Читать онлайн книгу «Undeniable Attraction» автора Kayla Perrin

Undeniable Attraction
Kayla Perrin
One night of passion…Burkes of Sheridan FallsWhen a family wedding reunites Melissa Conwell with Aaron Burke, she’s determined to prove she’s over the gorgeous soccer star who broke her heart years before. Newly single Aaron wants another chance with Melissa and engineers a plan for a full-throttle seduction. Will Melissa risk heartbreak again for the elusive dream of a happily-ever-after?


One night of passion...
Burkes of Sheridan Falls
When a family wedding reunites Melissa Conwell with Aaron Burke, she’s determined to prove she’s over the gorgeous soccer star who broke her heart years before. Newly single Aaron wants another chance with Melissa and engineers a plan for a full-throttle seduction. Will Melissa risk heartbreak again for the elusive dream of a happily-ever-after?
KAYLA PERRIN is a multi-award-winning, multipublished USA TODAY and Essence bestselling author. She’s been writing since she could hold a pencil, and sent her first book to a publisher when she was just thirteen years old. Since 1998, she’s had over fifty novels and novellas published. She’s been featured in Ebony magazine, RT Book Reviews, South Florida Business Journal, the Toronto Star and other Canadian and US publications. Her works have been translated into Italian, German, Spanish and Portuguese. In 2011, Kayla received the prestigious Harry Jerome Award for excellence in the arts in Canada. She lives in the Toronto area with her daughter. You can find Kayla on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please visit her website at authorkaylaperrin.com (http://www.authorkaylaperrin.com).
Also By Kayla Perrin (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
Taste of Desire
Always in My Heart
Surrender My Heart
Heart to Heart
Until Now
Burning Desire
Flames of Passion
Passion Ignited
Sizzling Desire
Undeniable Attraction
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Undeniable Attraction
Kayla Perrin


www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08485-7
UNDENIABLE ATTRACTION
© 2018 Kayla Perrin
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Her attraction to him was fierce. Something she could no longer deny. She’d been fighting a losing battle since she’d arrived in town.
The battle to resist him.
“You’re good at this, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Good at what?”
“Good at being so darn irresistible,” she admitted.
There. She’d said it. She couldn’t deny it any longer, and she didn’t want to. The truth was, she wanted Aaron. She wanted a taste of him again. Maybe then she could fully get him out of her system.
“You find me irresistible?” His eyes lighting up, he drew his bottom lip between his teeth, indicating to her that he knew just how enticing he was.
“You’re good at making a woman weak with need,” Melissa said softly. “Good at making her want you.”
“Baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
The words were a promise. A promise that Melissa wanted him to fulfill.
One night with Aaron... It wasn’t something she’d ever imagined before she’d arrived in Sheridan Falls, but right now she wanted nothing more.
Dear Reader (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047),
When I was young, a family at my church consisted of three brothers. What is it about a group of brothers that makes them instantly more appealing? These boys were infamous. All the guys wanted to be like them, and the girls wanted to date them.
I was one of those girls. I liked the taller, cuter one. He was my first crush, my first kiss. Then came devastation when his parents split and he, his brothers and his mother moved a few thousand miles away.
No one ever forgot them. And I certainly never forgot the excitement of falling in love for the first time. It’s the same excitement my heroine, Melissa, experiences when she falls for the popular Aaron Burke.
The definite appeal of more than one brother is that there are more you might have a chance with. Here there are four. Welcome to the world of the Burke brothers!
Kayla
For May-Marie Duwa-Sowi, founder of Illuminessence magazine.
Your vision is extraordinary and awe inspiring.
I know your big dreams are about to come true.
I’m proud to call you a friend and say, “I knew you when.”
Keep illuminating!
Contents
Cover (#u348e3d91-6f77-56a7-bd3a-6170cf689417)
Back Cover Text (#u15a14611-c498-5f00-9209-19bc84f7fd4f)
About the Author (#u78e11b62-bbfe-51a8-ba33-f0bd88152250)
Booklist (#uee86626d-2a1c-5d86-a344-5aae96ec6db7)
Title Page (#u034db32f-b832-5934-9ad0-3864f01b6717)
Copyright (#u16065c1f-72b7-5066-bd58-b17f3dea9306)
Introduction (#ub3255277-0cf1-59f1-a2f2-0d4ac05856e1)
Dear Reader (#ub670fdb7-35b1-5f90-8d41-9b4d7beb7484)
Dedication (#u8052c4d8-3d1b-550e-813f-e91569a1c514)
Chapter 1 (#uba0fd8bb-76ef-5f83-8d1f-1ba11dab0c0d)
Chapter 2 (#u4a7a1a5a-c218-5cb5-a711-fa0ce860a5b5)
Chapter 3 (#u3f496a5d-d46b-5480-b0d8-2dd7d867bfda)
Chapter 4 (#ubcfaec8b-e6cd-51eb-aa60-e486db9752b0)
Chapter 5 (#u645b8d5d-d460-5564-8a03-7ac234b86f24)
Chapter 6 (#udf674cee-c7f2-562a-a5c1-b0bdfee3e8ff)
Chapter 7 (#u6aa84338-3d37-5768-b707-1e6529a54460)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 24 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 25 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 26 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 27 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 28 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 29 (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
Sheridan Falls, 10 Miles
Melissa Conwell’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as she passed the familiar sign along Interstate 90 west. Sheridan Falls. She was almost home.
Home home. Not Newark, New Jersey, where she lived now, but the small town in upstate New York where she’d been born and raised. Normally, seeing that sign caused her heart to fill with happiness, knowing that she would soon be seeing her parents, sister and young niece. But today, the fact that she was almost home had her throat tightening.
It was an illogical reaction, especially since she was returning to Sheridan Falls for a joyous occasion. It was sure to be the event of the summer, a big wedding that was bringing family members together from across the country. And yet joy was the last thing she was feeling.
She was anxious. Terrified, even.
Because this time she was going to have to see Aaron Burke. Small-town boy turned international soccer star.
International heartbreaker, more like.
She hadn’t needed to read the tabloids to learn that Aaron had had his share of women and had broken his share of hearts. She knew that from firsthand experience. Eleven years, nine months and ten or so days ago, Aaron had crushed her teenage heart and left her reeling.
Not that she was counting or anything.
Melissa’s fingers began to hurt, and she loosened her grip on the steering wheel. Why she was getting all tense at the thought of seeing Aaron was beyond her. She hadn’t spoken to him in nearly twelve years. He wasn’t part of her life, by any stretch of the imagination. So why was she acting as if seeing him was going to disrupt her world?
Because she didn’t want to see him. Ever. Not after how things had ended between them. She might be over him, but they weren’t friends, and spending time with him was going to be awkward at the very least.
But that’s exactly what she was going to have to do. Over the next few days, she was going to be seeing a lot of Aaron—at the welcome dinner, at the rehearsal, at the wedding. And worse than simply seeing him, she was going to have to interact and play nice, because not only was Melissa in the wedding party, Aaron was, too. And for some unfathomable reason, Tasha had paired Aaron with her.
“What’s the big deal?” Tasha had asked when Melissa expressed mortification over the wedding arrangements. “The other pairings made more sense this way. Besides, you and Aaron used to be close.”
“Exactly—used to be,” Melissa had said. “We haven’t spoken in years. Are you forgetting what he did to me?”
“But weren’t you the one who decided not to follow him to Notre Dame?” Tasha asked, sounding confused. “You said he’d be too busy with his soccer scholarship and you didn’t want to get in his way? Then things fell apart after that.”
Melissa had been glad that she and her cousin were speaking on the phone, three thousand miles between them. Because she didn’t want Tasha to see her face.
The story that Melissa was the one who’d decided not to go to Notre Dame had not been entirely truthful, but it had been much better than admitting that Aaron had rejected her. She’d been trying to save face when she’d told her close friends and family that she was the one who’d chosen not to follow Aaron to college. The truth was, Aaron had been the one to ask her why she would travel across the country for school when there were better social work programs closer to home. Melissa had been stunned. Didn’t he want her around? Didn’t he love her?
Melissa’s heart had been beating out of control as Tasha had gone on to talk about how Melissa being paired with Aaron would be fine, that years had passed and she was sure there would be no tension between them. Melissa hoped her cousin was right, but she wouldn’t bet money on it. How did you play nice with someone you’d tried to eradicate from your memory?
Melissa gazed out at the familiar landscape. The trees along the interstate were a vibrant green and in full bloom. The sky was cloudless and a gorgeous cerulean blue this early-summer day. The weather for the weekend was supposed to be perfect.
If only she could feel good about it.
Her mind ventured back to the one thing she couldn’t escape—the fact that she would have to see Aaron. Did she hate him? No, hate was too strong an emotion, but she certainly didn’t like him. Once she’d learned that Aaron had done the unthinkable—he’d married Ella Donovan, the one girl in high school she couldn’t stand—any remaining respect she might have had for him instantly died. He’d given Melissa the song and dance about how they were young, it was time for them to concentrate on their careers, that the distance between them would eventually become a factor.
