Caught Between an Oops and a Hard Body (Caught Between series Book 2) (20 page)

He bent his head to kiss her, and she cupped his cheeks with her small hands and deepened the kiss.

Is this how Roger felt about Liz? Kevin about Mariam? Barely able to breathe in their lover’s presence? Unable to tear his gaze away for fear she’d vanish in a heartbeat?

“Uh oh,” she said as she broke the kiss, and he cleared his thoughts and focused on what was coming out of her delectable mouth. “Stone Kincaid, if you change your mind, I am so never doing you again.”

He laughed and tugged her against him, burying his face into the sweet curve of her neck. “I promise, I’m not about to change my mind. Ever.”

Against his chest, he felt the thunder of her heart. It pulsed through his own body, wakening him to the realization that he needed her. He couldn’t walk away without a backward glance.

Where Stephanie was concerned, he’d discovered he was never disinterested.

And then all he could think about was the utter softness of her in his arms.

He raised his gaze.

In the sunlight streaming through the window, she stared at him, wide eyed, her solemn gaze on his face.

The old fear of commitment raised up inside of him, until he breathed deep and inhaled the scent of her, which banished the fear riding his shoulders, quieted the unexpected thought of losing her.

As her fingers tangled in his hair, wandered across his shoulders and back, and pulled him closer, he knew in that moment that she meant something more to him than just a quick romp in the sack.

But instead of running like he’d once thought of doing, he slid one hand down her belly where their child rested, and set his forehead against hers. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.”

And as she welcomed him home, the words popped out again before he could stop them. “Marry me, Steph. Let me take care of you and our baby.”

This time the proposal felt right, like he actually meant it. Maybe he did.

Clasping him around the back, holding him tighter, she gave him the answer he expected. “No.”

As he made sweet love to her, he prayed she couldn’t hear the sound of his heart shattering in his chest.

Afterwards, with her eyelids getting heavier by the second, he curled around her and they spooned, and soon she was fast asleep.

He knew it because the lady snored.

For the first time in his life, he realized that he felt more for this woman than lust.

He was in love.

The prenup agreement had been a stupid idea. Asking her to marry him while in the throes of passion hadn’t been one of his most brilliant ideas either. All he knew was that he better figure out a way to convince her to marry him before she disappeared from his life again.

Because they were good together—both in bed and out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Stephanie woke from her nap, feeling well loved and well rested. She stretched, but when she opened her eyes, she yelped.

Liz sat on the chair beside the bed, her gaze fixed on her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you.”

With a furtive glance toward the other side of the bed, which was thankfully empty, she grabbed the sheets to her chest and pushed to a sitting position. Scraping her hair back from her face, she leaned against the headboard.

Liz broke the silence. “I’m sorry I missed the dress fitting.”

Stephanie followed the other woman’s glance toward the other side of the room. Liz’s gown was spread neatly over a chair and it was obvious Stone had gone back for her own clothes, because there they were on top of the gown. “I—that’s okay. The seamstress used me for a pincushion.”

“Sorry.” Liz shifted her gaze and stared at Stephanie intently. “Why are you naked in my brother’s bed?”

In an attempt to distract the younger woman from the obvious, she asked, “Why weren’t you at the fitting?”

“I was shopping.” Liz glanced down at her blouse and trousers. “What do you think? I’m going for a new look.”

“You look…normal.” At Liz’s wry grimace, Stephanie hurried to explain. “I mean, you look really great. This outfit really fits your journalist persona far better than the other look. What does Roger think?”

Liz slumped on the chair and chewed a thumbnail. “I haven’t shown him yet.”

“Why not?”

With a shrug, the younger woman glanced at the bed. “So why are you naked in Stone's bed?”

Stephanie gave a tug on the sheet and inched it higher. “How do you know I’m naked under here?”

Liz gave her a rueful glance, but didn’t say a word.

“I’m—uh—having a nap?” Which was the truth, something she might have to get used to, considering she was pregnant and all.

Liz leaned forward. “It looked like you just finished making love.”

