Seducing the Best Man

He scrambled some eggs and fried some bacon, considering his options. Now that he knew Bianca had secrets, he needed to find out how big—and how many—there were. Cady was the best way to do that. But now that this had happened, he didn’t know where to start. Hell, he didn’t even know what this was. Except he liked it. He liked sleeping next to her, touching her in the night—knowing she was next to him. And waking up with her... It was all good. He was beginning to suspect they might be good together.

But family came first. Stopping this wedding came first. He had to keep his eye on the prize and keep his family safe.

He sighed, digging through the pantry when she reappeared. He tried not to stare, but it was impossible. She looked soft, touchable, in her light-weight pale pink top and jeans. He watched her slide her feet into some strappy brown sandals so that her bright blue toenails were visible. She looked—was—utterly kissable.

“What?” she asked, putting sparkly hoops in each ear.

She was beautiful. It wasn’t hard to say, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead he swallowed, asking, “Tortillas?”

“Don’t have any. I’ve got low-fat sandwich rounds.” She joined him, moving stuff around on the pantry shelves. “If they’re still good.”

“Sounds yummy.” His sarcasm was hard to miss.

She laughed, nudging him with her hip. “Well... How about naan? It’s good.”

“Let’s try it.” He pulled the package out and crisped up the bread before rolling makeshift breakfast tacos.

She watched him, not saying a word. “Thanks.”

He eyed the food. “You might not be all that thankful after you take the first bite.” He inhaled his food and downed another cup of coffee while she finished hers.

He washed up quickly, still searching for the right way to shift the conversation to Bianca.

“It was good. Who knew?” she asked, grabbing her bag. She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

She headed toward the door before he could wrap his arms around her. Which was good. He didn’t need any more distractions. And, when Cady was close, she was definitely a distraction. He grabbed his overnight bag and suit and held the door open for her.

“Thanks,” she repeated, locking the door behind them. She glanced at him as they made their way down the hall and hit the elevator button. “Still tired? Did I keep you up?”

He glanced at her. He could have a hell of a time turning her words around. But now wasn’t the time to tease or flirt. They didn’t have much time this morning, and he needed answers. “Feeling pretty good this morning,” he said as the elevator doors shut.

She looked at him, her expression stiffening. “Good.” Her voice was tight. She was upset. Her hands fiddled with the straps of her purse. She shifted from one foot to the other.

What the hell had he done? Or said? This was why he was no good with women. He didn’t understand them.

“I ordered the cake,” she said suddenly. “The baby cake?”

He nodded. “Okay. Kimber is free for the shower, too.”

“Kimber?” She looked at him.

“Zach’s ex,” he explained.

“Oh, right, the stripper.” She grimaced.

“Anything else we can use?” he asked. “Something or someone from her past we could use—”

“No strippers in her past,” Cady cut him off.

“It doesn’t have to be a stripper,” he argued. “We need more to break this up, Cady.”

She stared at him for a long time. “She...she’s been engaged before.”

He paused, considering her words. “Once? Or several times?” he tried to keep his voice neutral.

Her brown eyes bore into his. She was deciding, he could tell. “More than once.”

“What happened?” he asked.