, at least she stopped pacing. “What right do you have to come to my rescue anyway?”

Jake let out a heavy sigh. “I’ve always wanted to be the knight in shining armor.”

“Funny, I don’t remember the knight beating the crap out of some innocent guy.”

“Innocent, my ass!” Jake yelled. “He had his hands all over you!”

“So?” She crossed her arms. “Why do you care?”

“Damn it, Char!” In two strides she was in his arms; her mouth opened and the minute his tongue met hers, it was on fire.

He pushed her against the countertop and deepened the kiss. Her body was so responsive to his. They kissed just like they fought: all aggression, all passion, nothing slow and steady about it.

Unable to control himself anymore, he pulled down the straps of her sundress. Her skin was like soft velvet. Her hands twisted in his hair as he trailed his tongue along her lower lip, tasting and sucking the wine from her mouth. Goosebumps rose across her chest when his lips moved from hers down the front of her chest stopping just above her bra.

Jace groaned from the ground.

Jake ignored it.

The groan got louder.

Char dug her fingernails into Jake’s back.

God hated him.

Breaking away from her had to be one of the hardest things he’d ever done in his existence.

Jace was stirring on the floor.

“We should go.” Jake struggled to catch his breath when his eyes met Char’s. She had been thoroughly kissed, thoroughly ruined for a minute, by him, and he loved knowing that he was the man who’d put that look on her face. Her expression was one of lust, desire, want, and it was all because of him.

Jace groaned again.

“We’re fleeing the scene, aren’t we?” Char grabbed Jake’s hand as they returned to the main level.

“If anyone asks, we saw him trip.”

“Into your fist?” Char asked. “Really? That’s the lie we’re going to go with?”

“Sorry that my brain isn’t exactly on the right track right now. We’re lucky I can even walk and talk at the same time without throwing you against the stairs and lifting your skirt.”

“You can, you know.”

Jake froze. “Can?”

“Lift my skirt.”

“You’re punishing me, aren’t you.”

Char grinned as she whispered into his ear. “I purchased some lingerie from the party. Be thinking about that during dinner.”

“Great.” Jake swore. “So Grandma’s going to assume, what? Flowers turn me on? I have the hots for oysters? Damn uncomfortable, if you ask me. Let’s just skip dinner.” Once they reached the top of the stairs, he pushed her against the nearest wall, trapping her with his body. “Just one more kiss.”

“It’s never just one kiss with you, Jake.”

He couldn’t help the giant grin that spread across his face. “Good. Because I want them to be never ending.” He kissed her nose. “I have this need to prove to you that it won’t be just one kiss.” His lips grazed hers. “Because it’s going to be the first of a hundred thousand kisses.” He rubbed his lips against the base of her throat. “It’s going to be the first of the last kisses you ever receive.” His tongue swirled around her collarbone as he made his way back up the other side of her neck. “I want to ruin you for anyone else’s kisses. I want to brand you as mine. I want to hear you say my name, not because you’re irritated, but because you’re so damn turned on you can’t think straight. I want to do that to you. I want to make you mine.”

“Yours?” Her eyes welled with tears.

“I’m a very possessive man if you can’t tell. I’m done walking away.”

“Can you promise me that?”

Jake cupped her face with his hands. “Forever. That’s my offer.”

“So this is a business arrangement?” She gave him a teasing smile.

“Absolutely.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “I’ll of course make you sign this insane gag order drawn up by lawyers who have nothing better to do than to protect me. You’ll have to sign on the dotted line—you know, the usual—that you’ll be my love slave at all hours of the day and night. Then I’ll punish you when you try to leave me.”

“Nice. If you were still a CEO I could call you Christian Grey.”

“Jake Titus!” Grandma’s shout could have awakened the dead. “Where are you! I need to speak with you!”

“Do we run?” Char asked.

“Grandma sees all. It’s like hiding from God.”

With a sigh, they broke apart. Jake lifted her hand to his lips. “We can talk later.”

“About the whole forever thing?” Her eyes looked hopeful, which made his heart basically jump in his chest.

“Yeah, about this forever thing.”

“There you are!” Grandma panted. “I looked everywhere for you two! It’s time for the toast! Wait. Where’s Jace?”

“Sleeping,” a voice said behind them. “I decided to take a nap.”

“In the wine cellar?” Grandma crossed her arms. “Oh dear! What in the blue blazes happened to your eye?”

“Squirrel.” Jace’s gaze narrowed in on Jake. “Seems it found its nuts after all and attacked me, damn thing.”

“Oh.” Grandma nodded. “Right. Well, I’m sure his nuts aren’t near as impressive as he’d like us to believe.”

“Oh, but they are.” Char piped up.

Jake gave her a wicked grin.

Jace covered his smile and looked sternly at Grandma. “If you’re ready, we should probably go back to dinner.”

“Okay.” She took his arm and led him away from Jake and Char.

“Thanks.” Jake grabbed her hand. “For defending my manhood.”

“Ah, it’s taken a pretty big hit lately. Thought I’d help you out.”

With a smug grin Jake tugged her into his body and whispered, “I think it’s going to be more like me helping you out later.”

“We’ll see.” Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she blinked and looked away.

Chapter Forty-seven

Kacey couldn’t help but notice Jace’s black eye as he made his way back to the main table. Char and Jake followed close behind, both of their heads touching. Char laughed. Jake touched her arm.

Oh no.

Kacey’s eyes narrowed as she sent a seething glare toward Grandma, who was at that moment trying to pat herself on the back.

“She’s winning.” Kacey jabbed Travis in the ribs.

“Believe me.” He banged his head loudly against the table. “I know.”

“Oh stop. You have twenty-four hours left.”

“It’s been the longest two weeks of my life.” Travis sighed. “What’s another twenty-four hours?” He put his arm around Kacey, then tensed.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“He kissed her.”

“Huh?”

“That sly son of a bitch.” Travis grinned. “Look at him.”

Kacey looked where Travis was pointing. Jake was smiling at his plate and twirling his wine glass with his fingers. Every few seconds his eyes would meet Char’s and they’d share a private smile.

“Bloody hell,” Travis muttered.

“Still doesn’t work. You aren’t British,” Kacey sighed.

Grandma stood and lifted her glass. “The best man had a few words he wanted to say to the bride and groom. Jake?”

Jake licked his lips and stood, holding his glass out in front of him. “I kissed you first.”

Kacey burst out laughing while Travis growled.

With a wink, Jake continued. “I seem to remember a stupid bet my brother and I made about marrying the girl next door. Well, brother, I think you won. Thanks for the bill by the way, I appreciate it. You’ve both been a huge part of my life, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see both of my best friends marrying each another. To the bride and groom!” He lifted his glass.

“Cheers!” Everyone said in unison.

Jake motioned to Jace. “Didn’t you want to say a few words?”

Jace waved him off. “Nah, I think you said it all.”

“Holy crap,” Kacey whispered. “Something is very, very wrong. They’ve been at each other’s throats all week!”

Travis looked from Char to Jake, back to Jake, and then to Jace. “I don’t get it. They all seem perfectly normal.”

Kacey gripped Travis’s hand like a vise. Grandma winked at both of them and then pointed to the ground.

At her damn microphone case.

“Shit,” Travis muttered. “Damn woman’s going to beat us.”

“I think,” Kacey pointed to Jake, “she already has.”

Jake was sitting across from Char, making such inappropriately lustful gazes that Kacey wasn’t sure if she should just take pity on Travis and cover his eyes for him.

But when she turned to say something to Travis, a wicked smile had formed at his lips.

“Uh oh,” Kacey said. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we’re going to get even.”

“Even?”

“He wants her so bad.” Travis chuckled. “And he thinks he’s going to get her, tonight, but—”

“What?”

“What type of brother would I be if I didn’t protect my brother’s heart? What type of person would I be if I didn’t protect poor Char’s virtue?” He shook his head and raised his hand to his chest. “I couldn’t live with myself…”

“Jake’s going to murder me.”

“Misery loves company.” Travis took a long gulp of water. “Yes it does.”

Chapter Forty-eight

Dessert was served. Char chose a chocolate soufflé with whipped cream. The minute it was set in front of her, she saw Jake’s hungry gaze.

With a wicked smile she dipped her finger into the whipped cream and slowly licked it clean.

His mouth dropped open, just slightly.

She licked her lips and dipped her finger again.

Jake leaned forward, his eyes almost closing as his half-lidded gaze went from teasing to lustful.

Char wondered when was the last time the player had been played, or that he’d had to actually wait for something.

Carefully, she slipped out of her wedge heels and relaxed a little further down in her seat. Trying to act nonchalant, she took another bite of her dessert and watched Jake watch her. She knew the exact moment her foot came into contact with his leg. With a jerk, he grabbed the edge of the table and cursed.

“Everything all right, Jake?” Petunia asked, examining him through her glasses.

“Perfect,” he said in a strained voice. “A bit hot.” His hooded eyes blinked a few times before he reached for his water glass and took a long sip.

“It is quite humid out.” Petunia fanned herself. “But you look positively flushed. Are you sure you aren’t coming down with something?”

“I wish,” Jake said.

“Pardon?” Her brows furrowed.

“Pretty dish.” He pointed to the butter dish in the middle of the table.

Char bit her lip to keep from laughing; she took another slow bite of soufflé and licked her fork. Jake groaned across the table.

Her foot came into contact with his skin.

“Mother of—”

“Jake?” Petunia shook her head. “You have me worried.”

“Me too.” Char licked her lips and let her foot inch up his leg.

Jake braced both hands on the table, his eyes setting her on fire with how hard he was staring at her. “I’m sure.”

His eyes closed as she rubbed up and down his calf and then braced his one leg with both of hers, jerking him closer to the table.

“Shit.” He exhaled.

“I beg your pardon!” Petunia scolded. “Jake Titus, you stop your filthy language.”

“He’s such a dirty, dirty, boy,” Grandma agreed with a wink.

Jake groaned, his eyes pleading with Char to either stop or keep going and kill him right then and there.

“You know what happens to dirty boys,” Char said helpfully.

“What?” His voice was hoarse.

“They get spanked,” Petunia spat. “Hard!”

Jake swore a blue streak.

“Wescott!” Petunia demanded. “Please control your son! It seems he keeps having urges to use foul language at the dinner table! Well, in my day we’d send boys to their rooms if they did such a thing.”

“Fine.” Wescott rolled his eyes. “Go to your room, Jake, take your punishment like a man.”

“I, uh…” Jake sputtered. “Should probably stay right here.”

“You heard your father.” Petunia shook her head. “You need to be punished.”

“Please.” He whimpered and hung his head in his hands.

“Jake…” Char pulled her foot away and leaned forward. “You should probably listen to your father. Wouldn’t want you getting into any trouble… go to your room.”

“I can’t,” he said through clenched teeth.

Grandma pushed to her, feet knocking an entire pitcher of ice water into Jake’s lap. His eyes bulged out of his head as she leaned over so only he and Char could hear. “You’re welcome.”

“I want to die.” This from Jake.

“You clumsy boy, go change your pants,” Grandma ordered. “Char, why don’t you get us some more water from the kitchen?”

She didn’t have to be told twice.

Cursing, Jake threw down his napkin and chased after her.

Shoes off, she was able to run across the grass. Once she was in the house she stole a glance behind her. Jake was gaining on her. The look on his face was predatory.

With a squeal she ran up the stairs to the bedroom, just as his strong arms came around her, pushing her farther into the room.

“Naughty girl. I’ll make you pay for that.”

She turned in his arms and licked his chin like she had her soufflé. “You promise?”

“Strip.” He released her and walked over to the bed, slowly sinking down into it. “Now.”

“Demanding.” Char put her hands on her hips. “Aren’t we?”

“Yeah.” Jake leaned back on his elbows. “The way I see it, you owe me. Not only did I do a naughty dance for you, with chaps might I add, but you made me suffer through dessert, while my great aunt, the virgin one, you know her, told me I needed to be spanked.”

Char laughed.

“Not funny,” Jake groaned. “Most awkward moment of my life.”

“Before or after Grandma cooled you off?” Char asked.

“If you want me to be able to perform, ever, you won’t mention that again.” Jake swore.

Char fumbled with the straps of her dress. “I remember.”

“Remember?” Jake’s eyes were trained on her fingers as she toyed with the straps pulling them further down her body. “What do you remember?”

“Us.” Char let the dress fall to the ground and stepped out of it. “I remember our night together. I lied. I told Beth I didn’t. I told you it wasn’t good. I was just trying to make you feel bad.”

“Hmm.” Jake stood and slowly approached her. “I deserved it.”

“I know.”

“So… on a scale of one to ten…” Jake reached out and touched her shoulders, running his hands down her arms. “One being the worst moment of your life, and ten being, best…”

“Six.” Char said honestly. “To be fair you’d had tequila.”

“Damn.” Jake said. “I must have really been losing my touch.”

“I had nothing to compare it to.”

Jake’s hands froze on her arms. “You mean you had no one to compare it to? Or you decided not to compare me because I was that bad?”

And there it was. Part of the reason she’d lost her heart to him, then and forever. “I um, sort of, don’t have anyone to compare it to.”

Jake swore and touched his forehead to hers. “I’m a jackass. I didn’t know. I mean, like you said, lots of tequila and—”

“It’s all right.” Char kissed him softly.

“No.” He jerked back. “It’s not all right. It’s a damn shame; that’s what it is.” Before Char could say anything more he’d lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. “It should be life altering. Earth moving. Mind numbing. It should be about feeling every single touch of my fingertips.” He trailed his fingers from the tip of her bra all the way down the middle of her stomach. “Your muscles should constrict every time my breath fans over your face. Your body should literally arch toward me, it should beg for my touch, and mine should be selfless enough to give you what you need before I even begin to think about myself.”

Char whimpered as he pulled his shirt over his head and hovered over her. “Sex can be mindless or it can be mindful. It can become habitual, or it can be just about getting off. It can be entirely selfish. But I’ve decided I don’t want to have sex anymore.”

“What?” Some of the passion dissipated from Char’s consciousness. “What do you mean?”

“I want to make love,” Jake whispered. “With you. I don’t want it to be purely physical. I need it to be spiritual, because with you, it’s so much more, Char. It’s everything. Maybe to you it will be something else, but for me…” Jake shook his head and kissed her hard on the mouth. “I’ve jumped out of the boat. Come with me?”

“Already there.” Char wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to cover her body. She could only imagine how amazing being with him was going to be after that speech.

Chapter Forty-nine

A virgin. She had been a virgin. He’d used her as a one-night stand, and in the process could have ruined the perfect girl. The most amazing girl, his soul mate.

Jake placed a tender kiss on her forehead and pulled back.

“Where are you going?” Char asked.

“Nowhere.” He said, and he meant it. He wasn’t going anywhere, not unless she was by his side. He dropped his pants to the floor and approached the bed. Char’s eyes took him in. Damn, he could watch her all day. Her chestnut hair spilled over her lacy red bra. She did buy some lingerie. She wore it well, too well, if the black spots invading his vision were any indication. He was going to lose his damn mind if he couldn’t have her—now.

He knelt over her on the bed. “I have something to tell you.”

“Oh yeah?” Char trembled beneath his touch. He reached for her hand and sucked on her finger.

“I’ve been jealous of this finger for the past hour. Hell, I was jealous of whipped cream.”

She moaned. “And now?”

“Now, I want to lick all of you.”

He placed his hands on her hips. “Every last inch… Nothing goes untouched…”

“Nothing?” Her eyebrows arched.

