Book 1: Wish Come True Series
Excerpt: Date Night
Jordan jumped up and started walking towards the front door. “Let me walk you out.”
I strode behind her and tried hard not to focus on her enticing round bottom filling out the tight jeans or the suede brown boots hugging her shapely calves. I had no right to check her out this way but damn it all if I couldn’t help myself. I was a flesh and blood man. And sometime in the past four years she turned into a full-bosomed, long-legged, round bottomed woman. College rounded her out in all the right places; gotta love the freshman fifteen.
She paused outside the front door and leaned back against the brick wall of the porch, peering down at her hands while fiddling with a small piece of paper. Darkness surrounded us except for the light of the full moon which reflected off her hair. A cool breeze nipped at my arms in the late May evening air.
“JT,” she said and hesitated. Whatever she needed to say was difficult for her. She stared out into the night unable to meet my gaze. “I have a big favor to ask of you. And if you don’t want to do it—well, I’d totally understand—but I have to at least ask.”
She caught her bottom lip in her teeth and tugged it back into her mouth to wet it with her tongue before releasing it once more. The moonlight reflected off her moist lip, holding my gaze captive. Reaching out I turned her face toward me and then gently brushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes. Why was she suddenly so shy?
“You know I’ll do anything you ask. There’s no need to be worried.”
A smile lifted the corner of her mouth as she gazed into my eyes. “Don’t jump the gun. You don’t know what I’m going to ask.”
“Shoot,” I said with an answering smile. I couldn’t imagine anything she’d ask of me that wouldn’t fly.
“Tomorrow afternoon I’m checking out the venue for the wedding and reception, or alternatively the life celebration for Grannie if I don’t find Mr. Right in time.”
“Do you need a ride over? No problem. I’m free in the afternoon.”
Jordan ran her hand nervously through her hair. “Um…that’s great. But can you stay with me. What I really need is a fiancé.”
I fought back the sudden urge to inhale sharply. My mouth went dry and my heart hammered in my chest while I tried to wrap my brain around her words. She wanted me to be her fiancé? Reality set in quick…She isn’t serious. Still, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to mess with her a little. Placing my hands on either side of her against the wall, I supported my weight as I leaned in, allowing her fresh scent to fill my nostrils.
“Why Jordan,” I said in a husky voice. “I had no idea you felt that way about me.”
She giggled and searched my eyes. Her breath pulsed on my lips. She smelled minty fresh. If I leaned in an inch, I would taste her sweet mouth. She rested her palms on my chest for a few moments before pushing me gently away.
“On a temporary basis,” she said, laughing nervously. “The reception hall manager insists on both the future bride and groom being present to hammer out the fine details. My situation is a bit unusual.”
That was an understatement. “And you’d rather not tell her you’re planning your wedding without a groom?”
“Exactly,” Jordan said, running her hand through her hair. “I don’t want to talk to strangers about Grannie’s illness. Her dying wish to watch me walk down the aisle is no one else’s business. We don’t have much time; could be as short as five or six months. If I don’t find a groom in the next two months as allotted, well then, we can use the venue to celebrate Grannie’s life. But a wedding reception is a lot more intricate than a life celebration party. So I have to move forward with the plans assuming it will be a wedding.”
“I’ll be your fiancé…on a temporary basis.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “But it’s going to cost you.”
My immediate response caught me off guard. Why was I chomping at the bit to spend the evening alone with her?
“Naturally,” she said, rolling her eyes. “What do you want in return?”
An array of ideas flooded my brain. I bit the inside of my cheek to temper the grin fighting to appear. She was my best friend’s sister so I shouldn’t flirt with her. But it wasn’t my fault her scent tempted me to bury my face in her chest and rest there all night long. I desperately grabbed hold of the one appropriate response.
“I’m not much of a cook. A man can only stand so much delivery pizza and ramen noodles. So I want a full-fledged home cooked meal with all of the fixings. Main dish is my choice.”
“Deal.” Jordan held out her hand.
I shook her hand firmly before bringing it to my lips for a soft kiss. “What time should I pick you up?”
“Five o’clock. And wear something business casual. We get to crash a wedding to try out the food and see what the hall looks like when it’s all decked out.”
I sauntered out into the night and waved goodbye over my shoulder. “I’m on it. See you then, my love.”