Falling for the Groomsman

She’s the one that got away. He’s the one she can’t forget.

Photojournalist Christine Forsythe is ready to tackle her naughty little to-do list, and who better to tap for the job than a hot groomsman? But when she crashes into her best friend’s older brother, Christine realizes her list needs updating. And
fast
. Tyler Dresco took her virginity during the best night of her life, then bolted. Now that they’re trapped together at a destination wedding, she’s going to get her revenge.

Tyler has never forgiven himself for how completely he lost control all those years ago. Being in Christine’s arms had felt
right
…until he realized what he’d taken from her in the hallway of a cheap motel. And oh, how she’s making him pay for it now. The insatiable heat between them has only grown stronger, but every time things heat up, Christine walks away.

With every encounter, things go a little bit further until Christine’s caught in her own trap of seduction. And before their time’s up, Tyler’s not the only one wanting more…

Falling for the

a Wedding Dare novel

Diane Alberts

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 © 2014 by Jen McLaughlin. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at
www.entangledpublishing.com
.

Brazen is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC. For more information on our titles, visit
www.brazenbooks.com
.

Edited by Heather Howland and Ellie Brennan

Cover design by Heather Howland

ISBN 978-1-62266-727-7

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition June 2014

For Liz. Thanks for being you!

Chapter One

Tyler Dresco closed the door to his hotel room and scanned the wedding itinerary. According to the schedule, the first event took place in a little under an hour, which left enough time for a quick drink at the bar, if he hurried.

God knew he’d need it.

He loved his sister, Kady, very much, as any older brother should, but a whole drawn-out event centering on one wedding seemed a little bit over the top. There were dinners, scavenger hunts—and ballroom dancing. Fucking
dancing
.

He’d been tempted to pretend the minor injury he’d gotten in Brazil was more serious than a bruise. There hadn’t been much time to do anything fun while working there for Doctors Without Borders, so his last day there, he’d done it
all
.

Bungee jumping. White-water rafting. Rock climbing. He’d injured his knee while zip lining, so he hadn’t gotten the chance to skydive. Maybe next time. But ballroom dancing? Yeah. He could do without that.

No one else could make him suffer through numerous days of flirtatious women, loud music, and fancy ballroom moves. But for Kady? He’d do it and smile, too, damn it.

But first, he’d get a fucking drink.

Without looking up, he turned on his heel and stumbled backward as someone crashed into him full force. He automatically steadied the person, making sure he didn’t lose his own footing in the process. Judging by the slender frame plastered up against him, he held a woman. She was about five foot three and had curves in all the right places.

Not that he was noticing or anything.

“
Oof
,” the feminine form in his arms said. She started to step away, but stumbled back into his arms. “Ah, crap. Hold on.”

The second her fingers closed on his biceps, he tensed. A shot of desire punched him in the gut, making him frown. Her light perfume teased his senses, making him think of warm nights on the beach, tropical drinks, and light laughter. And her voice. It sounded oddly familiar.
Weird
.

Clearing his throat, he stepped back and released his hold on her waist. She didn’t let go of him. He glanced down to see what the issue was. Her red heel was caught in the cuff of his pants. Slim legs were attached to that foot. Legs that made his mouth water. She had red hair that cascaded all around her shoulders, and that’s about all he could see. It was enough. He was intrigued by a woman who was
literally
stuck on him.

He shifted uncomfortably. “Do you need help down there, ma’am?”

The woman froze. For a second, he couldn’t figure out why. But she looked up at him, her bright-blue eyes that he’d never truly forgotten meeting his. “Tyler?”

Christine. Of course it was her.
Shit
. “Oh. Hey, Christine.”

No wonder his cock had immediately stood at attention. It always had with her. She’d always been special to him…well, back when they’d actually spoken, anyway. He’d unknowingly taken her virginity in Mexico in the heat of the moment, then left.

They really hadn’t spoken since.

“I…uh, didn’t recognize you right away.” She finally freed her heel and stumbled out of his arms, smacking her elbow on the doorjamb in the process. She grabbed it and hopped on one foot. “Ow, ow, ow.”

His lips twitched. “I see I’m as dangerous to your safety as always.”

“You’re as dangerous as a cuddly teddy bear,” she snapped, her blue eyes flashing with anger. Interesting. “I just wasn’t watching where I was going, like usual. Man, that hurts.”

“I bet it does,” he said softly, watching her. She was even prettier than the last time he’d seen her at her college graduation. They’d kept their distance that day. Something told him it would be a little harder to do so now. He sighed and held out a hand. “Let me look at your elbow.”

She gripped it tighter and scowled at him. “I’m fine.”

“Just let me look at it.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I
am
a doctor, you know.”

“Oh, I know what you are,” she said, backing up another step. “I know exactly what you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He stepped toward her, snatching her wrist in between his thumb and forefinger. Holy shit, her skin was actually as soft as he remembered. “That I’m an asshole?”