Oh boy, the younger woman wasn’t going to give this topic up until she was satisfied she’d gotten the truth. Stephanie gritted her teeth. “It was just sex, okay? I know it’s your brother. I know it’s unprofessional of me. But it just happened and I promise, it won’t happen again.” Maybe. He could be awfully persuasive and she seemed to have a weakness for his persuasiveness. “Please don’t tell your mother.”

“I thought there was something going on between the two of you.” Liz tilted her head. “I’ve never seen my brother look at anyone like he looks at you. Like he’s gone all caveman.” But then pity crossed the younger woman’s face, ruining Stephanie’s utopia. “My brother doesn’t do long term. Once he gets tired of you, or if you get too clingy, he’ll be gone with barely a word goodbye.”

“I know.” Stephanie sighed and clasped her hands together. “We were supposed to be a one night stand. No attachments. No calling one another to say
I miss you, I need to see you
.”

“And then you ran into each other here.” At Stephanie’s nod, Liz’s pity morphed into compassion. “Whatever you do, don’t fall for him. Protect your heart. It’s the only way to survive a romantic encounter with my brother.”

Liz refocused on the wedding gown.

As the silence in the room grew, Stephanie eyed her clothes. “If you wouldn’t mind turning your back, I’d like to get dressed.”

But either Liz didn’t hear her or she was ignoring her.

Dragging the sheet with her, conscious of her swollen breasts and the barely discernible baby bump, she swung her legs out of bed and headed for the bathroom. After using the facilities, washing her face, combing her hair, and brushing her teeth, she went back into the bedroom, hopeful that Liz was gone along with her questions.

She wasn’t. Instead, she stared into space, a pensive expression on her face.

“What’s wrong, Liz?”

“I was just thinking about that first flush of desire and what a heady feeling it is.” The younger woman sighed. “What happens when it’s gone?”

Stephanie couldn’t ever imagine losing her desire for Stone. Maybe it would one day turn into comfort, but the desire would always be there. “What do you mean?”

“Roger and me.” She met Stephanie’s gaze. “At the beginning, it was really hot. You know? We couldn’t be in the same room without tearing each other’s clothes off. But now…the heat is gone. We’re like an ancient couple, too tired to get out of our rocking chairs for a little nookie.”

Stephanie gentled her annoyance with the woman. “It’s the pressure of the wedding preparations. Every couple goes through it.”

“Do they?” She pushed to her feet and smoothed the wrinkles out of her new trousers. When she spoke again, her voice was barely audible. “I think I’m in love with someone else.”

Stephanie swallowed back a groan. Almost every couple she encountered reached this point. Sometimes she felt like a love jinx. “Liz, don’t.”

The younger woman’s voice softened to a near whisper. “What if Stone is right? What if I don’t love Roger? What if I’m too young to love someone forever?”

Next time she saw Stone, Stephanie was going to kill him. “Your brother knows nothing about love or marriage. Remember that he’s a destroyer of relationships. A marriage terminator.”

Liz frowned. “Wow, considering you don’t seem to like him very much, the sex must be really hot.”

That silenced Stephanie completely as she acknowledged the sex was really hot. But she wouldn’t be with him if she didn’t like him at some level. Well, maybe that first time, but now?

She sat down on the bed, and took Liz’s hand and gave a gentle squeeze. “Oh honey, it’s just pre-wedding jitters. Stay strong. Two more days and then you’ll be Mrs. Roger Gordon. All you have to do is get through the engagement party and the wedding ceremony, and then all of the tension and doubt you’re experiencing will disappear.”

There was a world of hurt in the younger woman’s eyes. In a whisper, she asked, “What if it doesn’t?”

“It will, I promise you. All brides experience this feeling of panic.”

Liz tugged her hand free, placed her hands on her knees and pushed to her feet. She looked old, ancient, like a ninety-five year old. “I’ll catch up with you later. I’m going for a walk. I have some thinking to do.”

“No.” Stephanie jumped to her feet and stood in Liz’s way. “No thinking. It’s too late to think. Thinking at this point will only get you into trouble and cause you to have regrets.”

“Whatever.”

And then Liz was gone.

Stephanie followed her out of the cabin and watched as the younger woman raced along the path and disappeared into the trees. And she couldn’t help but wonder if she should say something to Stone about his sister or if that would just make things worse.