Yet somehow he’d ended up making a relationship work with Ella? Ella had stayed in Sheridan Falls and worked for her father, who’d been the longtime mayor of the town. When had Aaron had time to forge a relationship with her?
Unless they’d been involved while he and Melissa had been. Every unthinkable scenario had crossed Melissa’s mind, and she’d ultimately been livid with herself for falling for a Burke brother. Hadn’t she known better? During high school, she’d heard all the rumors about the four Burke boys, how they dated whomever they wanted, were too popular to be faithful and women were supposed to take what they could get—if they were lucky enough to catch the eye of one of the Burkes. Which was exactly why Melissa had always vowed to never be like the other women in town, who seemed to lose their minds whenever in the presence of Aaron, Keith, Carlton or Jonas. Yes, the Burkes were hot, but it was pathetic how googly-eyed women became around them.
And then Melissa spent a summer with Aaron. They were both hired by a local camp at the end of their senior high school year as counselors charged with entertaining kids twelve and under. Melissa and Aaron had spent a lot of time together, time in which she’d gotten to know him. And he’d seemed so different from everything she’d heard. Caring. Funny. Engaging. Truly interested in the kids. Relatable. A good listener. He didn’t seem conceited at all. And somehow, Melissa had fallen for him.
Her first love. Her first heartbreak.
Dreams shattered. Her innocence lost.
The best summer of her life had turned into her biggest regret.
Though Melissa had tried to the best of her ability to avoid following Aaron’s career and his life over the years, she hadn’t been able to avoid everything. She had seen the photos of him in various highlights on the news about his soccer achievements, and of course about his happy marriage to the mayor’s daughter.
It was rare that she didn’t find a story about Aaron whenever she looked up news in the online version of the Sheridan Falls Tribune. In their town of seven thousand people, Aaron Burke was a local hero. Even him buying a new car made the paper.
Melissa had fallen for him before he’d ever become successful, though he had always been legendary. He was the son of Cyrus Burke, a local celebrity who’d had a long and celebrated career in the NFL. Not that Melissa knew anything about Cyrus’s personal life, but every time she’d seen him in town with his wife, Cynthia, he seemed like a man in love. Always holding her hand. Opening doors for her. Gazing at her fondly, as though there was no woman more beautiful in the world.
There’d never been a hint of scandal about Cyrus’s fidelity, something Melissa had reflected on after she and Aaron had become an item. She’d figured like father, like son, and had assumed that if Aaron became successful as a soccer player, he would be like his father. Instead, he’d proceeded to behave exactly like the majority of highly paid professional athletes out there—parties, women, a string of broken hearts.
Melissa had read all about it in the tabloids. Seen pictures of him on yachts in the Mediterranean with other soccer players and a horde of bikini-clad women. She’d seen how female sports reporters would look up at him with the same googly eyes she’d witnessed on the women from Sheridan Falls. It had been hard for Melissa to stomach.
And then Aaron had married Ella in some big event in Sheridan Falls, and Melissa had stopped paying attention to what Aaron did with his life. She’d spent too much time over the years thinking about him as it was, and if he could marry the one person who’d made her life hell in high school, he didn’t deserve a second thought.
“Enough of this nonsense,” she said to herself. Vowing to forget about Aaron, she turned up the music on the radio and bopped her head to an upbeat tune. Her eyes ventured to the lake as she crossed the city limits into Sheridan Falls. That was the lake on which she’d spent her last summer of high school as a counselor.
The summer she had fallen in love with Aaron Burke.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” she all but yelled. “Stop thinking about Aaron! He’s ancient history.”
Suddenly, it hit her what the real issue was. She didn’t want to see him with Ella, who she knew would rub in the fact that she had snagged a Burke brother. Having to stomach Ella gloating over her coveted prize would be more than Melissa could bear. In high school, Ella had lived to steal other women’s men, as though it were a competitive sport. If only Aaron had ended up with anyone but her. Ella, who’d never suffered from self-esteem issues to begin with, must have an ego as large as the state of Texas now.
Dealing with Ella’s gloating would be bearable if Melissa were heading home with a hot man on her arm. But sadly, she was single. Her relationships over the years had all died before any real promise of a happily-ever-after. Her most recent relationship had started off with hope, in part because of the fact that Christopher worked in the social work field, as did she. But hope had faded as quickly as the initial spark, and the relationship had ended without so much as a fizzle.
“You don’t need to return home with a man,” Melissa said. “All you have to do is ignore Aaron. Pretend like he doesn’t exist.”
Because he didn’t. He hadn’t existed in her life for over a decade, and that wasn’t about to change just because of the wedding.
Chapter 2 (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
A slow smile spread on Melissa’s lips as she pulled into the driveway of her parents’ home, the house in which she had been born and raised. Gone were all thoughts of Aaron as she saw her mother sitting on the porch swing. As Melissa exited her navy Chevrolet Malibu, her mother got to her feet, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Melissa!” her mother exclaimed. “Ooh, come here, child.”
Melissa quickly closed the car door and rushed up the porch steps. Her mother’s arms were already spread wide, and Melissa threw herself into her embrace. Her mom hugged her long and hard against her large bosom. Instantly, Melissa felt a sense of comfort, the same way she always had as a little girl when her mother had wrapped her in her arms.
The weekend was going to be okay. Why had she been worrying herself silly?
“My baby.” Her mother broke the hug, leaned backward to check her out and took both of Melissa’s hands in hers. “Looks like you could use some good home cooking. You’re getting a little thin.”
Her mother had grown up in the South, and practically everything she made had a stick of butter or lard in it. It was a diet Melissa tried to steer clear of, for the most part. “I’ve been working out.”
“I’ll get some meat back on your bones,” her mother promised. Then she said, “It has been way too long since you’ve been home. It’s like you’ve forgotten your father and me now that you’re living in the big city.”
“You know I could never forget about you and Dad,” Melissa said. She squeezed her mother’s hands affectionately, then released them. “I meant to come back after Christmas, but I’ve been so busy with work.”
“Some days I wonder about that job of yours.”
“I love it,” Melissa said quickly, walking into the house. “Even the crazy hours and the emergencies.” Being the program coordinator at a group home in Newark was deeply rewarding. Melissa made an impact in the lives of troubled youth, helping the kids get back on track.
“I know your job is important. But I don’t like that you have to devote so much time to it. All work and no play, you’ll never find a nice man.”
Melissa offered her mother a small smile, though what she wanted to do was roll her eyes. Her mother would never be fully happy until Melissa had been married off.
Though her mom should know by now that marriage didn’t mean happiness. Her sister, Arlene, had just endured a nasty divorce. Her parents had viewed Craig as the son they’d never had, only to be devastated when he’d turned his back on not only Arlene, but also on them. He’d cheated with his secretary, then had the nerve to be unapologetic about his actions. The ensuing scandal had caused much embarrassment for Arlene and the family.
“Where’s Dad?”
“He’s lying down,” her mother said, and now she was the one to roll her eyes. “The crazy fool tired himself out retiling the basement bathroom. I told him to hire someone, but no, he swore he could do it himself. I think he threw his back out, but he’ll never admit it.”
Oh, yes. Melissa was home, all right. Her parents always bickered, sometimes from sunup until sundown, but despite their small disagreements, their deep love was never in doubt.
“I’m about ready to tell him that if he doesn’t call in a professional, I’m leaving him. This time I mean it.”
Melissa chortled. “Mom, you know you’re not going anywhere. You always threaten to leave, but you never will. And you know why? Because you and Dad would be lost without each other.”
Melissa crossed through the living room en route to her parents’ bedroom. She found her father lying in bed, his eyes closed, but when he heard her, he opened them and immediately smiled.
“Melissa,” he said warmly, starting to sit up.
Melissa hurried over to him. “No, Dad. Don’t get up. Mom said you threw your back out.”
Her father made a face and waved a dismissive hand. “I’m fine. Ripping out tile is hard work. I just needed a little nap, is all.”
“You didn’t pull your back out?”
“Of course not,” he scoffed, his tone saying the idea was ridiculous. But he winced after speaking the words.
Melissa leaned down and hugged her father, then sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s good to see you, Dad.”
“It’s always good to see my favorite daughter.”
“And what do you say to Arlene?” Melissa asked, raising an eyebrow in a feigned gesture of seriousness.
“That she’s my favorite, too. A father is allowed to have two favorites.”
“Only two?” Melissa asked.
“Two favorite children. And numerous favorite grandchildren.”
“Hmm, that’s convenient,” Melissa said. Then she grinned down at her dad. “I love you.” She got up off the bed. “You need anything?”
“I’d tell you to get me a beer, but your mother is watching me like a hawk. She thinks if I cut down on beer, my belly will disappear.”
