Praise for the novels of

SUSAN MALLERY

"[T]his glimpse into glitzy Texas high society and the dark underbelly of business is a thoroughly enjoyable read."

--Publishers Weekly on Hot on Her Heels

"One of the Top 10 romance novels of 2009!"

--Booklist on Straight from the Hip

"Fast-paced writing and compelling characters...a story that will hold your interest and is guaranteed to have you sneaking in a few chapters whenever you get a few minutes."

--Romance Reviews Today on Lip Service

"One of the genre's brightest stars...Mallery's characters are as vivid and real as always."

--RT Book Reviews on Under Her Skin

Sister of the Bride

Susan Mallery

When Katie McCormick finds out that her sister is marrying her ex, she finally agrees to a setup for the big day. To her surprise, Jackson is a catch. But when wedding catastrophe ensues, will their sparks fizzle or ignite into flames?

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

One

"Katie, honey, you need a date for your sister's wedding."

"I had a date, Mom. He's marrying the bride."

"All right, fine. Your sister stole your boyfriend," Janis McCormick said with a sigh. "And it was wrong. But that was nearly a year ago. It's water under the bridge. They're getting married. The whole family is flying in and we have two hundred other guests. We're going to have a long weekend of all kinds of events and, trust me, you'll feel better if you have a date. The extended family will torture you if you don't, and that will make us both crazy." Her mother finally paused for a breath. "For me, Katie? Please?"

At times like this Katie really hated the whole concept of growing up and acting mature. There were situations where a good temper tantrum seemed like the exactly right solution to a problem. Like this one. But she'd never been into drama--that was her sister's thing. And it was difficult to refuse her mother. Mostly because Janis didn't ask for very much. She was one of those warm, loving parents who worried and slipped Katie an extra fifty dollars every time they had lunch, despite the fact that Katie had been on her own since college and had a great job that she adored.

"Mom," she said, "I love you. You know that."

"Don't say 'but.' I'm on the edge as it is. Your sister is driving me nuts. I didn't have to start coloring my hair until she got engaged. I swear, the second she brought over bride magazines and started talking tulle, I began going gray."

Katie leaned forward in the booth of the restaurant. She and her mother were having a quick lunch to talk about the latest changes Courtney had made to her wedding. The fact that it was only two weeks away didn't seem to worry Courtney.

Nor had stealing Katie's boyfriend.

She wasn't going to be bitter, Katie reminded herself. She was going to rise above petty emotion. Courtney was her sister and the sisterly bond was powerful and lasting. And if Courtney woke up with a zit the size of Cleveland on her wedding day, well, that would be fun, too.

Katie cleared her throat. "However, as much as I would love to bring a guy to the wedding festivities, there isn't anyone. We're talking Fool's Gold. You know there aren't a lot of single guys hanging around. I can't come up with anyone I would trust to pretend to be involved with me."

"Are you telling me you haven't dated since you and Alex broke up?"

Technically, they hadn't broken up. Katie had brought Alex home for one of their usual Sunday-night dinners with Katie's parents. Something she and Alex had been doing regularly for months. The only thing that had been different about that night was the feeling Katie had that Alex was going to pop the question. Mostly because she'd accidentally found a receipt for a diamond ring in his coat pocket when he'd loaned it to her at a football game.

Katie hadn't been sure Alex was the guy she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, but she'd figured being unsure was normal. After all, how could anyone know any particular guy was the one? Only, he hadn't proposed. Their friendly dinner had been interrupted by Courtney's unexpected arrival. Alex and Courtney had taken one look at each other and Katie had ceased to exist.

"Katie?" her mother asked. "You're not seeing anyone?"

"No. I've been busy with work and not in the mood."

Her mother sighed. "It's four days of family and stress. I know I don't want to have to field questions about your lack of love life and you have to want it even less. You have to bring a man."

"Sorry, no."

"What about Howie?"

Dear God, no.

Katie thought about banging her head against the table, because honestly, the pain would be less. "Mom, no."

"Why not? He's smart and rich and very funny."

And his name was Howie. He was the son of her mother's best friend. The two women had been doing their best to fix up their kids for years. Katie had resisted with all her might. The last time she'd seen Howie, he and his mom had been visiting Fool's Gold. He'd been maybe sixteen and smart enough that he was already in college. Tall, skinny, with too-short pants, thick black-rimmed glasses and a way of peering at her as if she were an uninteresting form of bug. They'd had nothing to say to each other.

"Most of the time I'm willing to take one for the team. But I'm not interested in Howie," she said firmly. "I'd rather deal with the awkward questions." No one was desperate enough for Howie--certainly not her.

"Katie, don't make me use my bad-mom voice."

Katie smiled. "Mom, I'm twenty-seven. The bad-mom voice doesn't work on me."

"Want to bet?" Her mother sighed again. Worry darkened her eyes. "Please? I'll beg. Do you want that? I'm desperate. I want you to have a good time." She paused. "Well, as good a time as you can have at this. And I don't want you to worry about what everyone else might be thinking. It's four days. You'll barely have to see each other."

It was four days trapped in a hotel with her family at the top of a mountain. Where was she supposed to go to avoid them--and Howie?

"He's doing some big project at work," her mother added. "I'm sure he'll be busy most of the time."

Katie hesitated, not just because she adored her mother but also because the questions from family about why she wasn't married had begun to border on brutal. There she was--the older sister--still not married, no prospect of a boyfriend. Courtney could barely go fifteen minutes without falling in love.

"Fine," Katie conceded at last. "Just for the wedding, though. Nothing more. Ever."

Her mother beamed. "Wonderful. I'll let him know. This is going to be wonderful. You'll see."

Wonderful? Katie could think of a lot of words but that wasn't one of them. She was already knee-deep in regrets. Four days with Howie? Fourteen years ago, they'd barely lasted an hour in each other's presence.

The only bright spot in the whole thing was that back then he'd disliked her as much as she'd disliked him. Maybe he would do a better job at telling his mother no and then none of this would be an issue.

"Mother, I won't," Howard Jackson Kent said firmly.

"I see."

Two simple words. They didn't matter in and of themselves, it was the tone that was going to come back and bite him in the ass. He could already feel the teeth.

"We'll ignore the fact that Janis McCormick is my best friend," his mother said, staring at him from across his desk.

They were in his office, his mother having dropped by unexpectedly between his meetings. There was only one way she would have known he was free, which meant later he would be having a little chat with his personal assistant.

"We'll ignore the fact that Janis has asked for my help."

If only that were true, he thought, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temple.

"You could do it for Katie," his mother said. "She's such a nice girl."

Never words to make a single man's heart beat faster, he thought grimly. "Katie and I don't get along."

Granted, it had been a lot of years ago, but he remembered that summer afternoon clearly. His mother had insisted he come along with her while Tina met with her best friend. He'd agreed and had regretted the decision the second Katie had looked at him, then sighed with obvious disappointment.

Katie had been opinionated, only interested in sports and obviously contemptuous of him. Sure, he'd been a nerd and awkward and he'd never communicated well with others. But she'd been difficult and unfriendly. She'd also threatened to beat him up. At the time, she probably could have.

"Things could be different now," his mother said. "She's lovely."

"Uh-huh."

His mother straightened in her chair. Tina Kent was small, but he knew better than to judge her by her size.

"Do you remember ten years ago when I had breast cancer?" she asked.

He held in a groan and nodded. Not this, he thought. Anything but this.

"You were in college. I didn't want you to know how bad it was because I wanted you to focus on getting your masters."

It was in that program he'd developed the software that had launched his company and turned him into a multimillionaire in three short years.

"Mom--" he began.

She held up a hand. "When you came home, you were worried. I promised you I would get better." She paused expectantly.

"I said I would do anything if you would," he said dutifully.

"I kept my promise. Now it's time for you to keep yours. You're going to be Katie's date for the wedding. You'll spend four days at the resort in Fool's Gold, and you'll do everything you can to make Katie feel like a princess."

Dammit all to hell. Why couldn't he be like some of his friends and never talk to his parents? Why did he and his mother have to get along? Except for this obsession with Katie McCormick, his mom was a great woman to have around. They'd always been able to talk and he respected her opinion. But right now he would give anything for a brief but meaningful estrangement.

"Mom," he began, then shook his head. It was four days. Surely he could survive that. "Fine. You win."

She smiled broadly. "Good. Janis was there for me every day when I was sick. I'm so happy to finally be able to repay her, at least a little."

"You're selling out your only son. What will the neighbors think?"

"That it's about time you found yourself a woman."

Two

Katie waited nervously at the entrance to the Gold Rush Ski Lodge and Resort. The name misled those who didn't know the history of the place, or the luxury of the rooms.

The hotel nestled in the mountains above Fool's Gold--a grand old place with an architectural style somewhere between Victorian and chalet. What should have looked awkward or busy was instead welcoming. The views were impressive, the restaurant five-star and the service unmatched. There were world-class boutiques in the lobby and a spa that tempted celebrities from all over the world. If this had been Katie's wedding, she would have chosen to have the ceremony on the shore of the lake in town, with the reception in one of the local restaurants. But her sister had always wanted something grander and more expensive. So a four-day extravaganza at the Gold Rush Ski Lodge and Resort it was.

Katie had already checked in, as had the rest of her immediate family. Those traveling from out of town would be arriving any second and she had to find Howie before anyone else did. Getting their stories straight was essential. Otherwise, there was no point in having him stick around for the long weekend.

For a brief second, she weighed the idea of exposing the sham. She would be free of Howie, but reduced to spinster status. Yes, it was a new century. Yes, women could do anything. Yet in the world of the McCormicks, being single and within three years of thirty was both a disaster and a source of shame.

"But you're a sports writer," her aunt Tully would say yet again. "Can't you catch a rich husband from all those sports you watch?"

If only it were that simple. The problem was while she loved sports--the competition, the quest for greatness, the odd quirks that made every game interesting--she was less thrilled by athletes. Maybe because she'd seen them at their worst--one of the perks of her job. It was sort of like working in the kitchen of a restaurant. Dining out would never be the same again.

A tall, dark-haired man entered the lobby. He was good-looking enough to turn heads, with a body to match. Broad shoulders and long legs, all dressed neatly in a soft-looking blue-striped shirt tucked into jeans. If only, she thought regretfully, looking past the hunky guy and hoping to see the bumbling nerd who was on the verge of being late.

He was into computers. Maybe she should have sent Howie an e-mail reminder.

"Katie?"

The tall, dark stranger stopped next to her. She stared at his firm mouth, his strong jaw and the gorgeous green eyes barely concealed behind steel-rimmed glasses.

Her mouth opened. She felt it, then had to consciously close it. No way. Not possible. On what planet could this be happening?

"H-Howie?"

The man smiled. It was one of those sexy, self-deprecating smiles that made every woman in the room want to purr.

"Jackson," he corrected. "I go by Jackson now. My middle name."

Or eye candy. That name would work, too, she thought, her brain stuttering as she attempted to take in the changes. He was taller, more muscular, even his hair was perfect.

"H-Howie?" she repeated.

The smile turned into a low chuckle. "I'm not that different."

Au contraire.

"You've, ah, grown up," she managed, hoping she didn't look as stupid as she felt.

"So have you."

She wrinkled her nose. Up wasn't exactly the right word. She was about the same height she'd been at thirteen--a very average five foot five. The difference was she'd lost about forty pounds since then. And figured out how to play up her equally average features. She wasn't complaining--not exactly. But in a family of very tall, thin, attractive people, she was a throwback to the short, curvy lineage that everyone thought had been bred out.

"Yes, well, I've at least lost the baby fat," she said, figuring there was no point in ignoring the obvious.

Jackson studied her. "Your eyes are the same. Pretty. I remember the color."

"Because I was glaring at you?" she asked.

"Uh-huh. I was terrified you were going to beat me up."

"You treated me like I was an idiot."

"I was overcompensating for feeling like I didn't belong." He shrugged. "Don't take it personally. I acted that way everywhere."

"One of the downsides of being the smartest guy in the room?"

"You held your own."

She laughed. "I was reduced to threatening physical violence. Not exactly the definition of holding my own."

"You did fine. Now I hear you're a famous sports writer."

If Katie had been drinking, she would have choked. "Not exactly. Is that what your mom told you?"

He nodded.

"I work for the local paper. The Fool's Gold Daily Republic. I write the sports page, the occasional op-ed and I've done an emergency feature story when they were desperate. No one's definition of fame."

"You like what you do. I can hear it in your voice."

"I do like it." She found herself staring into his green eyes and wishing she'd listened to her mother sooner. Howie...ah, Jackson...was all that and more. "I've heard you're some kind of impressive computer guy."

She winced, thinking maybe she should have done a little homework. "You created a program about, um, something business-y."

The slow, sexy smile returned. "Inventory control. Trust me, you don't want to know the details."

"Probably not, but it's good someone keeps track of all that inventory stuff. It's wily."

He raised his eyebrows. "Wily?"

"I studied sports communications, not business. Wily is the best I could come up with, under the circumstances. Give me a deadline and I can be much more impressive."

"Maybe I'm already impressed."

