Looking for Love (Boxed set) (33 page)

His fingers trembled as he tried to place the ring back in the velvety case. Might as well; he could take all three of them back later.

He nodded again, but his hand was shaking so badly the ring slipped, bounced off the counter with a clink, then rolled toward the heat vent on the floor. Austin dove for it and rescued it just before it slipped through the metal grates.

* * *

Kimberly twisted her hands in anticipation as the McDane women examined the French knot in her hair. Loose curly tendrils floated around her face, giving her the romantic look, the hairdresser had said, the perfect hairstyle to complement Mrs. McDane's antique dress.

The women gushed and oohed and aahed when they saw her. "You look sensational," they all agreed.

"Come on, let's go get lunch." Becca guided her out of the salon and across the walkway to a small French cafe.

"Your nails look fantastic," April said as they took their seats.

"I do like the French manicure." In fact, she'd never been so pampered in her life.

She settled herself in one of the rattan chairs, admiring the artwork on the whitewashed walls.

"I've never seen my brother so taken with anyone before," April commented once their wine arrived.

"When he sees you tonight, he's not going to be able to stand it," Becca exclaimed.

Kimberly's throat felt thick. If only that were true.

"Dear, you are going to be the most beautiful bride in the world," Mrs. McDane said.

"Yeah, if Austin hadn't already proposed, I bet he'd take one look at you and drop to his knees," Suzanne said with a giggle.

The waiter interrupted to take their orders, quickly returning with salads and seafood croissants for everyone.

"We've been so excited, Kimberly, we haven't even asked you about your own family. Have you called them about the wedding?"

Kimberly swallowed a sip of wine, almost choking. She quickly dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "Actually, I tried to reach them," she hedged. "But my mom's out of town."

"How about your father?" Becca asked.

"He's... I'm afraid he's not around anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did he pass on?" Mrs. McDane said sympathetically.

Yes, to another woman about twenty years ago.
"No," Kimberly said, trying to remember what she'd already told Austin’s mother. "He and my mom were divorced when I was young."

The table grew silent, and Kimberly hated that she'd made the women feel uncomfortable. After growing up in a single family home and working in the children's center, divorce had been a natural part of her life.

"Do you still see him?" April asked, her expression concerned.

"No," Kimberly said, unaccustomed to having people actually worried about her. "He sends a card every now and then." What was one more lie to the mountain they’d already made?

"I know we've all gotten carried away. Do you think your mother will be hurt that you and Austin went ahead with the wedding without her?" Mrs. McDane asked, looking troubled.

Kimberly shook her head. Her mother was one of the least sentimental people she'd ever known. But she didn't want to upset Austin's mother, so she said, "I don't think so. Mom's kind of spontaneous herself."

Like Marci.

A seed of worry nagged at her when she remembered that she still hadn't been able to reach her sister. What if Marci hadn't canceled her Monday appointments? And what if Marci got the message, showed up to take her place for the day, and botched things big time the way she had the last time she'd covered for her?

"Maybe you could have a big party back in Atlanta to celebrate like Austin mentioned," Becca suggested.

"You could renew your vows there, too," April added.

Kimberly nodded and sipped her wine, guilt eating at her. Maybe she should just admit the truth. If she explained here with only the women around, she could surely make them understand.

She opened her mouth to speak, but clamped it shut when the waiter approached with a bouquet of balloons that said
CONGRATULATIONS.

Each of the McDane women clapped and cheered, pulling gifts from their shopping bags and placing them in front of her.

"What's... this?" Kimberly asked, her mouth dry.

"We didn't have time to organize a big shower," Mrs. McDane said apologetically.

"But we had to get you something special for your wedding night."

Kimberly opened the first gift, her neck growing hot with embarrassment. It was a silky white teddy, completely see-through.

Would Austin like it?

* * *

Austin popped two more aspirins. The tense day with Josh had triggered another headache and now the countdown had begun.

Only two more hours until nuptial time.

He strode through the house and up the stairs, anxious to find Kimberly and see what had happened in his absence. The last thing he'd heard April say before he'd left with Josh was that they had a surprise planned for Kimberly.

God help him, he hoped she hadn't slipped up and given away anything.

But if she had, he could tell the truth and call off the wedding.

For some reason, the thought bothered him more than he expected, but he wasn't sure if it was because he didn't want to upset his family, his friends, or because the idea of marrying Kimberly was actually appealing to him.

He hadn't remembered hangovers causing temporary insanity, but maybe he'd drunk more than he'd thought and he was having latent side effects.

When he finally reached his old bedroom, he tilted his head to the door and listened. Soft jazz music drifted from the radio, and he knocked gently.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Kimberly," he said in a gruff voice.

The door opened and he drew in a breath. Her beautiful red hair was swept up in some fancy style that reminded him of a French model, her lovely neck exposed and begging to be kissed. And she was wearing a dark green satin robe that clung to her curves and accentuated all the right features. "Wow."

A slow smile curved her mouth. "You like it?"

She actually sounded tentative. His gaze swept her body and he swore her nipples beaded beneath the thin fabric. "Yeah, you look beautiful." He paused, wetting his dry lips with his tongue as he inhaled her sultry fragrance. God, she was killing him. "You’re really sexy."

Her cheeks flushed. "Thanks."

"What's up?" he asked.
Other than my testosterone level
.

She sighed and gestured over her shoulder. "Your family gave me a few wedding presents."

His eyes widened at the assortment of lacy, sexy lingerie spread on her bed. His old bed.