“How about water?” Melissa suggested.
“How about a new wife?” her father shot back.
“Sure. Should I go into town and pick one up for you? Bringing her home could be tough, though. It could get ugly with Mom.”
“I’ll have some water,” her father said grudgingly.
Melissa smirked, then exited the bedroom. She heard her cell phone ringing and quickly ran to the front of the house, where she’d dropped her purse. Seconds later, she had her phone in her hand and saw her sister’s smiling face flashing on the screen.
“Hey, sis,” Melissa greeted her.
“You here?” Arlene asked without preamble. “In Sheridan Falls?”
“Yep. Just got to Mom and Dad’s.”
“Great. We need you here ASAP.”
A loud wail sounded in the background. “Where are you?” Melissa asked. “And what is going on?”
“We’re at the bridal shop,” Arlene told her. “Tasha is having a meltdown. She’s worried your dress won’t fit, and there’s only a short time left for alterations. Tasha’s maid of honor put on ten pounds and her dress has to be altered.”
“I’m sure my dress will be fine,” Melissa said. “I sent in my exact measurements for every part of my body, and my weight hasn’t changed. I might have lost a couple of pounds, actually.”
“Yeah, well, nothing’s going to appease Tasha unless she sees it with her own eyes. How quickly can you get here?”
“I’m on my way.”
* * *
Melissa arrived at the upscale bridal shop twelve minutes later and found the bridal party in the back. Tasha was slumped in a velour armchair, two of her bridesmaids on either side of her. Maxine, Tasha’s older sister, stood to her right and held Tasha’s hand. The friend who must be Tasha’s maid of honor was on her knees beside the chaise. She was also holding Tasha’s hand and worrying her bottom lip.
“How can you tell me everything will be all right, Maxine?” Tasha demanded. “Bonnie’s dress doesn’t fit. And she’s my maid of honor. She has to look amazing.”
Tasha shot a glance at the woman on her knees. Yes, she was definitely Bonnie. “It’s only the zipper,” Bonnie said. Her plump face lit up with a reassuring smile. “Enid already said that can be fixed. Plus, I’ll eat only salad for the next two days.”
“But what about Melissa?” Tasha countered. “What if her dress doesn’t fi—”
Tasha’s words died on her lips as her eyes ventured beyond the women trying to console her and landed on Melissa. Tasha immediately eased up in the chair. “Melissa?”
“Hey, you.” Melissa beamed as she moved toward her cousin. The moment Tasha got to her feet, Melissa took her in her arms.
“You’re here,” Tasha said, then burst into tears.
“Hey,” Melissa said softly, easing back and taking Tasha’s hands in hers. “What’s this all about?”
“I just want everything to be perfect, and if your dress doesn’t fit...maybe they won’t get all the alterations done in time.”
“It’ll fit,” Melissa assured her.
The attendant, a red-haired woman with a worried expression on her face, whom Melissa had briefly noticed as she entered she shop, tentatively approached the group. “I’m Enid.” She looked Melissa directly in the eye. “I take it you’re Melissa.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, thank God.” The woman’s shoulders slumped with relief.
Melissa fully turned to face the woman, asking, “Where’s my dress?”
“It’s hanging in dressing room number four.” Enid pointed toward the door. “You can try it on any time you’re ready.” Then she leaned close to Melissa and whispered, “But sooner would be better.”
“Got it,” Melissa said, facing her cousin and giving her a bright smile. “Everything’s going to be okay. Don’t you worry.”
Tasha nodded, but her glum expression said she didn’t believe Melissa’s mollifying words.
Melissa greeted the other women with smiles and hellos, then briefly hugged her sister before heading into the dressing room. The bridesmaid dress was hanging on the back of the door. Melissa’s eyes widened as she checked it out. It looked even more beautiful in person than it had in photos. The lavender dress was a floor-length, one-shoulder stunner. The charmeuse fabric was soft and shimmery. The bodice of the dress was covered with a layer of lace, and a ribbon of satin surrounded the dress’s waist.
A lump of emotion suddenly formed in Melissa’s throat. She’d always thought that by thirty, she would either be married or on her way to being married. Yet here she was, single with no prospects, while her twenty-seven-year-old cousin had found the love of her life.
Melissa disrobed and put the dress on. It was meant to be fitted from the waist up and flowed elegantly from the waist down. There was a slit in the dress that came to midthigh.
“Do you need any help?” the attendant asked.
Melissa opened the door. “If you could zip me up...”
The attendant eased forward and zipped the dress at the back, then Melissa fully exited the dressing room and moved to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror. The rest of the bridesmaids gathered around her. Through the mirror, Melissa could see their eyes lighting up. That was when she fully took note of her outfit, giving it a slow gaze from the top of the one shoulder, along the lace-covered bodice that somehow managed to make her breasts look more shapely, and down to the length of the flowing skirt. A smile spread on her face. It fit her perfectly. And she looked beautiful.
Tasha came up behind her, and her eyes filled with fresh tears. She had already cried a lot, given how puffy and red her eyes were. But at least these tears were happy ones.
A bubble of laughter escaped Tasha’s throat. “It’s perfect. You look gorgeous. Just stunning.”
“I told you not to worry,” Melissa said.
“You look so beautiful.”
Melissa turned and faced her cousin, the gown swooshing around her bare feet. “But not nearly as beautiful as you’ll be. The picture you sent me of you in your dress...you’re going to knock Ryan off his feet.”
“You think so?” Tasha asked, a hitch in her voice.
“I know so.” Melissa reached out and tucked a strand of her cousin’s curly hair behind her ear. “How could you not?”
Tasha beamed. “Everything’s going to be fine, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is,” Melissa said. “Why wouldn’t it be? You’re marrying the love of your life, and he absolutely adores you. Everything is going to be perfect.”
Tasha wiped at her eyes. “You’re right.” Then she glanced at the rest of the bridal party. “I’m sorry I’ve been such an emotional mess.”
Maxine looped an arm through her sister’s. “You’ve just got the prewedding jitters. It’s perfectly normal.”
“But Bonnie’s dress—” Tasha said.
“Will be fine,” Enid said, stepping forward. “There’s enough room to let the dress out at the sides so that it zips up. I’ll be working as long as necessary to make sure that everything is just right.”
Tasha inhaled and exhaled deeply. “You’ve been so good to me, Enid. Working overtime to make sure that all is perfect.”
“I’m happy that you gave our boutique the opportunity,” Enid said, smiling. “A big wedding like yours... I thought for sure you’d find a boutique in Buffalo or New York City.”
“Never,” Tasha said. “You and I go way back. Fourth grade. Of course I’d give you the business.” She squeezed Enid’s hands, then glanced at her wristwatch. “Ooh, we only have a couple of hours before the welcome dinner. We should really get out of here so we can get ready.”
Melissa glanced at Enid, seeing relief wash over her face. “The alterations will be started immediately,” she said in an effort to allay any possible concerns that Tasha might have.
Melissa waved a dismissive hand. “No worries. We’ll be back tomorrow for the dresses.”
Tasha wandered back over to the armchair where she’d been sitting, lifted the champagne glass from the table beside it and finished off the contents. “Okay, ladies. My meltdown is over. Let’s get ready for tonight’s dinner.”
Chapter 3 (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
Tasha was marrying Ryan Burke, part of the Burke family dynasty in Sheridan Falls. He was Aaron’s first cousin, which explained why Aaron—and his brothers—were in the wedding party.
Melissa slowed her car as she approached the sprawling house where the welcome dinner was to be held. The Burke estate.
She had never been there before, but she’d driven past it when she was a teenager. She and her friends had marveled at the mansion where the town’s most famous family lived.
The Burke home was in an exclusive neighborhood in the city’s west end. There were only three homes on this court, and the Burkes’ house, in the center of the court, was the largest. It was arguably the largest house in town.
Though Ryan was Cynthia and Cyrus Burke’s nephew, the welcome dinner was being held at their home because of its large size, plus its location on the lake, which made it an ideal spot.
Melissa pulled up behind a silver Lexus SUV. Her pulse was racing as she exited her car and made her way to the massive cobblestone driveway leading to the house. It was a Georgian colonial-style home with a gray stone and white wood exterior. There were two stately pillars standing on each side of the red front door, which provided a pop of color in the center of the house. The four pillars held up a rectangular balcony on the second floor.
There was a circular fountain in the center of the driveway, around which was a bed of colorful flowers. A myriad of luxury cars filled the space. Mercedes sedans and SUVs. BMWs. A classic Corvette was parked at the front of the house, before the main door. Canary yellow. That was Cyrus’s vehicle. Melissa remembered him driving around in that sports car when she was young. The paint was shiny and polished, and there wasn’t a blemish on it. If she hadn’t known it was an older car, she would’ve thought it was brand-new.