She stumbled back again, a small breath escaping her. “I didn’t say that.” Her back hit the wall and her chin tilted up stubbornly, ignoring his hold on her. “But, hey, if the shoe fits…”

He laughed. “I suppose I deserved that. Now let me look at this.”

“I told you—”

“You’re fine.” He gave her a level look. “I know.”

She huffed. “You’re as stubborn as ever, I see.”

“Guilty as charged.” He pried her left hand off her elbow. The skin was a little red, but she looked otherwise uninjured. She didn’t even need ice, but for some reason, he didn’t want to let her leave yet. They’d spent years avoiding each other and had it down to an art form. The second she slipped away, this interaction would be over.

But they’d been avoiding each other for the sake of avoiding awkwardness long enough. Maybe it was time to try something new. To start over.

“Well?” she asked, her soft voice sending something shooting through his veins. “Will I recover full use of my limb,
Doctor
?”

Her graceful form drew his eyes, no matter how hard he tried to resist. Her slim waist curved to generously swelled hips, and her long legs stretched on for what felt like miles. She wasn’t in a short skirt—it reached just above her knees—but for the way his body reacted? She might as well have been strutting around in a fucking miniskirt.

“Yeah, but you need ice.” He turned away and mumbled, “And so do I.”

…

Christine watched Tyler swipe the card through the lock on his door with one smooth motion. He looked so in control of every move he made, while
she
was literally falling into walls and crashing into people. Bouncing off of Tyler wasn’t exactly the most flawless start to the wedding extravaganza, but it could have been worse. Heck, the last time he’d held her in his arms, he’d looked at her with horror after he realized what he’d done, apologized, and run away without any sign of hesitation.

Anything was better than
that
.

But still. Finding out his touch still affected her after all of this time was a bit of a shock, to say the least. Sure, she’d been half in love with him back then—hence him taking her virginity in Mexico all those years ago—but it had been years since they were within touching distance of each other. They’d both moved on.

So why did his touch feel so freaking good?

Maybe she was just
that
horny. After all, it had been months since she’d gotten any action. Close to a year, if she was being honest with herself. She’d been so wrapped up in her work that she’d neglected life. She’d forgotten how to have fun.

So…she’d made a list of things she wanted to do before the wedding was over. Things she’d read in romance books. Sexy things. She’d even titled it
Christine’s Sex To-Dos
. Not very creative but it would do. So far it had three items on it:
Kiss a stranger
.
Have sex outside
.
Make out in the elevator
.

Rekindle an old flame
was not on her list—and it wouldn’t be, either.

But maybe, just maybe, she should add another thing:
Get payback on Tyler
.

She could make it sexy to fit in with the rest of the items on her list.

No, that would be too dangerous. He’d already hurt her once, and she wouldn’t be going back for seconds. She played it safe now, thanks in part to him.

Tyler came out with the ice bucket, his green eyes settling on her instantly. The weight of his stare made her want to fidget, but she forced herself to stand still. His brown hair was longer than she remembered, curling slightly at the edges. He had a little bit of scruff going on, and muscles like
whoa
.

It was obvious that he kept in shape while he was out saving the world. So not fair. He reached out and placed a hand on her upper arm. His fingers on her bare skin sent a shiver straight up her spine. She tilted her chin up. “Stay here while I go get you ice?”

And spend more time walking an unwilling trip down memory lane? No, thank you. She shook her head and looked over her shoulder. The elevator was awfully close. “I don’t need any. I’m fine, I swear.”

“Just wait here for me.” He skimmed his finger over her arm. God, he wasn’t even trying to tempt her, yet he was. So unfair. “I’ll only take a second. I promise I’ll be right back.”

Unlike the last time you left
, she added silently.

And then? Blessedly, the anger took hold. Anger she’d thought long buried.

Oh, he thought she would stand there waiting for him, after all this time? He had another think coming. Time to turn the tables.
Get payback on Tyler
may not be on her actual sex list…but she was metaphorically penciling it in right now. Dangerous or not, she’d make him want her. Then she’d walk away and forget all about Tyler Dresco—and their sloppy past.

She gave him a sweet smile, satisfaction coming over her when he paused, his eyes heating up with…desire, maybe? She reached out and tucked one of his errant curls back in place. His nostrils flared. “Oh, I’ll be waiting, all right.”

His gaze dipped down to her mouth, making her stomach tighten, and then flew back up to hers. “All right then. Good.”

He left, his steps long and even. Even while leaving, he managed to look so damn confident and hot that it drove her insane. So much like a
man
, as opposed to the boy he’d been when he’d taken her virginity and apologized before running away. He might have changed, but not enough to make her change her mind about him. There was nothing between them except awkward silence and memories.

Time to go back to what they did best: pretending that night in Mexico had never happened. As soon as he rounded the corner…she spun on her heel and headed for the elevator.

It was her turn to run away.