She wasn't sure if it was the words or the way he said them, but for the first time in a long time, she felt positively girly. If her hair had been a couple of inches longer, she would have been tempted to flip it. As it was, she was grateful her mother had made her wear a sundress instead of jeans and a T-shirt, and that she'd taken the time to brush on mascara and lip gloss.

"You're not what I was expecting," he continued.

"I know," she admitted, trying not to flutter her lashes, although the need was powerful. "When my mother suggested you as my emergency date, I wasn't exactly grateful. But I do appreciate you showing up and taking time to help with this."

"Not a problem."

"You say that now, but you have no idea what you're in for." She smiled. "Maybe I should confiscate your car keys before I say any more. So you can't run screaming into the night."

"That bad?"

"Let's just put it this way, my sister is only happy when there's drama surrounding her and I have an aunt who has a habit of seducing other women's boyfriends and husbands. As I'm sure your mother told you, the groom is my ex-boyfriend. And that's just for starters."

"Sounds like fun."

"You have no idea. Want to make a run for it?"

"I can handle it. Do you doubt me?"

Not when he looked at her as if she were something delicious to eat. Which he couldn't possibly be, so it had to be a trick of light. Maybe a problem with his glasses.

"We should, ah, check you into the hotel," she said. "Have you been to Fool's Gold much in the past few years?"

"Not since our last meeting."

"But you grew up in Sacramento," she said. "It's so close."

"I went the other way after college. Toward the coast." He glanced around at the lobby. "The resort has a reputation for good skiing in winter."

"You ski?"

"Some. I like it more than I'm good at it."

"Me, too," she said. "It's easier than snowboarding, at least for me. I love trying different sports, but so far I haven't found one I'm very good at."

She led the way toward the front desk. "There are several excellent runs here during the winter. This time of year, the draw is more hiking and camping. The hotel keeps busy with things like weddings and various theme weekends. They fly in five-star chefs or art experts. That sort of thing. Then people come in from all over to hear lectures or go to demonstrations."

"You work in travel in your spare time?"

Katie laughed. "I live in town. It's not hard to keep track of what's going on."

"You grew up here and never wanted to leave?"

She tilted her head, considering. "Not really. I went to Ashland College and while I loved it, I couldn't wait to get back. Fool's Gold is home for me."

Katie spoke with certainty, as if her belief was unshakeable. Jackson had been comfortable growing up in Sacramento, and later at MIT. He'd lived on the East Coast for a while, but when he'd been ready to start his software company, he'd gravitated west. There was something about California.

Now he lived in Los Angeles and while he liked the city, he couldn't say it was home with Katie's obvious passion.

She was nothing he'd expected. There was an energy about her, as if she enjoyed everything she did. Her blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and humor. She was curvy to the point of being a walking, breathing temptation just by standing in the room. There was something about the way she moved--purposeful, with a subtle sexiness that made parts of him grumble hungrily.

At thirteen, she'd terrified him. Fourteen years later, she tempted him, not that he would do anything about it. The daughter of his mother's best friend was completely off-limits. Not only would both mothers want to monitor any potential relationship, he could only imagine what his mother would say if she suspected he was about to break the heart of her best friend's daughter.

Too bad, he thought with more than a little regret.

"The family is in a block of rooms," Katie was saying as they approached the front desk. "However, I made sure you weren't close to them. We don't want Aunt Tully sneaking into your room at night." Her smile turned impish. "You're still young enough that the thrill of Aunt Tully might do lasting damage."

"I don't know if I'm looking forward to meeting her or ready to bolt."

"I'll protect you."

He checked in quickly and was handed an old-fashioned key.

"You're through here," Katie said, pointing to the elevators on the far wall. "Brace yourself because it all starts tonight. There's a party." She paused and gazed up at him.

"Parties are fine."

"A fifties-style theme party. A costume has already been delivered to your room."

A costume party? He could see his mother had left out more than a few details. "Sounds great," he lied.

She laughed and touched his arm. "Don't worry. It's only a short-sleeved white T-shirt for the guys. Jeans are fine and if you have loafers, all the better."

"With white socks?"

"That would complete the look."

Her fingers were warm against his skin. He liked that she was a toucher. It made him want to touch back--to take control of the situation.

His gaze dropped to her mouth and lingered there. Her lips were as curvy and full as the rest of her. Katie defined lushness.

"I'm stuck wearing a poodle skirt," she continued. "With a twinset, if you can believe it."

An interesting image, he thought, still looking at her mouth. He'd never been turned on by anything retro before, but he had a feeling Katie would make a believer out of him.

"We should probably get our stories straight," she said, her voice slightly strained.

Reluctantly he raised his gaze to her eyes. Her pupils were slightly dilated and she seemed to be a little breathless.

"About how we met," she added.

"We could stick with the truth. Our mothers set us up."

"Um, right. That's good." She cleared her throat. "Say six months ago?"

"Works for me. We've been together ever since." He grinned. "I was a little surprised when you offered to sleep with me on the first date, but being a gentleman, I didn't refuse the invitation."

Her eyes widened, then narrowed as she drew her brows together. "Excuse me? You're the one who was completely crazy about me within five minutes of us meeting. You practically stalked me. I only went out with you because I felt guilty about turning your life upside down."

He chuckled. "Or we could settle in the middle. Mutual attraction and a growing interest."

"Fine. But I really like the idea of you being desperate."

She had no idea how little it would take to get him to that state, he thought, wanting to touch her skin again to see if all of it was as soft as her hands had felt before.

They walked toward the elevators. Before they got there, an attractive fiftysomething woman hurried up to them. Jackson recognized his mother's best friend.

"Hello, Janis," he said. "Good to see you again."

"Howie," she said absently.

He did his best not to wince at the name. His mother had refused to call him anything else, so it made sense her best friend wouldn't know about the change to something less pathetic than "Howie."

"We have a crisis," Janis told her daughter.

"Only one? I was sure there would be more."

"Don't tempt fate. It's plenty early." Janis drew in a breath. "It's the cake. Actually it's the cake decorator. Apparently the decorations are made in advance and then there's a cake and they come together and it's beautiful. I'm not sure of the details."

"Okay. So what's the problem?"

"The decorator was in a car accident. She's going to be fine...in eight weeks after her broken arm heals. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, but did that have to happen today? The cake was in the car. So we have decorations. They were delivered yesterday, but no cake."

Janis clutched Katie's arm. "I can't do this. Your sister is hysterical, your father is hiding because he sees the panic on my face. Your relatives are arriving and Aunt Tully has already made a pass at the bellboy. You have to help me."

"Why are they my relatives?" Katie asked. " My sister. My father. You're related to them, too."

"You're not helping," Janis said, her voice getting more shrill with each word.

"Sorry. We'll find another cake decorator."

"How? It's prime wedding season. They're all busy. This is a sign. This wedding is going to be a disaster, I can feel it."

"Mom, calm down."

"I can't."

Jackson pulled out his cell phone. "Maybe I can help. I have a friend who runs a catering business. She used to decorate cakes. I'm sure I could persuade her to help out."

Janis turned to him. "Don't play with my emotions, Howie. I'm right on the edge."

"I'll call her right now."

He scrolled through his list of contacts until he found Ariel's cell. Seconds later she answered.

He greeted her and explained the problem.

"This isn't your wedding, is it?" she asked warily.

"No. A friend's. I'm here for the weekend, then heading home."

She hesitated. "Normally I wouldn't have time, but I had an unexpected cancellation. I'll be there in the morning. I'll need access to the kitchen to get the cake made." She named a price that made him wince, but Janis simply nodded.

"Great," she said. "I'm looking forward to seeing you."

"Thanks. See you soon."

When he hung up, Janis hugged him. "You've saved us all."

"It's a cake, not a rescue from a burning building."

"Close enough." She put a hand on her chest. "I can breathe again, at least until the next crisis. Now go to your rooms and get ready for the party. I'm off to get drunk."

She walked toward the bar. He pressed the up button on the elevator, then glanced at Katie.

She raised her eyebrows. "So...Ariel's an ex."

"How did you know?"

"The average guy doesn't have a former cake decorator on speed dial."

"She's on my contact list. That's different."

"Close enough."

The doors opened and they stepped inside. Katie pushed the button for the fourth floor.

"Bad breakup?" she asked.

"Actually an easy one. She left me. I thought I'd be brokenhearted and I wasn't." He'd gotten over her fast enough to make him realize that they'd be better off as friends.

"I guess that beats pining for months."

He looked at her. "Are you the type to pine?"

"I've had a sulk or two in my life, but not an actual full-on pine."

The elevator stopped and they stepped out. Katie led the way to his room.

"I'm across the hall," she said.

He moved his gaze from the door to her. "Can I trust you?" he asked.

She smiled. "If you'd been this fun fourteen years ago, I wouldn't have threatened to beat you up."

"If I'd been like this fourteen years ago, I would have wanted you to try."

They stared at each other. Katie blinked first, then glanced at her watch.

"The craziness starts in an hour," she said. "Brace yourself."

"I don't scare that easily. Besides, I'll have you to protect me."

"Just pray Aunt Tully doesn't take a liking to you."

"I can handle Aunt Tully."

"You say that now," Katie called over her shoulder as she left.

Three

There was something oddly fun about wearing a poodle skirt, Katie thought as she looked at herself in the mirror. Sure, the poofy style did nothing to make her legs look longer--always a challenge for someone from a long-legged family--but the layers of petticoats also made her waist look tiny. She twirled a couple of times for effect, then smoothed her skirts.

She'd pulled her shoulder-length hair back into a ponytail, tied it with a chiffon scarf, fluffed her bangs and added a string of fake pearls to complete the costume.

A knock on the door sent her hurrying across the hotel room.

She pulled it open and nearly swooned at the sight of Jackson in a very fitted white T-shirt and jeans. He'd slicked back his hair and rolled up the sleeves of the T-shirt. He looked both sexy and dangerous--a very tempting combination.

"West Side Story is one of my mom's favorite movies," she said with a laugh. "You're the perfect Jet."

He looked her over slowly enough for her toes to curl in her thrift-store oxfords. "Very nice. Like the skirt."

She twirled. "I've never worn a petticoat before."

"You look..."

"Wholesome?" she offered. "Virginal?"

"Like the kind of girl you give a class ring to."

His words gave her a little jolt in her belly. She did her best to hide her reaction. "That's me."

She slipped her lip gloss and her room key into her pocket and motioned for him to lead the way out.

As they waited for the elevator, he leaned against the wall and watched her.

"Touching?" he asked. "No touching? How do we show the world, or at least your family, that we're a couple?"

Sex, she thought unexpectedly. They could have sex. That would certainly do it for her. "Um, some touching. Courtney and Alex are all over each other, but at some point that just gets tacky."

"Agreed."

There was something about the way he was looking at her. As if trying to figure something out. His steady gaze made her nervous. She glanced at the floor, then forced herself to look at him. Was it just her or did it seem like the elevator was taking forever?

The seconds ticked past. Jackson straightened, moved toward her, cupped her face in his hands, then leaned in and brushed his mouth against hers.

The brief contact was soft, hungry and unexpected. Heat exploded inside her, making her strain toward him. He stepped back long before she was ready for him to, but kept his large hands on her skin, his thumbs caressing her cheeks.

"For practice," he said, his eyes bright with amusement and something she could only pray was interest. "So we get it right, if anyone asks."

She didn't think there would be a required kissing demonstration, but it was good to be prepared.

Just as she was about to suggest another practice session, the elevator doors opened. Unfortunately, Aunt Tully was the only occupant.

"Katie!" the older woman exclaimed happily and threw herself out of the elevator. "I've been looking all over for you." Tully shifted her attention to Jackson and raised her eyebrows. "Hello, gorgeous. Katie is very fond of me and likes to share."

Jackson immediately dropped his hands to his sides and took a step back. If the situation hadn't been potentially hazardous in more ways than Katie could count, she would have found it funny. Sort of.

Tully was her father's sister. A round, short, blond dynamo who dressed like she was twenty...or maybe sixteen. Except for the jewelry. It was all flash and proof that she'd married well. Several times. Tully was currently looking for husband number six.

Married or not, Tully loved men. All men--even those who were married or involved with other women. She was the life of the party, a charming drunk and completely lacking in boundaries. Katie both loved and feared her.

Jackson seemed to recover. He held out his hand. "You must be Aunt Tully. Nice to meet you."

"Come now," Tully said, holding out her arms. "We're family. We need to do more than shake hands."

He moved in warily and leaned toward her, as if to give her a nonromantic A-frame hug. It was like one of those twisted reality shows on TV. As much as Katie wanted to look away, she couldn't.

Tully waited until Jackson was close and slightly off balance, then grabbed him and pulled hard. He crashed into her ample chest, tried to right himself, and found the natural place his hands needed for leverage was her breasts. Obviously determined not to touch them, he flailed for a few seconds before managing to step away. But not before Tully planted a kiss on his mouth.

Tully smiled with satisfaction. "Any good?" she asked Katie.

Katie moved toward the slightly stunned Jackson and slipped her arm through his. "He's mine. You can't have him."

Tully pouted, her blue eyes thoughtful. "Are you sure? I'll buy you a car. The new Lexus hybrid."