Melissa counted approximately thirteen cars in the driveway, not including the ones parked on the street. The place was clearly packed. There were more people here than she’d expected for a welcome dinner, but she’d heard that the extended Burke family was vast.
Melissa took her time heading up to the house, acutely aware of the fact that she would be seeing Aaron any minute now. She wished more than anything that she had a man on her arm. It was silly, she knew. But she wished she could look outrageously happy with a gorgeous and affectionate man when she saw Aaron for the first time in years.
“You have nothing to prove to him,” she told herself as she made her way along the stone path that led to the front door.
She could hear music coming from the back of the house and hoped that someone would be able to hear the door. She rang the doorbell and waited.
Less than a minute later, a man dressed in a black suit, white shirt and black bow tie answered the door. “Good afternoon,” he said, greeting her with a warm smile.
“Hello,” Melissa responded. “I’m here for the party.”
“Of course. Take this hallway on the right, then take a left when you reach the kitchen. When you walk through the kitchen, you’ll see the patio doors that lead to the backyard.”
“Thank you.” Melissa made her way to the right, following the instructions. She looked around in awe at the vivid paintings of landscapes on the walls, along with some African-inspired art, and wondered what it was like to live this kind of life. Everything about the house was grandiose. From the double staircase in the home’s entryway to the wainscoting on the walls and the absolutely massive kitchen filled with gray-and-black marble, this place was absolutely gorgeous, and immaculately decorated.
To their credit, Cynthia and Cyrus Burke did not seem pretentious, even though they were clearly living the dream.
Melissa passed staff in the kitchen preparing trays of hors d’oeuvres. The waiter pouring champagne into flutes caught her eye, and she offered him a smile before continuing on to the patio doors, where she paused and looked outside. She exhaled softly.
Wow.
She stood with her hand on the doorknob, taking it all in. Just outside the doors was a massive deck. Palm trees—yes, palm trees—stood in all corners of the deck, providing a contrast to the white wood. The tree trunks were decked out in strings of tiny white lights. Happy people congregated on the deck, drinks and plates of appetizers in hand.
Melissa opened the door and stepped outside. She made her way to the back of the deck, where a staircase led to the lawn below. The yard was massive. There was no other word to describe it. The lawn extended for at least a couple hundred yards, where it ended at the lake. There was a dock there, with a pleasure boat moored to it. Melissa remembered that years ago when they’d watched his parents cruising on the lake one summer day, Aaron had said the boat was a Boston Whaler.
A huge white tent was set up in the middle of the backyard, and inside it Melissa could see tables and chairs. Just within the entrance to the tent was a table with a giant silver punch bowl, from which punch was flowing as if it were a fountain. Well-dressed people were mingling outside the tent, some inside. Classical music played through the speakers, creating a lovely ambience.
Melissa started down the steps. Most of the people here she either didn’t know or hadn’t seen in years. Where were the members of the bridal party?
And then she spotted Carlton Burke, Aaron’s older brother. He was walking across the lawn on the far right side of the tent with a couple of other people. Melissa swallowed.
“Hello, there.”
At the sound of the warm female voice behind her, Melissa turned. She saw Cynthia Burke, wearing a simple white dress with flowing sleeves, moving toward her with the grace of an angel.
“Is that you, Melissa?” Cynthia continued, her eyes lighting up. “All grown up?”
Melissa smiled at the friendly face she hadn’t seen in years. “Yes, Mrs. Burke. It’s me. How are you?”
Cynthia pulled her into an impromptu hug. “It’s so good to see you again.” Releasing her, she took Melissa’s hand in both of hers. “My, you’ve grown up so much since your days working with Aaron as a camp counselor.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Melissa said.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Cynthia beamed as she released her hand. Then she looked up at the sky. “And I’m very happy that the weather cooperated for this dinner.”
“Yes, it’s a beautiful day,” Melissa agreed, glancing around. She felt an odd sensation and knew that it was the fear of seeing Aaron. He could appear at any moment, and she wasn’t prepared for that.
“Help yourself to some punch,” Cynthia said, pointing toward the tent. “Or if you’d like something from the bar, you can get a drink right there.” She gestured behind her to the left. There was a patio area along the entire back of the house, complete with a number of white wrought iron tables and chairs. A full-service bar was set up. Two bartenders, a man and a woman, were busy making drinks.
The walk-out lower level of the house boasted floor-to-ceiling windows, and Melissa could only imagine how lovely it was to wake up each morning and start your day with a cup of tea or coffee while enjoying the view here.
“Thank you,” she said to Cynthia. “I think I will get a drink.”
Just as she spoke the words, the waiter she’d seen in the kitchen filling champagne flutes appeared. He extended the tray, and Melissa took a glass.
Slowly, Melissa walked in the direction of the lake, continuing to survey the massive property. Every tree on the property also had angel lights wrapped around the trunk. There was the fragrant scent of roses in the air, coming from several strategically placed pots filled with lavender-colored roses, which matched the color scheme for the wedding.
In the distance, the lake shimmered beneath the sun’s rays. The beauty of this place was breathtaking. It would be a perfect spot for the wedding, if Tasha and Ryan had wanted to have it here.
Melissa took a sip of her champagne and gazed out at the lake again. In the distance, there were other homes that backed onto it. The lake bent and veered to the right a few hundred feet in the distance, and it was around that bend that the campground was.
The camp where Melissa and Aaron had worked as counselors the summer they’d fallen in love.
Well, she had fallen in love with him. She doubted that Aaron had ever been in love with her.
She sipped more champagne, needing something to help take the edge off her nerves. No matter how pleasant the view and the music, Melissa hated that she had to be here at the Burke residence right now. She wished she could skip this welcome dinner, but that wasn’t an option.
“This is certainly going to be one interesting weekend,” she muttered.
“It sure is.”
A jolt hit Melissa’s body with the force of a soccer ball slamming into her chest. That voice... A tingling sensation spread across her shoulder blades. It was a voice she hadn’t heard in a long time. Deeper than she remembered, but it most definitely belonged to him.
Holding her breath, she turned. And there he was. Aaron Burke. Looking down at her with a smile on his face and a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I thought that was you,” he said, his smile deepening.
Melissa stood there looking up at him from wide eyes, unsure what to say. Why was he grinning at her as though he was happy to see her?
“It’s good to see you, Melissa.”
Aaron spread his arms wide, an invitation. But Melissa stood still, as if paralyzed. With a little chuckle, Aaron stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
Melissa’s heart pounded wildly. Why was he doing this? Hugging her as if they were old friends? As if he hadn’t taken her virginity and then broken her heart.
“So we’re paired off for the wedding,” Aaron said as he broke the hug.
“So we are,” Melissa said tersely. She was surprised that she’d found her voice. Her entire body was taut, her head light. She was mad at herself for having any reaction to this man.
“You’re right, it’s going to be a very interesting weekend indeed,” Aaron said, echoing her earlier comment.
He looked good. More than good. He looked...delectable. Six feet two inches of pure Adonis, his body honed to perfection. Wide shoulders, a muscular chest and brawny arms fully visible in his short-sleeved dress shirt. His strong upper body tapered to a narrow waist. A wave of heat flowed through Melissa’s veins, and she swallowed at the uncomfortable sensation. She quickly averted her eyes from his body and took a sip of champagne, trying to ignore the heat pulsing inside.
Good grief, what was wrong with her? She should be immune to Aaron’s good looks. And yet she couldn’t deny the visceral response that had shot through her body at seeing him again.
It was simply the reaction of a woman toward a man who was amazingly gorgeous. She wasn’t dead, after all. She could find him physically attractive even if she despised him.
Although despised was too strong a word. He didn’t matter to her enough for her to despise him.
Still, she couldn’t help giving him another surreptitious once-over. He had filled out—everywhere. His arms were bigger, his shoulders wider, his legs more muscular. His lips were full and surrounded by a thin goatee—and good Lord, did they ever look kissable...
“I can’t believe it’s been ten years,” Aaron said.
He didn’t even remember. Why was she surprised? And worse, why was she irked?
“Closer to twelve,” Melissa corrected him. “Eleven years, nine months. Something like that.” She shrugged, hoping he didn’t think that she had kept track of the exact date that they’d stopped talking.
“You’re right,” Aaron said, nodding. “It is almost twelve years. Wow, time flies.”
“It sure does.”
Melissa could hardly stand this. She glanced away, and relief flooded her when she saw her sister and Tasha. They were chatting with a group of guests about thirty feet away.
“You look good,” Aaron said. “Amazing, actually.”
His eyes roamed over her face, then her dress, and heat erupted inside her. Oh, how Melissa wished she could pretend the heat was simply anger, but it was more than that. She could see in Aaron’s eyes that he thought she was beautiful, and her body was reacting to that reality.
Betraying her was more like it.
“It really is good to see you again.”
Somehow, Melissa stopped herself from snorting. Was it really nice, she wondered. If he was so happy to see her now, why had he cut off all communication with her years ago?
