Looking for Love (Boxed set) (34 page)

"You look absolutely beautiful," Marilyn said.

"So do you." Kimberly admired Marilyn's dress. It was much more contemporary than her gown. The ankle-length satin dress tapered down the sides with a split up the back. Marilyn wore a summer hat with flowers wedged in the brim instead of a long veil like Kimberly's.

Still, Kimberly preferred the tradition and timelessness of the gown Mrs. McDane had loaned her.

"Kimberly, I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that Austin found you," Marilyn said. "He's lucky."

"Thanks," Kimberly whispered, flustered. "But I'm the lucky one."

Mrs. McDane poked her head in the room and Kimberly waved her in, then accepted a bouquet of yellow roses from her. "You all have been so wonderful to me," Kimberly said in a thick voice. "I want you to know how much your... kindness means."

Mrs. McDane looked puzzled for a minute. "Don't be silly, dear. Austin loves you and that means you're one of the family now."

Kimberly had to choke back the tears.

But Austin didn't love her.

And she only had one more night to be with him, to make him fall for her, or she would probably lose him forever.

* * *

"Well, bud, this is it," Josh said as he and Austin took their places in the front of the church.

Austin nodded, his vocal cords constricting. He stared at the candles flickering in the chapel, the bouquet of fresh flowers on the altar and the white ribbons draped from pew to pew, debating whether or not he could go through with the ceremony.

Romantic piano music played in the background and the sound of hushed, excited voices filled the church. His brothers and the other ushers had already seated most of the guests and he realized with a pang that almost everyone in Sugarloaf, Virginia, had shown up to see him and Josh take their brides.

Rob escorted Marilyn's parents down the aisle. Dave, one of Josh's buddies and another usher, seated Josh's folks; then he saw his mother take Philip's arm. She was sniffling and already dabbing at her eyes.

Philip winked, his devil-may-care smile lighting his youthful face. His sisters waved from the front row, their children dressed in their Sunday finest. April had the baby wrapped in a blanket, rocking her gently back and forth. His grandmother waved a lace handkerchief at him. The event was so utterly
family
he knew he had to go through with it.

Imagine the scene it would cause if he backed out now.

A small part of him admitted how much he had missed being with his family, and a shiver of excitement raced through him at the idea of having his own wife and... children?

His pulse clamored. Was he seriously considering a real marriage?

The lights suddenly dimmed and the parade of bridesmaids began their trek down the aisle. Marilyn's little cousin Timmy and Josh’s nephew Rudy carried pillows with the rings on top, then Marilyn's sister, Regina, and Josh’s niece, Amy, followed, both dropping white rose petals as they strolled toward him. Then the music shifted dramatically and the wedding march echoed through the chapel. He fidgeted with his jacket sleeves and wished he wasn't sweating.

Josh drew a sharp breath when Marilyn paused at the entrance to the church.

"I can't believe this is happening," Josh whispered as Marilyn walked down the aisle.

"You two are going to have a fantastic life together," Austin said in a low voice.

Josh nodded, and took Marilyn's hand, accepting it from her father when she reached the threshold.

All eyes turned backward again, and Austin swallowed, his breath locking in his chest when he spotted Kimberly. His knees felt weak, and he sucked in air, trying to steady himself.

She looked divine in his mother's wedding gown. The lacy veil shaded her eyes and face, giving him a tantalizing glimpse of her delicate features as she walked toward him.

A slight hesitation darkened her eyes. Guilt. She really was sensitive to his family’s feelings.

Which made him admire her even more.

Overpowered by her beauty and awestruck by the desire flooding him, his pulse accelerated, and his earlier doubts faded. He wanted to comfort her, so his lips curved into what he hoped was an encouraging smile. Then she placed her hand in the crook of his father's arm and his heart pounded as he realized that in just a few minutes Kimberly would become his wife.

Waitress or not, he was falling in love with her.

Maybe that was what love was all about, not some pre-set expectations, but loving someone just the way they were.

He straightened his shoulders, silently urging her forward, heat blazing through his body at the sexy way her curves filled out the dress. She was provocative without even trying.