"Thanks, but no."

"Cash?"

Jackson cleared his throat. "Ms. McCormick, while I'm flattered by--"

Tully dismissed him with a wave. "You don't get to negotiate. Katie?"

"Sorry. No."

"Fine. I'll have to see who else is available. Does the groom have a brother?"

"No," Katie said, proud of herself for not suggesting Alex instead. While there would be karmic justice in having the man Courtney had stolen taken from her, it would create too much trouble for everyone else. Besides, there was a slight possibility that Courtney really did love Alex.

The elevator returned to their floor. Tully got on it.

"We'll take the next one," Katie said, thinking Jackson would need a moment.

"See you at the party."

The door closed.

Jackson leaned against the wall. "That was Aunt Tully."

"I tried to warn you."

"She wanted to buy me."

"I know."

"For cash."

"She likes men."

"She's old enough to be my mother."

"Technically she might be old enough to be your very young grandmother, but try not to think about it."

He shook his head and straightened. "Now I know why you needed a date for the wedding."

"My family isn't all bad. My parents are great. Courtney is very pretty." Katie wanted to add that it would be nice if Jackson didn't fall for her sister, but what was the point? He either would or wouldn't.

"Tully's the worst of it, right?" he asked.

Katie laughed. "Yes. I promise. The rest of my family will only ask pointed questions. Things like how long have we been going out and what are your intentions."

"They want you married, huh?"

"It's an ongoing goal. You'd think having a great career and lots of friends would be enough, but it's not. You, being a man, don't get the same kind of pressure."

"My mother makes not-so-subtle statements about wanting grandchildren, but I ignore her."

If only she could do the same, she thought. She tried, but every now and then, the volume got to her.

She pushed the down button to call the elevator. "Which begs the question--why aren't you married? Or are you one of those men who doesn't want to be tied down?"

"I like the idea of a wife and family," he said, moving next to her. "When I was younger, I couldn't get the girl."

She glanced at his broad shoulders, the sexy green eyes and the shape of his mouth. "At the risk of feeding your ego, I don't think that's a problem anymore."

"No. Now the problem is finding the right girl."

"What are you looking for?"

His gaze settled on her. There was something knowing in his expression. As if he thought maybe--

The elevator doors opened.

"Katie, darling. There you are." Katie's mother swayed slightly on her feet.

Katie got on the elevator and turned to her dad. "She's drunk."

"You think?" Her father held out his hand to Jackson. "Mike McCormick."

"Jackson Kent. I'm Tina's son."

"Of course." He kept his arm around his wife. "Your mother had two martinis."

Katie winced. "One usually puts her on her butt. While she's a charming drunk, I doubt this is the time or the place."

Janis patted her husband's cheek. "Don't be mad. You know you like me drunk. It's when you get lucky."

"Mo-om!" Katie covered her ears. "Please, stop. I don't want to hear this."

Janis smiled at her daughter. "You should be happy your parents are still having sex. It means we have a good marriage. You don't want us getting a divorce, do you?"

"Should I hum loudly?" Jackson asked with a grin.

"You think this is funny?" she snapped. "Want to talk about your parents doing it?" Katie faced her mother, while trying to avoid looking at her father. "This is Courtney's wedding. You have to focus."

"I will. I'm just saying, the sex really does get better as one gets older. Back in the day, we always had to worry about you and your sister interrupting us. All those afternoon showers, when we were just trying to get in a quickie. But did you cooperate? Of course not. It was always Mom this and Mom that. You startled me so much once, I nearly bit off your father's--"

The doors opened and Katie bolted out onto the lower level, where the party would be held. She walked fast, as if she could outrun the hideous image in her head.

"Kittens and puppies and ice cream," she murmured as she moved. "London. I'll think about London." She came to a stop and covered her face.

Then strong arms were around her, pulling her close. The supportive gesture was mitigated by the shaking chest as Jackson laughed.

"If it makes you feel any better," he said, "your father is mortified."

"It doesn't. How could she say that stuff?"

"There was alcohol involved."

"Still." She shuddered, her face still pressed into his shoulder. "It's gross. Not the happy-marriage part. I want them to be happy, not just for me but for them, too. But parental sex shouldn't be discussed in front of children."

"You need a distraction."

"Or some kind of mind meld."

"Katie?"

Instinctively she looked up. As soon as she did, he kissed her.

His warm, teasing mouth claimed hers. Skin against skin, the sensual movement making her blissfully incapable of doing much more than feel.

He held her firmly, carefully, but with a confidence that made her willing to surrender. One hand was below the other on her back, angled so his fingertips lightly grazed the curve of her rear. Even through the layers of skirt and petticoat, she felt the heat of him, the pressure.

He touched her lower lip with his tongue and she parted. He swept inside, claiming her with his mouth. She angled her head to deepen the kiss, wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself up to the moment.

Wanting swept through her. Need and hunger. It had been a long time since she'd been swept away. Too long. She'd forgotten how good it felt to be held. To have the solid strength of a man's body right against hers.

In the distance, she heard the sound of conversation but ignored it. Nothing mattered but kissing Jackson. As far as she was concerned, she could do this forever.

Apparently he didn't read minds as well as he kissed because after a few minutes, he drew back.

"Better?" he asked.

She blinked at the question. "You did that to distract me?"

"Partly."

Great. So she'd been having an out-of-body, take-me-now experience and he'd been doing the sexual equivalent of patting her on the head.

His mouth curved into a sexy, promising smile. "I also did it because I wanted to."

Four

The next morning Katie forced herself out of bed long before she was ready to leave, pulled on her workout clothes and made her sleepy way down to the hotel gym. She'd barely brushed her teeth, hadn't done a thing with her hair and was pleased she'd remembered to bring a bottle of water. She was also expecting to find the room empty, except for a rabid business person or two.

Instead she found Jackson already sweating on one of the two elliptical machines.

He looked good in sweat, she thought as she stared at him. Tall and lean, but with enough muscle to make life interesting. He had on a headset and was watching the early-morning national news. So far he hadn't noticed her.

After her mother's sexual confessions and the mind-numbing kiss, the rest of the evening had been calm by comparison. Aunt Tully had kept her distance from Jackson, although she continued to eye him with interest. No one had gotten too drunk. But the weekend was young, Katie thought as she made her way to the second elliptical.

Not working out wasn't an option. Not with her weight history and gene pool. If she didn't watch what she ate and exercise regularly, she porked right up. Sad, but true. If she had to face Jackson while looking like a cross between a "before" picture and cat gack, so be it.

She got on the machine and studied the console. She used one just like it at the gym, so she knew what she was in for. After punching in her favorite program and only lying about her weight by seven pounds, she hit the start button and braced herself for pain.

Next to her, Jackson removed his headset. "Morning," he said with a smile.

The man hadn't showered pre-exercise, either. Had done nothing with his hair, hadn't bothered shaving. So why did he get to look like a model advertising naughty sex first thing in the morning?

"Hi."

"You're up early."

"It's necessary to keep my BMI in the two-digit range."

Jackson looked her up and down before shaking his head. "No way. You look great."

She flushed with pleasure. As she was already red-faced from exercise, she had the comfort of knowing he wouldn't notice. "Thanks, but it's true. You saw me at my chunky best. I'm one uncontrolled corn dog away from that happening again."

What Jackson remembered most about Katie as a teenager was how pretty she'd been, even when she'd threatened to beat him up. He hadn't wanted to waste his afternoon with a kid, but the second he'd seen her, he'd been...intrigued. As much as a repressed, nerdish sixteen-year-old boy could be.

He wasn't repressed anymore, he thought, doing his best not to stare at her breasts bouncing along in time with her movements. Not only didn't he want to get caught looking, his workout shorts wouldn't hide the inevitable reaction to his interest and wouldn't that make for an awkward moment.

"You worry too much," he told her.

"You weren't ever fat," she told him, her blue eyes bright with amusement. "But it's okay. I've been exercising regularly for nearly twelve years and I'm to the point where I almost like it."

He chuckled. "Is that the goal? To enjoy it?"

"Everyone deserves a fantasy life."

"Is that when you got interested in sports? You were exercising?"

She reached for her water bottle and took a long drink. "No. I've always loved sports. I think it's my dad's influence. My mom says instead of reading me fairy stories at night, he would read the sports page. I grew up interested in football and baseball."

"Do you play any?"

She shook her head. "I wish. I've tried them all. The best I can say for myself is I wasn't hideously bad at soccer. I wasn't close to good, but that's okay. I'm just not coordinated. Or fast. Or athletic. You met Aunt Tully. Physically, I take after her. So it's that old saying--those who can do. Those who can't write about it. I went to Ashland College to learn how."

"Where you studied sports communications."

Something flashed in her blue eyes. "You remembered."

He'd remembered nearly everything she'd said, he thought. She was the kind of woman a man would have trouble forgetting.

"You're my first sports communications major," he said lightly. "A guy remembers his first time."

She laughed. "You're good. Seriously. Have you been back to your high school reunion?"

He shuddered. "No, thanks. I'd rather face the fires of hell."

"You should think about it. You're the guy who will cause quite the reaction. All those girls who blew you off will be all over you."

"Maybe I don't want them all over me."

"You're not into revenge?"

"No. I don't need their approval to enjoy my life." He studied her. "Are you into revenge? If you are, this is the weekend for it."

She wiped her face with a towel. Even sweaty and hot, she looked good, he thought. Her hair stood in spikes, her breasts continued to bounce. This was his idea of a great morning.

"To quote you from a second ago, no, thanks. I'm not interested in Alex. He had his chance with me and he blew it."

"The man's an idiot."

Katie smiled. He felt the heat of if all the way down to his groin.

"You say the nicest things," she told him. "Courtney can be a pain. But you have to understand the context. She was sick when she was a kid. Cancer. Everyone spoiled her and when she got better, we all kept treating her like she could die any second. She got used to the attention, and then she grew up gorgeous and guys kept falling for her. She'll grow up someday, and when she does, she'll be a good person. For what it's worth, I think Alex really does love her. This is their weekend. I want everything to go well for them."

Although his workout was over, he kept going until she was done. They walked out of the gym together and headed for the stairs. On the main floor, he was about to ask her to breakfast, when someone touched his arm.

"Jackson? Hi."

He turned and saw Ariel standing in the lobby. She was still tall and beautiful, with golden-red hair and eyes the color of spring grass. Pretty enough, but not anyone he'd missed after she'd left.

"Ariel," he said, then shifted his attention to Katie. "Katie, this is Ariel, cake decorator extraordinaire."

Katie glanced between them, then gave a smile that didn't seem happy. "Great. We're thrilled you're here. Have you had a chance to see the kitchen yet? We spoke to the staff and they've set up a work area for you. The pastry chef made the cakes last night, so they should be cooled and ready for you to work on. We all really appreciate you helping us out."

Ariel focused on him instead of Katie. "No problem. This gives me a chance to take care of a few things myself." She gazed into his eyes for another second, as if willing him to understand something, then looked at Katie. "I haven't been to the kitchen."

"Why don't you two take care of that now," he said, wondering why Ariel was acting strange. Was she pissed because he'd called her about the job? If she hadn't wanted it, she could have refused.

"Sure," Katie said. "The kitchen is right this way."

Ariel was one of those women who entranced men and intimidated women without breaking a sweat. Katie, on the other hand, had been sweating for the past forty minutes. She was not at her best as she showed the tall, gorgeous redhead back to the kitchen. Fortunately, Katie didn't seem to register on Ariel's radar, so she hadn't appeared the least bit critical.

Katie showed the other woman the freshly baked cake, the decorations and introduced her to Andre, who was their "kitchen liaison." Then she headed for the coffee station in the lobby.

After taking her first sip, she closed her eyes and inhaled the aroma. It wasn't that she needed the caffeine to feel awake--it was that the ritual would ground her in a world where goddesslike women weren't ex-girlfriends and former nerds like Jackson didn't make her heart beat faster with just a kiss...or a smile.

Just when she'd been thinking about possibilities, she thought grimly. She'd been so sure they'd had great chemistry, that he really liked her. That he'd been interested. Maybe he had been, but there was no way she could compete with someone like Ariel. Not that it was a competition, but still. Couldn't Jackson have dated someone slightly more...ordinary?

She refilled her cup and headed for the elevators. When they opened, her sister, Courtney, stepped out. It might be early, but Courtney was charmingly dressed in a flirty little skirt and formfitting top. Her long hair gleamed, her makeup was perfect.

"Katie." Courtney looked and sounded shocked. "What happened to you?"

"I worked out."

"You look awful." Her gaze narrowed. "Are you sure you're okay? Your face is really red."

"That's what happens when I exercise," Katie said cheerfully, trying to maneuver around her, only to have the elevator doors close. Sighing, she pushed the up button again.

"I know you have to work out because of your weight, but you really shouldn't be out like this in public. Alex always said--" Courtney paused and smiled tightly. "Did you sleep well?"

Katie could have pushed and discovered what Alex always said. That she wasn't at her best in the morning? That she didn't wake up looking radiant and tall? Then she decided it didn't matter.

"Fine," she said. "And you?"

