Seducing the Bride

She’s engaged?

“We’re getting married. I wanted to surprise everyone.” She sends her father a too-cheery smile and presses a kiss to his cheek.

She hasn’t once looked my way.

“I’m definitely surprised.” Dan nods, seeming to take it all in.

Join the club. Less than sixty seconds ago, I was bracing to set eyes on Perrie again…and trying to figure out what to do about her stranglehold on my heart. This new development makes it obvious that worry is moot.

“I didn’t know you were even dating anyone,” Dan adds.

Perrie laughs too quickly. I know her sounds and expressions. She’s a bundle of nerves. “Now you do. Honestly, it happened quickly. We met three months ago through mutual friends and…one thing led to another.”

Three months ago?

“That seems fast,” I remark.

She finally looks my way. “In my experience, when you wait on love, it usually passes you by.”

Clearly, Perrie can still deliver a zinger.

She’s also more beautiful—and fuckable—than ever. The pixie cut she once had is a long-distant memory, replaced by dark waves that flow to the middle of her back. The sheer pink shade on her full lips and the dusting of brown shadow on her eyes only accent her stunning features. Her cheeks still have a hint of girlish fullness that makes her look oh so sweet. But she’s got this new air of confidence that’s alluring as hell.

Lust seizes my breath. My blood courses. My skin feels tight and hot. It takes everything I’ve got not to grab her, hold her, kiss her, and remind her how close we were and how much closer we could be—if she weren’t planning to marry someone else.

Derek wraps his arm around Perrie’s waist possessively. “Well said, darling.”

It takes all my restraint not to beat the shit out of him.

Dan smiles proudly. “Why don’t you two come in and sit? We’ll have a drink and you can tell Hayden and me all about your wedding plans.”

I’d rather have all my teeth ripped out with pliers, but as everyone adjourns to the living room, I maneuver myself between Perrie and her fiancé. “I didn’t get to say hello.”

I drop my hand on her shoulder. That single touch pings need through me as her soft gasp reaches my ears. Then she zips her stare to me, sharp and startled.

There’s the awareness we shared four years ago. Perrie still feels it.

“Hi, Hayden.” She backs away from me with a tight smile and sticks out her hand.

Oh, princess. We’re way past a handshake…

But I slide my palm against hers because I need to feel her out. Not up—though I’m dying to do that, too. But I’ve got to decide if I’m going to let Perrie be the one who got away…or if I’m going to fight to win her back.

I give her hand a tug, sending her tumbling against me. Our chests collide. I encircle her waist with an unyielding arm. When our gazes meet, she blinks, turns tense, holds her breath. Her nipples turn so hard they’re impossible not to notice.

Yeah, she’s not immune to me—not even a little.

Repressing a smile, I reach under her hair, wrap my fingers around her nape, and press my lips to the shell of her ear. “I’ve missed you.”

She shivers and softens against me. “Missed you, too.”

I hate to let her go after Perrie’s gratifying whisper, but I have to—at least for now. As much as I want her, I also want what’s best for her. Is there any chance that’s Derek?

“Come sit with me, darling.” Her fiancé grabs her hand and leads her to the sofa, setting her in the corner, as far from me as possible.

I can’t fault his instincts…

When Dan sits in the recliner closest to them, I take the love seat on the other side of the room. From here, I can study Perrie’s face, Derek’s behavior, and their interaction.

She settles stiffly next to the man she intends to marry. They don’t touch…until Derek grabs her hand.

“I wanted to meet you in person, Mr. Atkins, and officially ask you for Perrie’s hand first.” He gives us an aw-shucks smile. “But I just couldn’t wait. This girl is one of a kind.”

Dan looks pleased by Derek’s praise. I’m not. He’s only stating the obvious.

“I understand,” my friend and business partner says. “Tell me more about you.”

He’s not going to grill this guy about why he’s rushing Perrie to the altar?

“Well, I’m co-CEO of an environmental tech company. A buddy of mine and I started the firm, and we’re moving our headquarters to Seattle next month…”

As Derek drones on, I get irritated. Not only does he sound like a self-important asshole, but I realize he intends to take Perrie far away again. Deep down, I’d held out hope that she’d come back to Phoenix after graduation…

“What do you think of Seattle?” I ask her.