Melissa looked in Arlene’s direction, and finally her sister saw her. Arlene’s eyes lit up, and she waved.
Melissa waved back. Arlene was a lifeline at this moment, and Melissa took it. “Ah, there’s my sister. I have to talk to her about something.”
“Oh—”
“Later, Aaron,” Melissa interjected, then strode off without giving him a chance to say another word.
She didn’t dare look over her shoulder. Her heart was still pounding, a ridiculous reaction. So what if she’d seen Aaron Burke again? He didn’t have the power to hurt her anymore. Her feelings for him had died years ago.
Was he watching her walk away?
Why did she care?
She didn’t. But if any part of Aaron felt a measure of regret at cutting her out of his life, then good. She relished that thought.
He was happy to see her...as if! Why would he even say that? Was he trying to make nice after all these years, pretend that he’d never hurt her?
Well, if he thought there was a chance the two of them could ever be friends, he had another think coming.
Melissa inhaled deeply as she neared her sister. She was finally regaining her composure and her dignity. So what if Aaron was sexy? One of the sexiest men she’d ever laid eyes on, granted, but what did it matter when his character left so much to be desired?
She hoped he was happy with Ella, but she wasn’t about to ask him about his wife. Nor was she about to spend any more time with him than was necessary. She didn’t want him asking her about her life, and she didn’t want to ask him about his. She would be paired with him for the wedding, deal with him as minimally as possible, and then go home to Jersey and forget all about him.
She had done it once. She would do it again.
Chapter 4 (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
Ryan Burke clinked a fork against his champagne glass, effectively getting everyone’s attention. Tasha stood beside him, a permanent smile on her beautiful face.
“Excuse me, everybody,” Ryan said, looking around at the crowd of people. “Will you all please head into the tent and take your seats? Dinner is ready, so I hope you haven’t indulged too heavily in the amazing hors d’oeuvres.”
Ryan patted his stomach, as if to say he was guilty of exactly that. There were chuckles among the crowd.
“As you make your way into the tent,” Ryan continued, “be aware there are names on the tables indicating where you’re to be seated. We figured this way there’d be less confusion and less scrambling. It’s buffet style, so please wait for your table to be called before heading into the line.” He gestured toward the tent, indicating that everyone could proceed.
Melissa and Arlene wound their way into the tent with the rest of the guests. Melissa was already getting a bad feeling about the seating arrangements, and she crossed her arms over her torso as she glanced down at the first table to find her name.
“Oh, here we are,” Arlene announced.
Melissa hurried to her sister’s side. As she looked down at the names on the table, her stomach sank, her fear confirmed. Aaron Burke was seated to her left.
Oh, good God...
Not that she should be surprised, since they were paired off for the wedding. But still, this was too much for her to deal with.
When most of the guests were seated, Ryan and Tasha stood at the front of the tent. “We’ll commence with the buffet line in a minute,” Ryan said into a wireless microphone. “But Tasha and I would like to say a few words first. As you know, this is a welcome dinner for all of you who have come from far and near to be here with us for our special day.”
Melissa glanced over her shoulder, saw Aaron entering the tent and quickly took her seat. As she did, she continued to survey the crowd. Where was Ella? As Aaron’s wife, shouldn’t she be here? Melissa would expect the woman to attend if for no other reason than to gloat. To show off to all those who had returned to town just how special she was because she had snagged a Burke brother.
Aaron and his father, Cyrus, were standing near the entrance of the tent chatting. An old classmate, Douglas Hanover, walked past them, heading in Melissa’s direction. Before she knew what she was doing, Melissa was jumping to her feet and practically throwing herself into Douglas’s path.
“Douglas?” she all but squealed. “Douglas Hanover!”
“Melissa?” His eyebrows raised as a question flashed in his eyes.
“Yes, it’s me.” She beamed at him. “Oh my goodness, it’s been so long.” She hugged him and noticed that he was stiff for a moment before hugging her back. “I see you on television all the time,” she said as they pulled apart. “I always trust your forecasts.”
“You watch me on the morning news?”
Douglas was employed by a network in New York City, and Melissa watched him every morning as she got ready for work. “Every day,” she said. “I’m in Newark.”
“Ah, okay.”
She glanced beyond Douglas’s shoulder at Aaron, trying to not make it obvious that she was looking at him. He was staring at her, watching her with curiosity. Even when she’d left him and joined her sister and Tasha, she’d noticed Aaron looking at her here and there.
“You always said you wanted to be a weatherman,” Melissa said and grinned widely. Did she look idiotic? Or like a woman flirting with a potential new guy?
Aaron and his father were walking toward the front of the tent now—and heading right in her direction. “We should get together for coffee sometime,” Melissa said to Douglas, speaking loudly enough for her voice to carry. “I get into the city quite a bit.”
“That would be awesome,” Douglas said. “Here, meet my wife.” Douglas extended an arm, and a gorgeous woman Melissa had noticed heading in their direction sidled up next to him. “This is Diana. She’s one of the producers of the morning show.”
“Oh...” Melissa wanted to slink into her chair. Not because she cared that Douglas had a wife. She was happy for him. But because she had hoped to find someone—anyone—with whom she could flirt. There was something about the intense gaze Aaron had been leveling on her that had her distinctly uncomfortable. If she had someone else with whom she could spend some time, maybe he would throw his wandering eyes in someone else’s direction.
“Very nice to meet you,” Melissa said, shaking the woman’s hand.
Diana’s smile seemed forced, and Melissa couldn’t blame her. To her, Melissa must have seemed like a threat. A woman determined to pounce on her husband.
“Lovely to meet you as well,” Diana said, her voice professional and poised but lacking sincerity. “Sweetheart, we should go get our seats.”
“Of course,” Douglas said. “Melissa, we’ll talk later.”
No, they wouldn’t. Melissa had already made a fool of herself. She felt bad for her pathetic display of flirtation, but seeing Aaron had gotten to her.
She glanced at her old flame again, saw that he was indeed looking at her even as he spoke to another guest. She quickly sat back down.
“What was that about?” Arlene asked, her gaze following Douglas.
“I just... I guess I reacted as a fan,” Melissa lied. “I watch him on television every morning.”
Arlene didn’t look entirely convinced, but Melissa was saved from having to answer any more questions when Ryan began to speak again.
“Thank you, everyone, for taking your seats,” Ryan said as the last of the stragglers found their tables. “And thank you all for being here. Isn’t it a great day?”
People clapped, and some cheered.
“Tasha and I are glad that the sun is shining and that the forecast for the weekend is clear skies all around. I put in a special request to Douglas, and he delivered!”
There were chuckles among the crowd, and Douglas waved a hand.
“But more importantly,” Ryan went on, “Tasha and I are happy that each and every one of you is able to join us for our special occasion. This wedding wouldn’t be the same without you here. So we thank you so much for taking time out of your schedules to be a part of this.”
“There’s nowhere else we’d rather be,” someone said, raising a wineglass.
There was a round of hear hears, and people raised their glasses in turn.
Ryan smiled. “Many of you here are in the wedding party, and some of you are dear family and friends. All of you are important in our lives in some way. So this welcome dinner is as much about thanking you all for being here with us as it is a cause for celebration.”
Aaron slipped into the seat beside Melissa. She twirled the stem of her wineglass, pretending she hadn’t noticed.
“Some of you asked why we’re not having the wedding here,” Ryan continued. “And this is certainly a stunning location. But aside from the fact that this house might not hold all the guests my wife-to-be wanted to invite...” Ryan glanced down at Tasha, who was now seated, and she gave him a sheepish smile. “It’s also very important to Tasha and to me that we have our wedding in a church. We want God’s blessing on our union, and we feel that’s the right way to do it.”
“Amen,” Cynthia Burke said. Beside her, Cyrus patted her hand.
The one thing that Melissa had always liked about Cyrus and Cynthia was their absolute devotion to each other. Even as a child, she had seen how much they loved each other. How odd that their sons had become such players, despite the example of their loving and doting father.
Why was she even thinking about this?
But she knew why. She could feel the heat emanating from Aaron’s body beside her, and it was stressing her out.
Tasha got to her feet and took the microphone from Ryan’s hand. “But despite the number of people attending the wedding, it will still have an intimate feel. Because we love each and every one of you so much. Blood or not, you’re all family.”
Melissa lifted the bottle of Riesling that was on the table and poured some into her glass. A whiff of Aaron’s cologne, musky and masculine, wafted into her nostrils. The heat from his body continued to radiate toward her, and she had to swallow.
He was entirely too much man. The problem was, he knew it.
She should be counting her lucky stars that their relationship had fallen apart. God forbid, what if they’d gotten married? He would’ve broken her heart the way he had Ella’s.
Ella had fought so hard to snag a Burke brother, no doubt for the bragging rights, but she’d had to endure Aaron’s infidelity. Successful soccer player, wanted by many women around the world—it was no wonder that he had such an inflated sense of ego and had not been able to remain faithful.
At least Melissa had avoided that very life, a life she would not have been able to deal with. She didn’t care how successful a man was; she demanded fidelity. She would not stand by her man as he cheated on her, just to keep the facade of a happy home and to maintain whatever luxuries she had become accustomed to. Material things didn’t matter when your heart was breaking over and over again.
“Melissa, will you pass the wine?” Aaron asked.
A simple request, yet Melissa wanted to pretend she hadn’t heard him. But a nanosecond later, she knew the evening would be that much harder if she played this game.
So she raised the bottle and poured him a glass.
Carlton appeared at the table then and took a seat on her right. She had already learned that he would be paired with her sister for the wedding.
“Melissa Conwell,” Carlton said, smiling warmly at her. “It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you as well,” Melissa said, and she was glad that she had Carlton to chat with. It saved her from having to spend more time talking to Aaron.
“I can see that the staff is itching to take over,” Ryan said, glancing at a man standing off to the side who was dressed like a butler. “But despite the table numbers, I’d like to ask that the table with my parents, grandparents and our gracious hosts for this evening, my uncle Cyrus and aunt Cynthia, make their way to food line first. Please, everyone, give them a round of applause.”
People clapped as two generations of Burkes stood. They acknowledged the guests with warm smiles before making their way over to the food.
A hum of chatter filled the tent. Wilma, Tasha’s aunt, was seated with them because she was in the wedding party, and Melissa was glad that she was. Wilma was a talker, the type who liked to be the center of attention. She regaled the table with a story about how she’d been out with one of her sons in Buffalo and people thought they were dating. Wilma was in her fifties, but looked no older than her late thirties. She loved that no one was able to guess her age.
“So, Melissa,” Aaron said.
She started to turn toward him, but the butler called their table then, announcing that they could proceed to get their food.
Melissa was the first one to jump up.
Anything to escape Aaron.
Chapter 5 (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
She was ignoring him.
Aaron had made that determination shortly into dinner, when Melissa turned her attention to those on her right and kept it there throughout the night. She threw her head back and laughed many times, as though the conversation on that side of the table was utterly fascinating. She barely threw him a second glance as she proceeded to have the time of her life engaging with everyone at the table but him.
Which meant only one thing. She was angry with him. Maybe she even hated him.
Almost twelve years had passed since he’d last seen her, and apparently those years had not been long enough to bury any animosity between them. He had hoped that now, years later, with both of them more mature, they could rekindle their friendship. Even though things had fallen apart between them, he’d missed her friendship.
She had been a godsend in his life that summer when they’d dated, especially when he had been able to open up about the tragedy that had shaped his life. His little sister, Chantelle, had drowned. On his watch. He’d never been able to forgive himself.
Every great milestone he’d achieved had been marred by guilt. Good things were happening for him, yet Chantelle was dead. Did he actually deserve happiness when it was his fault that his sister had drowned?
That dark cloud had hung over him his whole life, even now, no matter how hard he’d tried to shake it.
That night he’d opened up to Melissa, she’d assured him that he did deserve love, happiness and success. And he had so wanted to believe her. Their relationship had seemed perfect, but perfect never lasted, did it? He’d learned that with Chantelle, so before it was too late, he’d ended the relationship with Melissa.
“Did you try the cheesecake?” Arlene asked, extending the plate of bite-size desserts past Carlton and toward Melissa. “This is to die for.”
“No, let me try one.”
Melissa took the plate of desserts, plucked a cherry cheesecake, then placed it beside the fruit on the small plate she already had. She didn’t bother to extend the dessert plate to Aaron; she just put it down.
Aaron smirked slightly. Yeah, she was upset with him.
At the front of the tent, Ryan stood and spoke into the microphone. “Just so you all know, the party’s not over. Please join us for some dancing. DJ, hit it!”
The next instant, a funky old school tune exploded from the speakers. People were standing, sitting or chatting, and some now made their way out of the tent, jiggling their bodies as they did.
“Please, enjoy the bar, the dance floor, the music,” Ryan went on. “The dinner is over, but the night is young. And the wedding is in two days, so you can sleep in tomorrow.”
Melissa quickly got up from the table and walked over to Arlene. They shared some conversation that Aaron couldn’t hear. His eyes were on her, watching her every move.
She was mesmerizing. She was as enthralling as she had been when he’d known her years ago. If she had come here hoping to avoid him, she should have picked anything other than the sexy red dress she was wearing. Because she had his attention. And he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She was the most gorgeous woman here.
The dress was stunning. The formfitting, stretchy fabric highlighted her hourglass figure. She was the epitome of a sexy vixen, with those large breasts, narrow waist and voluminous hips. The black pumps she was wearing had a streak of red on the underside, and Aaron found himself thinking about sex.
With her.
As soon as he could get her naked.
Her hair was pulled up into a chignon and he wished more than anything that he could hold her in his arms, release the hairpins and let those raven strands down. He was tired of her frosty reaction to him, and he wanted to help her warm up to him and unleash her inner vixen.
The first song faded into another upbeat tune. “Ooh, that’s my song!” Bonnie exclaimed. She took both Melissa and Arlene by the hand and pulled them out from the tent. The three women made their way to the dance floor that had been set up while everyone ate dinner. Aaron watched them go, his eyes fixed on the shapely figure in the red dress.
Out of nowhere, his brother Keith, younger by a year, appeared and plopped himself down on the chair that Melissa had vacated.
“Have you finalized the plans for the bachelor party?” Keith asked.
Aaron nodded. “The limo’s arriving at eleven.”
“And he knows nothing about it?”
“Ryan is clueless.”
Keith smiled. “Good.”
* * *
Melissa had had enough, and she kicked off her heels. She wiggled her bare toes, hoping to bring circulation back into them. The shoes were beautiful, one of her rare splurges, but she could only wear them for so long. She had passed the threshold of comfort quite some time ago. There was no way she could continue on the dance floor in these.
“Whoever invented high heels wanted to torture women,” Melissa said above the music. She was dancing with Arlene now, as Bonnie had bopped off somewhere else.
“That’s why I wear flats as much as I can,” Arlene said, then raised a foot to show her sensible flat sandals.
Melissa typically did sensible, but today, she’d wanted to do something different. Wanted to come back to Sheridan Falls and make a certain someone realize what he’d missed out on. The beauty of it was, Aaron could only look but not touch, because he was married.
Speaking of married, where was his wife? She hadn’t been here all evening.
Arlene leaned close and asked, “Are you going to the bachelorette party?”
“I’m here, so I guess I’m going to join everyone as we make the rounds.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it.” Arlene frowned. “Craig says he’s busy tonight, and he’s giving me a hard time about being a neglectful mom. I might have to pick up Raven from the babysitter’s.”
“Neglectful mom? What the heck is he talking about? You’re an awesome mother.”
“He’s just...he’s finding any excuse to pick a fight with me. I don’t know if I have it in me tonight to argue with him.”
“How’s he even going to know if you go out?” Melissa asked.
Arlene’s lips twisted as she looked at her. “This is a small town, remember?”
Her sister was right. The smallest of news spread like wildfire in this town.
“He’s been on my case about having the babysitter watch her too much. I don’t know how he expects me to hold down a job...”
“Why don’t you ask Mom and Dad to watch her?” Melissa suggested. “He can’t complain about doting grandparents.”
“They’re always coming through for me. Sometimes I feel guilty for leaning on them too much. I don’t know. Tonight I might just stay home.”
Melissa’s eyebrows shot up as she looked into Arlene’s eyes, trying to gauge her sister’s mood. “Everything okay? Is there more going on than you’re telling me?”
Arlene shrugged. “I’m just a little bit stressed. Working, being a single mom...it’s not easy.”
“All the more reason for you to come out with us tonight and enjoy yourself.”
Melissa knew that the plan was to head to Buffalo and make the rounds at several bars. Tasha was ready for her big night, complete with an outfit that would let everyone know she was a single woman about to be married. The bridesmaids were going to treat her to her last big hurrah, so to speak. Perhaps there would be some flirting, but nothing outrageous. They weren’t going to have strippers or anything like that. Just enjoy a great time bonding before Tasha’s big day.
“I’ll see,” Arlene said with a shrug.
The music had changed from a hip-hop beat to something slow, and Melissa watched as Ryan pulled Tasha into his arms in the middle of the dance floor. A smile tugged at Melissa’s lips. It was nice seeing her cousin so happy.
“Mind if I steal you?”
Melissa’s spine stiffened. Certainly Aaron was not speaking to her.
Swallowing, Melissa glanced up and over her shoulder and saw that her ears had not been playing tricks on her. “Steal me for what?” she asked.
“To dance with you.”
Was he out of his mind? “Arlene and I are discussing something.”
“No, you go on,” Arlene said. “Dance. I’ll talk to you in a little bit.”
“But...” Melissa’s protest died in her throat when Arlene smiled at Aaron, then headed off the dance floor.
Melissa wanted to scream at her sister. Why would she encourage Aaron dancing with her? She knew how much he had hurt her years ago. Besides, he was a married man, so dancing to a slow tune with him was inappropriate.
Aaron stepped forward and slipped his arms around her waist. Melissa stood as still as a rock.
“I won’t bite,” Aaron said, trying to urge her body to sway to the music. Then he leveled a charming smile at her.
Melissa could almost imagine his unspoken words. Unless you want me to...
Oh, he thought he was smooth!
Because she knew it would look ridiculous to stand ramrod straight while Aaron tried to lead her in a dance, Melissa moved with him. But she eased her body backward as far as possible so that people watching them wouldn’t get any crazy ideas. The last thing she needed was to come back to town and be embroiled in any sort of scandal.
“So,” Aaron began, “we finally have a moment to talk.”
Melissa said nothing.
“Are you still going to give me the silent treatment?”
Melissa made a face as she looked at him. “What are you talking about? We’ve talked all evening.”
He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips. “You’ve barely said anything to me.”
“I don’t know what you expect me to say. I haven’t seen you in years.”
“True.” Aaron was silent for a moment as he turned with her, edging her ever closer against his body as he did. He leaned in and said softly, “It really is good to see you again. You look amazing.”
Melissa glanced up at him. She felt a tingle of warmth as she saw the expression in his eyes, something that looked a lot like attraction.
He held her gaze for a long moment, and God help her, the warmth turned to a searing heat. Why was he looking at her as though he wanted to...
To kiss her?
No, she must be imagining things. Maybe he was just fascinated that he was seeing her again. Maybe there was even some level of regret on his part, knowing that he’d let a good woman go. She could only imagine what his life was like with Ella. Despite that Aaron was rumored to be a playboy, she couldn’t imagine that Ella made his life easy.
But that had been his choice, hadn’t it?
The reality that he’d rejected her hit her anew, killing any bit of physical attraction she was feeling.
When was this song going to end? She couldn’t handle this anymore.
“It certainly looks as though life is treating you well,” Aaron said.
“It is,” Melissa said, exaggerating the excitement in her tone. “My life is amazing. I have no complaints.”
“That’s good to hear. I always wanted good things for you.”
Melissa wanted to roll her eyes and tell him not to be patronizing. What, did he think she’d lived a boring and unhappy life because he hadn’t been with her?
“You’re single?”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not happy.”
Aaron looked at her askance. “I didn’t say that.”
No, he hadn’t. Melissa was being far too sensitive. She inhaled deeply and told herself to calm down.
“I’m glad you’re happy, that life is going well for you.”
“Thank you.” Though Melissa didn’t want to be conversing with Aaron, she figured she ought to offer something to the conversation. “And you’ve been very successful. Soccer worked out well for you.”
“It did, yes.”
“Well, that’s what you always wanted. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Aaron released her to take her by one hand and twirl her around. Then he pulled her close again. “You know, when I found out you were going to be in the wedding party, I asked Ryan to make sure we were paired up.”
Melissa couldn’t help gaping at him. “You did?”
“I figured it’d be fun.”
Was he out of his mind? Fun? Was that what this was to Aaron? A game?
She didn’t know what was going through his mind. Maybe he was flirting with her because he was one of those guys who wanted to feel that no woman could resist him.
The very fact that he was dancing with her like this was disrespectful to Ella.
Again, Melissa wondered where she was. How had the Ella she’d known in high school given up this opportunity to gloat on the arm of her husband?
Aaron splayed his fingers across her back, making her skin tingle. He pulled her close as the slow song came to an end, and for one insane moment, Melissa reveled in the feeling of her body pressed against his. She luxuriated in the heat that consumed her.
But only for a moment.
Because the next instant, she pushed herself backward, though he refused to release her.
“I think that’s enough,” she said, looking up into his eyes. Why did he keep looking at her with that smoky gaze, as though he wanted nothing more than to get naked with her?
“It’s not nearly enough,” Aaron replied.
Melissa glanced around uncomfortably, certain that she would see disapproving gazes everywhere. Instead, she saw Tasha looking at her with happy curiosity.
“Maybe this is just your...way,” Melissa said distastefully, “but I’m not going to become a point of gossip for this town.”
“We’re dancing,” Aaron said, and when Melissa tried to extricate herself from his grasp, he used the opportunity to twirl her around again.
Oh, he was infuriating!
Even though the tempo of the new song was upbeat and didn’t lend itself to slow dancing, Aaron snaked a hand around her waist and pulled her against his body. Despite her irritation with him, a fresh wave of heat washed over Melissa. She looked up at him, aghast, and saw that the edges of his lips were curled in a grin. He thought this was funny!
“Aaron, that’s enough,” Melissa said, her voice firm. She knew what would happen tomorrow. Phones all across town would be ringing, people gleefully sharing the news that Melissa Conwell had been getting all cozy with Aaron Burke at the welcome dinner for the wedding.
Finally, Melissa wiggled her way out of Aaron’s arms and glanced around, trying once again to ascertain just how much of a spectacle she’d become.
“What’s the matter?” Aaron asked.
Melissa guffawed. “You’re not serious.”
“I’m dead serious. I was hoping you’d be happy to see me.”
Melissa wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but instead she forced a neutral look onto her face. Leaning forward, she said in a low voice, “I know that you’re used to women fawning all over you, but this isn’t Europe, where no one cares. This is Sheridan Falls. Everyone here knows you’re married.”
Instead of looking even a little embarrassed for his unflattering behavior, Aaron chuckled.
“I can’t believe you think this is funny. Consider your wife. And what people will say. By tomorrow, all seven thousand residents in this town will be talking about us and our disrespectful behavior on the dance floor.”
“If you’ll stop for a minute, I have something to tell you,” Aaron said.
Melissa frowned. “Tell me what?”
“Ella and I are divorced.”
Chapter 6 (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
“What?” Melissa exclaimed, and she was glad that another upbeat tune had started to play, drowning out her voice to those within immediate earshot.
“We divorced a year and a half ago,” Aaron explained.
Melissa knew she must look stupefied. “You and Ella are no longer married?”
“Actually, that’s not true,” Aaron said, and Melissa’s heart pounded furiously. “We split a little over a year and a half ago,” he went on, “but our divorce was finalized six weeks ago.”
She stared at him, blinking but saying nothing. He was lying. He had to be. Melissa would have heard.
But why would he lie about that? In this town of seven thousand people, there was no way he could get away with saying something so untrue.
“I heard you guys were having problems, sure. But I also heard that you retired and returned to Sheridan Falls to work on your marriage.”
“There was no saving our marriage when I retired last year,” Aaron said, “but that was the spin on the story.”
Melissa frowned. “If you got divorced, then why haven’t I heard? It’s not like anyone can keep a secret in this town.”
“Ella and I kept this one,” Aaron said. “I was tired of everything I did becoming fodder for the rumor mill, so I made a deliberate attempt to keep the news of the actual divorce very quiet. I didn’t want the headache of the press salivating over every perceived sordid detail. For Ella’s part, I don’t think she was too keen on spreading the news either, especially after she got a lot of negative feedback for some of what she said about me to the press previously. So she agreed to keep things quiet. We went to another city, got it done. Only our families knew, and they were sworn to secrecy. This is my first official event as a divorced man, and as such, I’ve finally been letting people know.”
“Wow,” Melissa said, stunned. “I’m completely shocked. I’m sorry, by the way.”
Aaron waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t be sorry. It was a long time coming.”
Aaron and Ella had split. Melissa’s head was spinning. What exactly had happened? Who had ended things?
Maybe it had been Ella who’d ended the relationship, finally tired of Aaron’s womanizing. Or had he grown bored of her?
She didn’t care, so why was she even thinking about this?
“I’m sorry nonetheless,” Melissa said. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”
“Thank you,” Aaron said. “These things happen.” He shrugged casually, as if it was no big deal.
And maybe for him it wasn’t. The little she’d read about him in the tabloids indicated that fidelity was something he wasn’t interested in. Maybe Ella had finally gotten smart and put her foot down.
Aaron narrowed his eyes as he regarded her. “Do you really think I’d be dancing with you like this if I were married?”
Melissa hesitated. She wanted to say no, but how could she? Celebrities were a different breed, and their behavior often left a lot to be desired.
“Don’t celebrities live by their own code?” she countered.
“So that’s a yes? Even with my parents here?”
“You’re a grown man. They certainly can’t stop you from doing what you like.”
Aaron narrowed his eyes as he regarded her. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but she could see his disappointment.
“I wouldn’t bring dishonor to my parents, Melissa. I thought you would know that.”
I know nothing about you was what she wanted to say. But when she saw Arlene whizzing toward her behind Aaron, her body sagged with relief. Thank God. She needed an excuse to escape Aaron and this uncomfortable conversation.
But as her sister neared her, Melissa’s relief turned to concern. “Arlene, what’s wrong?” she asked, seeing the stress on her sister’s face.
“I need a ride.”
“What is it?” Melissa asked.
“Aaron, I’m really sorry to interrupt you guys,” Arlene said.
“No problem,” Aaron told her.
Arlene took Melissa by the hand and led her away, throwing an apologetic glance over her shoulder at Aaron. “I’m sorry, Mel.”
Melissa waved at her concern. “No, don’t be sorry.” In fact, she could thank her sister. Her interruption was perfect timing. “What’s wrong?”
“I came here with Maxine, and I don’t want to disturb her. She’s having fun.” She blew out a harried breath. “I need to leave.”
“Why?”
“Raven is pitching a fit and I’ve got to go deal with her. The babysitter says she won’t settle until she sees me. Who knew four-year-olds could wield such power?”
Melissa’s worry abated. She’d feared something worse was going on. “She’ll probably calm down in a little bit.”
“She’s been acting out since Craig and I split,” Arlene explained. “She’s having quite the tantrum, apparently. I’d really better go now. If we’re going out later and I can get her down, I can have the babysitter stay with her for the night. I know this is inconvenient, but do you mind giving me a ride?”
Melissa threw a glance over her shoulder at Aaron, saw that he was still looking at her. He probably wanted to pick up the conversation where they’d left off.
No, thank you.
Melissa faced her sister and gave her a reassuring smile. “No problem at all. Let’s go.”
“Thanks, sis. You can always come back.”
“Naw, I’m good. Plus, I’ll see the girls later tonight.”
“Let me say goodbye to Tasha and Ryan and Cyrus and Cynthia,” Arlene said.
Together they found Tasha and Ryan, then the Burkes and said their goodbyes.
“It was so lovely to see you again,” Cynthia said, holding both of Melissa’s hands. “It’s nice to have you back in town.”
“It’s good to be back,” Melissa said. She couldn’t help wondering if there was something to Cynthia’s smile and warmth. Had she jumped to conclusions seeing her and Aaron together?
“Okay, let’s get out of here,” Arlene said.
Melissa fell into step beside Arlene. Only once they were on the deck and away from the guests did Melissa ask, “Did you hear that Aaron and Ella divorced?”
Arlene’s eyes grew wide. “They did?”
Melissa had asked the question in part to gauge her sister’s response. Though she doubted Arlene would know and say nothing. Arlene genuinely hadn’t heard. Aaron had managed to pull off the impossible—keep a secret in this town.
“He told me when we were dancing,” Melissa explained.
“Oh my goodness! I knew they were separated, but Ella always told anyone who would listen that they were working on their marriage. Obviously, none of my friends heard or someone would have told me.” Arlene paused. “Can I share the news?”
Melissa shot her sister a sideways glance. “You just can’t wait to start making calls, can you?”
Arlene couldn’t help smiling. “Well, this is big news.”
“Aaron said they’ve finally started letting people know, just now, so it’s not a secret.”
“It’s not surprising,” Arlene said. “The stories of his cheating were rampant. I guess despite what Ella said, she finally had enough.”
“I guess so.”
Melissa led the way across the driveway and out to the street where her car was parked. Aaron clearly had a way with women. Not only was he gorgeous, he was charming. And successful. With his level of success came a certain amount of confidence. Of arrogance. Of expectation.
It was why he’d so easily put his arms around her and pulled her close on the dance floor, as if he expected that his mere presence would drive her crazy. She didn’t want to know how many women he’d seduced with that easy smile and just the right touch.
Still, her body couldn’t quite shake the hint of excitement his touch elicited.
Good grief, she was pathetic.
She pulled her keys from her purse and unlocked the door, then tried to shake off the memory of Aaron’s arms around her waist. A memory that brought her back to twelve years ago. Twelve years ago on the lake, under a moonlit sky, tenderly kissing the young man she’d thought she would love forever.
Losing her virginity to him.
That was ancient history, a very long time ago.
Melissa would do well to remember that.
Chapter 7 (#u9414bf9d-fb63-5444-971d-d8423f7a2047)
“I’m getting married!” Tasha exclaimed to everyone on the street as the bridal party exited their third bar.
There was some hooting and cheering from passersby, and Tasha threw up her hands and gyrated her body. She’d had at least three or four shots and was clearly feeling no pain.
It was just after midnight, and the bridal party was making the rounds in Buffalo’s downtown core. Arlene had begged off, deciding to stay home with her daughter, who had been fussing a little too much and wouldn’t settle. Melissa had also tried to politely decline the evening’s festivities, claiming that her long drive from New Jersey had left her tired, but Bonnie had insisted that Melissa attend.
“Tasha wants you there. She needs you,” the maid of honor had stressed. “This night is about all of us bonding as much as it is about Tasha’s last big night as a single woman. If everyone starts bailing, how’s she supposed to feel?”
Melissa had gotten the point and agreed to go out. She didn’t have a child to use as an excuse, after all, and figured that at least tonight she could truly unwind and relax.
Unlike during the welcome party, where she hadn’t been able to fully enjoy herself with Aaron around.
The five of them walked into bar number four, Tasha leading the way. Heads turned, just as they had when they’d strutted into the first few bars and when they’d walked down the street. All it took was a glance to realize that their group was out for a bachelorette party. Tasha was decked out in a plastic crown and veil, the word bride written in sparkling silver glitter on the crown. Strings of cheap plastic beads, Mardi Gras style, hung around her neck.
Wilma, Tasha’s aunt, walked right up to the bar and found a space between two people sitting on bar stools. No one could accuse her of being shy or lacking self-confidence. Despite being in her early fifties, she had as much energy and spunk as the thirtysomethings. She’d already had to fight off male admirers—which really seemed to please her.
Melissa and the rest of the bridal party gathered close behind Wilma. “Ah, a bachelorette party,” the attractive bartender said, his eyes volleying from Wilma to the rest of them.
“Yes,” Wilma said. “My niece is getting married.”
“Niece?” The man’s jaw nearly hit the bar. “You mean she’s not your sister?”
Wilma blushed. Melissa got the feeling that if she weren’t happily married, she would leave a string of broken hearts in her wake. She probably had in her youth.
“You’re too kind,” Wilma said. The man sitting on the bar stool to Wilma’s left got up and walked away, and Wilma quickly took his seat. “We’d love a round of shooters. Flaming sambuca.”
Melissa opened her mouth to protest, but then stopped when the rest of the bridal party began to hoot and holler in agreement. They were having fun, and she wasn’t about to be the party pooper. Especially since they’d taken a limo to Buffalo for their night on the town, meaning they could all drink and not worry about driving. Wilma’s idea.
Besides, she was enjoying the camaraderie that she never got much of these days. As the program director at the Turning Tides group home in Newark, her days and nights were often filled with emergencies, bad behavior, court dates and dealing with one crisis after another. But it had been a long time since she’d gone out, let her hair down and had some fun.
“Five flaming sambuca shots coming right up,” the bartender said. “By the way, I like your shirts.”
Tasha beamed. “Thank you.” She had wanted everyone to wear T-shirts that announced their role in the wedding. They were lavender, one of the wedding colors, and bride, maid of honor and bridesmaid were printed in a white cursive font on the corresponding shirts. There was no mistaking that they were celebrating an upcoming wedding. They all had feather boas slung around their necks, adding to the look.
Bonnie leaned in close to Wilma and said, “We can’t spend too much time in here.”
Wilma glanced at her watch. “We’ve got a bit of time.”
“What’s going on?” Melissa asked, picking up on the air of secrecy. Bonnie and Wilma had been sharing quiet conversation for the last half hour or so.
Wilma raised her eyebrows and smirked as she looked at Melissa. “Just a little surprise for Tasha.”
Melissa regarded her with suspicion. “What kind of surprise?”
Wilma raised a finger to her lips and indicated for Melissa to be quiet.
Oh, goodness. Were male strippers a part of tonight’s plans? Melissa had not signed up for that! The last thing she needed was someone snapping a photo of her in some sort of compromising position and putting it on social media. Sure, no one would likely know who she was, since all of her social media accounts were set to private, but still. She’d never liked the idea of half-naked men dancing in front of her. What was the point?
Tasha sidled up next to her. “Shocking news about Aaron. I can’t believe he got divorced and no one knew.”
Aaron’s divorce had been the topic of conversation during their drive to Buffalo. The news had spread like wildfire.
“You think you two will hook up?” Tasha asked.
Melissa’s eyes bulged. “What?”
Two more people vacated seats at the bar, and Tasha hoisted herself up onto the stool beside Wilma’s. “I saw you and Aaron earlier. You both looked pretty cozy, like you were having a good time. At the time I wondered what he was thinking, but now that I know he’s a free man...”

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