Instead of answering the question, her sister put a hand on her arm. "I know this is hard for you."

Sleeping? Not so much. Most nights it was amazingly easy. "What is hard for me?"

"Seeing me with Alex."

"I've had nearly a year to get used to it."

"I know, but this is different. We're getting married. I know you thought you'd marry him."

"Not anymore," Katie assured her, silently begging the elevator to return and rescue her. "I'm fine."

"Mom had to buy you a date."

Katie sucked in a breath. "Jackson isn't an escort. No one paid for him." At least she didn't think so. "He's a friend of the family." Sort of.

"Still." Courtney looked both sympathetic and pitying. It wasn't a combination designed to make Katie feel better. "It's just so sad that more guys don't see beyond appearances. I couldn't stand it. You must be lonely."

Kill me now, Katie thought. Or maybe just Courtney. Before she could make a decision, the elevator arrived and she practically threw herself into it.

As the doors closed, Katie promised herself she was having wine with lunch.

Five

Katie fluffed her curls and sprayed them for the third time since using the curling iron. As long as she avoided open flames, she would be fine.

Tonight's dinner was to officially welcome the rest of the family members who had arrived that day and to serve as a celebration for the happy couple. The event was somewhat formal, so she'd chosen a cocktail dress that fit her perfectly. She'd paid extra for tailoring, but it had been worth it, she thought as she put down the hair spray and turned so she could see herself from the back. In the right light, and wearing her three-inch heels, she could almost pass for tall. Given how her day had begun, she deserved a little sass in her evening.

Although to be honest, after a hideous start, her day had gone reasonably well. She'd spent the morning welcoming the rest of the family members as they'd arrived. Jackson had been a friendly and handsome escort for lunch. They'd been seated at a table that didn't include Courtney and the willowy Ariel hadn't been seen. Katie was willing to call that a win.

She left the bathroom and walked toward her purse. As she reached it, someone knocked on the door.

Jackson, she thought, her heart beating a little faster than it should. Right on time.

Sure enough, her date for the weekend stood in the doorway, looking handsome and sexy in a dark suit, white shirt and gray tie.

"Is this formal enough?" he asked. "I brought a tux."

"You look great," she said honestly, thinking it didn't get much better than a good-looking man who was prompt and owned his own tux. "I'm going to have to provide a physical barrier between you and Aunt Tully."

"I'd appreciate that. Although I noticed at lunch she seemed more interested in the groom's father."

"Well, wouldn't that cause some fireworks." Katie made a mental note to pass on the info to her mother. Not that she'd forgiven the other woman for the sexual outburst in the elevator. Knowing about parental sex was one thing, but having to hear about the details was just plain wrong.

"How are you holding up?" he asked.

She checked that her room key was in her small beaded evening bag, then pulled the door shut. "I'm fine. Counting down the days until it's all over. What about you?"

"It's not my family," he pointed out. "Although I have decided that when I get married, I want a simple ceremony. And everything done in a day."

"I agree. This is like a special kind of hell--it never ends."

As the party had grown larger, their dinner was to take place in one section of the small ballroom. The ceremony would be held there on Saturday, with the reception to follow in the bigger ballroom.

As they got closer to the party, Katie heard the sound of laughter and the clink of ice in glasses. She mentally braced herself for a whole night with her extended family. When she would have entered the room, he drew her back into the hallway.

"I want you to know you look amazing," he said, staring into her eyes.

She could see his thick lashes, the light of appreciation in his gaze. Even though she'd always wished to be taller, she had to admit there was something to be said for having a man tower over her. At least this man.

"Thank you," she murmured. "You're nice."

His dark brows pulled into a frown. "Excuse me?"

"You're really nice."

The frowned deepened. "I tell you that you look great and you insult me?"

Although he looked fierce, she saw the slight tug at the corner of his mouth. As if he were trying not to smile.

"Who does that?" he asked sternly. "I'm leaving."

She fought back the urge to giggle. "Jackson, wait. I'm sorry. You're not nice."

The frown didn't budge.

"You're actually..." She hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Bad. Very bad. You're the guy my mom warned me about."

"Better." His tone was grudging. "Just remember that."

He leaned in to kiss her. Her muscles tensed in anticipation of a really good time, her breath caught and the nerve endings in her trembling lips did a fair imitation of yearning.

"There you are." A shrill, quavering voice jerked Katie from anticipation all the way into nightmare. "Katie, darling. Come give me a kiss."

Katie stepped back from Jackson and smiled at the tiny old lady teetering toward her. "Nana," she said and moved toward the woman.

Sucking in a breath--for reasons no one could explain, Nana Marie always smelled like fish--Katie leaned in and kissed her papery cheek.

"There's a good girl. Let me look at you."

Katie stood still, then turned when she was directed.

"Very good. I see you're keeping off the weight. We were all so worried you'd stay fat. But you've proved us wrong." Nana Marie glanced at Jackson. "Who are you?"

"Jackson Kent."

"Jackson, this is Nana Marie," Katie told him. "She's..." Katie shook her head. "Nana, how are we related?"

"We're not. I was a friend of your grandmother's." Nana smiled at Jackson. "Aren't you handsome? We're all so happy that Katie finally has a man in her life. That Alex--leading her on and then falling for Courtney. That girl is about as emotionally deep as a potato chip. Not like our Katie."

Nana squeezed Katie's chin hard enough to make her eyes water. "You have a man now. That's what counts. Now I have to excuse myself and go make water."

Katie watched her head toward the restrooms, then wondered if pounding her head against the wall was an option. Sure, it would leave a bruise, but at least that would give people something to talk about that wasn't her weight or her love life.

"I'm sorry," she said miserably. "This is so much worse than I ever imagined."

Jackson moved close and lightly stroked her cheek. "Hey, I signed up for this. Besides, I like her."

"Wait until she pinches your cheek."

He chuckled, then grew serious. "Don't take this wrong, but your family really needs to stop judging you. You have a great job, you're beautiful and sexy. When you're ready, you'll get married. Any man would be lucky to have you. Alex is an idiot for picking Courtney over you."

Katie blinked at him. There were so many wonderful places to start--she couldn't pick just one.

"Thanks," she whispered.

"You're welcome." He put his arm around her and led her toward the party. "We'll circle by Alex and Courtney and the poor guy can get a look at what he's missing."

Nana Marie turned out to be one of the easier relatives to deal with, Jackson thought three hours later as he and Katie moved together during a slow dance. The McCormick family was large, loving and way too focused on their perception of Katie's flaws. If someone wasn't mentioning her weight--again--he or she was exclaiming over the fact that she had a date. As if that was a surprise.

He didn't get it. Granted, he was a guy and maybe not the most insightful male in the room, but what was the big deal? Katie was gorgeous. She had beautiful eyes, great skin, shiny blond hair and those were just the average parts. Right now, holding her as they moved together to the music, he could feel her breasts nestling against his chest and rested his hand on the curve of her hip. There was nothing wrong with her shape. On the contrary, his body was telling him it was exactly right.

People were strange and families were the worst. At least he was here and could protect her.

A sweet, slightly floral fragrance drifted to him. The appealing scent made him think of dark bedrooms and tangled sheets. Without thinking, he guided her over to a large pillar at the edge of the dance floor. When they were out of view of everyone else, he bent down and kissed her.

Her mouth welcomed his with a soft pressure that made every part of him ache. Her lips parted and he moved his tongue against hers. She tasted of chocolate and wine and temptation. In a matter of seconds, he was hard.

Trying to be a gentleman, he kept some slight distance between them. At least he tried. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. When her belly came in contact with his erection, she made a sound that was part groan, part purr. He felt the vibration all the way down to his groin.

"We can't," she murmured against his mouth, then nipped his lower lip. "It would be a seriously bad idea. Dangerous even."

He dropped his head and kissed his way down her neck. As he licked that sensitive spot below her ear, he felt her shudder.

"Bad idea for who?" he asked.

"Me. Us. It's just a weekend, Jackson. I don't do one-night stands."

He straightened and stared into her beautiful blue eyes. "Why does it have to stop at one night?"

She was flushed and looked thoroughly kissed. Through the thin fabric of her dress, he saw her nipples were hard. Angling around, so he was between her and anyone who might see them, he touched the tight tips with his fingers. Her breath caught.

Wanting burned in her eyes. "You are every kind of temptation."

He kissed her again, this time sucking gently on her tongue. Need grew, pulsing inside him. There was something about Katie.

He sensed more than heard someone approaching and stepped back. Seconds later, her parents rounded the pillar.

"There you are," her mother said. "Well, this went well. We're at the halfway point. Two evenings down, two to go. I wanted to tell you that you can leave anytime you want. Everyone is turning in. Tully went up an hour ago. Alone, thank goodness, although she was eyeing one of the waiters."

"We're tired, too," Katie said quickly, not meeting his eyes. "We'll come with you."

They rode the elevator together. He and Katie got out on the same floor and walked toward her door.

"Jackson, I--" she began.

"It's okay," he said, kissing her lightly.

"What's okay?"

"This isn't the time or place. There's too much of your family around for one thing. When the weekend is over, I'll call. We'll go out." He smiled. "In a more normal setting."

"You're not mad?"

"Katie, I'm not seventeen. I can wait." He kissed her again. "You're worth that."

He took the key she'd pulled out of her purse and opened her door. After handing it back to her, he pushed her inside. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Night."

Katie floated into her room more than walked. This couldn't be happening, she thought, practically dizzy with delight. It wasn't possible that Jackson really was funny and smart and handsome and interested in her. Was it?

All the signs were there. Only, she'd been fooled by signs before. But there was a very big part of her--okay, all--that wanted to believe he really was one of the good guys.

She'd barely stepped out of her heels when someone tapped lightly on her door and spoke her name in a low, muffled tone.

Excitement and worry battled in her stomach. While she liked a good seduction as much as the next girl, she really wasn't sure she was comfortable climbing into bed with Jackson right now.

She pulled open the door, prepared to tell him that when she saw the man waiting for her wasn't her date. He was her ex-fiance.

"Alex?"

"Katie, hi."

Alex took a step into her room, tripping as he crossed the threshold.

"You're drunk."

"Maybe." He stood in front of her, his expression hopeful. Kind of like a puppy. "Maybe we only tell the truth when we're drunk."

Uh-oh. She didn't like the sound of that. "Alex, whatever you have going on, you need to take it up with Courtney. You two are getting married in less than forty-eight hours." She turned him and gave him a push toward the still-open door. "Out you go."

He stood immovable as stone. "Katie, what if it's a mistake? What if I don't love Courtney?"

Alarms went off inside her head. "You're just nervous about getting married." And a jerk for acting like this less than forty-eight hours before the wedding, but that was a conversation for later. "That's all this is."

He reached for her. "Remember how it was with us? How great?"

"No. I don't."

He gave her a lopsided, sloppy smile. "You miss me. You know you do."

Hadn't she just been mature-girl, not two minutes ago with Jackson? Hadn't she done the right thing? And what? This was her reward? On what planet was that fair?

"Okay," she said, giving him a smile. "I need to take care of a couple of things." She pointed to the bathroom. "Just stay right there."

"I could take my clothes off."

She held in a shriek, but instead tried to look seductive. "Oh, Alex. Leave that for me."

He plopped down on the bed. "Okay. I will."

She ducked into the bathroom and pulled her cell phone out of her evening bag. Grateful her mother had given her Jackson's number and she'd put it in her phone, she dialed it and waited.

"Katie?"

"Alex is here. He's drunk and thinks he wants to have sex with me."

"There's a lot of that going around."

"Very funny. I need help."

"Be right there."

He was as good as his word, arriving before she'd walked out of the bathroom. Jackson looked at Alex, then shook his head.

"I don't think so," he said. "You had your chance and you walked away. Now, she's mine."

Confusion clouded Alex's eyes. "You're Katie's new boyfriend?"

"That's me."

"Damn."

Alex stood, leaned a little too far to the right, then straightened himself. He managed to make it to the still-open door and paused.

"Sorry, man."

"Don't let it happen again," Jackson said.

Alex waved and carefully closed the door behind him.

"Impressive," she told Jackson. "Thanks for saving me. If he'd tried anything, it would have been a disaster."

"A scandal, at the very least."

He wanted her. She felt it in his gaze, saw it in the set of his body. But being the kind of guy he was, he would respect her refusal and not even make a second attempt. As she'd thought before...nice.

The smart thing would be to let him walk away. They barely knew each other. This was an overly emotional situation and she wasn't thinking straight. Giving in to sex with a stranger was a big mistake. Huge. She would hate herself in the morning.

All very reasonable arguments, Katie thought as she walked over to Jackson and touched his glasses.

"How well do you see without those?" she asked.

"I see great close up."

"Good."

Sometime between their goodbye and his return to her room, he'd taken off his suit jacket and tie. Her work was nearly done for her. It would be a shame to let that effort go to waste.

"You want to take off your glasses?" she asked.

"What will you give me if I do?"

She laughed. "Whatever you want."

Six

Jackson put his glasses on the table by the door and turned to her. Katie saw the deep green of his eyes, the thick lashes, the perfect lines of his face.

