Julianna Morris - Just Between Friends

Did Kane know that Dylan wasn’t in love with her? Maybe he thought Dylan really was in love, but hadn’t realized it yet. Or Kane might be deluding himself, just wanting to believe his brother had fallen in love.

Maybe…she dragged her racing thoughts under control. Maybe it didn’t mean anything.

It was a lovely day, unusually warm for May in the Seattle area, and the yard was filled with flowers, both growing and arranged in baskets set in every available space. Kate might have wanted a romantic wedding, but she’d tried to support Dylan’s plans for a courthouse ceremony. As a result his mother and the rest of the family had taken over. The place was beautiful. The photographer Pegeen had hired would be pleased.

Dylan waited for her in front of a rose-covered arbor, banked in ferns. His face was impassive, almost cold, and she shivered. The idea that she might be making a huge mistake was foremost in her mind. But Dylan wasn’t cold like her father, he was a decent, wonderful man, even if he did look as remote as an Alaskan glacier at the moment.

Just then he smiled and her heart melted. For once in her life she was going to take the risk of getting what she really wanted, and she’d deal with the doubts later.

“Hey, there, Katydid,” he murmured, holding out his hand.

She wasn’t wearing gloves and the hard calluses on Dylan’s fingers against her softer skin sent sensual images through her mind. What would it be like to have those same calloused fingers caressing her body? Would she ever find out?

Warmth crept up Kate’s face, and she hastily focused her attention on the judge’s face. One thing Dylan had succeeded on having was a civil, rather than religious, ceremony. She’d tried not to let it hurt, knowing Dylan saw the whole thing as just a favor to her, but she would have liked having Pegeen’s pastor do the wedding.

The judge said a few words about the sanctity of marriage and Dylan stiffened. Her tummy, already swooping with nerves, took a plunge that rivaled the highest roller coaster drop in the world. How would she get him to look at her in a whole new way if he was so against it in the first place? It wasn’t a new thought, it just seemed more of a problem now that they were actually getting married.

“Do you, Dylan James O’Rourke, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” asked the judge.

“I do,” he replied.

“Do you, Katrina Cecelia Douglas, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” asked the judge.

“I…do.”

Her slight hesitation earned a quick glance from Dylan, who had been staring at the hedge. One of his eyebrows lifted. He wouldn’t back down now, not having promised to help her, but he undoubtedly hoped that she’d decided she couldn’t go through with it. The judge, a friend of the O’Rourkes, continued smoothly, seeming unaware of the undercurrents between bride and groom.

Dylan looked positively fierce when he had to repeat the vow to “love, honor and cherish.” Luckily the moment passed before anyone noticed, and she was making the same promise.

The wedding band slid over Kate’s third finger, sending another pang of regret through her. Dylan wouldn’t be wearing a ring himself, he’d told the family it wouldn’t be safe with him working with construction equipment. She was the only one who knew it was just an excuse, one more reminder of their temporary arrangement.

When the judge said it was time for them to kiss, Kate’s lungs refused to function. How often had she dreamed of kissing Dylan, only to wake up and find it wasn’t real? Friendly hugs and busses on the cheek weren’t the same as the way a man embraces a woman.

Dylan put his hands on her shoulders and drew her close. Their gazes locked, then he looked down and focused on her mouth. Could he see the pulse jumping in her throat, the heat blooming across her skin, just because he was close?

Dylan, Kate cried silently. She’d give him anything he wanted, if she just knew what it was.

Very gently, he pressed a polite kiss to her mouth and ice condensed around her stomach. She couldn’t bear the thought of him drawing back, still so cool and remote, and she opened her mouth to protest.

This is our wedding, please…

Dylan felt Kate’s rush of breath and without conscious thought pulled her against him. She was clean and fresh, and he deepened the kiss, forgetting that she was the kid he’d always taken care of.

Sweet…she tasted so sweet.

He thrust his tongue between her teeth, trying to capture the elusive flavor, his senses infused with her fragrant warmth. He hadn’t held anything so soft in longer than he could remember, and his blood burned hot and heavy in his groin. She arched against him, her breasts seeming to plump into his chest. A ringing sound filled his ears.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.