The Best Man (11 page)

Christine
felt deflated by this confession and its implication. “Is there any woman
you’re really interested in?”

Jake
leveled a look at her that made her heart clench. “Yes.”

He
looked so serious that Christine was worried. She didn’t know anything about
his current social life. Maybe he was dating someone. “One contender? Several
possibilities?”

He
smiled at her. “You’re awfully curious.”

“I
heard Mom giving you a hard time.” She shrugged. “I just wondered.”

“Mom’s
been doing that for years.” Jake nodded and looked away. “But you’re right. There’s
been one woman for years. She’s the one. Mom seems to sense that there’s an
announcement in the wind, and is trying to nudge me along.”

“An
announcement?”

Jake
nodded with satisfaction. “I expect there will be another wedding soon.” He
winked at her. “But don’t tell Mom just yet. I’d like the lady in question to
decide what kind of wedding she wants before my mom does.” Jake smiled at her
and raised a hand for the waiter, apparently unaware that Christine’s heart had
dropped through the floor. “What do you think? Dessert and a brandy?”

“Sounds
good,” Christine said and got to her feet. “Excuse me for a minute.” She
hurried to the lady’s room, feeling Jake’s gaze following her.

Jake
was going to get married?

She
didn’t know anything about a wedding, so Christine knew she wasn’t the lady of
choice.

Which
meant that even if he
was
her
mystery lover, he was just playing around.

If
Jake wasn’t her mystery lover, who was? She caught her breath in the restroom,
feeling as if her head was spinning—and not just from the wine.

When
she opened her purse to get her lipstick, she saw it. Another envelope. How had
it gotten there? And when? Her name was written on the front again, in the same
handwriting. She tore it open and pulled out the card.

A thief in the night comes to your room to stake
his claim.

Be nude at midnight, chère.

Christine
inhaled sharply. Another woman came into the restroom. “Excuse me, do you know
what time it is?”

The
woman smiled. “You lose track of time here, don’t you? I should leave my watch
in the room, but old habits die hard.” She looked at the delicate gold watch.
“It’s just past eleven-thirty.”

Christine
had to get back to her room!

* * *

Jake
knew that Christine had found the note as soon as he spotted her returning from
the restroom. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed. She looked so
enticing, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to resist her if they were alone
again. He hoped and prayed—one more time—that one of the guys would
win the bet tonight.

Christine
walked quickly and he knew that she was aware of the time. He had to stall and
make her late for the mystery man’s appearance. He stood up to hold her chair
when she got to the table.

“I
ordered us both a brandy,” he said, deliberately speaking slowly. “I can’t
decide on dessert. Maybe we should each order something different and share.”

“I
don’t think I want dessert after all, thanks,” she said. “Or really even a
brandy.”

“We
can’t waste it,” Jake said, lifting his glass to toast her. “It might help you
sleep.”

Her
gaze darted away from him as she thought about this, then she lifted her glass
with a tight smile. “Maybe you’re right,” she said, and took a big sip. She
choked on it and Jake bit back a smile at her attempt to hurry.

At
least they had impatience in common.

“Oh
come on,” he said, cajoling her. “They have that French puffy thing.
Suffle-lay.”

“
Soufflé
,” Christine corrected.

“Right,
and they make it for you. He said it only takes half an hour.” Jake gave her
his best smile. “What could be wrong with sitting here for another half hour?”

Christine
was visibly agitated. “I need to get back. I’m sorry. It was wonderful but it’s
been a long day.” She faked a yawn so badly that Jake nearly laughed out loud.
“I’m so tired.”

“Finish
your brandy, at least.” Jake said, apparently resigned. “Looks like our waiter
has taken a break so it may take a few minutes to get the check.”

He
looked across the restaurant, knowing the waiter had disappeared because he had
given him twenty bucks to do just that.

* * *

After
saying goodnight to Christine at the restaurant closer to their rooms, Jake
ran. He bolted around the buildings and raced for the beach side of the long
low building of rooms. He got to Christine’s room, and was glad the room below
was in darkness. He picked a flower from one of the hibiscus bushes planted
along the path and put it in his teeth. He leapt up and grabbed the bottom of
the railing on the balcony, hauling himself up and over the railway.

The
sliding glass door was open.

Jake
nudged it open, put the flower on the same pillow he’d put one on before, then
slipped back into the night. He was over the railing, hanging from his hands,
when he heard Christine’s room card in the lock. He dropped to the ground as
the light went on in her room. His heart pounded that she would discover him or
see his hands. He hid in the shrubbery for half an eternity.

Until
she turned out the light.

* * *

Christine
finally made it to the room she was sharing with Fiona. She had no idea how
late it was and she hoped that her mystery lover was there. She unlocked the
door, then on impulse, grabbed Fiona’s red ribbon and knotted it around the
outside knob. She kicked off her shoes as she crossed the room, intent on
getting naked as quickly as possible.

When
she turned on the light, she saw it.

A
single red hibiscus on her pillow.

The
alarm clock said it was just before one.

He’d
come to her, but he’d left.

Christine
sat down hard on the bed, and dropped her head into her hands. Okay. He wasn’t
Jake. She didn’t know whether to be disappointed or excited.

Because
the truth was that she wanted both of them, and she knew she wouldn’t choose
either over the other.

This
fantasy wasn’t working out as happily as she’d thought.