"You're really a very--"

She didn't get any further. Instead of letting her speak, he pulled her against him, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply.

There was no easing into position, no slight brush of mouth on mouth. Instead he pressed his lips to hers as if he meant to have her, and nothing was going to stop him.

The power of his mouth, the heat, nearly had her swooning. Even as she parted for him and met him stroke for stroke, she felt a tightness in her chest. As if she couldn't catch her breath.

His hands were everywhere--up and down her back, along her hips, cupping her rear, then squeezing. She arched against him, bringing her midsection in contact with his arousal. He was hard and thick, she thought desperately. Deep inside, she felt a liquid warmth easing through her.

She hung on, as much to feel his strength as to stay standing. Wanting grew to desperation. Hunger burned like fire, licking through her body, making her whimper.

With an ease that was impressive, he found and lowered the zipper on the back of her dress. He broke the kiss long enough to slip the fabric down her arms, before returning his mouth to hers. He slid his hands from her back to her waist, then up to the black bra covering her breasts.

"God, you feel good," he breathed as he cupped the curves in his hands.

His fingers found her tight nipples and brushed them. Erotic delight wove through her, settling between her legs and making her squirm. He made quick work of her bra, tossed it aside, then bent his head to her breasts.

He took first one nipple, then the other, in his mouth. He didn't just lick and suck--he feasted on her skin, tasting, teasing, arousing. She trembled, her insides melting, that place between her thighs swelling until it ached. He used his tongue, his lips, his teeth until she was incoherent. When he started backing her toward the bed, she couldn't move fast enough.

They reached the mattress. As she stepped out of her sandals, he toed off his shoes. Her dress hit the floor, as did his shirt and socks. She stood in bikini panties, aware that she was fifteen...okay, twenty...pounds over her ideal weight, but instead of feeling self-conscious, she felt lush. Desirable.

Jackson hid nothing. Not the hunger burning in his eyes or the throbbing of his erection. He let his pants drop, then pushed down his briefs and reached for her hand and brought it to him.

"You're driving me to the edge," he whispered before he kissed her.

She touched his smooth hardness, felt the velvety tip and once again shuddered. But when she would have moved faster, steadier, he pushed her hand away and smiled.

"Let's just say my control isn't what it should be."

Because of her? It was the reason that made the most sense and she was going to enjoy believing it. But there wasn't much time to revel. Not with him tugging at her panties, then lowering them.

She stepped out of the scrap of fabric. He eased her onto the bed, then slid in next to her. They came together in a rush of arms and legs and hot, arousing kisses.

He slipped one hand between her legs and groaned as his fingers sank into the swollen, ready flesh. A finger slipped inside her as he used his thumb to circle her center. The combination, done in perfect rhythm, drove her from very interested to panting in about two seconds.

There was something about the way he touched her. As if he knew exactly what she would like. The finger inside her moved more deeply, then curved up toward her belly, finding an internal fun switch that made her open her legs wide and beg for more.

He eased her onto her back. Her eyes were closed as she lost herself in the sensations washing through her. There was too much, she thought desperately. She couldn't come this fast. But she also seemed to have lost control of everything. There was his thumb going around and around, barely grazing her swollen and hungry center. His other finger matched the movement, but from the inside, touching her in a way that made her want to scream. Her skin was hot, her legs shaking. Muscles clenched in anticipation. It was a runaway train of sexual need and she could only hold on.

Without warning, he licked her right nipple. The unexpected contact made her shudder. Then he drew the tip into his mouth and sucked deeply. A second later, her orgasm burst to life, vibrating through her, making her writhe and cry out.

She rode the pleasure, pressing down on his finger. He replaced it with two, filling her more, letting her grind against him. Waves and waves of pleasure crashed into her, taking her along for the ride of a lifetime.

The sensations slowed, then gentled before fading. Katie felt at one with the universe and a little embarrassed by her out-of-control reaction. What would he think of her? That she was some sex-starved crazy woman? Self-doubt, her least favorite personal companion, slid into bed with them.

But before it could get comfortable, Jackson shifted so that he was kneeling between her legs. He parted her, pushed his way inside, and braced himself above her. It was only then she noticed his arms were shaking.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he asked as he filled her. "You could kill a man like that."

She stared up at him. Her first thought was that he was beautiful. Her second was to ask, "What are you talking about?"

He swore again, even as he pushed into her, then withdrew. "You were incredible. So sexy. I could feel you getting close, and then you were coming and I couldn't get enough of it. I don't know how long I can hold back."

He spoke with wonder, but there was also a guttural need. She felt it and saw it. Any lingering doubt faded. She absorbed the feel of him filling her over and over, shifted so she could wrap her legs around his hips and keep him in place.

"You don't have to hold back," she whispered, reveling in his urgency. "I want you."

She moved her hips in time with him, drawing him in deeper. She noticed his gaze kept dropping to her full breasts, moving with every thrust. Acting on instinct, she cupped them in her hands and ran her fingers across the nipples. Instantly he shuddered inside her and groaned out his release.

Later, when they were under the covers in her bed, tangled up together, he kissed the top of her head.

"I'm an idiot," he murmured.

"Why?"

"My mother has been trying to get me to ask you out for years. If I'd listened, we could have been doing this for a whole lot longer."

"I've resisted, too," she admitted, looking at him and smiling. "So we're both stupid. We could send small but tasteful gifts."

"Then they'd know we had sex."

"Based on what I know about my parents' sex life, I don't think that's a problem," she told him.

He laughed, then shifted so she was on her back and he was leaning over her. "Katie," he whispered, right before his mouth claimed hers.

They spent the night together, then woke early, showered and discovered a whole new level of fun with hot water and soap. Katie found herself leaning forward, arms braced against the tile walls, the water pounding on her back, while Jackson knelt between her thighs and used his lips and tongue to reduce her to a quivery mass. She returned the favor. By the time they stepped out of the steamy bathroom, she was hungry, achy and feeling better than she had in years. Maybe ever.

A quick glance at the bedside clock showed her that it was already past nine.

"Much as I would like to play with you all day, I have to get dressed," she told Jackson. "I have family stuff to take care of. The rehearsal is this afternoon and the dinner is tonight."

He kissed her nose. "I'll come with you."

She blinked at him. "To the family stuff?"

"Sure. I'll distract them with my wit and charm."

She touched his bare chest. "Or you could just take your shirt off. That will distract the women."

"I don't want Aunt Tully getting any ideas."

She pressed her mouth to his shoulder. "Me, either. I suspect a man is never the same after knowing Aunt Tully."

They were both still laughing when someone knocked on her door.

"Katie? Are you still in there?"

Katie winced. "My mom."

He grabbed his clothes and ducked into the bathroom. "I'll be quiet," he promised.

"Thanks."

Katie tossed her towel on the bed and slipped into her robe, then crossed the room.

"Hi, Mom," she said as she opened the door.

Her mother frowned. "You're still not dressed?"

"I, ah, didn't get a lot of sleep last night."

"Me, either. All this stress. Swear to me you won't have a huge four-day event like this when you get married."

"I promise. It's not my style."

Her mother collapsed onto the chair in the corner and rubbed her temples. "It's a nightmare. In no particular order, Aunt Tully made a pass at Bruce and no one is sure if he took her up on it or not, Alex is missing and Courtney is having second thoughts. I've never been someone who medicates her way through life, but I'm thinking this is a good day to start."

Katie stared at her mother. Bruce was Alex's dad. And married. "You think Aunt Tully slept with the groom's father?"

"Honestly, I'm trying not to think about it."

"His wife can't be happy."

"She's not. Let's just say I asked the kitchen staff to inventory the knives until this is all cleared up. There was quite the shouting match this morning over breakfast. You should have been there."

Katie thought about what she and Jackson had been doing instead. "Yes, it's a shame," she murmured, trying not to smile at the memory. Just remembering was enough to get her body tingling. The aching parts of her might be sore but they sure weren't done.

She shook off the memories and focused on the problems at hand. "Is Alex really missing?"

"No one has seen him since the party. Apparently he was drunk."

Katie remembered his visit to her room. "Um, Mom?"

"What?"

"He came by here. He said he loved Courtney but he wanted to have sex with me."

Katie expected shrieking, but her mother only closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair.

"Mom?"

"I'm imagining myself in another place. A quiet place with running water and the sounds of happy birds. I am one with the universe."

"Can you be one with the universe and look for the groom?"

Her mother opened her eyes. "No, but you're right. Wedding first, breakdown second." She drew in a breath. "I know those two really care about each other. I've seen it and heard it and believe it. It's just they're both so dramatic. His car is still here, so he has to be somewhere. Maybe he went into the woods to sleep it off."

"Or be eaten by a bear. Didn't you say Courtney was having second thoughts? The untimely death of the groom would give her all the attention without the wedding."

Janis's mouth twitched. "Don't be mean."

"I'm just saying."

Her mother stood. "All right. I'll deal with Aunt Tully and Bruce. We'll leave Courtney to pout in her room. She always loved a good sulk when she was little and that hasn't changed. You go looking for Alex." Her eyes narrowed. "You're not still in love with him are you? If so, I'm not throwing you two together."

Katie thought about the delicious man hovering in her bathroom. How he made her feel when he was around. Jackson listened and appreciated her. He was magic in bed. Smart, funny, charming.

"It's not possible for me to be more over Alex than I am. He is complete history. Has been for months now."

"Good. Then find him and talk some sense into him. Use force if you have to. There will be a wedding tomorrow. I swear there will be."

"You go, Mom."

"Don't mock me. I'm a woman on the edge." Her mother gave her a brief hug, then kissed her cheek. "Thank you for being normal."

"You're welcome."

When her mother had left, Jackson came out of the bathroom. He'd already dressed.

"Looks like you're safe from Aunt Tully," Katie told him. "She's replaced you."

"So it seems. Do you really think she's sleeping with the father of the groom?"

"With her, it's not hard to believe anything."

He winced. "There are going to be some wild fireworks."

"There always are."

He grabbed her hand. "Want some help looking for Alex? Divide and conquer?"

"That would be great. I'll take the kitchen and the lower floors."

He nodded. "I'll change into jeans and check the grounds."

"Watch out for bears. You're pretty enough that they'll want you."

"No guy wants to be pretty."

She smiled. "It looks good on you."

"You look good on me."

He kissed her, then left. Katie stood there, wearing nothing but a robe, thinking this was probably the best wedding ever.

Seven

Divide and conquer might make sense, Katie thought a half hour later, when she'd dressed and made her way to the kitchens. But there was a flaw in the plan. A tall, red-headed flaw with long legs, a perfect pouty mouth and an ability to only think about one thing.

"You're with the wedding, right?" Ariel asked as Katie entered the kitchen.

Jackson's ex stood by a counter, carefully assembling a four-tiered wedding cake. Smooth, white fondant covered all the layers. Stacked trays contained already-made flowers in pale pink and yellow. Silver dots lined paper sheets.

"Yes. My sister is getting married."

"Good, so what do you know about Jackson? I saw you with him. You guys are friends?"

Katie thought about Jackson's intimate kiss that morning, in the shower. The way he'd pressed his open mouth on the most sensitive part of her. There wasn't an inch of skin he hadn't touched or tasted. He'd made her come in ways that were borderline illegal.

"We're friends," she said, hoping she sounded calm and slightly disinterested. Her instinct was to rip off Ariel's face, something the other woman might resist. And there was the cake to consider.

"Is he..." Ariel sucked in a breath. "Is he with anyone? We used to go out. I left him because I was stupid. Now I see we were great together. He's amazing, and I totally blew it. I made a mistake. I want him back."

Tears filled her perfect, almond-shaped eyes. No red nose and blotchy skin for Ariel when she cried, Katie thought bitterly.

What Katie wanted to say was that she and Jackson were together. Practically in love. Because they--

The world stood still. She'd heard the phrase, read the phrase, but this was the first time in her life she'd felt it. Everything stopped moving. There was total silence. Even her heart was quiet.

Practically in love? She couldn't be in love. She barely knew Jackson. Okay, yes, he was everything she'd ever wanted and nice and funny and kind. The man had agreed to be her date for the weekend because his mother had asked him. How many guys did that without being scarily attached to the mother in question?

If he was everything she'd been looking for and they had amazing chemistry in bed and he made her feel like a goddess, was it unreasonable to assume that there was the tiniest possibility that she was falling in love with him? Crazy, maybe, but possible?

The world lurched into place again.

"Are you okay?" Ariel asked.

"Fine," Katie murmured, feeling more than a little dazed. "I, uh, don't know anything about his love life." She was speaking the truth. Well, excluding his relationship with her.

While she was sure he wasn't seeing anyone seriously--his mother wouldn't have asked him to do the wedding weekend if he was--she didn't know about casual relationships. For all she knew he had a string of women lined up, waiting for their turn. If last night was only a sampling of his talents, then it made sense there would be plenty of takers.

Ariel sighed. "I want to talk to him. Explain. I want him back. I can't believe how stupid I was. A guy like Jackson doesn't come along very often."

"No, he doesn't," Katie said, backing toward the door. "You haven't seen the groom, have you?"

"No. Only your mom. She's really nice."

