The Best Bride (73 page)

He motioned to an unoccupied bench by a jogging trail. They left their bikes at the edge of the grass and strolled toward the bench.

“I grew up in a town like this,” he said. “It was a little north of Santa Barbara, close to the beach. Everybody knew everybody else, just like here.”

She settled next to him on the bench. He looped his arm around her shoulders. When she started to squirm away, he whispered, “It's just for show, sweet thing. Don't panic.”

It was as much a lie as his claim of an audience of children the previous night. Not exactly noble, but he was working against the clock. Besides, Hannah kissed pretty hot for someone who was not even supposed to like him.

“What was your family like when you were growing up?” she asked.

He played with a loose strand of her hair, drawing it back from her face and fingering the cool, silky curl, then tucking it behind her ear. “Small. My mom died when I was born and I didn't have any brothers or sisters.”

She exhaled and leaned against him. “My brothers said some ugly things about their father…my father, I guess. No
one has told him about me. They haven't come out and said it, but I get the impression they think he won't care about me.”

“Children, even when they've grown up, want their parents to be perfect. You have that mental image from all those years ago. You imagined a wonderful, loving family and it's difficult when reality doesn't match the dream.”

She nodded slowly. “Louise is great. Not at all the mother I'd pictured, but terrific all the same. I don't know what to do about getting in touch with Earl.”

“You don't have to make a decision today or even this week. You can think about it for a while, you know.”

“You're right. I suppose I'm feeling pressured to do it all now.” She looked up at him and smiled. “Thanks, Nick.”

For that moment, it was real. There wasn't any caution in her eyes, no hesitancy, no judgment. He told himself she leaned against him because she wanted to. Because he offered her comfort, and maybe because he turned her on.

His whole life was a fraud, yet he lived it as if it were real. Why not this situation with Hannah? Why should it be any different?

“What was your father like?” she asked.

He let his fingers trail down her cheek. She didn't protest or pull back. Maybe it was just part of the game, but right now he didn't give a damn.

“When he was sober, he was the best dad in town. We'd play ball, go fishing, build a fire and cook dinner down on the beach.” He smiled at the memories. “He was always there for me.”

If,
he reminded himself. His smile faded. If his father didn't start drinking. “When he was drunk, he was a mean son of a bitch who picked a fight with anyone.” Even a seven-year-old kid. He had the broken bones to prove it.

Hannah straightened. Her dark eyes widened. “He beat you.” It wasn't a question.

He shrugged. “Sometimes. He'd go on the wagon for a couple of months, then one day he'd reach for the bottle. I never knew when it was going to happen. Once, when I was ten, my dad came home really drunk. He staggered into the house. I got up to see if he was all right. I had a dog. Chester. A big ugly mutt. My dad tripped over Chester and got mad. So he tried to shoot him.”

Nick spoke the words calmly, but inside he could still hear the sound of the bullet being chambered. “I had to give him to a friend. Later my dad said Chester could come back, but I knew better. The next time my old man would probably pull the trigger.”

“No!” Hannah placed her hands on his chest. “That's so horrible. I'm sorry. Did you hate him after that?”

He couldn't look at her beautiful face and watch the compassion soften her features. Knowing she cared would be dangerous. He stared out at the green grass and trees. “I always understood it wasn't really his fault. Taking the first drink was, I guess, but what happened later—that wasn't my dad. He was sick. I guess I learned early not to trust anyone. After Chester, I avoided getting attached.”

“Is that why you operate outside the law?” He glanced at her sharply. She pulled back and covered her mouth. “I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking. I didn't mean to pry.”

He didn't know what to say without blowing his cover. Despite everything that had happened, he hadn't turned to a life of crime. The thought had never crossed his mind. His past was the reason he became a cop. To make it right. But he couldn't tell her that.

“I am sorry,” she said.

“No big deal. Ask whatever you like. After all, we're married and you've seen me naked.”

His statement got the expected results. She laughed and flushed slightly. The dark mood was broken.

“I believe I paid for that,” she said. “Five whole dollars.”

“I gave you a break because we're friends.”

She raised her eyebrows. “What would you charge a stranger?”

“That would depend on her intentions.”

“Somehow I think the worse her intentions, the less expensive the price.”

He turned his head and brushed his lips against hers. The desire was immediate, as was his reaction. He ignored the pressure in his groin and the need to pull her closer and make love to her. “Exactly.”

She laughed again and stared up at him. He read the invitation in her eyes. Did she know it was there and what she asked? He didn't think so.

“Hannah, you've got a real chance here,” he said. “Don't blow it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your family. They're willing to accept you with open arms. They don't want anything and they won't hurt you.”

She visibly withdrew, sliding back on the bench and putting distance between them. She folded her arms over her chest. “They offered me stock. Just like that. Apparently, Austin owns this successful company and they're all shareholders. They each signed over shares to me so I could have a part of it, too.”

“What's so odd about that?”

She looked at him as if he were as crazy as the rest of them. “They don't know the first thing about me.”

“Three of your brothers are cops. They're used to
assessing people fairly quickly. Besides, I'm sure it wasn't difficult in your case. You're just like them.”

“I am not. I'm different.” She turned her face away. “This family stuff is highly overrated.”

The words were a lie. He found the truth in her defensive posture. She desperately wanted to believe in her newfound family. She wanted to be a part of them, to belong. But she was afraid. Afraid that she didn't know how to start and maintain a connection. Afraid that if she cared about them, they would reject her, just like everyone else in her life had done.

He wanted to tell her it was going to be all right, but she wouldn't believe him. She needed him to show her the way. Then he smiled slightly as he imagined what she would say if she knew he felt she needed guidance from
him
of all people. She would verbally chop him up into little pieces and serve them for supper.

But she wasn't going to make it on her own. He would have to subtly set things right and there was only one way to do that.

Stay a while longer.

It wasn't a problem. He couldn't go back to Southport Beach until he'd heard the all-clear from Captain Rodriguez. Hannah might put up a fight, but he figured he could handle her. This was a short-term commitment and he did that well. It was the long-term emotional stuff that gave him trouble.

He and Hannah made a good team. She had the skills to fit in; she just didn't know how to use them. He had the skills and the knowledge, but he didn't bother. In a way, they were similar. They both avoided relationships. She was afraid to be rejected; he refused to ever be hurt that badly again. Neither was willing to trust.

Hell of a mess, he thought and rose to his feet. “I'll race you back,” he said. “Winner gets to see the loser naked.”

She jumped up and jogged toward her bike. “Give me a real incentive to win, Nick. Something I care about.”

He grinned. “Tough decision, huh? Do you go slow and flaunt yourself in front of me, or go fast and get to see me again?”

She didn't answer, but as she pedaled past, he caught a smile on her lips. His spirits lifted. Now that he didn't have to leave tonight, he could afford to take his time with Hannah and seduce her slowly, the way she deserved.

For starters, he was going to let her win this race.

* * *

Hannah glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the dining room. It was 8:36. Two minutes later than the last time she'd checked. Most of the dinner dishes had been cleared and the children excused from the table. Only the adults remained to linger over coffee.

Sandy leaned back in her chair and folded her napkin. “I have to thank you, Hannah. In the past couple of days, our family has spent more time together than we have in months. I've really enjoyed these large dinners and being with everyone. We tend to get busy with our own lives and forget how lucky we are to have all this.” She motioned to include everyone in her dining room, as well as the children playing upstairs.

“I agree.” Elizabeth smiled. “It's been a treat.”

Travis pushed his chair back. “Yeah, yeah, it's been great. But if you girls are going to get mushy, I think we men had better leave the room.”

“Not so fast.” Elizabeth grabbed his arm. “You
men
are in charge of cleaning up. Remember?”

“Anything for you, love.” He dropped a quick kiss on
her mouth, then picked up the rest of the plates. “Come on, men. Let's get to it.”

In the confusion of everyone standing up and either clearing the table or moving into the living room, Hannah took another peek at the clock, then moved toward Nick. “I have to talk to you,” she said quietly.

“I should help with the dishes.”

“Later. This is important.”

She moved down the hallway to Kyle's study. They were in his and Sandy's house, not far from the gatehouse where she and Nick were staying. It would be safer to have this conversation there, but Hannah didn't want to make anyone suspicious.

When he entered the room, she closed the door behind him and leaned against it. “Why haven't you received your phone call?” she asked.

He folded his arms over his chest and stared down at her. She really hated that he could do that. She was as tall as many men, taller than some. She was used to being their equal. In low heels, as she wore tonight, she often felt like an awkward Amazonian who'd wandered by accident into the real world. But around Nick, she felt normal, damn him. Feminine even. And those feelings made her uncomfortable.

“I'm not leaving.”

She was so intent on studying the perfect blue of his eyes and the shape of his tempting mouth that it took her a second to register his reply.

“You're what?” she shrieked, then consciously lowered her voice. “What do you mean you're not leaving?”

“Just what I said. There's not going to be a pretend phone call.”

“There sure as hell is,” she told him. “Even if I have to make it myself.”

He shrugged, apparently unconcerned by the threat. “Go ahead. I'll disappear for a few minutes, then come back and tell everyone I've taken care of it. They won't ask questions. Your family likes me, Hannah. They want me to stay.”

Unfortunately, he was telling the truth.

Now what? He had to go. He had to. She didn't think she could stand being around him for two whole weeks. Anything could happen. They could blow their cover. Or worse. The tingling she felt when he was around could become something even more dangerous. She could start to care. And she knew the price of that.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked. “Do you want to punish me for something?”

He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “You won't believe me, but I'm doing this
for
you, not to make you crazy. You need my help to connect with your family and I'm going to stay until you feel settled with them.”

She was humiliated that he would think she was so socially inept, even if it was true. And a little voice in her head crowed with excitement at the thought of spending several more days in his company. She would have missed him terribly. But she refused to make it easy on him.

“I thought we had a deal,” she said.

“Don't worry. I won't charge you extra for the time. And maybe I'll let you see me naked again.”

H
annah was fuming. He could tell by the rapid rise and fall of her chest. Her thick braid hung over one shoulder and the tightly bound end teased the top of her breast. Nick would have liked to replace that rope of hair with his fingers, but doubted Hannah was much in the mood to be seduced by him or anyone.

She planted her hands on her hips. “How dare you go back on our agreement?”

He pretended to be shocked and hurt. “I'm doing you this big favor and you're angry with me? Lady, you got a problem here. I'm willing to stay and be your husband, and I'm not even asking for more money. Do you know how much I can make in a week? Do you know how many people—women—would be begging to have me around?”

“Then go be with one of them and satisfy their wildest desires.”

Who satisfies your wildest desires?
But he didn't ask the question.

“Face it, kid. You need me.”

She stamped her foot. “I do not.”

He grinned. “Yeah, because you're so mature and poised.”

“I am mature.” She stamped her foot again, then realized what she'd done and turned away. “Dammit, Nick, quit bringing out the worst in me.”

The room grew silent. He walked toward her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I mean it, Hannah. You need me. This family stuff scares you to death. You don't know what to do or say. There are too many of them and only one of you. I can help. You've seen that.”