Red crotchless panties. A black thong teddy. A silver garter set with sheer black stockings. His body hardened, arousal pumping though his veins like hot fire when he imagined Kimberly actually wearing the erotic apparel.

He might be dreading the wedding. But excitement filled him at the thought of the private party he and Kimberly might have afterwards.

Chapter 8

Kim shifted, her body tingling at the undisguised raw desire in Austin's eyes as he spied the assortment of sexy lingerie displayed on her bed. Why hadn't she hidden them?

His gaze swung to her face, his dark eyes resting hungrily on her features, and heat sizzled between them, evoking memories of the delicious kiss they'd shared earlier. Her mouth was suddenly dry and she licked her lips, a tingle rippling through her when he followed the movement. Then a low sound erupted from the bottom of his throat and she almost reached out and dragged him inside.

"My family gave you those, huh?" he finally asked, his voice husky.

Kimberly nodded, her fingers tightening around the doorframe.

He ran a hand through his hair, a drop of perspiration trickling down the side of his cheek. "For tonight?"

She nodded again, unable to speak for fear she'd reveal her own desire for him. The truth was, she
knew
why she hadn't hidden the lingerie. She'd been admiring it and imagining wearing it for Austin.

And judging from the way he was standing there tongue-tied, he was obviously affected, too.

Except he still thought she was Marci.

"So, things went okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah. Your family treated me to a full make-over at a salon. Then they took me to lunch and surprised me with a bouquet of balloons and all these, um, presents."

His eyebrows climbed upward when he saw the balloons waving in the background.

"They even apologized for not being able to give us a real wedding shower right now." Kimberly's guilt returned. "I feel so bad about deceiving them, Austin. I hope you can find some way to make it up to them later."

His jaw tightened. "I will."

Maybe by really getting married one day, Kimberly thought, her heart aching.

"Goodness gracious alive, what are you doing here?" Austin's mother chirped.

Kimberly and Austin both pivoted toward her as if they'd been caught making out.

"You shouldn't see the bride before the wedding," his mother said, shooing him away. "Don't you know it's bad luck?"

Austin grinned good-naturedly at his mom, and Kimberly simply shrugged as Mrs. McDane commanded him away.

"If you need any help getting dressed, just call me, dear," Mrs. McDane yelled.

"No, darlin', call
me,"
Austin added in a teasing voice.

A warm feeling cascaded through Kimberly as she closed the door. She stared first at the wedding gown, then at the lingerie, and a plan began taking shape in her mind. Her mind reeled with wicked, naughty thoughts. Marci's advice on how to catch a man echoed in her head: dress sexy, act sexy, think sexy...

She picked up the soft white teddy and rubbed the sheer lace across her cheek.
Maybe I'll take you up on that offer, Austin. Or maybe I'll let you help me get undressed.

After all, tonight is our honeymoon night. And I will be your wife... even if it is only temporary.

* * *

Two hours later, Austin paced the length of the church dressing room where his father and brothers had ordered him to stay while they searched for his boutonniere. Josh had popped in, rushed into his tux and had now trotted to the bathroom for the thirteenth time. If he wasn't so damned nervous himself, he would almost feel sorry for Josh. But at least Josh was really getting married.

Not that he wasn't, because his father had assured him the license he'd gotten was valid in the state of Virginia. All he had to do was say "I do" at the appropriate time and he would become Kimberly's husband.

Could he possibly tie himself down, even temporarily, to a woman who wore halter tops and spandex and worked in a bar? Even if she was the sexiest woman in the entire South?

And what if she didn't show up? What if she decided he was a lunatic to suggest they go through with this wedding and hopped a cab out of town?

A vision of her wearing that skimpy little white nothing of a teddy floated into his mind and he swallowed, tension in his body.

Heat spiraled through him and he dragged in a calming breath, willing his erotic fantasies to dissipate. But every time he thought of Kimberly, his heartbeat sped up and his arousal swelled. And ridiculous as it seemed, he prayed she wouldn’t leave him at the altar.

Because all he could think about was that tonight was his honeymoon night, and he wanted to spend it alone with Kimberly, doing erotic, naughty things with her long into the night.

* * *

Kimberly stared at the image of herself in the full-length mirror of the bride's room, stunned by how well Mrs. McDane's wedding dress fit her curves, and amazed at how beautiful she felt. The ivory fabric molded to her hips, the V-neck dipped enticingly low to accentuate her cleavage, and the sheer lacy sleeves added a touch of grace that reminded her of lace doilies and old-fashioned weddings. She twirled around in front of the mirror, watching the full, long skirt swirl around her ankles, just as she and Marci had done when they were small.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall... who's the sexiest bride of all?

"Kimberly," she whispered, with a determined grin. Not Marci.

Tears stung her eyes as she traced her fingers over the beaded lace. She wished this was her real wedding, and that she was marrying into Austin's family. Growing up with her flaky mom had been an experience in fast food and unpredictability. But Austin's family was warm and loving and she could easily imagine homey holidays with them in their big, rambling farmhouse. Turkey dinners on Thanksgiving, an Easter egg hunt for all the kids out in the field by the pond, backyard barbecues on the Fourth of July.

But her attraction to Austin wasn't simply because of his family. Austin was intelligent, kind, and successful. Even if he was temporarily deceiving his parents, he truly didn't want to hurt them. And although he was too busy for a family right now, someday he would make a wonderful husband and father.

Marilyn suddenly popped in the room. "Hi, Kimberly, I wanted to see you a minute before the ceremony."

"Sure," Kimberly said, her stomach knotting.