"We all think so. Thanks."

"Wish me luck with Jackson."

Katie waved instead, and left the kitchen. Dazed, she walked into the lobby, then out into the bright morning light.

She was falling in love with the man her mother had tried to set her up with a thousand times. Talk about ironic. Even more confusing was the fact that she couldn't begin to have any idea about how Jackson felt. Asking him was out of the question. She refused to be one of those scary, needy girls who wanted to talk marriage on a second date. She was used to hiding her feelings from the world. Why should this time be any different?

She glanced toward the hotel. Maybe because Jackson was different, she thought. Or maybe he wasn't. Maybe she was making too big a deal out of a great smile and even better sex.

Jackson didn't have to go very far to find the missing groom. He was passed out on a bench in an outbuilding probably used to store skis in the winter.

Jackson shook Alex's shoulder a couple of times. The other man groaned, rolled over and blinked sleepily up at him.

"Hey," Alex said, his voice hoarse. "I know you. You're here for my wedding. I miss Courtney. She's great. Have you noticed how great she is?"

"Courtney's amazing," Jackson told him. "And you're going to marry her tomorrow."

Alex slowly pushed into a sitting position. "I know. She's beautiful and stuff, but she can be selfish and it makes me crazy. Then I think about not being with her and it hurts to breathe. What do you think that means?"

"You're nervous about getting married," Jackson said firmly. "It happens. You need to focus on what you love about Courtney, how you felt when you proposed. Back then you knew you'd be happy together forever. Remember that now."

Alex blinked several times. "That's deep, man."

"I'm a trained professional," Jackson said, comfortable with the lie. "You need to get up and go back to the hotel. Shower, shave and have a lot of coffee. Then you're going to find Courtney and tell her how much you love her. After that, you'll have to deal with your mother. It's possible that your father slept with Aunt Tully."

Alex's stare turned glassy. "My father what?"

Jackson helped Alex to his feet. "Your mother will fill in the details. Now do you remember what you're supposed to do?"

"Shower, shave, coffee, Courtney, Mom. Got it."

"Excellent."

"So you're a shrink?" Alex asked, leading the way out of the small building.

"Something like that."

"Katie's lucky to have you. She deserves someone really great."

"I know."

"It wasn't me."

"Apparently not."

Alex sighed. "I miss her, too."

"She's not on your list."

"I know."

Jackson watched Alex trudge toward the hotel. When the other man disappeared inside, Jackson stayed where he was and wondered how big a disaster this wedding was going to be.

Eight

"Why does Alex think you're a psychiatrist?" Katie asked later that afternoon as she and Jackson walked toward the room where the rehearsal would be held.

"I gave him advice and he assumed."

"Makes sense." She smiled. "He's not going to be happy when he finds out the truth."

"If the wedding goes as planned, it shouldn't matter one way or the other."

Jackson sounded confident and he looked yummy. Or maybe it was the fact that due to all the stress and trauma, she'd missed lunch.

She eyed him, taking in the tailored pants, the long-sleeved shirt and sports jacket. He looked good. Good enough to make her forget the growling in her stomach.

Danger, she reminded herself. Falling for Jackson wasn't smart. Not until she knew a little more about him. But they hadn't had much time alone and now that they were by themselves, she couldn't think of a single normal opening line. "So tell me about yourself" didn't exactly meet the subtle requirement.

"Did you get any sleep?" Jackson whispered in her ear, his hand at the small of her back.

Something warm and liquid flowed through her. "I tried, but there were too many interruptions."

"Should I apologize?"

"You weren't the one interrupting me."

He grinned at her. "You know what I mean."

Their gazes locked. She felt the crackle of awareness, of need. "No," she whispered. "Don't apologize."

"Good."

They'd stopped just outside the open door. Katie could hear conversation and knew they should take that last couple of steps and go inside. But staring into Jackson's eyes was the best part of her day. Well, kissing him was better and when he touched her...

"I read science fiction," he blurted.

"What?"

"I read science fiction. I like spy movies and thrillers. I can sit through a romantic comedy if it's important to you. I like relaxed vacations, preferably by the beach, but I can do the mountain thing, too."

He cupped her face. "Tell me what you like."

"Um, I read romances and mysteries. I like most movies, as long as they're not too violent or gory. I can't remember the last vacation I took, but a beach would be nice."

"I fell out of a tree when I was eight and broke my arm."

"I have a tattoo on my butt that says Buddy."

He dropped his hands and stared at her. "Buddy."

She laughed and kissed him. "Kidding. No tattoo."

"I didn't think so. I would have seen it last night." He grabbed her in his arms and spun her around. "We wasted way too much time, Katie. My mom's going to love hearing that."

Her heart pounded hard and fast. What exactly was he saying? Could she hope that he was as crazy about her as she was about him? Was it possible that she was going to get that lucky?

She opened her mouth, prepared to ask, when a soft voice spoke his name.

"Jackson, do you have a second?"

He put her down and they both turned to find a very beautiful, worried-looking Ariel standing behind them.

"I have to go to the wedding rehearsal," he said, his hand still on Katie's waist.

"This shouldn't take long. Please?"

Katie thought about how much Jackson had come to mean to her and how, when compared with the tall, leggy beauty, she was perfectly average. Before falling for him, she would have instantly gone to the bad place. While she was flirting with heading in that direction, there was a part of her that felt strong.

"You should talk to her," she told him.

"Why? I know the rehearsal won't be fun."

"I'll survive, and you won't be that long."

At least she hoped he wouldn't be. Besides, if he was the kind of guy to sleep with her and then want to get back together with an ex, better she know that now. When there was still a chance of getting out with her heart intact. Or at the very least only slightly shattered.

"I'll be right back," he promised, then walked toward Ariel.

Katie didn't want to see the two beautiful people together, so she hurried into the rehearsal room.

She would be fine, she told herself as she raised her chin and strode forward purposefully. Then promptly fell over a handbag, stumbled, twisted, felt an ugly pop and crumpled to the floor.

Katie really wanted to stay where she was. If she could lie on the floor and have everyone pretend they couldn't see her, she would be perfectly happy. Instead, they all gathered around, hovering, asking questions and offering advice.

Alex reached her first and helped her into a chair. "Where does it hurt?" he asked, rubbing his hands up and down her legs.

She pushed him away. "I'm fine. It's nothing."

Her mother reached her next. "Are you all right?"

"I think I pulled something. I'm sure I'll be okay in a second."

Her mother squeezed her hand. "If you're going to try and get out of the wedding, you'll have to do better than this," she whispered.

Katie managed a smile through the growing pain in her knee. "The window was too far."

Her father knelt in front of her and cupped her knee. "It's swelling, kid. I'm guessing a sprain. Let's go have a look."

He helped her hobble to the room next door. She pulled off her sandals and white jeans, then winced when she saw her knee. It was nearly double in size.

"That's attractive," she murmured.

Her dad, a family doctor, probed and squeezed. "You're the sports nut in the family. Want to guess?"

She'd seen enough knee strains to recite from memory. "Ice, elevation, rest, ibuprofen and wrap it when I'm standing."

"That's my girl. If it's not better in the next couple of days, we'll do an X-ray, but my guess is you'll be fine." He stood. "Trying to get out of walking down the aisle?"

"If only." She poked at her knee, then winced. "Talk about graceful."

He supported her as she stood, then helped her back into her clothes. "We love you anyway."

"I appreciate the lack of conditions on your affection," she said and hugged him.

He held her for a second. "This wedding is a disaster. You hear about Tully and Bruce?"

"It beats thinking about you and mom having sex."

"Don't go there."

"Believe me, I'm trying not to."

Her father straightened, then looked at her. "I know Alex hurt you when he dumped you for Courtney, but I was relieved. He was never the right one for you. I hope you know that."

"I do."

"Good."

The door opened and Jackson burst in. "I was gone fifteen minutes. What the hell happened?" He saw Katie's father and stopped. "Uh, sir," he added.

Bad enough that everyone in the wedding party had witnessed her clumsiness, but now she had to tell Jackson about it.

"This is why I only write about sports rather than actually participate in them," she said with a shrug. "I tripped."

"Are you hurt? I hear you broke something."

"A knee strain," her father said cheerfully. "She'll be fine." He hesitated, then glanced between them. "Should I let you lean on him?"

Katie nodded, and her father left. She turned to Jackson.

"How's Ariel?"

"Fine. What happened?"

"Ariel first."

"You first."

She huffed out a breath. "I fell over a purse and twisted my knee."

"She thinks we should get back together. I told her no."

Katie had already known what he was going to say, but it was still a punch in the gut to hear the words.

"Can you be more specific?" she asked cautiously.

He crossed to her. "Do you need ice or something?"

"Ice, elevation, rest and ibuprofen."

"In that order?"

"All at once is better."

"That's what I thought."

Before she could figure out what he was doing, he bent over, gathered her in his arms and picked her up. She shrieked as she left the ground.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Taking you to your room."

The door her father had closed opened again and her mother stood there, wide-eyed. "I heard screaming and..." She took in her daughter in Jackson's arms, then sighed. "That's so romantic."

"It's not," Katie insisted, hanging on to his neck. "I'm not a cat. Put me down."

"I'm taking you to your room. You need to take care of your knee." He walked easily, as if she wasn't solidly built. "Janis, if you could get Katie's purse?"

"Of course."

They moved through the rehearsal room where everyone gathered around. Everyone except Courtney, who stared at Katie with unconcealed anger in her eyes. Katie buried her face in Jackson's shoulder.

"Don't worry about the rehearsal," her mother was saying. "You walk down the aisle and wait for the bride. How hard could it be? Jackson, you take good care of my girl."

"I will," he promised and stepped onto the waiting elevator.

Nine

"Better?" Jackson asked an hour later.

Katie lay on the bed, her leg propped up on a couple of pillows, ice held in place with one of his T-shirts.

"I'm dealing more with a sense of the ridiculous rather than pain," she admitted. "I can't believe I did that."

Talk about embarrassing. So far nearly everyone in the wedding party had been by to check on her. Not Courtney, but her sister would assume Katie had tripped on purpose--to ruin Courtney's day.

"I was distracted," she admitted, looking at Jackson, who was stretched out next to her.

He rolled onto his side, his head resting on his hand. "Ariel?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Maybe."

"We're not together. We haven't been for a long time."

"She wants to change that."

"I want to cover you in champagne and lick you dry, but that's not going to happen." He grinned. "At least not tonight."

He leaned toward her and kissed her. "I'm not interested in Ariel."

"She's beautiful."

He shrugged. "I'm over her. I was ten minutes after she left."

Which was both reassuring and concerning. "You don't believe in second chances?"

"Sure, but why would I want her when you're around?"

She felt her mouth drop open. That seemed to happen a lot around Jackson. She closed it. "Nice answer."

"Any more questions?" he asked.

"Not really."

"Good." He kissed her again, this time more slowly. "Think your family is done checking up on you?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I hope so."

"Me, too."

The next morning, Jackson eased himself out of Katie's bed. She was still asleep, her short blond hair spiky against the pillowcase.

She'd spent most of the night on her back, her leg draped over a pillow, to elevate her knee. Now, he saw the swelling had gone down. She would be stiff when she got up, but would heal quickly. His gaze lingered on the painted toenails. Something he'd never cared about one way or the other, but on Katie, they were oddly erotic.

Her skin was soft, he thought as he pulled on clothes. Her body warm, her responses irresistible. There was something about her--something special and unique. Something that drew him in and made him want to stay.

Instead he crossed the room and quietly let himself out into the hall. He would shower in his own room. Today was the wedding. Katie would need to be rested.

But before he could pull the door shut, Courtney stepped out of the elevator and headed for him.

"Is she up?" the bride-to-be demanded. "I have to talk to her."

"She's still--"

Courtney didn't bother to listen to the rest of it. She pushed past him and burst into the room.

"You're not up? You have to get up. There's something going on with Alex. He doesn't love m-me."

The last word was accompanied by wild sobbing.

Jackson hesitated, not sure if he wanted to go back inside and be supportive or run for the hills. As the mountains were mere feet away, the latter was tempting. Still, he sucked it up and went into Katie's room.

She'd sat up in bed, drawing the sheets up to her shoulders. Their eyes met and she smiled at him.

"Morning," she said, her voice low and sexy.

"Morning."

"Are you listening to me?" Courtney demanded loudly. "Alex isn't sure he wants to marry me."

That got Katie's attention. She stared at her sister. "You said he loves you before. Which is it?"

"Does it matter? I'm miserable."

Katie did her best not to roll her eyes. "Why? You're marrying a really great guy who adores you. This is going to be a great day."

"You're just saying that because you're jealous of me."

Katie frowned. If she was jealous, wouldn't she be mean rather than nice? "What exactly is there to be jealous of?"

"I'm getting married, and all you have is a paid escort."

Jackson leaned against the door frame. "You're paying me?"

"You haven't heard?" Katie asked, sounding more amused than hurt. "Hundreds of dollars."

"Is there a bonus for good behavior?"

"I was thinking I might give you a little something extra."

"I can't wait."

Courtney turned on him. "Shut up and stay out of this. None of this has anything to do with you."