And the fact that she was wrapped in a floor-length lacy wedding dress only made him want to peel it off and discover the hidden secrets beneath all that lace.

She must have noticed his smile because her lips curved upward, the antique dress floating around her in a halo of white. She walked with his father in perfect step to the "Wedding March," his father's proud look making Austin's chest squeeze with emotions.

When they finally reached the front, and he took Kimberly's hand in his, he pressed her trembling fingers between his own, savoring the soft, warm feel of her skin. Her hand felt small and vulnerable, and the need to reassure her was so strong he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them, one by one, ever so gently.

Candlelight flickered off her gorgeous face, making her look like an angel, and he curved his hand around her back, slowly guiding her toward him. Then because he was getting married and she'd agreed to be his bride, he felt the need to be romantic and honest with her just one time.

So he leaned over and brushed his lips against the thin veil and whispered, "I love you, Kimberly."

* * *

Kimberly's heart danced, then stopped beating when Austin's whispered words broke into the dreamy haze around her. Had she understood him correctly? Had he said he loved her?

Her gaze swung upward and his dimple blossomed into a full-blown sexy smile. Then his dark eyes turned smoky, and the heat radiating from his look melted her hesitation until hope soared into her troubled heart.

Austin's father gestured his approval, and Kimberly momentarily wondered if Austin had whispered the words for his family's benefit.

But he'd said them so softly... had anyone else really heard?

"We are gathered here today in the presence of God and amongst family and friends..." The pastor began the ceremony and Kimberly leaned slightly into Austin, warmth radiating through her at the gentle touch of his fingers on her back. His other hand held hers, his palm swallowing her trembling fingers, his thumb absentmindedly stroking the top of her hand until her nervousness dissipated and joy surged through her.

This was her wedding day and she was marrying the most handsome man she'd ever known... even if it was only for a day.

Josh and Marilyn said their vows and Kimberly was touched by the expression of love in the poems they had written themselves. Marilyn and Josh exchanged rings and she froze, suddenly realizing that she hadn't even thought of rings.

Swallowing disappointment, she forced her gaze ahead as Marilyn and Josh stepped aside and the reverend turned to her and Austin.

"And now, for our second ceremony," the preacher said, drawing a light chuckle from the crowd.

A shudder rippled through her, but Austin stroked the curve of her back again, gently easing her around to face him. Tenderness sparkled in his eyes, and a myriad of other emotions she was too afraid to label. Desire, lust, passion... love?

The minister gestured to Austin. "Do you, Austin McDane, take this woman, Kimberly Turner, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold..."

The candlelight danced across his handsome features, and Kimberly was mesmerized by the low, husky resonance of Austin's voice as he recited the vows. His heated gaze never wavered as he promised to love, honor and cherish her. Swept up by the fragrance of flowers and the romantic atmosphere, she could almost believe he really did love her, that he was actually promising himself to her forever as man and wife.

The preacher turned to her, and her hands trembled, but she managed to repeat the vows, her voice barely above a whisper as the promises they'd shared filled her soul.

The pastor asked for rings and she was stunned when Austin nodded. Capturing her awestruck gaze with his own blazing one, Austin gently held her hand and slipped a glittering white gold band adorned with small diamonds on her finger above her teardrop diamond engagement ring. "We're only going to do this once so I want to get it right," he whispered with a lopsided smile.

A hum of approval and laughter rippled through the room, and tears filled Kimberly's eyes.

"It's beautiful," she said, desperately wanting to say more, to ask him if it was possible that he really loved her.

But her voice became lost in her throat when the ring bearer nudged her with the small lace pillow and she saw a matching man's ring lying in the center.

Her hands shook as she took it and placed it on his finger, her smile widening when he lifted his hand and drew back the veil covering her face.

Then, before the preacher even gave them permission to kiss, he framed her face with his hands, gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, and captured her mouth with his lips, angling his head and kissing the breath out of her.

* * *

Applause and laughter erupted, breaking into the hazy surreal state Austin had fallen into when Kimberly had walked down the aisle and become his bride. He finally pulled back, hunger spiking his blood at the heady look of desire in her deep blue eyes.

She was his—his wife—and tonight they would be together, alone. He nearly yelped with excitement as he envisioned her sweet surrender to his lovemaking.

He was swept into the fantasy again, picturing her naked and writhing beneath him when Josh suddenly nudged him, destroying the moment. "Think that song's our cue to skate out of here," he said with a laugh.

Austin suddenly recognized the piano music chiming their exit and slid his arm around Kimberly's back. "Let's go, Mrs. McDane."

Her lips curved into a heart-stopping smile, and the two of them practically danced down the aisle. The next few minutes they were bombarded by hugs and congratulations and photographs, and Austin had to grit his teeth against grabbing Kimberly and escaping to someplace private.

"Are you sure you don't mind us horning in on your reception?" he asked Josh as they entered the clubhouse Josh and Marilyn had booked for the wedding party.

"Are you kidding?" Josh hugged Marilyn to his side, giving Kimberly and him a grin. "I told you your wedding was the best wedding present you could give me. The more, the merrier."

Kimberly stiffened by his side, but he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck until he felt her curl into him.

"Your mother ordered an extra cake." Kimberly gestured toward the three-tiered wedding cake.

A table holding champagne glasses had been set up for them. "Yeah, it looks like Mom did a lot of last minute preparations."

"I can't believe you did it!" Philip slapped him on the back. "Now I get to kiss your bride." Philip elbowed him, then swooped Kimberly into his arms and kissed her fervently. A sliver of jealousy worked itself into Austin, and he quickly yanked on his brother's arm until he released her.

"Don't forget, bro, she's
my
wife now."

Kimberly's cheeks tinged with pink and he wondered if she'd heard the undeniable edge of possessiveness to his voice, an edge he didn't even try to hide.

His grandmother pulled Kimberly into an embrace. "You're beautiful, dear. Welcome to the family."

"I'm so proud to be your mother-in-law, Kimberly," his mom said in a tearful voice.

"Mom, don't cry," he said, hugging her.

"I can't help it. I just know the two of you will live a long and happy life together."

His throat closed and his gaze met Kimberly's, her eyes sparkling with more unshed tears. He'd never suspected Kimberly would be so sentimental, but his mother had obviously touched her, and the realization that she fit with his family only confirmed the growing feeling that she belonged to him. With him.

Forever.

He threaded his fingers through hers. "You're right, Mom. We belong together. I just don't know why it took me so long to see it." Then he angled his head and kissed Kimberly again, this time tenderly and gently and full of all the feelings he had inside. He felt her hands cup his face, stroking his jaw, and her tongue slid out tentatively to meet his.

He forgot his family and a room full of guests were watching as he got lost in the kiss.

"Bro, you've got all night for that." His brother Rob chuckled in his ear.

Austin pulled away, keeping Kimberly tucked in the crook of his arm as he allowed his mother to guide them to the table to cut the cake. First Marilyn and Josh fed each other the traditional first slice, laughing and kissing.

Then he and Kimberly took their turn. Her devilish look sent a spark of playfulness through him. She smeared icing on his mouth, and he licked it off, then sucked the confection from her fingertip. The guests laughed and clapped, then he sliced a small piece, wiggled his eyebrows, and smeared it on the edge of her mouth. The crowd erupted into a cheer.

Playing into the mood, he took his time, teasing and nibbling the sweet icing from her lips. When he was finished, he wasn't sure who was more flushed or aroused, him or Kimberly.

She definitely had a fire in her eyes that he'd never seen before, and his body ached with an intensity that he knew Kimberly could only sate.

How long did they have to stay at this reception anyway?

Then again, he hadn't planned a real honeymoon—would they go back to his parents' house? Damn, he should have at least reserved a hotel suite for the night.

A drum roll exploded and Josh's father announced the entertainment. They had hired a band and a slow, romantic love song drifted through the speakers. "Time for the bride and groom to dance," Marilyn's mom announced. "I mean, the brides and grooms."