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Cade’s problem was that he wanted Abby Morrison now more than ever. And when he wanted something, he never gave up until it was his.
He’d broken his promise to be faithful to Mona, even though they weren’t in love. But how could he marry one woman when all he wanted was to be with another?
Cade prayed to God this was just sexual attraction. Sex he could handle. Sex he could live without until he married Mona.
But he had a feeling this was more than lust and carnal thoughts.
An orchestra or a simple harp?
No. No harpist.
Abby resisted the urge to slam down the screen on her laptop. She simply couldn’t concentrate on wedding plans…especially those of the man who’d kissed her like he was going to devour her, then rejected her all within one breath.
But she had debts to pay off and planning this god-forsaken wedding would take care of all her mother’s medical bills. She couldn’t avoid it. No matter how much she wanted to stop this preposterous “business arrangement,” Cade had to see on his own that this wedding was a mistake.
If, and only if, he came to his senses, would Abby come clean and confess her feelings. Until then—if then ever came to be—she would continue to work with Cade in a professional environment.
On a personal level, though, she couldn’t halt her plans to show him what a honeymoon with a woman he loved could be like. After that kiss, that body-shaking, toe-curling kiss, she knew Cade wanted her on a physical level. Now if only he could see the love she wanted to give him. If only he’d open his eyes and heart to what was within his reach.
The ache in Abby’s chest only worsened when she came to her feet and saw the dress she’d worn last night draped over the white wicker chair next to her canopy bed.
She turned the opposite way and went to the wide double doors that led out onto the balcony. Resting her arms on the wrought iron railing, she breathed in the refreshing ocean scent. A soft breeze caressed her, lifting her hair to dance about her shoulders.
A tremor swept through her body. She didn’t even have to close her eyes to remember the way Cade’s lips had felt against her heated skin. But she closed them anyway, as if locking the memory inside forever.
What if he didn’t ever come around? What if his business was more important than his happiness? What if he never saw her as anything more than his assistant?
But, what if he did?
Abby knew giving up was not an option, but the devil’s advocate kept interrupting her daydreams. She only had four weeks to show Cade romance and passion. To show him just how much life had to offer if you could spend it with the one you loved.
He had no reason to be so cynical about love. His own parents had had a long, happy marriage until his mother passed. His father had never remarried. From what Abby learned before Cade’s father’s passing, the man had said no one would replace his one true love and the memories of his wife would last the rest of his life.
Abby rubbed her arms and blinked back tears. Something was keeping Cade from seeking love, but what? His own brother, Brady, was happily married and expecting twins in a few months.
Cade just had to see there was more to life than business mergers, luxurious resorts and jetting off to the next hot piece of real estate.
On a sigh, Abby turned. She had wedding plans to get back to. Even though she thought this was a mistake and she was going to do everything in her power to make Cade see that he needed love in his life, she still was being paid to do a job.
Settling back down at the small desk in the corner of her suite, she sent a quick e-mail to Mona to ask her opinion on the music.
Once the message was sent, Abby couldn’t stomach another plan. She’d chosen the flowers, fresh of course, planned the extravagant menu, booked the location at a historical church in San Francisco and arranged for the special lighting that she always used for evening weddings to illuminate the happy couple.
Ugh, just the thought of the pale glow around Cade and Mona made Abby ill. But, just because she didn’t agree with this wedding didn’t mean she’d slack on her duties…no matter how nauseating and heartbreaking they may be.
Her computer chirped, letting her know she had a message.
Abby clicked on the Inbox icon to see a reply from Mona.
“That was fast,” Abby muttered.
Abby,
Anything is fine. Just plan this as if it were your own. No need to consult me, I’m leaving everything in your capable hands.
Mona
Insane. Positively insane. But at least she didn’t have to consult the woman anymore. She hated the thought of hurting Mona, but if she wasn’t even remotely in love with Cade, she shouldn’t get hurt. At least, Abby hoped not.