He straightened and moved toward her. "On the contrary. It has everything to do with me because it has to do with Katie. Whatever your problems are with your fiance, they have nothing to do with your sister. Katie has been supportive of you, which is more than it seems like you deserve."

Courtney's mouth dropped open. "You...you..."

"Your sister has no interest in Alex. If she did, he would be a very lucky man. But she has moved on. As has Alex. He's in love with you and wants to marry you. If you expect this marriage to work, you're going to have to grow up. You probably won't like acting like an adult, but it will be good for you."

Courtney glared at him. "I hate you."

"You're not my favorite person, either."

"You're not invited to my wedding. Don't even think about showing up," Courtney said as she ran out of the room.

He walked toward the bed.

"Should I go after her and apologize?" he asked.

Katie grinned. "No, but talk about great breakfast theater. That was amazing. And a long time coming."

"You shouldn't let her trash you."

"I know. Old habits and all that."

He was about to bend down and kiss her when the door opened again.

Janis hurried in, barely blinking when she saw him in Katie's room.

"Apparently the lovebirds have had a fight. I can't find Courtney, Alex is moping and it's not even nine in the morning. I knew they were going to make me wish we'd paid them to elope. They're both so immature, yet oddly right for each other."

"Courtney was just here," Katie said. "She's upset and emotional."

Janis touched her temple. "I can feel a headache coming on. I swear, there will be a wedding if I have to drug them and tie them up."

"At least that will make for interesting pictures," Katie offered.

"I'm ignoring that. How's your knee?"

"Much better."

"Thank God. That means you're out of excuses. Please get up and dressed. I'm going to need help today. And very possibly black-market drugs. I wonder if your father would write me a prescription." She drew in a breath and smiled absently at Jackson.

"Morning, Jackson."

"Janis."

"A word to the wise. Never have daughters."

The morning passed quickly. Katie was pleased to discover the swelling in her knee had almost completely disappeared. She wore low-heeled shoes, saving her moments on high heels for the walk down the aisle. There were a thousand details to see to and in an effort to take the pressure off her mother, she'd offered to take care of all of them. The cake was finished, the chairs set up. The florist was hard at work, stringing ribbons and setting out arrangements.

She left the room that would be used for the actual service, then made her way outside onto a side patio. The day was bright and sunny, promising to be warm. Perfect for pictures.

Courtney and Alex were nowhere to be seen, but she could only hope they were off somewhere having makeup sex. Anything to move the wedding forward.

"You're frowning," Jackson said as he came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.

"I'm thinking Courtney and Alex are crazy. Shouldn't they have worked out their issues before they decided to get married?"

"You'd think, but no." He took the clipboard from her hands. "How's the checklist?"

"I'm making great progress." She glanced at him, then away. "Ariel left."

He turned her until she faced him. "You have to let Ariel go. I did."

"But she's so..."

"Yes?"

It was impossible to think with him staring into her eyes like that. As if she was interesting and compelling and, well, wonderful.

"What were you like as a kid?" she asked.

"Reclusive." He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I liked computers more than people and kept to my room. My mother tried everything to get me to play with the kids in the neighborhood, but I wasn't interested. I didn't know how to fit in or what to say to make them like me."

"Too many brains and not enough social skills?"

"Exactly. I was in college by the time I was sixteen."

"The summer we met," she teased. "When you were so charming."

"You bullied me."

"A moment of pride."

One corner of his mouth turned up. "If only I'd followed my heart back then."

She laughed. "Oh, please. You weren't interested in me."

"There was a spark."

"More like a laser beam of hatred."

"Maybe it would have been better if our mothers had waited to introduce us."

Katie nodded, then looked away. What would it have been like if she and Jackson had met when they were older? After she'd graduated from high school or during her first year of college. When she'd been thinner and prettier. More interested in boys.

"I would have been impressed," she admitted.

"Me, too."

He leaned in, as if to kiss her. She relaxed into his arms. But before she could give herself over to the moment, she heard a familiar laugh.

"Aunt Tully," she whispered against Jackson's mouth. "I'm supposed to find her and keep her away from Bruce."

Apparently the issues between the parents of the groom had not yet been resolved. Katie couldn't find out if there had been flirtation between Tully and Bruce or something more. To be honest, she didn't really want to know.

There were footsteps on the patio. Katie turned and saw an older couple in a passionate embrace. Even from several feet away it was easy to see their bodies straining, the deep kisses, the way the man's hands cupped Tully's butt oh-so possessively.

Katie's stomach flipped over. "Oh, God," she murmured. "That's not Alex's mother, is it?"

"Sorry, no. It's definitely Tully."

"What should we do?"

"They're adults."

Katie looked at him. "You're saying it's not our responsibility?"

"Something like that."

"So we should run."

"Quietly."

He took her hand and led her away.

Instead of returning to the hotel, they went around to the front, then across the driveway to the rose garden on the side. There was a gazebo, with a few chairs and benches. Jackson waited until she was seated on a bench before pulling a chair up across from her. He drew her feet onto his lap, pulled off her flats and began to rub her toes.

"How is your knee?" he asked, his long, strong fingers massaging her.

"Good. A little stiff, but I'm fine." She glanced over her shoulder, toward the hotel. "I don't know about leaving Tully and Bruce like that."

"You really want to get in the middle of that conversation?"

"No. But Alex's mom is going to be pissed." She shook her head. "No. Not pissed. Hurt."

"You're assuming this is the first time."

Katie looked at him. "Tully does this a lot. Takes advantage of men."

"Sorry, no. She doesn't take advantage of them. They're willing partners in whatever she's doing. Maybe she shows them something they didn't know was there. Maybe they use her as an excuse. But either way, they have to take responsibility for their actions."

Something Katie hadn't thought about. "Everyone always says Tully is a force of nature. That no one can resist her."

"I did."

"You're different."

"No. Just scared."

Katie laughed. "You're saying she's not your type?"

"She'd probably kill me. I doubt I could keep up."

He continued to massage her feet. Warmth spread through her, making her want to confess her true feelings. But saying she was falling in love with him wasn't an option. If anything, it would frighten him off and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

"I think you could take on Tully and win," she told him.

"I appreciate the confidence but I'm not interested in that particular competition. I'd rather take on you."

"Good answer."

Ten

After a few more minutes of massage, Jackson slipped Katie's shoes back on, then shifted so he was sitting next to her on the bench. He put his arm around her and she snuggled in close.

He felt warm, she thought. Safe.

"Tell me about where you live," she said.

"Outside of Los Angeles."

"Not Silicon Valley?"

"I avoided the cliche," he said. "There's plenty of talent in L.A. and when I was starting my business, I wanted good people."

"Have you lived there long?"

"Seven years. We're looking to move the company. We want something more low-key. Everyone's getting married and having kids. We used to talk about the latest game innovations. Now conversations are about parks and school districts."

Something fluttered in her chest. Hope, she thought, wondering if Fool's Gold could make the short list.

"Any contenders?" she asked.

"Not yet. We're just starting the process. What about you? You said you were a hometown girl. Is that permanent?"

"Yes. I went away to school, but I came back here. For a while I thought about moving to a bigger city--trying to get a job on a real paper. But this is my home."

He looked up at the mountains soaring behind the resort. "It's beautiful." He hesitated. "There hasn't been anyone to tempt you into moving?"

"A guy, you mean?" She glanced up at him. "Oh, please. You've met Alex. Not exactly my finest hour. I thought he was one of the good guys." She closed her eyes, remembering. "I'd always thought that he took one look at Courtney and was simply swept away. But now I'm not so sure. I don't think we were right for each other. Courtney was a catalyst, not a cause."

"And before him?"

"The usual suspects. A high school boyfriend who broke my heart. A guy in college who was intense and romantic and was ultimately too intense and boring."

He played with the ends of her hair. "So you're the girl who got away."

His voice was low and sexy and made her insides shiver. "Not exactly."

"That wasn't a question. You are."

If only, she thought, then cleared her throat. "What about you? Other near misses besides Ariel."

"A couple. I didn't have a girlfriend in high school. My first romantic encounter was in college."

"Let me guess. She was older, taught you everything you know."

He shifted to face her. "How did you know?"

"You went to college when you were what? Five?"

"Sixteen."

"Close enough. It would be difficult to find another college girl your age. Unless you waited until your senior year." She stared into his beautiful green eyes. "You might have been willing to stall, but I doubt they were."

One corner of his mouth turned up. "I was seventeen and she was nineteen. Spring break in Mexico. I hadn't wanted to go."

"She made you glad you did?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Good thing you were out of the country. In most states that relationship would have been illegal."

The smile expanded. "It was worth it."

She laughed. "Not you, Jackson. Her. You were a minor."

"Oh. You're right. Just as well, then."

"And between the cougar and Ariel?"

He chuckled and pulled her close. "I was waiting for you."

If only that were true, she thought with a sigh, surrendering to the moment and the man. Jackson was a temptation she couldn't seem to ignore. Everything inside her screamed that he was the one. An impossible reality, given how short a time they'd known each other. But everything felt right.

All her life she'd gone after what she wanted. Even though she'd been a disaster at sports, she'd found a way to translate her love of the games into a career. When Colleen, the curmudgeonly editor of the local paper, had refused to interview her for the sports writer job, she'd sent her an article a day for three weeks. Colleen had relented and she'd been hired.

She'd tackled tough interviews, developed a network of friends and been happy. Except romantically. There she'd always been cautious, mostly because she was afraid of being hurt. But pain or not, she was falling for Jackson. Maybe it was time to do something about it.

She shifted on the bench so she was facing him. "You head home in the morning."

"That's the plan. Unless you want me to stick around."

She stared at him. "As in..."

"You could show me the town. Invite me to a sleep-over." He cupped her face in his strong hands. "This has been great, Katie. I owe my mom, big-time. You're amazing. I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to be lost," she admitted. "I'd love to show you around. I've enjoyed our time together. I never thought I could get involved with someone this quickly."

"Me, either."

She took one of his hands. "I've really enjoyed all our time together. You're exactly who--"

"There you are!" Katie's mom hurried across the grass toward the gazebo. "I've been looking for you everywhere. It's a madhouse. I say that because disaster is so negative, but trust me, it's not going well. Morning, Jackson."

"Janis."

Reluctantly Katie rose. "What's going on?" She checked her watch. "It's not time for us to be getting ready."

"No, you have a few hours before the stylist Courtney had flown in from San Francisco clucks over all of us. The big news is about Rachel and Bruce."

Katie winced, trying not to picture the older man in a passionate embrace with Tully.

"They're getting a divorce," Janis announced.

"What?"

"Apparently they've been separated for months, but Rachel didn't want anyone to know." Katie's mother lowered her voice. "It was Rachel's idea and she left Bruce for another woman."

Katie didn't know what to say.

Jackson moved next to her and whispered in her ear. "Are all your family events like this? I've got to tell you, it's better than dinner theater."

"Have you ever been to dinner theater?"

"You mentioned it this morning. It sounded fun."

Katie turned back to her mom. "Seriously? So it's okay that Bruce and Tully are involved?"

"I don't know if it's okay. Bruce isn't a young man. Tully will probably kill him, but he'll die happy. I saw them sucking face on the porch on my way to find you."

Katie winced. "Mom, do me a favor. Please don't say sucking face."

"Isn't that the right term? You young people today, always changing the language. It's hard to keep up."

Katie linked arms with her mom. "I know. We do it on purpose. Now is there anything else I should know? Are Alex and Courtney speaking?"

"That is a question for the ages."

Jackson had to surrender Katie to the stylist at about one-thirty. He spent the next few hours exploring the Fool's Gold city Web site and checking out real estate. From what he could see, the town was great and he could understand Katie's reluctance to move.

Shortly after four, he dressed in the dark suit he'd brought along, then went down to the lobby to wait for his mother. His father had gotten out of having to attend by a carefully scheduled business trip to Hong Kong.

He spotted his mom as soon as she walked in.

"You look great," he said, kissing her cheek.

"So do you." She put her hands on his upper arms and kissed his cheek. "Very handsome. And yet you're not the one getting married. Have I mentioned my need for grandchildren?"

"Sometimes you go a whole hour without mentioning it."

"Hmm, I must be slipping. How are things here?"

"Frantic," he admitted. "Trouble in paradise. Courtney and Alex are at odds. I have no idea where they stand now."

His mother winced. "No wonder Janis left me a voice mail telling me it would help if I drank before the wedding. I hope everything goes all right."

He agreed, although he wasn't sure what would define all right. At this point he would think the odds of Alex and Courtney figuring out how to be happy together were fairly slim, yet he agreed with Janis. The couple was oddly right together.

He glanced around to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. "Alex showed up at Katie's door, drunk, a couple of nights ago."

"What did he want?"

"Guess."

His mother shook her head. "Talk about a mess. What happened?"

"She called me, and I got him out of there." He wasn't going to mention how he'd then spent the night. Some details were best left undiscussed.

"So you've enjoyed your time with Katie," his mother said.

He led them to the bar and ordered them each a drink. While they waited, he faced her.

"Yes, Mom. You were right."

She sighed happily. "Hearing that never gets old. So you like her?"