Making her decision, knowing he only wanted his sister to be happy, she grabbed her cell, found Stone's number, and hit call.

He picked up on the first ring. “Hi babe. Did you have a good sleep?”

“Yeah, yeah, fine,” she said impatiently. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

“I’m putting you in charge of Liz.”

He gave a gruff laugh. “That boat sailed a long time ago.”

“You don’t understand. She’s having second thoughts.”

The silence on the phone stretched out, until Stephanie thought for sure he was going to tell her
I told you so
.

And yet he surprised her once again. “I like Roger. He’ll be good for Liz.”

“You really think so?”

“I do.” There was a moment of silence, during which time she realized that she trusted him and his judgement. And then his low voice broke through her thoughts. “How are you feeling?”

“Great. The nap was wonderful. Now I’m going to go for a walk, then get busy finalizing some of the plans.”

“Do you want my help?”

She felt a smile break across her face, and everything in her lightened. “I would love it. Meet you back at my cabin in thirty minutes?”

“I’ll be there.”

After she hung up, she left her sandals in the cottage and went for a stroll along the beach. The white sand squished between her toes and she walked along the edge of the water, mindful not to wander in too deep for fear of the undertow dragging her out.

She truly did believe that Liz was experiencing pre-wedding jitters. But the tiny bit of her that wondered if the pre-wedding jitters were an indication of bigger problems kept poking and prodding at her until it wouldn’t let her alone.

She pulled out her cell and dialed her dad’s cell number. He answered on the first ring.

“Hello, kiddo. Are you taking good care of my sweater?”

“Yes, Dad, I am.” Stephanie plunked down on a boulder to enjoy the heat of the mid-afternoon sun. “Please, don’t make me keep Mom.”

His warm familiar chuckle came through the phone. “Don’t worry. I miss her and I’ll eventually want her back. Do you know this is the first time we’ve been apart since we got married?”

“Really?” Relief swept through her. Her dad wasn’t mad and furious like she thought he’d be. “So what was with the argument in town?”

“Want to know the truth?”

“Of course I do.”

“It’s much easier to plan your mom’s birthday party without her interference and input.”

She laughed. “So you sent her to torture me so you could have an easy time?”

“Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

“Dad, I didn’t know you had it in you.” She hesitated, then plunged ahead. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Sure, let me put this on speakerphone. I have a cake to pull out of the oven.” A moment later, he said, “Can you still hear me?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “Dad, were either you or Mom nervous on your wedding day before you said your final
I do’s
?”

His voice came from a long distance away. In the background, she could hear the stove timer buzz. “I don’t know about your mom, but that morning, I woke up with an overwhelming urge to join the navy.”

“Seriously?” Well, that shot her theory all to heck. She slid down the rock and plopped down on the warm sand.

“Why do you ask, kiddo?”

“I’ve always thought that when two people were perfect for each other, there would be no hesitation or fear.”

Her dad picked up the phone and the speakerphone turned off. “Before every great stride in our growth, we have to battle that which we fear. Committing yourself to one person for the rest of your life is a huge step.”

“No kidding.” She sighed. “Mom hates Stone and it’s all my fault.”

“What did you do?” There was a moment of silence. “You didn’t tell your mom he was a divorce lawyer, did you?”

She groaned and covered her face with her hands. “Yes. I’m an idiot.”

“I still don’t like him, but now I feel sorry for him.” Tom cleared his throat. “Is he nice to you? Does he treat you with respect?”

Stephanie thought of all the occasions when he’d put her needs first. “Yes on both accounts.”

“Doesn’t change my opinion, but then no man will ever be good enough for my baby girls.”

She blinked away tears. “Thanks for the talk, Dad. I love you.”

“I love you too, kiddo. Talk to you later.”

The connection went dead, and Stephanie sat there, the warmth of the sun on the top of her head, the crash of the waves against the shoreline soothing.

As she mulled over her dad’s words, a man jogged past, his bare back tanned and smooth, the sand offering no resistance to his movements.

Then Liz ran onto the beach and skidded to a stop in front of him. “Kevin, I need to talk to you.”