“Nothing,” he repeated, taking her mouth captive. He pressed her into the bed and kissed her soundly, drinking her in, and in that moment realized her taste would be forever etched onto his person. Everything about her was the perfect match for him; he’d just been too blind to see it before. And now, he was never letting her go.

His lips met hers softly as he pressed his body against her warmth, but at her sigh he pulled back. “What’s wrong?”

“What changed?”

Words wouldn’t come. So not only had he officially lost his game, but he was unable to communicate one of the most necessary elements of his existence.

Char’s eyes fluttered closed. When they opened again, moisture had pooled in their depths.

Jake held her face in his hands and said very softly, “I did. I changed.”

Her brow furrowed.

“It was me, not you. You’ve always been constant. Whether you wanted to stab me or kiss me, you’ve never changed. It’s me; I’m different.”

“Just like that?” Char sounded skeptical.

Damn if he didn’t want to just lose himself in her first and then have the serious conversation, but he knew better than anyone that women weren’t wired that way. So, with self-control he knew he rarely possessed, he pulled back and sat on the bed, in nothing but his boxers, and waited for her to sit up too.

When she did, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the bed, carrying her to the window seat where they could look out at the lake, out at all his memories—his past.

Once she was tucked in his lap, he pulled a blanket from a basket on the floor and wrapped it around them. The feel of her skin caused his entire body to tingle as they sat tangled on the chair, legs entwined. He put his chin on her head and wrapped his arms around her ribs.

“It was over there, by the dock.”

Char exhaled. “What was?”

“My first time doing drugs.”

She stiffened.

Jake swallowed. “I was a kid—stupid, young, and way too cocky for my own good. I know what you’re thinking; some things never change, but I can’t even imagine what I would have been like had he not found me.”

“He?”

“Bill.” Jake gripped her hands together. “Kacey’s dad. I drank so much that night. I was lucky to be alive; I kept drinking because I kept snorting cocaine. I felt invincible, like I could fly. I mean, I wasn’t even tired. I just wanted to stay up all night and party. I felt like I was an adult, that I could handle it.”

“What happened?”

Jake laughed. “Well, my parents were gone for the weekend. I’d stayed home with Travis, but he had gone out with friends, leaving me all by myself. I threw a party. Just a few of us. Every single person was either a senior or older. I thought I was such a bad ass.”

“Anyway.” He cleared his throat. “My dad had asked Bill to check on us during the weekend. Obviously I didn’t know that. He found me just after I’d jumped off the end of the dock and somehow hit my head on the boat tied up at the end. All my so-called friends were too high or wasted to notice. But Bill had just pulled up, after seeing the entire thing. He ran out there and jumped in the water. He saved my life.”

Char’s grip on his hands tightened. “I guess—you’d think after that huge come-to-Jesus moment, you’d have changed your ways? I don’t get it.”

“I did.” Jake shrugged. “For a while. I got good grades, played every sport possible, apologized profusely to Bill. He only told his wife, never my parents or Kacey. It bonded us, I looked up to him, I respected him because it was the first time in my teenage years an adult had treated me as an adult, so I wanted him to be just as proud of me as he was of Travis and Kace.”

Shaking, Jake closed his eyes and murmured a curse. Why was this so damn hard? Maybe it was because it was the first time he’d said everything out loud, and it was to someone he actually cared about, someone he loved. And in baring his soul, he realized how terrifying it was to actually love another person. In loving someone you gave them all the power to hurt you, to reject you. And he knew, deep down that the minute he revealed who he truly was, the mask would slip, and it would just be him, Jake Titus, a broken man. In the end, would she still want him? Or leave him the way he deserved?

“In college,” he continued, “Kace and I were inseparable. I know you know the entire sordid story. I mean, I’m pretty sure it was you who continued to send me nasty text messages for an entire year from an unknown number.”

Char laughed.

“Right.” Jake grinned. “We slept together in college… but that night. Shit, I knew what I was doing. I told her I was young and stupid, but a guy knows. I just didn’t care. I knew it would change us, I knew it would change her, but I still wanted it. I still wanted her even though I knew it wouldn’t move past that night. I think in the back of my mind I always knew we were better as friends. Bill had told me over and over again that guys and girls couldn’t be friends. I think he was warning me that, no matter what, hormones take over. And when you mix alcohol with hormones, well…” Hell, he hated telling her this part. “Kacey doesn’t remember much, but I do.”

“What do you mean?” Char asked in a small voice.

Well, here went nothing. “We drank the same amount, but she’s so much smaller than me, she remembers having sex, she remembers it being awkward, but I don’t think she remembers crying. Or the fact that about halfway through she asked me to stop, she said she didn’t want to disappoint her dad…”

Char turned to face him. “You didn’t stop, did you?”

“No.” Jake almost choked on the word. “I told her it was fine, that it was normal to be afraid. I…” Jake closed his eyes. “I told her I loved her. And that since I loved her it was okay.”

“And then you left.” Char finished the story.

“Like the ass I was. I left.” Jake sighed. “I left her dorm and went straight to a sorority house. I felt so damn guilty I just wanted to be numb; I wanted to disappear into it. So I drank my ass off, woke up in some other girl’s bed, and then found out a few hours later that at the exact time I was betraying Kacey and her father… her parents had both died in the accident.”

They were silent for a few minutes, until Jake added, “The worst part? It was a crossroads of sorts. I could have easily run to her, asked for her forgiveness, mourned with her. Hell, I could have been the friend she deserved. Instead, I blamed myself. I felt like it was my fault they died, that if I could have just stopped when she asked, they would still be alive.”

“Jake.” Char cupped his face. “That’s a lie and you know it. You couldn’t have prevented that by your actions, just like you couldn’t have caused it.”

“I think I know that now.” Jake said. “But I still felt like shit, it always haunted me, and honestly it was just too easy to ignore it, to embrace the mentality that I could live hard and do whatever. I wanted to be as far away from Kacey and everything she represented as I could.”

“She trusted you with her heart—”

“And I broke it.” Jake finished. “Into a million tiny pieces. And when given the chance to fix it, I stepped on the pieces, pushing them farther into the ground, destroying everything our friendship was.”

Char was staring at his chest, not moving.

“What are you thinking?” He whispered, knowing full well he sounded like a woman, but not caring in the least.

“I’m sad for you.” Char trailed her finger down his chest. “I’m sad for that fourteen-year–

old boy who’s still struggling to be the man he knows he’s supposed to be.”

“I am.” Jake reached for her face. “I am that man. I want to be that man. You make me want to be him.”

Char looked into his eyes, searching, waiting.

“Travis gave me something today.” He gently moved her away and walked over to the dresser; he opened the first drawer and pulled out the note.

“What’s this?” She took it from his hands.

“A note, from Bill.”

At Char’s gasp, Jake kept talking. “Travis was under strict instructions to give it to me under one condition.”

“What?”

“I fall in love.”

The letter dropped from Char’s hands and fluttered onto the floor. “Do you mean it?”

In two strides, Jake was in front of her. He lifted her into his arms and kissed her mouth, drinking every part of her in. “I do, I love you, and I’m sorry that I come with baggage. I’m sorry I have a past, I’m sorry I kissed a girl and made her cry, I’m sorry that the girl I made cry was you, I’m sorry I haven’t been the man I was created to be, but with you, Char…” Another hungry kiss. “I am him. You make me him, because you make me believe I can be.”

Char nodded as a few tears streamed down her face. “What’s it say?” She pointed down at the note.

“Everything I needed to hear,” Jake said honestly. “Everything I didn’t want to hear. He said your smiles should outnumber your tears.” Jake wiped away a few of her tears with his thumb, brushing them across her cheek. “He said I should treasure you as a partner, not just a lover.” Jake held her fingers to his lips and kissed every single one. “It’s almost as if he knew I would screw up, but loved me regardless.”

“Jake, that’s what love is.”

“Love.” Jake smiled. “Love isn’t effortless; it hurts. When I watch you my chest feels like it’s going to explode, when you touch me I feel it everywhere, when you breathe I hold my breath until you exhale. Love is hell, it’s torture, it drives a man insane, and it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever felt. I feel like I just jumped into a burning building… but Char, you’re my water. I just need to know one thing.”

“What?” She whispered.

“Will you come to my rescue?”

Chapter Fifty

Without answering, Char went up on her tiptoes and kissed Jake’s mouth. Her tongue met his, slowly pushing into his mouth as he tentatively kissed her back. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed him onto the bed.

“So help me God, Jake Titus, if you leave me a thank you note after tonight, I will hunt you down and kill you.”

Jake threw his head back and laughed. “Does that mean you love me?”

“Nope.” Char winked. “That means a woman scorned isn’t a pretty sight.”

“Oh.” His face fell.

“But.” She shrugged. “I guess since we’re confessing.” She dropped the rest of her clothing to the floor and stepped out of it. “I’ve loved you since I first saw you.”

“You loved me when I was five and hid in my parents’ bedroom because the fireworks were too loud during Fourth of July?”

“You had blonde hair.” Char remembered aloud. “It’s dark now, but when you were little, you had the blondest hair. I remember thinking I wanted to touch it because it was so pretty.”

Jake smiled, saying nothing, as his eyes drank her in.

“I wanted you to be my first kiss,” Char admitted, crawling onto the bed and straddling him.

Jake leaned up and whispered across her mouth. “How about I just be your last?”

“What are you—”

“I love you… I am in love with you.” Jake gripped her face between his hands. “I want everything with you, all of you…”

He swept her up in a hungry kiss and ran his hands down her hips, tugging her toward him. His lips blazed a trail down her neck as he worshipped her body, eyes closed. He did everything by touch as he slowly moved down her hips to her legs and then back up again until he was cupping her breasts.

Licking his lips, he removed his hands and pulled away from her.

“Jake?”

“Not like this.” he walked over to the lights and flipped them on.

Char moved to cover herself. “Don’t.” Jake shook his head. “I want to see all of you, I want this…” He watched her lips. “I need this to be different.”

“Jake—”

“You aren’t a notch,” Jake said. “Char, you’re not a damn notch in my bed post, you’re not just some girl. This isn’t a drunken moment we’re going to share. This isn’t another one of my playboy nights. I have nothing to offer you but me, and I want nothing in return but every piece of your heart.”

Char gave him a slow nod.

“Say it,” he said in a hoarse voice.

“You have it,” Char whispered.

“What do I have?” He walked slowly toward the bed.

“My heart.” Char leaned up on her knees. “Me, all of me, every damn piece. I want you to have it all.”

When he reached her, he closed his eyes. “I swear, I’ll never let go.”

“When did you turn so romantic?”

“I don’t know.” Jake pulled her into his arms. “When did you get so damn beautiful that it makes me want to spout poetry?”

“Kiss me.”

“Nope.” Jake gently pushed her away. “I’m going to take this slow.”

“Please take it fast,” Char whined, feeling the loss of his touch like a cold wind against her body.

“No.” Jake’s fingertips grazed her chin. “I want to savor you.”

Char gasped as Jake tugged her face to his and licked her lower lip, then sucked on it, his tongue slipping past her teeth to taste her. “God, you’re amazing.” He mumbled against her lips as he nipped at her mouth and explored every single crevice of her face. Hands roaming all over her, it was impossible to think or do anything except respond to him as he coaxed her, touched her, loved her.

With a sigh, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed, gently laying her across it. He pulled away, and watched her, his eyes darkening with need, yet he held himself back.

Smiling, he dove his fingers into her hair and fanned it out around her head, combing through it over and over again as if hypnotized by the way it felt around his fingers.

“I’ve dreamed of this you know.” Jake said. “of the way your hair would look against this bed, against satin sheets, against anything really. It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.”

Char opened her mouth to speak but he shushed her with his finger.

His head descended as he kissed her neck and then moved up to her ear, licking the tip and then blowing into it, causing goose bumps to flare across her body.

“So responsive.” His lips moved across her jaw and down her neck to the other ear. He repeated the process, and then placed a wet kiss in the middle of her chest, and blew softly across the wetness as her body once again flared to life, every nerve on edge, waiting in anticipation for his next move.

His hands were warm as they cupped her butt and slid her down on the bed. The heat from his body scorched her as he hovered over her, and his eyes never left her face as he moved his hands from her hips to her thighs. “Tonight, it’s not about me. It’s about you, only you.”

“But—”

And then all conscious thought left her as Jake’s hands worked their magic with her body. When she cried out, he placed a kiss on her forehead, and then her eyelids, and then his hands massaged down her thighs to her calves, and back up to her shoulders. It was like living in the best erotic dream of her life; every kiss, every sensation was like a drug.

When he finally pressed into her, she was so on edge that she couldn’t help but scream his name.

And that’s when his self-control, aching slowness, and all around patience snapped and in its place there was a wild, possessive man in love, who was doing everything in his power to claim her as his.

“I love you,” he whispered as their bodies moved together, sweat causing them to slide against each other.

Char’s world exploded—it changed. Colors were brighter, feelings were tighter, and her soul joined with his.

“Forever,” he whispered, out of breath. “Mine forever.”

Chapter Fifty-one

They must have fallen asleep. Jake hadn’t been able to stop after the first time, or the second. Damn, he was lucky to have enough energy left to lift his head. The rest of the wedding party probably assumed he was pouting. That couldn’t be further from the truth: he was elated, sated, still aroused—hell, how was that possible? He drank in the sight of Char’s creamy skin, the way her chestnut hair fell over her shoulders. Incredible, she was incredible. He sighed and looked out the window. The sky was dark. Jake bolted out of bed when he heard voices coming down the hall.

“Char!” He nudged her. “Wake up!”

The sheet fell from her.

War raged inside him. Take her again or chance that the door was unlocked and his grandmother would see firsthand what happened when he was sent to his room with a dead sexy girl.

Grandma yelled something.

Fear won out. “Hurry!” He jumped out of bed and threw her dress at her.

Jake grabbed his pants and shirt and put them on as fast as he could. By the time the knob turned he was trying to straighten the bed.

The door opened.

Char sat at the edge of the bed and folded her hands. Jake joined her and exhaled.

Grandma burst through the door. “Where have you two been?”

“Here.” Jake cleared his throat. “You’re the one who sent us here to begin with.”

Travis and Kacey followed Grandma into the room. Oh great. Jake tried to keep the guilt from his face, but Travis’s knowing glance told him he was doing a really crappy job of looking innocent. Was it his fault that he couldn’t keep himself from smiling like he’d just won the lottery? He felt his smile widen; well hell. May as well embrace the fact that he wasn’t hiding anything from his brother.

“What were you two doing… alone?” Grandma folded her arms, her bracelets jingling on her wrists at the contact. “No hanky panky, right?”

“No, ma’am.” Jake shook his head and cleared his throat. “We were just playing—”

“Charades.” Char nodded.

“With two people?” Grandma’s eyes narrowed as she looked behind Char toward the bed.

“Sure.” Jake choked on his laugh—naked charades, classic. “It’s a new thing.”

Travis groaned loudly. “Damn, I wish I was playing charades.”

“Find your own partner!” Jake snapped.

“It’s not the partner that’s the problem; it’s the game warden.” He glared at Grandma.

“Are we still talking about Charades?” Grandma asked innocently.

“Yup!” Char offered a fake laugh. “It’s… uh, the game just got intense.”

“I bet it did,” Travis grumbled.

“Who won?” This from Kacey.

“Me,” Jake and Char said in unison.

“How many times did you play?” Kacey asked, but was nudged in the ribs by Travis. “What?”

“Not helping.”

“Sorry.” She muttered while Jake saw Char hold up four fingers.

Kacey gave her a thumbs up.

“Not that any of my ridiculous grandsons are paying attention to me.” Grandma walked over to the chair where Char’s bra was hanging and sat.

Jake’s eyes widened in horror.

Travis chuckled.

Kacey swiftly walked behind Grandma and pulled the bra onto the floor. “I’m paying attention, Grandma.”

“I just, I needed to tell Char and Jake before it was too late.”

“Too late?” Char asked. “For what?”

“An annulment, of course!” Grandma shouted. “What else would I be worried about?”

Jake’s mouth opened and then closed. “Why the hell would we need an annulment, we aren’t married.”

“About that.” Grandma played with a thread on her shirt. “It seems the document you signed, in the bride’s and groom’s spots… technically, you’re husband and wife.” She lifted her shoulders into the air. “Oops?”

“Oops?” Jake repeated. “Oops, my ass! You planned this!”

“How dare you!” Grandma stood. “Even I wouldn’t stoop so low as to trick my favorite grandson into marriage.”

“I was your favorite this morning.” Travis clearly felt the need to add.

Grandma ignored him. “You’ll just have to stay married. After all this family doesn’t believe in divorce and by the state of Char’s hair I’m guessing you’ve already”—Grandma had the good sense to blush—“played Charades.” Then as if remembering she was Grandma and truly possessed no censor looked at Char. “Tell me, dear, how was the game?”

Char blushed and reached for Jake’s hand. “Life altering, earth moving, soul searching.”

Jake’s heart beat a little faster at her admission; she’d repeated what he’d said earlier. Oh to hell with it. He grabbed the back of her head and kissed the hell out of her. Their lips met in a frenzy. He broke the kiss too soon, grinning like a fool.

“Show off.” Travis grumbled.

“Oh, honey, once you’re married tomorrow you can play all the Charades you want!” Grandma patted Travis on the arm. “Who knows maybe your Grandma will have a little time for game night over at Mr. Casbon’s.”

“Dear God, I hope not,” Jake mumbled under his breath.

“Well.” Grandma, seeming very pleased with herself, rose from her chair. “Now that that’s settled, back to business. Jake, you and Char are in charge of making sure the cake topper gets to the caterer and don’t forget about your dance.”

Jake swore.

“I feel so much better suddenly,” Travis said in a smug voice.

“Dance? What dance?” Kacey asked

“Don’t ruin the surprise.” Travis directed her toward the door and flashed Jake one last eager smile.

“Off to bed you two!” Grandma pushed Travis and Kacey out of the room. “They’re married. You, however, have one more night to spend alone before you can play your little games.”

“I hate you, Jake.” Travis called as he was ushered out of the room.

“Sleep hard, Travis!”

He was flashed the bird before the door closed behind Grandma.

“She planned it.” Char shook her head. “That menacing woman planned the whole thing.”

Jake sat back on the bed and laid down. “She should be given an honorary degree from Harvard or something.”

“I wonder if they have degrees in manipulation,” Char said aloud.

“Not manipulation. It’s like the art of war.”

“I bet in another life she was a general,” Char agreed.

There was silence for a moment. Jake reached for her hand. “I had this really romantic speech to say and then all of a sudden I realized I didn’t eat any dinner and now I’m starving. Want to go downstairs and raid the kitchen?”

“Yes.” Char jumped off the bed. “I didn’t even finish my wine at dinner!” She seemed horrified.

“Those poor children in Africa. I can’t believe you wouldn’t finish your wine. You know they don’t even have wine over there.”

“Very funny.” Char shoved past him and ran through the door. Grandma was already busy positioning her chair in the middle of the hall.

Something barked.

Jake winced. The bark got louder; he looked down. Holy shit, Grandma had bought an Ewok.

“What’s that?” He pointed to the offending animal and prayed he was hallucinating. The thing was way too small and annoying to be a guard dog.

“He’s my protector.” Grandma reached down for the puppy. “Aren’t you Charles Barkley? Aren’t you?”

“You named him after a basketball player? I didn’t even know you watched basketball.”

Grandma shrugged. “There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me. And I find that man… fascinating. He’s so large and commanding, if you get my meaning.”

Jake purposefully chose not to get her meaning lest he have nightmares for the rest of his existence. “Grandma, please don’t ever say that out loud again.”

“What?” She shrugged. “It’s the truth. Besides, I figured my rape whistle wasn’t enough to protect me from intruders. But little Charles does such a great job. Well, I sleep like the dead!”

“You live with mom and dad.” Jake pointed out.

“On the first floor.” Grandma sounded exasperated. “By the time I grab my whistle they’ll already be in the bedroom! And once they’re in the bedroom, it’s lights out for Grandma.” Yeah, Jake wasn’t so sure Grandma would take anything lying down, the intruder would probably be the one leaving traumatized.

Char watched the exchange with amusement. “So, Grandma, is that who the shock collar’s for?”

“Ah.” Jake nodded. “Now it makes sense.”

“What does?” Grandma set the dog in her chair.

“The shock collar. It’s for Charles?”

“No.” Grandma petted the dog. “That’s a good boy, that’s a good boy! Charles…” she turned to Jake. “Is trained.”

The dog barked again.

“He’s the perfect dog, listens to my every word.”

The barking continued.

“Why he even knows French!”

The dog barked in agreement.

“How do you figure?” Jake glared at the dog as it bared its teeth at him.

Grandma flicked her hand in the air. “He was born in France, oui, oui!”

The dog actually stopped barking and sat.

“The shock collar was to scare Travis shitless.”

“Thanks, Grandma!” Travis called from one of the bedrooms.

“I love you, Trav!” Grandma yelled back breaking the sound barrier with her voice.

“Right.” Jake backed up slowly. “Well, Char and I are just going to go eat something. We’ll be back, how do we, uh, get past the guard dog?”

“Jake.” Grandma shook her head. “I’m disappointed, you of all people should know how to get past a dog. After all, you used to be one.”

“Point, Grandma,” Char said behind him.

At Grandma’s chuckle his eyes narrowed. “How do we get past the damn dog?”

“Think of it as another game.” Grandma waved him off. “Enjoy your snack!”

Chapter Fifty-two

“She has too much time on her hands,” Jake said as they entered the kitchen. Char didn’t need wine; she was still buzzing about their few hours in bed. But food, food she needed.

“It’s not her fault that her hobby just so happens to be her grandsons.” Char located the glasses and brought them to the island in the middle of the large gourmet kitchen.

Jake grabbed a bottle of red wine and poured them both a glass. “Hey.” He bit his lip. “How about we take this up to the tree house? I want to show you something.”

“Ah, such a player. I bet you said that to all the girls in junior high.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Just grab your glass. Come on.”

She followed him out into the cool night, absolutely giddy. It was ridiculous really, but her entire outlook on life felt changed. Maybe it was because she was finally with the one man she’d always wanted.

Married to be exact.

Not just dating.

So they did it backward? Fine by her.

“Come on.” Jake grabbed her glass and set it on the floor of the tree house as he helped her climb up.

Once they were in the small room, Jake lit a candle and blew out the match. “You ready for our surprise?”

“That depends.” Char took a sip of wine. “Are you going to tell me a ghost story or are you really planning on surprising me?”

“Yes or no?” He leaned forward and kissed her hard on the mouth.

“Yes.” Treacherous body.

“Close your eyes.”

She pouted.

“Close them.”

“Fine.” She closed her eyes and heard some shuffling around and then the sound of some sort of wrapper or plastic.

“Open your mouth.”

“I’m not sure I want to,” she said.

“Trust me,” he whispered.

And because he had said he loved her, and she finally trusted him, she did. She opened her mouth.

The first thing she tasted was a sweet cream. Her eyes fluttered open. “A Twinkie!” Laughing, she grabbed it out of his hands. “Why the hell do you have Twinkies up here?”

It looked like Jake blushed. He bit his lip and sat down next to her. “And now for your story…”

She leaned her head on his shoulder.

“There was once a boy who met a girl. He offended her by staring so she punched him in the face.” Char laughed as he continued. “Then one day, she gave him a Twinkie. Apparently in elementary school food is considered a peace offering. The boy didn’t have the heart to tell the really pretty girl that he didn’t like Twinkies, so he saved them. Every time she gave him one, he ran home and hid it in his tree house.”

Char’s eyes filled up with tears. “Like a squirrel?”

“Like a damn squirrel.” Jake laughed. “Until one day, no more Twinkies. You see, sometimes little boys grow up to be complete and total idiots. They think that because they grow a hair on their chin, or discover a muscle in their arms, that suddenly, they don’t need girls with Twinkies anymore. They think that they should have lots of girls, not just one. So they mess up. I…” He turned to her and swallowed. “I messed up so many times with you. I had the biggest crush on you when we were in junior high and then all of a sudden it was as if neither of us tried anymore. It was the first time I walked away from you, my first mistake…”

Char blinked back tears. “And your second mistake?”

“Leaving you again, the night I selfishly used you in order to feel better about myself.” He sighed. “And the third and final mistake in my tragic story…”

“What?”

“Not kissing you the first time I saw you again, and not apologizing for leaving you… for abandoning you when I think, deep down in my heart, I knew it had always been you, Char.”

She wiped away some of the tears as they streamed down her face.

“But what about Kacey? I mean you and her were—”

“It was never like this.” Jake shook his head. “Never.” His eyes turned serious as he tilted her chin toward his lips. “This is indescribable.”

“Oh.”

“Wow? After all of that, you say ‘oh’?”

Char grinned and leaned her head on his shoulder again. “Yeah, well, I’m a little tired after Charades.”

“Pity.” Jake snorted. “I had a few more games up my sleeve.”

“Sure you did, Tiger.”

Noise clattered from below the tree house. Motioning for her to be quiet, Jake looked over the edge and saw Grandma making her way across the lawn to the neighbor’s house.

“What’s she doing?” Char whispered.

“Looks like she’s going for a midnight… play date?” He offered.

“With?”

“Neighbor, crazy old man who only wears Hawaiian shirts and actually pinches Grandma’s ass during family dinner. He loves her. He’s obsessed. He plans his schedule around her morning walk routines.”

“Wow, dedicated.”

“Clearly she’s doing something right.”

Char laughed. “She is a Titus.”

“Well said.” Licking his lips, Jake pulled her in for another kiss. “I didn’t kiss her, you know. I didn’t want to. I never wanted to.”

“Who?”

“Amy.”

“Oh, her.” Char snorted. “Junior high nemesis and all around mean girl. I know, let it go. I swear I had until I saw her acrylic talons piercing your chest.”

“They hurt.” Jake laughed. “Like hell. And not a good hurt. A hurt that makes a man want to walk away slowly so he doesn’t get eaten.”

The porch lights to Mr. Casbon’s house lit up, with a squeal of laughter Grandma was pulled inside.

“Well.” Jake held out his hand. “You know what that means.”

Char put her hand in his. “We can go back to bed?”

With a growl he pulled her into his arms and kissed her roughly across the mouth. “Without having to worry about Grandma barging in.”

Biting her lip Char tilted her head. “I think I saw some whipped cream in the fridge.”

“Go. No!” Laughing, Jake helped her down the ladder as they ran back toward the house. Once they were in the kitchen Jake located the fruit and whipped cream and Char found the wine. They took the stairs two at a time but froze when they heard a low growl.

“Ah, shit.”

Chapter Fifty-three

“It was only too easy,” Travis said from on top of the stairs. “You see, Jake here never learned French, thought it was too feminine for his tastes. Isn’t that right, brother?”

“Travis…” Jake’s voice had taken on a warning edge. What the hell was his brother doing?

Kacey sat across Travis’s lap. A look of pure contentment washed across their faces as the dog stood blocking Jake and Char’s path to their room.

“Self-control is good for you,” Kacey said, kissing Travis’s neck. “I mean, really, we’re doing you guys a favor.”

“How’d you get rid of Grandma?” Jake asked. “No way would she leave you alone.”

Travis grinned. “Mr. Casbon. Seems he’s been feeling pretty lonely since Grandma’s taken up residence here in the hallway. One phone call and down the stairs she went.”

Jake wanted to smack the smile off his brother’s face. “Fine, you win, you possess more intelligence than a flea. Let us up.”

Kacey and Travis looked at one another as if to say, what do you think?

Char groaned behind him.

“Think of it as a team-building exercise.” Kacey finally said. “You work together to make it up the stairs and into your bedroom and we’ll ignore any cries of help in the process.”

“Why are you doing this?” Jake asked.

“We lost a wager,” Kacey said through clenched teeth. “It’s only fair that we get some satisfaction.”

“Why can’t everyone get satisfaction?” Jake wondered aloud.

“Because, it’s your fault Grandma’s singing at the wedding,” Kacey said. “Therefore, we get satisfaction, and you get…” She pointed to the white dog. “Charles Barkley.”

Travis gave her a high five as they walked out of the hall, leaving Jake and Char alone with the small dog.

“How dangerous can he be?” Jake reached his fingers out to the dog. It began to growl and then gnashed its teeth together. “He’s faking it, right? He’s not really a bad boy, are you, Charles!” He tried again. This time the dog almost took off his finger.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t stand any closer.” Char pulled him back. “He may decide to bite something else off and I’m pretty sure that would put a damper on our evening.”

Jake scratched his head. “What do we do? He’s guarding the way to our room, and the rest of the guest rooms are taken up by the wedding party.”

“We can always scream fire next to Amy’s and then lock her out of her room?” Char suggested in a hopeful voice.

“Char.” Jake grabbed her hand. “Be the bigger person.”

“Do I have to?”

“Try.” Jake chuckled and pulled her into his arms, placing a hungry kiss on her mouth. The dog, clearly agitated, began to bark.

With a growl Jake pulled back. “Stop barking!”

The dog barked louder, this time hopping on all four feet, as if he was trying to jump into the air.

“Shh!” Char pointed at the dog. “No bark!”

The dog stopped for two seconds before howling again.

“I hate Grandma,” Jake cursed.

Char stood behind him.

“Gee, thanks. How’d I go from husband to human shield?”

Char laughed behind him. “Well, we are married now.”

“Good point.”

“What are we going to do?”

The dog wasn’t moving, that much was clear, and no way was Jake going to take the risk that the dog might bite off any bigger parts of his anatomy. Stuck, he looked back down the hallway. “I have an idea.”

Ten minutes later, they were back in the tree house. Only this time they had blankets, more wine, and popcorn.

Jake reached for Char’s fingers, grasping them within his own as he looked out the window toward the river. “About your job—”

“Screw my job.” Char wrapped her arms around his neck and straddled his lap. “A job’s a job.”

“But you actually liked your job.” He peeled her arms from his neck and looked into her eyes, “You and Kacey used to do the morning news in the tree house when you were seven. Pretty sure it was your dream.”

“I liked telling stories, I liked writing…” She shrugged. “I like you more. Sometimes in life, the things we really want are right in front of us.”

Jake laughed. “Wow, am I blushing? That was a damn sexy compliment. I’m so glad you like me… Can we maybe date and then get married? Oh wait.” He slapped his hand to his forehead. “Did it kind of backward.”

“Nah.” Char touched her head to his. “Sometimes what’s backward for some is forward for others.”

Jake gazed into her eyes, promising to never let her go. “I think I like backward.”

Char smiled, her blue eyes shining in the moonlight. “I do too.”

Chapter Fifty-four

“I may die,” Travis swore. “Just so you know, I may actually die right now. It will be on the news, people will laugh; it could get ugly, Kace. I’m just saying that right now.”

“Just in case?” Kacey threw off her shirt.

Travis’s eyes went black. “Right, just in case.”

“I see.” She stepped out of her shorts and dropped them to the ground.

“Holy shit, it’s like I’m a kid.”

“Are you trying to kill the mood?” Kacey glared, putting her hands on her hips.

Travis looked away. “Yeah, so not what I meant.”

“Care explaining?”

“A youth.” Travis grinned. “Like the first time I saw you in your bathing suit.”

“Ah, the stories of your perverted teen years. Tell me, Satan—”

“Oohhh, dirty talk. I like it.”

Kacey rolled her eyes. “What was the color of my bathing suit?”

Travis licked his lips and stalked toward her. “Pink, it was hot pink, and it was a bikini.” He pulled her into his arms and licked her ear. “It was hot.”

“Oh yeah?” Kacey whispered pulling back. “Is that why you pushed me into the pool?”

“I did say hot.” Travis nipped at her lips. “You needed to cool off… I was being a gentleman.”

“You were being an ass.” Kacey said.

“That too.” Travis ran his hands through her hair. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”

Feeling her cheeks heat, Kacey looked down. He hadn’t said that to her for a week or so, which was totally understandable since they had been all but separated by Grandma. It felt good to hear it.

“Don’t.” Travis chuckled. “Don’t get shy on me all of a sudden.”

“Not shy.” Kacey met his gaze. “Just happy to hear you say it.”

Travis’s brow furrowed. “Do I not say it enough?”

“You do.” Kacey didn’t even sound convincing to herself. “Holy crap, I’m turning high maintenance. It’s because you spoiled me!” She pinched his arm and found satisfaction in his cry of pain.

“Brat.” Travis threw her onto the bed and straddled her, holding her wrists down so she couldn’t move.

Kacey thrashed against him. Damn the man, he was strong.

A muscle ticked in his jaw as he clenched his teeth together and closed his eyes. His dark wavy hair hung over his forehead as he leaned close enough to kiss her. Instead he inhaled and did nothing.

“Um, Travis.” Kacey whispered.

“Hmm?”

“What are you doing? I thought you were dying? I thought you said you were going to go crazy without any sort of physical contact, and you’re…” She laughed breathlessly. “You’re smelling me?”

“Yup.” He continued inhaling, his nose tickling the sides of her face as he moved all the way down her neck.

Crap, he felt good; she’d forgotten how right they felt together, how just being near him made everything suddenly seem okay. The world faded into the distance; it was just them.

“I love your neck.” He murmured, his lips burning against her skin as he continued to talk. “It smells like flowers. It always has, but I don’t know if it’s your perfume or just you. It’s incredible.”

His tongue slipped beyond his lips, tasting her skin, slowly and then he kissed once, twice, pausing between each kiss as if to memorize the exact taste of each individual spot he was touching.

Travis’s lips left her neck and moved to her shoulder. “I was obsessed with this shoulder for an entire year.”

“Shut up!” Kacey laughed. “What is wrong with you?”

He held her right shoulder in his hand, moving his thumb over her delicate skin causing goose bumps to erupt down her body. “It’s true. You wore a shirt that fell just over this shoulder, your right one. I tripped walking down the hall because I was so focused on that little piece of skin. I swore to myself that one day I’d reach out and touch your shoulder, of course in my teenage years, it went beyond that. I wanted—”

“To kiss me? Have sex?”

Travis laughed, his smile doing crazy things to her stomach. He had no idea how devastating he was. “Nah, sweetheart. I just wanted to hold your hand. And that’s the truth.”

“Hold my hand? Kind of tame, don’t you think?”

“Not to me.” He swallowed, his eyes taking on a sensitive look as he licked his lips and brushed the hair from her face. “I knew you’d never kiss me, not then, so I told myself if I could just hold your hand…”

“What?” Kacey asked, breathless.

Travis reached for the hand that was still pinned above her head and entwined his fingers with hers. “That it would be enough.”

Kacey’s throat was thick with emotion. She couldn’t even respond. What do you say to that?

“I would have been satisfied,” Travis continued. “I would have been happy even… living my life, continuing to live, to move on, away from my first love, if I could have just held your hand. At least that’s what I believed.”

Kacey squeezed his hand and brought it to her cheek. “And now, now what do you believe?”

“Never.” His voice was hoarse. “Ever.” He released her hand and braced her face. “Would it have been enough? One graze of your fingertip.” He dipped his thumb into her mouth. “Damn, but it would have killed me. And now, I just want you all the time, every second of every day. I can’t get it out of my head. I won’t ever be satisfied of you. And I hope this, this burning, this fever, that you cause in me, never recedes” He took her mouth with his, sucking her lips before retreating back again. “Just in case there were any doubts, you know, before now, you are more than pretty.”

Kacey’s eyes welled with tears.

“I told you once, a few months ago that you should be told every day… Clearly I’ve been too selfish to think to say it. Hell, I haven’t thought past the fact that your hand is missing its best friend: me.” He winked. “But Kace, thank God that you’re mine, because you are beautiful. I love your eyelashes—”

“—Travis.” She interrupted him with a kiss.

He pulled back. “Let me finish. I love your eyelashes; they smile with the rest of your eyes. And your hands, God made them to hold mine, seriously, Grandma even asked, he said yes, by the way…”

“Oh yeah, what else did he say?” Kacey joked.

“That you were mine, from day one, from the first desire to see your shoulder, to hold your hand, to kiss that perfect mouth. It was you and me against the world, and it always will be.” He sighed. “Marriage is just the beginning of our story, and I hope to God that when he writes The End, it’s us, on that last page, still holding hands.”

Kacey didn’t trust herself to speak; she could only nod as she watched the love Travis had for her wash over his features, from his eyes to the protective stance of his body as he hovered over her. “I love you.”

He sighed against her lips. “Sweetheart, I love you so much. I can’t wait to marry you. And just know I’m sorry in advance.”

Already in a stupor, Kacey shook her head. “For what? What are you going to do?”

Winking, Travis pulled away from her and put on his shirt.

“Travis, wait—”

“I love you… and I know I’m going to regret this in about five seconds, which means I have to lock the door to my room…” He sighed. “But sweetheart, I’m going to take Grandma’s advice, considering she’s the reason for us getting together in the first place. I’m going to walk out that door and wait another twelve hours.”

“Hmm.” Kacey played with the strap on her bra “Really? Twelve whole hours?”

“Damn you.” Travis closed his eyes and sighed. “Yes. Now keep your lingerie on while I try to make it by that dog without getting killed.”

He made his way to the door slowly, as if he was already doubting his decision.

With a sigh, Kacey got up from the bed and walked toward him; she wrapped her arms around him from behind and leaned her chin against his back. “I love you, Travis Titus.”

“You,” Travis paused, his muscles tensed beneath her arms, “are my life, future Kacey Titus.”

She released him as he turned the knob to the door and walked out.

The man had the self-control of a saint, and instead of making her angry, it made her love him all the more. In twelve hours he’d be hers, all hers.

Chapter Fifty-five

Char moaned as an arm pulled her close to something warm. She sighed happily when eager lips met hers. Chuckling, Jake moved on top of her and pulled his shirt off. The man was insatiable—which was fine with her. He crooked his finger at her as he moved away. She lifted up her top halfway and stopped.

With a hungry pounce, he ripped it off her body and jerked down the straps of her bra. His mouth was on her in seconds. Hands moved to her hips as he moved her against him and made a sound in the back of his throat that sounded like a desperate plea.

“I can’t get enough,” he said, stealing another rough kiss. “Please don’t hate me for wanting you again.”

Hate him? She couldn’t get her clothes off fast enough. Who knew she’d be spending the first night of marriage in a tree house? With Jake Titus? And Twinkies. Okay fine, so God had a sense of humor after all.

“Damn, you taste good.” His tongue tangled with hers as his hands moved to her hips.

Fireworks sounded the minute his hands grazed her skin, or maybe it was a whistle. She kissed him harder. Something was off.

The fireworks got louder.

And then someone was knocking on the door to the tree house.

“Okay, you two!” Grandma yelled. “Get down here! We have plans to make! And a wedding to attend! Get down!”

Jake, obviously not caring, continued kissing her.

Char kissed him back; that is, until he was jerked away from her by Grandma herself, whistle in hand.

Jake swore violently as he covered himself with the blanket. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Grandma shrugged. “You have the rest of your lives to fornicate in the tree house…”

“Not fornicating if you’re married,” Jake pointed out.

“Fine. You can screw later.” Grandma glared. “But the caterers are here and the cake has arrived. I need the topper.”

Char felt her eyes widen. “Uh, it was um…”

“I know you have the topper,” Grandma said, sounding bored. “Blanche confirmed that you paid for it.”

“Expensive piece of work, that cake topper,” Jake grumbled.

“Down, both of you.” Grandma blew her whistle one last time and made her way down the ladder, all the while yelling. “You have ten minutes to bring me the topper.”

“Or what!” Jake called after her.

The whistle was all they heard, and then Charles Barkley made his way outside barking. He had a shock collar around his neck, with one push he stopped barking and whimpered, falling to the grass in pain. “Use your imagination. I do believe they have these for the male—”

“Fine!” Jake yelled. “Have it your way!”

Now was the time to panic. “Jake, we don’t have a stand for the topper. We can’t just let it ruin the cake.”

Jake swore. “It either ruins the cake by falling through it, or by sitting on a stand that says ‘Tits Forever’.”

Char covered her mouth with her hands and laughed. “To be fair we got sidetracked.”

“You,” he pointed, “were a distraction. Had you not waltzed around me in high heels and short skirts, I would have built a damn topper.”

“Right. So where’s your hammer?”

At Jake’s guilty look, Char shot him a triumphant glare. “Wow, do you even know what a nail is?”

He grinned shamelessly. “I think I’ve proven I can nail things.”

“Holy crap, it’s a tie between me wanting to give you a high five or slap you.”

“What happened to the whole naked option? That not on the table anymore?”

“Negative.” Char threw on her shirt and stood. “That left the table the minute Grandma mentioned shock collars and alluded to male parts.”

“Noted.” Jake winced. “Fine, let’s get this over with. Maybe nobody will notice?”

“Right.” Char nodded. “And maybe Grandma and Mr. Casbon didn’t play Charades last night.”

Jake flinched. “Arousal. Gone.”

“Good.” Char held out her hand to him so he could help her down the ladder. “Because it would look all kinds of inappropriate if you looked horny while handing over that topper to the caterer.”

Jake climbed down after her. “You always know the right thing to say.”

“It’s why you married me.” Char grinned.

Jake lifted her into his arms and carried her across the lawn. “Among other things.”

“Put me down!”

“Threshold.” Jake blew a kiss across her face. “I do things right.”

“Except you don’t,” Char pointed out.

“Some things,” he set her on her feet the minute they were in the kitchen, “I do right, like the important ones named Char. If you didn’t hear me after I said it about a billion times last night…” he pulled her flush against his body, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Her eyes welled up with tears just as another whistle blow assaulted the air.

“Topper. On it.” Jake released her and ran down the hall.

Chapter Fifty-six

Jake tilted his head to the right and winced. “It looks fine, right?”

Char was motionless next to him. He nudged her. “Right?”

Her inability to speak and her all-around pinched expression didn’t make him feel better about what they had done. The caterers had come up with a brilliant plan; they kept extra icing around just in case some of the bows on the cake fell off. It was a black and white cake with white icing and black bows, simple, elegant, in Char’s words, “cute.” Luckily for them, easy enough to hide the word ‘Tits’.

So now, it just said Forever.

Only, it wasn’t centered correctly because well, you could tell there was supposed to be two words. Not one.

“It’s fine.” Char finally said. “I can’t even see the Tits anymore.”

Jake exhaled. “Really? No tits?”

Grandma chose that exact moment to walk up. “What’s this I hear about tits?” She smacked Jake hard upside his head. “Are you able, for just five minutes, to stop thinking about sex and focus on something else?”

Char kicked his shin, and he responded with a loud, “No, I just can’t help myself. I’m a—“ He sighed heavily, feeling his shoulders slump. “Lost cause. That’s what I am. Sorry Grandma, it won’t happen again, I’ll try harder.” He clenched his teeth and sent Char a seething glare.

Grandma eyed both of them speculatively before she walked around the cake. “Something’s different.”

“Outside.” Char blurted. “It’s because we’re outside, and the light, from the uh, the light from the particles in the air—“

“—and sun!” Jake near shouted. “The sun makes the cake look…”

“Beautiful!” Grandma clapped her hands together, making both Jake and Char sigh in unison. “Well done! I knew I could trust you two.”

Jake closed his eyes and swore as Grandma clicked off. “We’re going to kill her; this is going to be it. If she finds out we did this…” He scratched his head. “She can’t find out. That’s it; I won’t be responsible for ruining the wedding.”

Char grabbed his hands. “It’s fine! Nobody is ever going to see the Tits.”

A male caterer walked by and whistled low.

Jake called after him. “She doesn’t mean her tits, she means—”

Char covered his mouth. “Let it go, just let it go.”

Feeling her fingers against his lips, seeing her mouth so close, damn, he wasn’t focused on the wedding at all, he was focused on them, on her to be exact. Without a second thought, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the house.

Grandma soon located them. “Hurry up! We have pictures in two hours and cocktails before the wedding at four!”

“Yup!” Jake said in a strained voice as he continued pulling Char up the stairs. Finally, when they reached the bathroom, he slammed the door behind him, double-checked that he’d locked it, and turned on the shower.

“Uh, what are you doing?”

He shrugged off his shirt. “Taking a shower. The way I see it, we have to get ready at some point; might as well be now.”

“But we have—” Char shook her head. “What am I saying? Why would I argue?”

Jake laughed. “Now take off your clothes before I rip them.”

“Say please.”

“Hell no.” Jake pushed her against the counter and grabbed her head. “I don’t say please, but you can damn well say thank you.”

“For what?” Char pushed against his chest.

“You’ll see.” He bit down on his lip. “It’s more of a ‘thank you in advance, Jake Titus’…”

“Not until you say please, Jake Titus.”

“I like it when you say my full name.”

Char reached for his pants and undid the buttons, slipping his jeans from his waist. “I can tell.”

He groaned. “Fine, please.”

“Louder.”

“That’s my girl.” He took her mouth in for an aggressive kiss. “Please.”

She pushed him away, this time hard enough for him to take a few steps back, but it was worth it. Damn, but it was worth it to see her strip in front of him. Would he never tire of the way she responded to him? The blush that stained her cheeks or the way her tight little body fit perfectly with his?

“Open the door, son!” Wescott yelled. “I know you’re in there! Aunt Petunia saw you and, and…” His father swore. “Char, and son, it’s not right. Things gotta change around here; you can’t just go—” His mother said a few muffled words to his father. “As your mother says, just leave the poor girl alone, you’ve given her enough grief, what with—not now, Bets! I’m trying to have a talk with my son about his prodigal ways!”

Jake leaned back against the wall, arms folded, waiting for the ball to drop.

“Son!” His dad banged on the door again. “Not now, Bets! Can’t you see I’m busy? We can’t have him ruining Travis’s special day with his—”

Everything went silent.

And then there was a lot of sputtering, swearing, and God bless her, Grandma’s loud whistle.

“ ’Bye, Dad!” Jake called.

“Uh, Son.” And that was it.

A scantily clad Char stared at Jake, her entire demeanor joyful. “So now that everyone knows we’re in here together you still want to—”

He didn’t let her finish. Instead, he grabbed hold of her and pulled her into the shower, lingerie and all. He didn’t care; he’d buy her whatever the hell she wanted. But for now, he wanted her exactly as she was: water dripping slowly down her body, and his, all his. Damn if he even cared his own father knew he had fallen in love and was taking a shower with his wife. Hell, he’d post it on Facebook, he’d call Good Morning America. In fact that wasn’t a bad idea. He wanted everyone to know he was taken—because it had taken a remarkable girl to finally get him to understand what he’d been missing this entire time.

She wasn’t just his other half, or his soul mate; those words, in his mind, seemed like the type of thing guys told girls when they were trying to be romantic or were trying to get laid.

No, maybe he really was losing it, but as he touched her, tasted her, felt her—he realized it wasn’t just someone completing him, it was the added compliment of having her near. He hadn’t known what he was missing until he’d experienced Char as a whole person, and now that he knew, he realized one thing: he’d die before letting her go. She was a partner in crime, a best friend, a lover, a fighter, and she was all his.

Chapter Fifty-seven

Well, showering would never be the same. In fact, Char was convinced that in the near future every time she heard water running she was going to have a hell of a time keeping a smile from her face. Those lips, those hands, blessed Lord those hands—really, Jake should give lessons on how to use what God had given him. Damn, how he used what he had.

Buzzing; her body was actually still vibrating from the sensation of his hands on her hips, her butt, and then how it felt when he slid her wet body over his in the shower. Feeling flushed, she began to fan herself as she made her way over to the cocktails. Her makeup was going to melt if she kept at it.

As it was she wanted to look her best for the stupid fertility dance Grandma had planned, not to mention that she was going to be dancing with Jake and she wanted to look good for him.

Just as she rounded the corner to the cocktails Grandma intercepted her and led her down to her bedroom.

“What are you doing?” Char asked as Grandma’s hand gave another little tug until they were in her bedroom. Without a word, Grandma closed the door and quickly turned.

“You look like hell.”

“Uh, thank you?” Char said, looking down at the ugly bridesmaid’s dress Kacey had picked out. Apparently, Kacey hadn’t picked them out at all, but Bets, wanting a part in helping Kacey plan, had designed them herself. Thus, the autumn puke she was now wearing that also made her look fifty pounds heavier than she was.

Grandma let out a heavy sigh and rested her hand on her cheek as she eyed Char’s outfit. “This will not do. After all, you were never given the chance to wear a wedding gown.”

“I wonder whose fault that is.” Char’s eyebrows lifted.

Grandma shrugged and waved her off. It was obvious she was still playing the innocent card. “At any rate, a woman is always prepared.” She walked over to her closet and pulled open the doors. After mumbling to herself and rummaging through what could only be described as an unhealthy amount of leopard jumpsuits, she lifted a garment bag from the line up. “This is for you.”

At Char’s hesitation, Grandma tsked and laid the garment bag down on the bed. The sound of the zipper being pulled down was almost unnerving.

“Go ahead.” Grandma stepped back. “Look inside.”

Almost afraid to look, Char licked her lips and then reached inside the garment bag and pulled out the dress.

The dress.

The one from the store.

“But it’s not my wedding!” Char sputtered.

“Details.” Grandma waved. “Kacey was more than thrilled to have her best friend in something that resembled a dress rather than a pregnant pumpkin. Now, let’s get this thing on so we can put my grandson into cardiac arrest.”

“But—”

“You don’t like it?” Grandma touched the dress in Char’s hands and sighed. “I thought that day at the store—”

“No.” Char felt tears burning at the backs of her eyes. “It’s not that. It’s just that I feel like I’m living a fairy tale.” She also felt like she didn’t deserve it, any of it.

“Dear Lord, we’re in trouble if Jake is Prince Charming,” Grandma grumbled. “He still has his work cut out for him, starting with that dance you two need to perform, and giving me grandchildren. You are going to give me great-grandchildren, aren’t you?”

Char felt her cheeks heat as she looked away and rocked back on her heels. “Already working on it.”

“That’s my girl.” Grandma patted her hand and then tightened her grip on Char’s wrists. “And don’t you even think about using a condom. I used a needle on every single last one in this house. I expect a baby by spring.”

Mouth agape, Char stared and then felt her cheeks heat. “We’ll, uh, see what we can do.” Only Grandma would think ahead to plan such a thing.

“Good girl.” Grandma stepped back. “I’ve been praying for your womb to be fertile, you know.” She smiled to herself. “Now take off your clothes.” So many wrong words in that sentence that Char fidgeted a bit before turning around so Grandma could unzip the travesty that was her dress.

Once it was off, it dropped to the floor. Char stepped out of it and squinted. The dress was white, her lingerie was black.

“Oh, almost forgot.” Grandma held up her hand and went to a Nordstrom bag on the floor, pulling out a white corset, matching thong, and thigh highs. Good Lord, how did she even know Char’s size?

“Asked Jake.” Grandma offered. “He seemed to know the exact size of your hips, imagine that? And your breasts—well, let’s just say I had to blow my whistle several times before he was able to focus again. That boy is truly distracted too easily. It’s my fault. His grandfather was always a breast man.” Grandma thrust her chest forward a bit. “At any rate, go ahead and put this on and I’ll help you with your dress.”

Char paused. Did Grandma really want her to get naked?

“If you go any slower I may be dead before I see my grandchildren. Believe me, you don’t possess anything I’ve never seen before. Well, maybe I haven’t seen it in a while; my mirror points south a bit these days.”

Laughing, Char took the lingerie from Grandma and put it on the bed, then stripped down to what God gave her.

Grandma sighed.

“What?” Char paused as she grabbed the corset.

“Nothing.” Grandma waved. “It’s just that, I don’t believe Jake will make it through the ceremony. Don’t you dare allow him to ravish you early, Char! You hear me? God frowns on those things.”

“Uh.” Char put on the corset. “What? Married people ravishing each other?”

“ ’Course not.” Grandma gave her a scolding look. “God just don’t like to see pretty things go to waste is all, and you my dear, will be spectacular. So, let him take his fill, before you give him his drink, you understand?”

Char’s grin was huge. “Completely.”

Grandma grunted.

Ten minutes later, Char was dressed in the most beautiful silk gown she’d ever seen in her entire life. Grandma hadn’t stopped at the lingerie. Nope, she’d also bought Char tall crystal heels that made Char look like a supermodel. Bless Grandma’s manipulative little heart.

Char turned and examined herself in the mirror.

Grandma stood behind her beaming. “Give him hell.”

Chapter Fifty-eight

Jake took a long sip of his whiskey on the rocks and winced as the liquid poured down his throat. The heat was intense; it didn’t help that he was wearing a black suit, with suspenders. At least his suit wasn’t as bad as Char’s dress. The poor thing had looked miserable when she went off to get dressed with Kacey and the rest of the girls.

He took another slow swallow and grimaced when Jace made his way toward him.

“So.” Jace ordered a tequila shot and downed it with a wince. “How are things?”

“Ah, small talk.” Jake laughed. “Great. How’s your eye?”

“It feels like hell, thanks.” Jace shook his head.

Jake looked beyond him for Char. Where was she? They were supposed to meet a half hour ago. He grabbed Travis’s arm as he walked by. “Have you seen my wife?”

“Nope.” Travis shrugged and then laughed. “Wife, Shit, I never thought I’d see the day.”

Petunia walked by just as Travis cursed, earning him a smack in the back of the head and a scolding. He put his arm around Petunia, apologized, and ordered two shots of whiskey behind her back. Ah, it seemed all the apples from Grandma’s tree were firmly planted side by side.

“Wife?” Jace said. “You have a wife? What about Char?”

Jake couldn’t hide his smile. “Long story, but Grandma accidentally married us.” He held up fake quotations.

“Lucky bastard.”

Jake grinned wider. “Guilty.” His eyes scanned the outdoor patio one last time and then fell on a girl in a white dress. He kept scanning, and then looked back at the girl.

It was his wife.

It was Char.

She was wearing the dress from the store. He couldn’t pull his eyes away; heat seared every part of his body.

“Fight you for her?” Jace whispered.

“Already won.” Jake moved past him and stalked toward his bride—his wife. He wanted to kiss her so bad, but it would ruin the perfect picture he was staring at. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun with pieces falling around her face. And she was taller, somehow, maybe high heels; he couldn’t really think at the moment. With a bright smile, she only had eyes for him.

Thank God.

“I can’t kiss you.” He said once he reached her. “It will ruin your makeup.”

“It’s okay.” Char leaned in closer, allowing him access to her hips as his hands slid over the slick silk of the dress. “A wise woman once told me that you needed a good ruin… maybe it can be me.”

Jake could have sworn he heard Grandma chuckling somewhere; instead, he kissed his wife, his bride and lifted her into the air, twirling her around.

“You’re married!” Someone screamed.

Jake placed Char back onto her feet and turned. A young woman with curly blond hair was running toward them, arms flailing. It was Beth, Char’s sister.

Char squealed and clapped her hands as Beth flung herself into Char’s arms and cried. “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe you’re married. When Grandma called me a few days ago—”

“A few days ago?” Jake asked, and then turned to his guilty grandmother. “That confident, huh?”

She merely lifted her shoulder. “What can I say? I know my boys.”

“Good guess.”

Beth pinched Char in the arm. “How dare you not invite me!”

“It was…” Char looked to Jake for help.

“Sudden.” He put his arm around Char. “Very, very sudden, you could almost say we didn’t even know it was going to happen.”

At that point Grandma had meandered closer and was now looping her arm with Beth’s. “Now dear, let’s get you a drink. I heard you’re single…”

Beth threw back her head and laughed. “I’m married to my job.”

“Oh dear, your job can’t do what a man can, believe me.” She steered Beth closer to the bar, where Jace was sitting, and held up two fingers to the bartender.

“Is she—” Char folded her arms.

“She’s not happy unless she’s meddling.” Jake held Char closer. “Case in point.” He nodded in Grandma’s direction as she left both Jace and Beth alone with their drinks. Hopefully they were both Benadryl-free. But it was hard to tell with Grandma. She did favor over the counter drugs.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” Jake whispered in Char’s ear. “What do you say we go back upstairs and—”

Char stepped out of his reach. “I’m under strict instructions to make you suffer until after the wedding. So there.”

“By who?”

“Grandma.” Char giggled. “I think I owe her, all things considered.”

Jake frowned.

“Just think of all the hidden things you can look forward to…” And then Char whispered into his ear exactly what she was wearing, piece by piece, ending the little erotic conversation with a tug on his ear.

Knees week, he almost collapsed.

Damn Grandma, she never was happy unless someone was suffering.

Chapter Fifty-nine

In two hours she was going to be married. Cocktail hour had gone great, but now it was time. Kacey had chosen an eggshell dress with a plunging neck and back. It was a bit racy for her taste, which was exactly why she’d picked it. It made her feel daring and beautiful. Plus she’d worked hard doing that stupid wedding workout; she deserved to wear a sexy dress on her wedding day.

Tiny beaded straps formed a halter around her neck before trailing down the back and connecting to the dress. It was form fitting all the way to her hips and then slowly flowed out in fluffy chiffon layers. The lace and crystal overlay that went from her breasts all the way down the dress was her favorite part. She turned and smiled in the mirror. The three-foot train was perfectly pooled around her. She sighed.

She was perfect.

So how was it possible that she was still nervous? Her hands clenched the sides of her dress, then she remembered that would make it wrinkle, so she let go and began to pace in front of the mirror.

“Nervous, dear?” a soft feminine voice said.

Kacey looked up. Petunia was standing in the doorway, wringing her hands.

“Uh, a bit.” Kacey admitted.

Petunia nodded. “I can understand. After all, it’s only natural to worry about what goes on in the marriage bed.”

“Oh.” Kacey swallowed. “It’s not—”

“Oh, I know. It’s terribly fragile talk, bedroom talk. And I’m not the one to have such a discussion with. I’d probably bring a bat or some sort of other object just in case he got too frisky. Give him a good beating; that’ll teach him.”

“A bat?” Kacey pressed her lips together. “I don’t think that will be necessary and it’s not that I’m nervous about the marriage bed.”

“Oh.” Petunia waved at Kacey and laughed. “It’s okay to be nervous, my dear. Tell you what. You just give your Aunt Petunia a call if that nephew of mine gets too…” Petunia blushed and looked away. “Oh, you know what I mean. If he, if he…” Petunia pressed her hands together. “If he hurts you, you just tell him no.”

“I don’t think Travis would hurt me.” Kacey said in a calm voice, though she was trying desperately not to burst out laughing. “After all, he’s a gentle… man.”

“Ah, a gentle lover.” Petunia nodded. “I see, and you know this, how?”

Kacey hoped her face didn’t look guilty.

Petunia’s eyes widened.

And then Grandma burst through the door. “Petunia! You aren’t supposed to be in here.”

“I was giving much needed advice.”

“About staying a virgin, no doubt.” Grandma snorted. “Now go change into your wedding attire.”

“I refuse.” Petunia lifted her chin. “You know how I feel about bright colors.”

Grandma closed her eyes for a brief moment and pinched the bridge of her nose. When she opened her eyes again, even Kacey took a step back. “You will wear the damn dress and you’ll smile. Now go put it on, or so help me God, I’ll drug every last one of your cats!”

Petunia gasped. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Tell me, how is Garfield? My, my, he is getting up there in age. Pity to see him take a tumble down the stairs, or accidently eat something he shouldn’t.”

With a huff and stomp, Petunia quit the room.

Grandma shut the door behind her and dusted her hands off into the air. Straightening her gold jacket, her eyes fell to Kacey. “Sweet pea, what’s wrong?”

The tears Kacey had been holding in streamed down her face. She collapsed into Grandma’s arms in soft sobs.

“Oh dear, oh dearie, don’t cry. Grandma’s here, she’s here. Now, if you’re scared that’s perfectly normal. Well, men can be absolute beasts! They make noises no human should make in public. They find themselves funnier than hell, and don’t understand the concept of doing dishes—”

Kacey hiccupped.

“Oh, but honey dear, they are wonderful. They were created for us you know, specifically made to be strong where we are weak, to be able where we are not able, and to share such a magical union that you won’t ever want to remember what it was like before that ring was put on your finger. Honey.” Grandma pulled back and offered Kacey a handkerchief. “Love is magic. And you, my dear, are so in love; why, it shows in your every action, in your every breath.”

Kacey dabbed at her eyes and gained control of her breathing. “It’s not him.” Kacey shook her head. “Travis is a godsend. He’s incredible. It’s not him. It’s me.”

Grandma was silent as she patted Kacey’s hand.

“I love him so much, I just wish—”

“What?” Grandma said.

“I wish,” Kacey’s lips trembled, “that Dad could walk me down the aisle. That my mom was sitting in the front row smiling, I don’t know… I just wish they could see me.”

“Oh.” Grandma pulled Kacey into her arms. “But Sweet Pea, they can! They can see you! Didn’t I say love is magic? Well, I imagine the love you and Travis have for one another is only created by God himself, and if God himself is paying attention, how could it not gain the attention of your parents? I’m sure they have front row seats tonight. Love is bright. It’s like a star in the night sky. You can’t help but see it. It’s like the very sun; you can’t help but feel it. It’s like breathing; you can’t help but breathe it. Oh, honey, the least of your worries is your parents knowing exactly how incredible your wedding day is—they’re here.” Grandma touched Kacey’s chest. “And dearie, they’re here, too.” Grandma pulled out a small box from her satchel and set it in Kacey’s hands. “Go on, open it.”

Shaking, Kacey opened the box. Inside was a long silver chain with an oval charm. With a tug, the charm fell open. Inside was a picture of Kacey’s parents.

“It’s your something old,” Grandma whispered. “It’s been in my family for a very long time. It was my mother’s, and her mother’s before her.” She took the necklace from Kacey and undid the clasp. “When you feel afraid, I want you to remember that your parents are never far…” She attached it behind Kacey’s neck, and the oval fell directly between her breasts. “They’re right on your heart.”

With a sob, Kacey threw her arms around Grandma’s neck and held her tight. Never in her life had she expected this. It was perfect, and suddenly as if a weight had been lifted, Kacey felt alive again, excited, ready, and oh so done with being just Kacey. She was ready to be Kacey Titus.

“I love you, Grandma.”

“And I you, sweetheart.” Grandma sighed. “Now fix your makeup. We don’t want you looking like you’ve been crying.”

Kacey kissed her on the cheek and stood. “I think this calls for pink lipstick.”

“That’s my girl.” Grandma reached into her purse and pulled out a tube. “Use it wisely. I’ve been told pink lipstick also holds magical powers.”

“Oh, yeah? By whom?”

“Well, your grandfather, rest his soul, he loved the pink.” With a saucy wink Grandma rose to her full height and walked out the door.

“God bless her,” Kacey said aloud. “And keep her alive forever… I know you want her, but you can’t have her yet.”

Chapter Sixty

“Ready?” Jake slapped his brother on the back a few times as Travis looked in the mirror and cursed.

“Damn, I can’t stop shaking.” Travis closed his eyes and shook his arms, then jumped in place.

“Uh, first stop jumping.” Jake put his hands on Travis’s shoulders. “It’s not a basketball game. We aren’t in the state finals.”

“Right.” Travis stopped moving and nodded his head a few times.

“And stop nodding. You look insane.”

“Shit.” Travis sat down on the chair and hung his head in his hands. “I need to get out there before I lose it.”

“Agreed.” Jake reached into his front jacket. “But until then, take this.”

Travis didn’t look up. “Jake I hardly think this situation calls for Grandma’s infamous Benadryl remedy.”

“Not a pink pill.” Jake thrust the tiny bottle of liquor into Travis’s face. “Liquid courage, my friend. Drink up.”

Travis opened his eyes and took the plastic bottle. “Hmm, so it’s a Jake Titus remedy? I like.”

“Or just a Titus remedy, although mom usually goes for the wine.” Jake shrugged. “Either way, I don’t need all the credit.”

Travis twisted the cap and cringed as he drank the entire bottle of cheap vodka, all four ounces. “That tastes terrible.”

“Stole it from Grandma.” Jake nodded. “Figured it did, never seen a woman love cheap vodka like her.” He shrugged. “At any rate, it’s almost time to walk down that aisle. What do you say to growing a pair?”

After a few seconds Travis said, “Done.”

“Well, that was fast.” Jake smirked.

“Yeah, well, I just realized I get to seduce my wife in exactly forty-six minutes, possibly forty-four if I can say my vows fast enough.”

“There’s the spirit.” Jake patted him on the back. “Now, I’m off to find your future wife; seems I have a girl to help walk down the aisle.”

“She trips, you get a black eye.”

“Noted,” Jake called as he left the room and went in search of Kacey. He found her, standing all alone at the back door porch entrance, waiting while the music played softly in the background.

Char was standing next to her and they were murmuring in hushed tones; that is, until Jake made himself known by clearing his throat loudly.

Kacey turned first, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

“I’ll just, uh…” Char pointed behind Jake. “Go stand over there, until it’s time to walk down the aisle.”

Char’s perfume floated in the air as she tried to walk by Jake. Not happening. He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her on the mouth. “You can’t just walk by me without saying hi.”

Char’s lips met his again. “Is this how we say hi now?”

“Yes.” Jake opened her lips with his tongue. “Hell yes.”

Pulling away, Char gave him a saucy wink and walked off.

He was still staring after her when Kacey said, “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“What?” Jake scratched his head nervously and approached Kacey. “What day?”

“You know.” She crossed her arms and nodded toward the section of the room where Char and the rest of the bridesmaids were sitting. “The day.”

“Still not following.”

She shrugged. “Call it puberty. You actually grew up and fell in love.”

“So I’m a man now?” Jake squinted.

“Congratulations.” Kacey laughed. “Oh my gosh! I bet you even have chest hair!” Jake winced. He’d always been the type of guy to manscape, and perhaps he took things a little far, what with his monthly facials.

He slapped Kacey’s hand away when she went to touch his chest. The brat.

“You ready?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I think so.”

“Good.” Jake laughed. “Prepare to be awed. In fact, prepare to cry. I heard you and Grandma had a good chat.”

“That woman can’t keep a secret to save her life,” Kacey grumbled.

“Well, I have Char on alert just in case.” Jake reached out and grabbed Kacey’s’ hands in his. “Kacey, I’ve known you since you were a little girl with pigtails. You were obsessed with Barbie and told me I should be your Ken. In fact, I’m pretty sure I played Ken more times than I’d care to admit.”

Kacey giggled.

“We’ve laughed together, cried together, yelled at one another, fought, hated each other…” Jake tried to rein in his emotions. Damn it, forget Kacey crying, he felt like losing it. “I broke your heart and never fixed it.” He licked his lips and let out a breath. “He did.”

Kacey reached for Jake’s hand and squeezed it.

“He fixed it, my brother.” Jake closed his eyes for a brief moment. “Kace, I took your heart, in college. I took it and I wasn’t careful with it. I was careless, young, stupid, you name it.” He released her hand and reached into his pocket to pull out the gift. “So here’s to me, returning the broken pieces so that he can have it all. Travis deserves it all. I wanted to mend what I broke, I wanted to fix what went wrong, but you know it’s kind of hard to do that, so here…” He held out the pin for her hair. “It’s a blue heart, a sapphire. Your something blue is also your something new.” He shrugged. “I’ve always loved you, Kace.” He tucked the pin in her hair and kissed her forehead.

Kacey slapped him on the shoulder. “Stop making me cry!”

“Sorry!” He pulled back and lifted his hands.

“Oh, come here.” Kacey pulled him in for another tight hug. “Thank you, Jake. For everything.”

Music sounded from outside. “Well, I’m not done just yet.” He held out his arm just as his father came around the corner.

“You ready, dear?” Dad said as he wiped some tears from his eyes after he’d kissed Kacey on the cheek.

“Ready.” She swallowed and looped one hand through Jake’s arm, and the other through his dad’s. “Let’s do this.”

Char approached, holding Kacey’s flowers. Jake sent her a quick wink before turning back toward the door.

Jake felt Kacey shaking beside him.

“I love you, Mom and Dad,” Kacey whispered under her breath.

“I am so proud of you,” Dad said, and a tear fell down his cheek before he could walk away. “And I know they are, too.”

Jake squeezed her arm tighter and nodded at his dad, fighting with everything he had not to fall prey to his emotions.

But it was hard.

Especially when the music started.

And just like that, the memories came.

* * *

The wedding ceremony was near the tree house. Kacey was transported back in time, as she watched her five-year-old self run around the tree, Jake chasing her the entire way.

Her mom came around the corner yelling. “Kacey you put that down! Don’t you dare throw mud on him!”

Kacey didn’t listen.

And then the memories skipped ahead a few years, the same tree house, same boy. Jake was older then, he and Travis were arguing, and then Travis told her he’d found a snake and held it in front of her face.

Her mom came running out of the house with Bets, screaming at Travis to kill the snake.

And then it was high school. Travis was watching her from the house while she and Jake went out by the river. She looked back at him and rolled her eyes as he and her dad came out on the back porch to put the rest of the fishing gear in the truck.

“Be safe!” She’d yelled.

“Always!” Her father called back, and then, as if he’d just remembered something, ran toward her, arms open wide. “I almost forgot!”

“What?” She giggled as she ran toward him.

“A prince always deserves a kiss from his princess before he goes off to war!”

“You’re not going to war; you’re hunting fish.”

“And lions and tigers and bears!” Her father’s eyes widened as he kissed her cheek again and again.

“Stop!” She pushed him away and laughed. “Fine. Here is your kiss, good sir.” She did a curtsy as her father bowed. “Will you wear my colors, dear prince?”

“But of course!” Her father pulled a pink ribbon from her hair and held it in his hand. “I shall keep it forever and always, dear lady!”

As Kacey was brought back to the present, she realized all those memories, all that time spent here at Titus Abby—it was as if her parents were with her, pushing her toward her future.

Travis lifted his gaze.

And suddenly she couldn’t walk fast enough. Eyes locked on his, she made it all the way to the front of the gazebo. He was so handsome in his black suit. His hair was slightly mussed still and his tan just made his smile that much more devastating.

Travis took two steps toward her. Wescott released her arm, as did Jake, and then Travis reached for her hand.

As he took it, he flipped it over and opened her clenched fingers.

And into her palm he dropped a worn pink ribbon.

Travis’s eyes welled with tears as he leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I’ll keep it forever and always.”

Forgoing tradition not to touch her husband until the one giving her away was approached by the pastor, Kacey threw her arms around Travis’s neck and bawled.

It was a full five minutes before she could regain her composure. And even then she knew she probably looked a mess, but she didn’t care.

Travis took the ribbon from her hand and pinned it underneath the pin Jake had given her.

“So.” The pastor grinned. “Who gives this woman to this man?”

Wescott didn’t say anything and neither did Jake. She looked behind her, and then someone touched her arm.

Grandma. She beamed at Kacey and wrapped her soft hands around Travis’s and hers. “Her parents and I.”

“And I,” Jake said from her right.

“And my wife and I,” Wescott added.

Never had Kacey felt more loved or at home. And to think, she was in the same yard she’d played in all her life. With a watery smile she hugged them all and joined Travis at the front of the gazebo.

A warm breeze picked up. Kacey looked out to the water just as the pastor motioned for the guests to be seated.

And maybe she was imagining things, but she could have sworn she saw her parents on the dock, holding hands and watching her, smiling.

Chapter Sixty-one

“Are you ready?” Jake whispered in Char’s ear.

She shook her head. How could anyone be ready? They were doing a damn fertility dance, in front of everyone! Though it didn’t truly look that way—it was more of a tango, but still. Why Grandma was forcing them to perform it was beyond her, but there they were in the middle of the dance floor, waiting for the music to start, when Grandma cleared her throat into the microphone.

“Oh no,” Char whispered. “That can’t be good. Is she going to sing during our dance?”

“Not like this can get any worse…” Jake mumbled.

“Is this thing on?” Grandma tapped the microphone, causing it to make a shrieking noise, and then laughed loudly into it. “Oh I do love technology.”

“Yeah, we know, Grandma,” Char said.

“I’m so happy to see both my grandsons married and settled down. This next dance was planned with great detail. Every move has a meaning.”

“Just kidding,” Jake said. “It got worse. She’s going to explain the mating ritual.”

“The first twirl,” Grandma explained, “means true love. The second means a happy life forever spent in the other person’s arms. Ancient belief in this dance stems back to the gypsies. They believed one dance could unite two people forever, regardless of background, race, past hurts—”

As Grandma continued talking Char’s eyes widened, as did Jake’s.

“So, my wedding gift to Char and Jake is the dance. The one they learned a few weeks ago. Surprise, and enjoy.”

The music started.

Char couldn’t move.

Grandma had planned it all along, from the dance to everything else, she was sure of it.

She swallowed the emotion in her throat as Jake walked around her and then pulled her into his arms.

He twirled her once then twice, each time watching her so intently it would’ve been impossible not to fall in love with him again and again. Each time he twirled her she saw a new part of his smile that captivated her, that said I love you, I want you.

Jake tugged her close to his body as she wrapped her leg around his waist and was dipped back. He kissed her exposed neck and twirled her again.

The rest of the dance was face to face.

He leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek. “I’d miss you—if I’d never met you, I’d still miss you, because I’d know there was some part of me that wasn’t present.”

She sucked in a breath.

“If I’d never met you… I’d still want you.”

Jake ran his hands down her shoulders and tugged her waist closer. “I miss you even now.” His lips grazed her ear. “Because every time I touch you it’s as if you aren’t close enough. My body aches to be closer. But even when there’s nothing but skin separating us, my desperation doesn’t let up. It won’t ever let up. Because the very essence of you is what I crave.”

The dance ended with both of them staring at each other.

Char closed her eyes as she pulled Jake’s face closer to hers, wrapping her hands around his head as they stood there, motionless.

His lips met hers softly and then he sighed against them. “I’ll spend my life chasing you, wanting you, spoiling you, discovering you—”

With a cry her mouth crushed his. He lifted her into his arms and swung her around the dance floor, his kiss deepening and pushing, searching and exploring. Heat exploded everywhere in her body as shivers ran up and down her arms and legs. He pressed his body tighter against hers, and closer still, but it wasn’t enough. She tried to get closer.

“Ahem.” Grandma laughed into the microphone. “Perhaps I’ll have a baby even before spring!”

The guests joined in laughter. Jake’s hearty chuckle warmed Char’s heart. How did a man who, not weeks ago, was afraid of commitment suddenly find children appealing? A miracle, that’s how. With a sigh she was released and slid over his hard body, all the way to the ground.

“Time to dance!” Grandma shouted and then began to rap.

“Oh dear God,” Jake groaned.

“And the moment was so special.” Char laughed.

The Black Eyed Peas never sounded so good. At least the guests thought it was hilarious, and to be honest, Grandma wasn’t too bad.

Travis and Kacey joined Char and Jake on the dance floor; they danced the best they could as Grandma strutted across the stage singing, “Tonight’s the night, let’s live it up! I’ve got my money…”

“May as well commit.” Travis elbowed Jake. They nodded and both began jumping in the air, the rest of the guests followed, turning the would-be romantic dance into a full-fledged party, with Grandma at center stage.

By the time the first few songs had ended, Char was sweaty and in need of a drink. She grabbed Jake’s hand and led him to their seats.

The music turned to something softer. Grandma left the stage and approached them. Her eyes were twinkling with excitement.

“How was I?” She asked once she reached them.

“Outstanding,” Jake said. “Truly remarkable. I’ve never seen an eighty-year-old woman rap. Ten bucks says it goes viral tomorrow.”

“I do love the YouTube.” Grandma sighed.

“What’s so important?” Petunia yelled as she walked over to their little table. Her bright blue dress accented her blue eyes and silver hair. “I had to walk all the way over from my seat.”

“One moment.” Grandma held up her hand.

Char looked around. What was she waiting for?

“Ah, here they come.”

A striking elderly man in a walker began moving toward them. He had another nice gentleman with him who cut a handsome figure in a black suit.

“Who is that?”

“My lover. Actually we mean to marry this winter.” She shrugged. “At any rate, he has a brother. I’d like you to meet him.”

“No.” Petunia folded her arms. “I will do no such thing I won’t—”

“Nadine!” Mr. Casbon reached for her hand and kissed it. “Lovely as ever, and such a beautiful song you sang, my dear.”

“I practiced.” She beamed.

Jake started to laugh, but Char elbowed him in the ribs. He stopped and coughed.

“And who is this lovely creature?” The other man said to Petunia. “I’ve been watching you all evening, my dear. You are… stunning.”

“Uh.” Petunia looked at Grandma and then back at the man and held out her hand. “P-petunia.”

“Ah, as lovely as the flower!” He took her hand. “May I have this dance?”

Petunia’s cheeks stained a pretty pink before she gave a quick nod and followed him out onto the dance floor.

“Grandma.” Jake cleared his throat.

“Yes, dear?”

“Mr. Casbon doesn’t have a brother.”

Mr. Casbon chuckled and looked away.

“He does tonight, son.”

“Where’d you find him?”

Grandma picked at the front of her dress and then examined her nails.

“Grandma.” Jake urged. “Where did you find him?”

“He’s a male escort.” She waved Jake off. “Charges a pretty penny too, but I think that they’ll be just lovely together. You know he lost his wife a few years back. He does this just for fun. Lots of widows out there that need company.”

Char’s mouth dropped open. Jake touched her chin and closed it.

“Shall we dance?” Grandma grabbed Mr. Casbon and led him onto the floor, walker and all.

Char watched in shock as Petunia laughed and danced as if she was having the time of her life.

“Hmm.” Jake shook his head. “Male escort?”

“Well, at least she’s happy.” Char pointed. “I mean, look at them!”

Chuckling, Jake stood and pulled Char to her feet. “I don’t want to look at them. I want to look at you.”

“Oh.”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Is this one?” Bets yelled into the microphone. “Oh yes, good, it’s time to cut the cake.”

Everyone clapped.

Jake and Char walked arm in arm to the cake table and froze.

The bows were melting.

“Holy shit,” Jake said under his breath. “We have to do something.”

And then the caterer turned the cake toward the crowd.

A large gasp was heard, followed by many murmurs.

“Make it better!” Char pushed Jake toward the cake. “Go!”

He dug his heels in the ground. “Oh, hell no, I’m not going down on my own. “ He grabbed her wrist and pulled her with him, just as Travis and Kacey made their way to the table.

The first to notice was Travis. His eyes bugged out of his head and then he looked at Kacey.

She was happily looking up at him with adoration in her eyes, and then as if sensing his dismay, looked at the table and covered her mouth.

“Er, surprise!” Char shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

Travis gaped. “Surprise?”

“We…” Char hit Jake.

“Wanted.” He coughed. “To…” His face went blank. Oh no, he had nothing to say, nothing. Of all the times to lose his game, now was not it!

Kacey and Travis waited.

Finally Jake hung his head. “We’re the worst best man and maid of honor ever. They couldn’t fix it in time. So it says—”

“Tit’s forever!” Grandma yelled over the microphone. “And let me tell you, those Titus boys love their—”

“A toast!” Bets screamed over Grandma. “To Travis and Kacey!”

Everyone lifted their glasses just as Kacey and Travis went over to the cake and examined the topper.

“At least it looks like us,” Kacey said.

“And I do like your—”

“Tremendous heart!” Bets said. “Well done, lovely, lovely cake.” She chugged the rest of her wine and looked about two seconds away from passing out.

Jake sighed. “Let’s take the topper off before mom flips.”

Char burst out laughing. “Get it? Take the topper off the Tits?”

They fell into fits of giggles until someone wiped cake on her face. It was Jake, the ass! And then Travis wiped cake on Kacey’s face.

And then a full-on war started.

One where Travis and Jake eventually relented, saying they didn’t want to ruin the girls’ pretty makeup. When really Kacey and Char knew the real reason they begged off was because they knew they’d lose. After all, the Titus boys never did stand a chance.

Chapter Sixty-two

“Ready for this?” Kacey asked as she gripped Travis’s hand in hers.

“Yup.” He kissed the top of her head then led her outside to the waiting car. Jake was arguing with Grandma and Char was covering her face with her hands, laughing.

“Uh oh.” Kacey approached the car. “Do I even want to know?”

“Grandma thinks herself an artist,” Jake said through clenched teeth. “I tried to stop her but—”

“Ah.” Kacey looked at the windshield. Grandma had drawn two very large breasts and written “Titus forever”, only both the u and s were so small you could hardly see them. “Lovely.”

“Such a special, special day,” Travis mumbled behind her.

“Go on, you two!” Grandma sighed. “Now.” She pulled them both aside. “I imagine you know how these things… work.”

“Things?” Kacey repeated. “What things?”

“Oh dear.” Grandma held her hand to her cheek. “Things, as in…” She shrugged. “When making babies…”

“Oh, dear God.” Travis closed his eyes and looked heavenward.

“It’s important to keep one’s legs elevated. Well, that’s how Wescott was brought into this world!” She sighed. “Among other things, you keep the legs high like this.” Grandma then proceeded to open the car door, sit down and lift her legs into a pike position. “But naturally you’re laying down. Do you understand?”

“People are starting to stare, Grandma,” Jake said.

“And then.” She put her legs down. “After a half hour, you turn over, much like you would turn over a roast in the oven.”

“Do people turn over roasts in the oven?” Char wondered aloud. “Never baked like that before.”

“Then you, my dear, need to take a few pointers from me,” Grandma snapped.

“No thanks.” Char stepped back.

Grandma set her eyes on Travis and Kacey. “Those little soldiers better be strong! But they have Titus blood in them so they should do an adequate job.”

“Adequate?” Travis nodded. “Kinda thought they’d be more than adequate.”

“They will.” Kacey patted his back.

“Oysters.” Grandma nodded. “Eat more oysters, gets the blood flowing to all the right areas; those soldiers will be ready for an all-out war!”

“Ah, war,” Jake said. “Pipe dream, but yet, here we stand.”

Grandma scowled at him then looked back to Kacey. “Dear, do you have any… questions, for your grandmother?”

Travis raised his hand as did Jake.

Ignoring them, Grandma patted Kacey’s hand. “I know it can be scary, but what you do, you do for your Grandma. Just go into that bedroom and think, I’m doing this for Grandma.”

“Don’t.” Travis shook his head. “Please don’t give us that mental image, I beg you…”

“I need great-grandchildren.” Grandma shrugged. “Now, don’t fail me!” With a sigh she reached into her purse. “These should also help.”

“What’s that?” Travis pointed as Grandma put a large necklace around Kacey’s neck.

“Fertility beads.” Grandma shrugged as if everyone should know what they were.

“Awesome.” This from Jake as he laughed.

“You’re next,” Travis murmured, then put his arm around Kacey. “I think we’d better go uh…”

“Play battleship with your soldiers?”

He grinned. “I’ll sink your ship anytime.”

“Hmm, I may just let you.”

Grandma elbowed Jake in the ribs. “What did I tell you? Those beads work wonders. Look at those two.”

Kacey ignored Grandma and got into the car. “Thanks for the, uh, advice.”

“Anytime!” Grandma waved. “And if you have… problems, you just give your Grandma a call, okay?”

“When hell freezes over.” Travis started the car.

“What was that?” Grandma cupped her ear.

“Love you!” He shouted, then peeled out of the parking lot.

Kacey reached across the console and gripped his hand. “Ready to play?”

“Damn.” He laughed. “I’ve been waiting my whole life.”

* * *

“Kace, if you don’t come through that door in five seconds I’m breaking it down,” Travis shouted from the bedroom. They were spending their wedding night in the new wing of the house, rather than at the suite that Jake and Char were staying in.

“One more minute.” She laughed and stripped down to nothing. He thought she had some fancy lingerie, but nope, she had just herself.

“Kace, I’m serious!” Travis yelled. “You’re killing me.”

“Well.” Kacey unlocked the bathroom door. “I wouldn’t want my new husband to die, now would I?”

Slowly, she opened the door and leaned against the frame. Travis turned around and looked his fill. Mouth open, his eyes caressed her as he went from her toes slowly all the way up her body, until his eyes met hers. “Damn.”

“Really?” She smiled.

“Dear God.” He stalked toward her and lifted her into his arms, crushing her mouth against his. “I’m obsessed with your body.”

“Trav—”

His tongue pushed past the barrier of her lips as his hands burned onto her hips. He lifted her to the bed and threw her down. “I’m not going to be gentle. I can’t; it’s not in me. I love you and I promise the second time will be super slow and I’ll be romantic and say all the right things, but right now, all I really want is to be inside you, all around you, near you, on you, under you.” He swore again as he ripped off his clothes. “So help me God if I touch you any more I’m going to explode.”

The next thing Kacey knew, he was on top of her, kissing her, teasing her, pulling her hair and then rolling onto his back so she could straddle him with her legs.

Travis’s eyes rolled back as he exhaled another curse, his hands roaming down her skin leaving trails of heat with every single touch. “God, I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She leaned over and kissed him, her hair creating a curtain across their faces as he rocked her tighter against him.

His face broke out into a grin as she tugged him to the side and allowed him to hover over her body. “I can’t—” He swore. “Don’t judge me based on this performance, that’s all I’m saying.”

“Well, I’ll just average out the past performances and add this one in, fair?”

“Fair.” He pressed into her and cried out. At her gasp, he stopped and then very slowly kissed her across the mouth. “Damn, I’m glad you married me.”

“Stop stalling.” She moved against him.

“Yes ma’am.”

Chapter Sixty-three

Jake watched Char as she grabbed a glass of wine and met him on the back porch. Beth and Jace had gone for a walk by the river. Grandma’s idea, not theirs. But they humored her as most people did and said they’d be back later to make plans for breakfast the next morning.

“So.” Jake clinked his glass with hers. “Where to for the honeymoon? I mean technically you were fired, so we could go for a whole month if you want.”

Char giggled. “Just like that? We just leave tomorrow on the first plane anywhere?”

“Yeah.” Jake leaned in to kiss her. “Just like that.”

“But I don’t have a passport.”

Jake shrugged. “So we can wait to go grab it and fly out of Seattle, or stay in the States.”

“Hawaii.” Char seemed nervous as she looked away and took a sip of wine.

“Can I ask why Hawaii?”

She leaned back on her hands, the moonlight reflecting off her tan skin as she closed her eyes and exhaled. “My parents always promised they’d take me. First it was after high school graduation, but something came up, and then college, and, well… you can imagine. It was always an empty promise. And I’ve always wanted to go.”

Damn, he loved her. He’d buy her Hawaii if it was possible. “Then Hawaii it is.” He kissed her cheek.

“Kids?” Grandma opened the door to the back and came outside. “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

She pulled out a chair and sat. “Now, I know my methods aren’t always sound.”

“Well, there’s the understatement of the century,” Jake said.

“Ass.” She narrowed her eyes. “At any rate, I would like to apologize.”

“Really?” Jake leaned forward on his haunches and grinned. “For what?”

“Everything.”

“Which would be…” Jake prompted. “What exactly?”

Grandma looked away and said in an irritated voice, “The fertility dance, but in my defense I had to be sure that you felt the tension.”

“Oh, we felt it.” Char laughed and then noticing Jake’s irritated glance regained her composure.

“And?” Jake eyed his grandmother.

“The drugstore wedding gift.” She sniffed.

“Right.” Jake swore. “Thanks for that.”

“Oh posh. You needed to be taken down a few, or a lot. Tell me, did they use the sound system to bring the condoms forward? I was so hoping they would!”

Jake ignored her and shook his head. “And what else, Grandma? What are you really apologizing for?”

“Tricking you into getting a marriage license. But do you even understand the laws I had to break in order to get that done! The money that exchanged hands, the favors that were given!” She stood and began to pace. “Why, I had to donate to the damn Chamber of Commerce!”

“My heart bleeds,” Jake said dryly.

“And all because I was doing you two a favor.”

After a few seconds Jake finally said, “You’re right.”

“I am?” Grandma’s head popped up. “I mean, yes, yes I am, and don’t you forget it! Now, where’s that lovely sister of yours, Char?”

“Oh no.” Jake grabbed his grandmother’s hand and directed her back toward the house. “Your days of meddling are over.”

“But—”

“Bed, now. And be sure to be alone or I’m grabbing the whistle.”

“You wouldn’t dare disturb my sanctum!”

“I would, and I will. It’s what you deserve and more.”

Head held high, she stomped back into the house, her heels clicking across the wood floor the entire way down the hall.

“Would you take it back?” Char asked from behind him.

He turned and pulled her into a hug. “No. Never, not even a question. Would you?”

“I’ve waited since eighth grade to be your girlfriend; may as well be your wife.” She winked and then kissed him soundly.

Epilogue

Airplanes.

Every single ride for the past year had been filled with drama. At least now he could rest easy. He had his wife with him, not to mention Travis and Kacey, who at the last minute had decided to change their honeymoon plans and go with them to Hawaii.

Who would ever have thought Jake would be going on a honeymoon? With his brother? And the girl he used to make fun of? Not to mention his wife. Good Lord, his life was like an epic melodrama.

At least Grandma wasn’t coming.

He laughed nervously as he took off his sunglasses and helped Char carry her bag into the terminal.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Jake sighed. “It’s just the last time I flew, Grandma showed up and decided to join me on the trip. Life was never the same.”

Char laughed. “Admit it. You’re glad she intruded.”

“I’ll take it to my grave,” Jake growled, kissing her across the mouth.

“None of that.” Travis said from behind them. “Not until you’re in your honeymoon suite, and even then I’m just going to pretend you guys are playing checkers or something.”

“Right.” Kacey shook her head. “Because people do that on their honeymoons.”

Jake snorted and pulled Char against his chest and kissed her forehead.

A few photographers took pictures, but he was used to the media; he didn’t really think anything of it. Until the photographers started in on them.

“Hey.” Jake waved his hand in the air. “Not now, guys.”

They continued snapping, then ran past Jake and Travis to another group.

“Whoa.” Travis looked at the running photographers. “They actually listened.”

“Senator, is it true? Sources say you were with a prostitute the night your fiancée left you?”

Jace broke through the crowd of photographers and came toward Jake and Travis.

“Mr. Senator!” A reporter ran toward Jace.

With a curse, Jace turned around to address the media. “No comment. Now if you’ll just excuse me.”

Jake and Travis created a bit of a bubble around Jace as they all walked away from the reporters. Soon, airport security was on it, pushing the media back.

“Shit.” Jace’s jaw clenched. “I need to disappear for a while.”

“Did someone say disappear?” a female voice asked from behind them.

A resounding groan came from every single one of them as they all turned to face Grandma.

She held a credit card in her hand and slipped by every one of them. “Yes, I need three tickets to Maui. Kihei? Is that what it’s called?” Grandma turned. “Kacey, dear, where are you honeymooning?”

“Lie.” Travis said under his breath just as Char answered, “Kanaapali.”

“Of course!” Grandma turned back around. “Three tickets to there. Yes, I’d like to use my miles.”

“This is a joke, right?” Jake said.

“I wish.” Travis sighed. “It’s like she knows how to appear out of thin air.”

“Wait.” Char pushed by Jake. “Why three tickets?”

Grandma waved behind the group. “Beth, dear? Come here. I need your ID.”

Char watched in shock as Beth approached, a not too happy look on her face.

“What’s she got on you?” Jake asked. “Dirty pictures? Embarrassing moment? Drunken text?”

Beth squinted. “Drunken text.”

Jake pointed at Travis. “Some people aren’t the brightest crayons in the box. He fell via drunken text to Grandma.”

“Two words.” Travis held up two fingers. “Mating Dance.”

“Touché.” Jake sighed. “So what is it, Beth? Hmm?”

She bit her bottom lip and looked at Grandma, and then her eyes glanced toward Jace. Both of them looked away immediately.

“Oh no.” Jake groaned. “Listen, Beth, if there was Benadryl involved—”

“Drugged.” Travis shook his head. “It happens to the best of us.”

“Grandma drugged you?” Char asked.

Beth tucked her hair behind her ear. “Not exactly. I just, uh, well, she—”

“Beth!” Grandma yelled loudly enough to draw the attention of people around them. “Come on, don’t dally, we don’t have all day! You too, Jace, get your handsome self over here. You just let Grandma take care of everything.”

Jake sighed. “It’s like waiting for the storm to hit. No matter how many times you scream ‘Hurricane, take cover!’ the poor unsuspecting victims just stare at the sky in awe.”

“Grandma has that effect on people.” Char linked her arm with his.

“I can’t look away,” Travis said. “It’s like watching a car wreck. You know you should call 911 and help, but damn if you can’t manage to do anything but drive by slowly and gape.”

“Only God can help them now.” Kacey sighed.

All four of them stared at Jace and Beth as Grandma bought them first class tickets to paradise. Well, it would soon turn into hell, as most of Grandma’s plans involved pain, humiliation, manipulation… On second thought, Jake grinned.

“Why are you smiling?”

He shrugged. “I imagine this feeling is what Travis had when he watched Grandma pull the little strings of our lives together.”

Travis laughed. “You mean smug beyond belief?”

“Yeah, that.”

“Still feeling it,” Travis admitted. “Good to know she’s moved on to her next victims.”

Travis and Kacey walked off toward security, leaving Jake and Char alone.

“Do you think of us as a train wreck?”

“Nah.” Jake winked. “I think or at least I’d like to think I’m not stupid enough to ignore you forever. Sooner or later, we would have ended up together. With or without Grandma.”

Just then Grandma walked by and snorted. “Shmuck.”

“Or not.” Jake laughed.

“I love you.” Char reached up and kissed his lips. He’d never tire of her, ever. Maybe his Grandma knew him better than he knew himself. After all, it had taken a hell of a lot of plotting for him to pull his head out of his ass, and he knew, sooner or later, he’d have to thank Grandma all over again for her manipulative ways.

About the Author

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her husband and their snoring boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.

Please see the next page for a preview of THE BET

Chapter One

Present Day

Kacey searched his eyes for any hint of amusement. He couldn’t be serious, not Jake. Jake never took anything seriously. She quickly raised her hand to feel his forehead and inwardly shuddered. Why God had blessed such an arrogant man with the face of a movie star was seriously beyond her realm of understanding.

But there he was, a regular Adonis, staring back at her as if his eyes didn’t make mortal women uncomfortable.

“Are you drunk?” she whispered, leaning in closer, all the while cursing the expensive aftershave floating off him.

Jake slapped her hand away. “No, I’m not drunk. Geez, Kacey, you’re acting like I’m propositioning you for sex or something.”

“That’s the example you come up with? Sex? Really? Because to be honest, Jake, this is so much worse!” Her hands shook as she tried to level her breathing to a normal pace. At this rate she was going to have a full-on panic attack.

“How is this worse?” His voice rose a few octaves as other patrons of the coffee shop looked in their direction.

Kacey leaned back against the leather chair and groaned.

“I’m dead serious, Kacey. It’s the only way to convince them.” Jake leaned forward, his bronzed muscular forearms flexing against his rolled up sleeves as he rested his hands across the table.

“You do realize your parents have known me since I was three? Furthermore, I’m convinced that your mother would be able to see right through us. And don’t even get me started on that grandmother of yours.”

Jake’s stone face cracked into a smile.

“Don’t laugh! I’m serious, Jake! The woman should have worked for the FBI.”

“It’s her eyes.” Jake shrugged. “They always get me.” He shuddered. “But you’re getting off-topic, Kacey. I’m desperate.”

“Oh, wow. Well, when you put it that way, how could I turn you down? You’re desperate! Romantic man you are not. I have no idea how you managed to become the city’s most eligible bachelor, and at twenty-one. Impressive.” She shook her head in disbelief.

“Really, you don’t know?” He leaned forward, his biceps tightening beneath his grey button-up shirt, ready to burst through at any minute. His clean-shaven face held a hint of a five o’clock shadow, and his dark hair fell in waves across his forehead. Clear hazel eyes gazed back at her, and she couldn’t find the strength to look away from his lips as his tongue ran across them.

Crap. She was actually sweating just looking at the guy. It didn’t help matters that this was the first time she had heard from him since the incident. Not that this was the time to bring that up.

“Fine.” Kacey told her heart to stop beating so fast and closed her eyes again. “Jake, it won’t ever work. Why don’t you get one of your stripper girlfriends to do it for you?” And please, for the love of God, leave me alone. Too many memories stared back at her through his eyes, and she wasn’t sure she could stomach it. Not after hearing that the restaurant her parents had owned just opened up two new locations, one of them in Seattle. The wound seemed to open all over again. She shuddered and let Jake continue to plead his case.

“Um, because they’re strippers?” Jake lifted his hands into the air and shook his head. “Do you want my grandmother to die? Because I assure you, that will do nothing more than cause another stroke.”

Kacey paused. “Another stroke? As in she’s had a few?” Is that why Grandma Nadine hadn’t written her in a month?

Jake winced. “Yes, it’s been getting worse.” He ran his hands through his thick hair. “Will you help me or not? I’ll pay you—”

“You’ll pay me?” Kacey snorted. “Just like you pay your strippers? Why do I feel like I’m getting nothing out of this?”

Jake grinned. “Wow, I hate to pull out the big guns, but you owe me.”

“I owe you?” Kacey repeated. “Oh, please tell how I owe the great Jake Titus a favor. I’m dying to know, really.” She raised her eyebrows and tapped her manicured nail against the cup of cold coffee.

“Fine.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Fifth grade, you wanted a dog. Your parents said no. So I, being the good friend I am, went to the store and bought you one.”

“Doesn’t count,” Kacey interjected. “You named him after yourself.”

“He had dark hair,” Jake argued. “Besides, you slept with him every night.” His grin was shameless, and Kacey wanted to punch him in the face for it.

She opened her mouth to say so, but he interrupted her.

“Eighth grade—”

“Oh, Lord.”

“Eighth grade,” he repeated with a wink. “You had a crush on Stevenson Merrit. I, being the friend that I am, told him that you were the best kisser in the entire school. You guys went out for a year before you dumped him for greener pastures.”

“Ah, so that’s how you refer to yourself now days. Greener pastures.” Kacey smiled patronizingly.

“Yeah, well, it’s true.”

“Not good enough.” Kacey sighed. He was so close she could smell his shampoo. A spicy masculine mix of mint and cinnamon that teased her senses with visions of a man she would never have again. Scratch that. Never had in the first place.

“Fine.” Jake shook his head. “I didn’t want to have to do this.”

Feigning boredom, Kacey merely stared back and waited.

“Your first year of college, you had a fish, named him Stuart. Ugliest fish that ever lived.”

“Hey!” She glared. “He was my best friend.”

“Who you also left at school for two weeks, assuming your Mother Theresa roommate would take care of him for you.”

“She always did hate that fish,” Kacey grumbled.

“So who took your fish in?”

Kacey looked down at her hands.

“Who took in the fish, Kacey?”

With a large sigh she answered, “You took in the fish, Jake.”

“So I win. And again, you owe me. Plus, do you really want my grandma to die? The very same grandma who helped you win homecoming queen? The one who actually wore your macaroni necklaces? It really is quite simple. Just do it for the weekend and I’ll be out of your hair.”

Refusing to answer him, Kacey stared at the coffee table and licked her lips. Maybe if she looked pathetic enough he’d just leave her alone. Just being in the same room with him was enough to cause her heart to clench.

“Kace,” Jake groaned. “You have no idea how important my image is to me.”

“Wow, so not helping your case,” Kacey snapped.

“I need this.” Jake reached across the table and grabbed her hand. His hands were always so large and warm, as if by holding them, he could take away all her pain. But she knew the truth, those same hands had destroyed her, ruined her, and in the end, those selfish hands never handed back her heart. “I’ll pay off your student loans.”

“How do you even know about my student—”

“I know everything.” He winked. “It’s my job to. Come on, you need to finish your senior year of college, Kace. It’s been three months since graduation. Do you really want to be left behind while everyone else is out there making something out of themselves?”

The guy should never try to be a lawyer. Kacey would be surprised if she had any self-confidence remaining by the time she left the coffee shop. As it was she was trying to decide if it was possible to bang her head against the coffee table hard enough to gain a concussion.

“Please,” Jake pleaded. His hands squeezed hers tighter. “Do this for me. Do it for Grandma. Hell, do it for you. You have to finish school, Kace, and since your parents—”

“Don’t you dare bring them into this.”

Jake swallowed slowly and released her hand. His fingers danced along her jaw as he turned her head so he could look directly into her eyes. “It’s only for the holiday weekend. How bad could it be? We used to be best friends.”

Used being the key word. He hadn’t even texted her since graduation.

“Heartless billionaire…,” Kacey mumbled. The guy had no shame whatsoever. What sucked was that she really did need to finish school, and she was about to default on her loans. All the money her parents left her had gone into the house and retirement, and well, it wasn’t as if Seattle University was a cheap school.

“Billionaire? Not yet, babe. Heartless?” Jake reached out and touched her face with his hand. “I think we both know the answer to that.”

Memories of his touch flooded her senses until Kacey felt like she couldn’t breathe. She had traveled that road one too many times with the man. First in high school and then again in college. She hadn’t thought that life would get in the way of the only man she had ever given her heart to. But Jake changed, and for that she would never forgive him. Kacey looked down at her lap and closed her eyes. How did he still have so much power over her? One touch and a bribe and she was ready to do exactly as he said.

True, she had always had a weakness for his grandmother, no matter how scary she was or was not. Plus, Grandma Nadine had been the only one to help Kacey get through the time in her life when she didn’t care if she died in her sleep or went on living. The dark years were just that. Dark. Kacey shuddered to think of how bad things had gotten. If Grandma Nadine was sick, and he was really trying to help her, and if Jake followed through and paid for her remaining credits, it would be worth it.

“Only the weekend?” Kacey asked in a small voice. “And you say Grandma’s been all sentimental and not feeling well?”

Jake nodded. “She says she wants to see you, and I need my parents off my back about this whole press fiasco with that stripper. If I bring you home with a ring on your finger, all will be forgiven. Dad won’t think he needs to jump back out of retirement, and Grandma won’t shoot me. It’s a win-win. Besides, like I said, image is everything and I still want to have full control of my grandmother’s company at the end of the month. The board won’t go for it if I keep getting bad press. I need everyone on board. We’ll go our separate ways and I’ll fake a breakup, cry on TV and well, then at least the board members who hate me will feel sorry for me.”

He didn’t wait for her to agree. Instead, he reached into his pocket. “It’s for more than just me. It’s for Grandma, Kace. She isn’t doing well. This may be the one thing that makes her want to keep on living.”

Kacey narrowed her eyes. Lying bastard. In his twenty-one years Jake hadn’t learned to lie better than that? His smile was tense, his breathing a bit ragged. But he did mention Grandma.

Kacey suddenly felt ill. She wanted to hop on the plane right now, but Jake didn’t know she and his grandma still talked. Nor did she want him to. “Fine, but Grandma can’t know about the student loans. Deal?” Kacey held out her hand, hoping Jake wouldn’t notice the slight tremble.

Exhaling, Jake smiled. “Thanks for doing this for me.”

Kacey looked into his crystal green eyes. “For Grandma. I’m doing it for Grandma and for me.” Not for you, never again for you, Jake. The rest of the thought hung in the air. Suddenly the coffee shop seemed a much-too-small arena for digging up past demons. Kacey gave a shaky laugh and rubbed her sweaty hands on her jeans. Worried that he was going to somehow make it worse by smiling or offering a pity hug, she took a big gulp of coffee.

Jake pushed away from the table. “Right, okay. Well, thanks for being my fake fiancée.” He pulled out a three-karat ring and confidently slipped it onto her finger.

“B-but…” she stuttered. “How did you know my size?”

He smiled and rose from his seat. “A man could never forget those hands, Kacey.”

“No matter how many hands the man-whore has held?” Kacey asked sweetly.

Jake chuckled. “Absolutely. I’ll see you Friday morning, okay?”

Kacey sighed. “Okay.”

“Thanks, Kace…”

“Don’t mention it.”

Kacey watched in agony as the man who still held her heart whistled, thrust his hands into his pockets, and walked out of the coffee shop. Seattle’s most famous bachelor had just proposed marriage. Albeit a fake marriage, but it was still a proposal. She should be thrilled.

But it was hard to be thrilled when the love of her life, the boy who used to make mud pies with her and kiss her knees when she fell, thought of her as nothing but a way out of a crappy situation.

She suddenly wished she was at a bar instead of downtown Pike Place Market.

Don’t miss Rachel Van Dyken’s Eagle Elite series.

Also by Rachel Van Dyken

The Bet

Eagle Elite series

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Acknowledgments

First and foremost I have to thank God for allowing me to live out my dream every single day of my life. I still wake up and pinch myself and I still fall to my knees in gratitude. Without Him—I am nothing.

Thank you so much to my editor Lauren Plude. Words cannot express how much fun it’s been working with you! Not only are you a kick-butt editor, but I know you care; it seeps out of everything that you do. I’m so incredibly blessed by your encouragement. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I’m making it weird. I freaking love you!

Grand Central Publishing… wow, what can I even say. I felt like the new kid on her first day of school. You guys far exceeded my expectations (and still are!). From your cover artists to your publicity team—I can’t thank you enough for how much you’ve welcomed me and made me feel at home. Thank you, thank you, for taking a chance on me and for providing me this amazing opportunity to write for you. It truly is an honor.

Husband—Nate—best friend—thank you for not taking my computer away from me when I’m typing at three a.m. Seriously. After you hid my e-reader, I have to be honest, I was concerned. But thankfully, you’ve been so awesome during this journey of deadlines and insane moments. You are my hero—always. You are the man I write in every story. Perfection. I love you with my whole heart. Thanks for not just being a husband but a partner, not just a lover but a best friend. I owe you everything because you’ve given me everything.

And finally to the rest of my family. Thanks for believing in me! Liza Tice, Laura Heritage, Kristin Van Dyken, Julie Sherwood, and Tiffany Davis. My beta readers and original people who read the start of this series and believed in it. I love you guys.

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Rachel Van Dyken

Excerpt from The Bet copyright © 2013 by Rachel Van Dyken

Cover design by Elizabeth Phillips

Cover photo © Renzo/iStockPhoto

Cover copyright © 2013 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

Forever

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First ebook edition: October 2013

Forever is an imprint of Grand Central Publishing.

The Forever name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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ISBN 978-1-4555-5420-1

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-three

Chapter Twenty-four

Chapter Twenty-five

Chapter Twenty-six

Chapter Twenty-seven

Chapter Twenty-eight

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-one

Chapter Thirty-two

Chapter Thirty-three

Chapter Thirty-four

Chapter Thirty-five

Chapter Thirty-six

Chapter Thirty-seven

Chapter Thirty-eight

Chapter Thirty-nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-one

Chapter Forty-two

Chapter Forty-three

Chapter Forty-four

Chapter Forty-five

Chapter Forty-six

Chapter Forty-seven

Chapter Forty-eight

Chapter Forty-nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-one

Chapter Fifty-two

Chapter Fifty-three

Chapter Fifty-four

Chapter Fifty-five

Chapter Fifty-six

Chapter Fifty-seven

Chapter Fifty-eight

Chapter Fifty-nine

Chapter Sixty

Chapter Sixty-one

Chapter Sixty-two

Chapter Sixty-three

Epilogue

About the Author

A Preview of The Bet

Also by Rachel Van Dyken

Copyright