"Katie's great. Funny and charming. Sweet, pretty, smart. We've had a great time. I'm sorry I waited so long to let you get us together."

His mother's gaze turned speculative. "Interesting. That's a little more enthusiasm than I was expecting. Are you planning to see her again?"

"Yes. She's going to show me around Fool's Gold tomorrow."

The pleasure bled from his mother's face. "Why would you do that? You don't have any interest in the town."

"I want to see where she lives."

"Is that all? Because I know you're thinking about moving your company. You can't move it here, Howie."

He did his best to keep from wincing as she spoke his name. "Why not? There's an educated workforce, great school and inexpensive housing."

"If you move the company here, Katie's going to think you're moving because of her. She's the daughter of my best friend. You can't do that if you're not one hundred percent sure of this relationship. I don't want you to hurt her."

"I don't want to hurt her, either."

"You never want to hurt them. But you do. You get involved to a certain degree and then you back off. I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm sure none of the young women you've dumped have been 'the one.' But Katie is different. If or until you know how serious you are about her, don't lead her on."

The bartender served their drinks. Jackson automatically handed the guy a twenty and waved off change.

He wanted to say his mother was mistaken. That he didn't have a pattern. Except looking over his past, he could see where she was right. He did get involved--to a point. But when it came to getting serious, when it came to getting married, he'd always backed away. He'd never been able to see himself spending the rest of his life with someone.

Until now.

Because while the thought of growing old with Ariel or any of the others would have sent him running for the impressive mountains behind the hotel, the thought of sixty or eighty years with Katie was appealing.

She would grow more beautiful with passing time. Her quirky humor and curious mind would challenge him. He found himself wanting to take care of her, make her feel safe. God knew he wanted to protect her from the few vicious elements in her family.

"Please don't take this wrong," his mother said earnestly. "I do love you, Howie, and I would love to see you and Katie together. But I don't want Katie to be hurt. You're amazing and the odds of her falling for you are huge. What woman wouldn't want you?"

"Spoken like a true mother," he murmured. "I get it."

"Are you sure?"

"I would do anything to avoid hurting Katie."

"Good. As long as you remember that."

Eleven

Despite the drama, the crying, the sulking, Courtney was ready to walk down the aisle right on time. Katie had already checked out the groom and he was waiting in place, up by the minister. Both main players were excited, happy and telling whoever would listen how much they loved each other.

The nearly three hundred guests were in place--a number that made Katie's stomach flip over. At least she wasn't the one who had to deal with the crowd.

Or pay for it, she thought, wondering how much the wedding had cost her parents. She returned to the bride's room.

"I look perfect," Courtney said, turning in front of the mirror and checking out her reflection.

Katie did her best to shake off her irritation at Courtney's vanity. After all, it was her wedding day, and it was only a few hours, she reminded herself. She would get through this because Courtney was her sister. But then it would be over and she could escape back to her regularly scheduled life.

"Everyone is waiting," Janis said as she entered the room. "Courtney, you look lovely. Your father is right here. Let's go."

Courtney adjusted her veil, picked up her flowers and smiled. "Hasn't this been the best weekend ever? Everything has been perfect, Mom. Alex and I really appreciate how you've made it so romantic."

"You're welcome."

Her mother took Katie's arm and pulled her out of the room.

"Thanks for all your help," Janis said. "I couldn't have gotten through this without you. I keep telling myself that in a few hours, this will all be over."

"That's what I was thinking. I swear, when I get married, I'm going to elope. Or have no more than fifty people."

"Your father and I will spend exactly the same on your wedding as we spent on your sister's."

Katie grinned at her mom. "Can I have the cash instead?"

Her mother hugged her. "With interest."

The ceremony was beautiful and went off smoothly. At the reception, the first dance made everyone sigh, the food was perfect and the cake had a place of honor in the corner.

The bride and groom had decided against a head table. Instead there was a special table just for them--under a fabric-draped archway, with twinkling lights.

Jackson pulled Katie close, moving in time with the music. "Would you be mad if I asked how much longer we have to stay?"

She grinned up at him. "No, because I already have an answer. Fifty-seven minutes. I promised my mom we'd be here until nine-thirty. Then we're free."

"Good. Your room or mine?"

She tilted her head as she considered the question. The soft light spilled onto her beautiful face, illuminating the light dusting of freckles, the shape of her mouth and the humor in her eyes.

"Your room," she said at last. "Mostly because no one will look for me there."

"You're saying I'm little more than an excuse."

"Is that a problem?"

"Not at all."

She laughed, and he felt the sound clear down to his gut. The sense of rightness he felt when he was around her had only grown.

His mother's words still lingered, making him aware that he would have to tread carefully. He wanted to make it clear to Katie and everyone else that she was important to him. He wasn't playing games. She was the one and he intended to have her.

Courtney came up and tapped Katie on the shoulder. "I'm going to throw the bouquet. I'm going to throw it directly at you. You know, for luck." Then Courtney hugged her. "I love you, Katie."

"I love you, too."

Courtney released her and glanced at Jackson. "Thanks for coming to my wedding."

"I thought you hated me."

She giggled the laugh of the very tipsy. "Don't be silly. Although you'd better be careful with my sister. I know all about you."

"What does that mean?" he asked.

Courtney turned her attention back to Katie. "I can tell you really like him. I mean, he's an arranged date and all but he's been nice. Still, be careful. You know how things go with guys. You're not very lucky."

Katie's expression went blank. Obviously she was really great at hiding her feelings.

Jackson wasn't willing to just take Courtney's crap anymore. "Listen," he began.

Courtney's eyes narrowed. "No. You listen. You slept with Ariel. She told me. So don't you hurt my sister. Come on." Courtney grabbed her sister's arm. "I'm throwing the bouquet."

Katie slipped away before he could stop her.

Jackson stood in the middle of the dance floor, watching the woman he loved being led away.

He hadn't slept with Ariel, at least, not in a very long time. Surely Katie knew that. She had to understand Courtney was lying or misrepresenting the truth. Or Ariel was. Katie had to know how much she meant to him. That he would never do anything to hurt her.

"Is everything all right?" his mother asked.

"Fine."

"Katie looked upset."

He had to fix this, he thought grimly. But how? There had to be some way to convince her that she was...

He put his hands on his mother's shoulders. "I need you to get Courtney to hold off on throwing the bouquet."

"What?"

"She's going to do it any second. I need you to get them to delay."

"For how long?"

"Until I'm back." He headed for the door.

"Howie--"

He turned around. "Mom, you have to stop calling me that. I'll explain everything as soon as I can. Just help me."

"All right. But I don't know what I'm going to say."

"You'll think of something."

"This is stupid," Courtney said, sipping champagne and pacing by the edge of the ballroom. "I want to throw the bouquet and get on with my life."

"Mom and Tina were really clear. They want us to wait."

"Fine. But only five more minutes. Then I'm doing what I want."

And damn the consequences, Katie thought wryly. Courtney had her moments of caring about other people. Unfortunately they were widely spaced.

"I'm hope you know I said what I did for your own good," Courtney said.

Katie stared at her blankly. "What are you talking about?"

"Jackson and Ariel. Did you look at her? You don't have a shot. I know that sounds cruel, but it's true. Better that you get over him now than he breaks your heart."

Katie told herself she would sleep better if she assumed the best about her sister. "I appreciate the warning, but Jackson and Ariel aren't together. They didn't sleep together."

Courtney's eyes widened. "Of course they did. Both nights."

"No," Katie said calmly. "They couldn't have. Jackson was with me."

Courtney flushed. Her mouth opened and closed. "Ariel said they did. She said she was telling me because she knew how much I loved you and thought someone should warn you. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you." Her expression cleared. "I'm glad it's not true."

Katie couldn't have been more surprised if the stemware started talking. "Um, me, too."

Courtney hugged her. "Now I really want you to catch my bouquet."

Still feeling slightly stunned, Katie got halfway across the dance floor when she heard Jackson call her name.

She stopped, her heart pounding hard in her chest. Love filled her. Love and hope and the knowledge that this man was the one. She turned toward him.

"Hi."

"I didn't sleep with Ariel."

He looked serious and worried, as if he'd genuinely been concerned. Which was exactly like him.

"I know."

"I wasn't even tempted."

"I believe you."

There were guests all around them. A few were pretending they weren't listening while others moved in closer.

Jackson pushed up his glasses as he stared at her. "I know this is fast and maybe a little crazy, but, Katie McCormick, you're the most amazing woman I've ever met. You're who I've been waiting for. It kills me that our moms were right, but we're going to have to live with that. At least I'm hoping we will. I love you."

Maybe there was other noise in the room. Music from the orchestra, a gasp or two, but all she heard were his words. Magical words that made her feel as if she could float.

"I've loved you from the second I saw you," he continued. "It's okay if you have to think about it, but please don't tell me no."

Then Jackson Kent, the most devastatingly handsome, sexy, wonderful man she'd ever known, dropped to his knee and held out a diamond ring.

"Katie, will you marry me?"

A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind. That if this was a dream, she never, ever wanted to wake up. That she hadn't known it was possible to love anyone as much as she did right now. That her sister was going to want to kill her. But mostly that every fiber of her being begged her to accept.

She crossed to him and crouched in front of him. After cupping his face in her hands and allowing herself to get lost in his green eyes, she smiled.

"Yes."

The room erupted in cheers and applause. Jackson stood, drawing her to her feet, then he pulled her close and kissed her.

"I love you," he whispered against her mouth.

"I love you, too. From that first second."

He pulled back long enough to put the ring on her finger. She stared at the massive diamond.

"Were you just carrying this around? Random diamonds in case you wanted to get married?"

"I got the hotel manager to get the jewelry store guy to open for me. We can get you something different, if you want. Maybe a little diamond football helmet or baseball."

She laughed. "This one is perfect. Just like you."

He swung her around, then kissed her again. "Not perfect. Just very, very lucky."

Katie hugged him. Over his shoulder, she saw her mother and Tina both dabbing at tears. Courtney hung on to Alex and waved her flowers.

Katie drew back slightly. "About the wedding," she began.

"I was thinking we'd elope."

"You read my mind."

If you liked this story, discover these other titles by Susan Mallery always available wherever ebooks are sold:

HQN Books

Accidentally Yours

Almost Perfect

Chasing Perfect

Delicious

Falling for Gracie

Her Last First Date

Hot on Her Heels

Irresistible

Lip Service

Sizzling

Straight from the Hip

Sweet Talk

Sweet Spot

Sweet Trouble

Tempting

Under Her Skin

Wild Hearts

Silhouette Desire

High-Powered, Hot-Blooded

In Bed with the Devil

The Substitute Millionaire

The Ultimate Millionaire

The Unexpected Millionaire

Silhouette Special Edition

Christmas in Whitehorn

Completely Smitten

Expecting!

Good Husband Material

Having Her Boss's Baby

Her Last First Date

The Ladies' Man

A Little Bit Pregnant

One in a Million

The Prince & the Pregnant Princess

Prodigal Son

Quinn's Woman

The Rancher Next Door

The Sheik & the Bride Who Said No

The Sheikh and the Bought Bride

The Sheik and the Christmas Bride

The Sheik and the Pregnant Bride

The Sheik & the Princess Bride

The Sheik & the Princess in Waiting

The Sheik and the Runaway Princess

The Sheik and the Virgin Princess

The Sheik and the Virgin Secretary

The Sheik's Arranged Marriage

The Sheik's Kidnapped Bride

The Sheik's Secret Bride

Shelter in a Soldier's Arms

"Marrying Mandy" in The Summer House

Their Little Princess

Unexpectedly Expecting!

Wife in Disguise

Harlequin Special Releases

Holly and Mistletoe

Lone Star Millionaire

More Than Words: Stories of Strength

Surrender in Silk

Tender Loving Care

Silhouette Special Releases

Full-Time Father

The Only Way Out

To Love and Protect

Silhouette Intimate Moments

Cinderella for a Night

Living on the Edge

Harlequin Next

There's Always Plan B

Harlequin Historical

"Lucas's Convenient Bride" in Shotgun Grooms

Or, get your favorite Susan Mallery series in one download with Harlequin's eBook Bundles!

The Bakery Sisters Bundle (contains Sweet Talk, Sweet Spot and Sweet Trouble)

The Desert Rogues Part 1 (contains The Sheik's Kidnapped Bride, The Sheik's Arranged Marriage, The Sheik's Secret Bride, The Sheik and the Runaway Princess and The Sheik and the Virgin Princess)

The Desert Rogues Part 2 (contains The Prince & the Pregnant Princess, The Sheik & the Princess in Waiting, The Sheik & the Princess Bride, The Sheik & the Bride Who Said No, and The Sheik and the Virgin Secretary.)

The Million Dollar Catch Bundle (contains The Substitute Millionare, The Unexpected Millionaire and The Ultimate Millionaire.)

Susan Mallery Bundle (contains Delicious, Irresistible, and Sizzling)

ISBN: 978-1-4268-6396-7

Sister of the Bride

Copyright (c) 2010 by Susan Macias Redmond

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

(r) and are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with (r) are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

www.eHarlequin.com

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven