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Yesterday had left Adrian confused. The day had been the most fun he’d had in a long time, and just being with Madison was entertaining. The woman was self-reliant, happy, and confident. And when she’d kissed him in front of the other women, he’d almost lost it right there.
That kiss left him reeling with the need to pick her up and carry her home and not let her out of his bed. But that wasn’t possible. That would mean another marriage and he wasn’t certain he was capable of getting married again.
Last night, he’d come home to having doubts about what they were doing. Maybe he should not be pretend dating anyone. What if Madison was starting to have feelings for him? But more than anything, what if he was developing feelings for Madison?
Neither one of them could fall for the other, but he felt out of control. And that was a feeling he never wanted to experience.
Fixing the tie on his tuxedo, he glanced in the mirror and checked his pocket for the ring. He’d wanted her to wear the biggest ring he could find. Why he wanted it to be a great ring, he didn’t know, but even pretending, Madison deserved the best.
Tonight had to be perfect and yet he didn’t understand the pressure he was putting on himself.
This was a fake engagement. Nothing more.
Before he headed downstairs, he checked the shine on his cowboy boots and they shone with brilliance.
As he approached the kitchen, he heard Madison and her mother.
“Mom, that’s perfect,” Madison said.
“I don’t like this,” her mother replied. “I’m worried about you.”
There was silence for a moment. “Nothing to worry about, Momma. I’m fine. You know how I feel about marriage.”
“Which is ridiculous, but that is a discussion for another day. This just feels like a dangerous game the two of you are playing. Someone is going to get hurt,” her mother said.
There was no sound, and he cleared his throat to let the ladies know he was in the kitchen.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied. “I’ve got to go, Momma. You worry too much.”
“Have a good time,” she said. “Be careful. Watch out for drunk drivers.”
Madison stepped out from behind the center island and his knees grew weak. The gown she wore was stunning. It shimmered with a gold essence that made her sapphire-gray eyes glow. Her hair and makeup were spotless. He would be the envy of every man there tonight.
“Wow,” he muttered. If he ever married, she would be the type of woman he would want, but he wasn’t going to say "I do". And while he’d been feeling a little wishy-washy on the subject, it sounded like Madison was certain of her feelings. Good, that went for both of them.
“A special dress for a special occasion,” she said smiling.
“A special dress that will have me keeping the men away from you. I think our positions have reversed.”
A grin spread across her face.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she said, picking up an evening shawl and purse that matched the dress.
They walked out the door and he helped her into the truck. The dress had a slit on the side, and the sight of her long, slender legs, had him swallowing down the passion that rocked through him.
When he climbed in, she reached over and picked a piece of lint off his black tux. “You look mighty handsome yourself. No wonder the women in town are chasing after you. There might be a stampede of women coming after you at the ball tonight.”
He grinned at her.
“Not with you by my side,” he said.
“Nope,” she said confidently. “Next week is the last ball of the season,” she said. “We have two more big dates and then we’ll have to decide how our breakup happens and why. The season will be over and you can go back to being the most wanted bachelor in town.”
He was dreading that. No, he wouldn’t be in town much except to pick up supplies from the hardware store, but the thought of women pursuing him again was not fun. Already he knew that Norma Jean would try to offer to console him.
