Page 12 of The Gruff Loner’s Bargain

“It’s so fortunate you were able to step in for your sister. How fun that you’re both engaged at the same time,” the lady says.

Landry’s hand goes to the small of my back and his presence feels like my own walking, talking piece of security. I do not wish to further analyze that thought, so I’m thankful when our hostess continues.

“The staff will get your things and put them in your suite. I know you would like to settle in and rest, but we have a few orientation items to go over and the other couples are waiting. Follow me.”

“You need anything from your bags, darlin?” he asks.

I shake my head because I don’t trust myself to talk just yet. I have never been good at lying and the whole weight of our charade hit me like a proverbial ton of bricks when she mentioned the other couples. Real couples. Actual fiancés planning their weddings. Couples who truly love each other. We are frauds.

“I’m Marci, by the way, one of the senior wedding planners. I’m one of three on site, along with Lana and Antonio. We’ll all be on hand this weekend to answer any and all of your questions.”

We follow her up the steps. Landry threads our fingers together and gives me a gentle squeeze. Frauds or not, we’re in this together.

And I’m not gonna lie, I am enjoying the weight of Landry’s palm against my own. I’m not particularly short, not like my sister, but I’m not a tall woman. Walking next to this big, beautiful man makes me feel dainty.

Marci leads us to what I’m assuming is the backside of the building or at least this wing of it. We enter a semicircle room lined with a curved wall of windows. There are round tables strategically placed and I spot the other two couples sitting at one of them.

A man in a tailored suit stands at the front of them.

The petite, pretty blonde at the table claps. “Yay, we’re all here now.” Her fiancée smiles at her indulgently.

Landry leads me over to the two empty seats at the table and holds one out for me.

The redheaded woman elbows her fiancé and hisses, “See?”

Once I’m settled in my chair, Landry drops into the one next to me then scoots me over so we’re thigh-to-thigh.

“Touchy-feely,” he whispers into my ear.

“Now then, as I was saying, I’m Antonio and I’ll be the grooms’ liaison this weekend. You’ve already met Marci and later this evening, Lana will be available for questions or anything else you need.”

Antonio drones on about the resort’s amenities, and his presentation is no different than the information on their website. Landry’s arm has found its way around the back of my chair, his thumb absently rubbing my shoulder. Just that tiny brush of his touch and my body lights up.

Good grief.

I remember something I heard recently on a podcast about how you can’t force chemistry. People either have it or they don’t. You can change attraction based on a person’s personality. They either become more attractive or less, depending on their behavior. But chemistry is just that—it’s chemical.

I’m not foolish enough to pretend that Landry and I don’t have chemistry in spades. I glance around the other couples to see if theirs is as palpable. When I look over at Landry, he’s already watching me. He crosses his eyes and makes a goofy face.

I burst out laughing, then try to cover my gaffe with a cough. My doting fiancé reaches forward and pours me some water.

“Here, darlin, you’re probably still a little dried out from the plane.”

The other two women are staring at Landry like he’s a walking, talking thirst trap. Which, let’s be honest, he totally is. They’re probably sitting there wondering how I landed him.

“Does anyone have any questions?” Antonio asks.

“When do we get to go to the hot tubs?” Landry asks.

Everyone laughs, including myself. I’m beginning to understand that this man next to me… he’s way more than meets the eye. He’s so handsome to look at that it’s easy to get caught up in that, but then he uses his effortless humor to disarm people and help them feel comfortable.

Seeing that and recognizing it in him makes me wonder what else I’ve missed about him.

“Soon, Landry,” Marci says. “But before we let you go get settled, we want to play a little icebreaker game.”

I nearly groan out loud, but I manage to swallow it. I would rather walk through a mall butt naked than play a damn icebreaker game.

“You can take turns telling everyone how you met and fell in love,” Marci says.