* * *

Chapter Four

It
took everything Jake had to stay away from Christine the next day. He really
did take that diving trip to the distant reef, just to ensure that he wouldn’t
succumb to temptation. He wasn’t sure how he’d get through the rehearsal just
before dinner. She’d be sure to be looking gorgeous and they did have to be
together for parts of the service. They’d probably be seated together at
dinner, too.

He
had a drink when he was waiting for the others, hoping the alcohol would take
the edge off his desire.

Jake
wasn’t entirely thrilled when Mark slid into the seat beside him in the bar
where they were meeting for the rehearsal. “So, it’s all over.”

Jake
didn’t dare to hope. “What’s over?”

“Kade
won the bet,” Ryan said as he sat down on Jake’s other side. “He scored so it’s
all his.”

“Really?”
Jake said, trying to hide the fact that his heart was pounding. He saw Kade saunter
into the bar from the other side. The other man didn’t look jubilant or
pleased, but then he was a guy who hid his feelings well. “Well, I hope he has
plans for it.”

“Disneyworld,”
Mark said with a roll of his eyes. “He’s taking his little girl.”

Jake
felt a lot better about his contribution to the betting pool then. He wouldn’t
have been so impressed if the winner had blown the money on strippers and
booze. “Well, that’s a good thing. All’s well that ends well and all that.”

“That’s
what I’m hoping for,” Ryan said, pushing to his feet as Jess swept into the
restaurant with Mom right behind her.

“Don’t
kid yourself,” Mark muttered to Jake. “He can’t pull this one out of the fire.”

Jake
didn’t ask because he could see the look on his sister’s face. She had the look
she got when she was going to make someone pay for something.

“There’s
not going to be any wedding,” Mark said, watching the supposedly happy couple.

Jake
could believe that. He chose not to say anything. He wanted his sister to be
happy, but he wasn’t thrilled that she’d dragged everyone to this resort only
to have her engagement fall apart. On the other hand, he’d finally gotten
everything sorted out with Christine and he couldn’t regret that. He would have
traveled to the end of the world to make that happen.

Christine
came into the bar and went to Jess, acting as if she’d been sent to check on
something and was reporting back. She visibly flinched when Jess spoke sharply
to her, but forced a tolerant smile. Her gaze flew to Jake and he felt his eyes
narrow at his sister’s behavior. One thing was for sure: his Christine would
have all her dreams come true on this night.

Because
Jake would guarantee it.

* * *

If
Christine hadn’t been such a romantic, she would have been ready to give up on
the whole idea of weddings and happily ever after. She was really starting to
wonder whether they’d all wasted a trip in coming south for Jess’ dream
wedding.

She’d
barely had a moment to herself all day long, what with Jess’ various demands.
Even when things were arranged as she remembered had been ordered from the
hotel, Jess changed her mind and insisted upon changes. Her friend could have
been an alien: Jess was so high-strung and different from her usual manner that
Christine couldn’t believe it. Meanwhile Ryan had followed Jess like a devoted
puppy and didn’t seem to mind when she snarled at him about nothing at all.

Christine
couldn’t keep up with the changes in their relationship.

And
she didn’t want to.

The
rehearsal hadn’t gone well, since Jess had found fault with every little thing.

Then
at dinner, the ‘happy couple’ had had a fight so explosive that it had silenced
the entire restaurant. After that fight, she couldn’t imagine the two of them
ever getting married—much less being happy about it if they did.

It
almost seemed that Jess was trying to ruin the ceremony. It was so strange.
Christine couldn’t figure it out. How could two people who loved each other as
much as Jess and Ryan did have their relationship reduced to this by a wedding?

And
Mom—the sweetest person in the world—was a wreck. Christine had
tried to console her and help everything move ahead, but it was a lost cause.

It
hadn’t made anything easier that Jake had ignored Christine all evening. He’d been
gone all day, and even during the rehearsal, when they were supposed to be
together, he’d been distracted. She could have been a complete stranger for all
the attention he’d given her. He’d been busy talking with the other guys in the
wedding party at dinner, as if she didn’t even exist.

How
could she have been so wrong about her fantasy lover?

About
Jake?

Christine
returned to her room early, exhausted by the day.

Thank
goodness Fiona had said she was going to party late. Christine was glad to have
the room to herself. She peeled off her dress and kicked off her shoes, then
headed for the shower. While there, she thought about the thorough loving she’d
had on the beach the day before and wondered whether Jake was as hungry for
more as she was.

After
all, only she had had satisfaction.

Not
enough, though. When it came to Jake, she was always ready for more.

Christine
came back into the bedroom, toweling off her hair, and froze. A man wearing
only a black domino mask stood in the middle of the room, watching her. The
room was awash in candlelight, a dozen fat candles in glass casting their
flickering golden light over the scene. His eyes gleamed and he smiled at her
surprise. He was tall and buff, hard and ready.

“A
thief in the night comes to claim his due,” he said in his fake French accent.
He tugged on a pair of long black leather gloves, the sight of them thrilling
Christine. He arched a brow and Christine’s heart stopped cold. “Better late
than not at all.”

“Hard
and fast from behind?” Christine asked, liking how he chuckled. She dropped the
towel and he strode closer, catching her around the waist.

“Lady’s
choice,” he murmured, his gaze searching hers, then he kissed her.

He
was demanding as he had been gentle before, as if he was a different man.

A
rogue come to possess her in the night.