More Than He Expected

More Than He Expected
Andrea Laurence

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www.millsandboon.co.uk/ebookxmas (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/ebookxmas)

“Stop.”

Gwen sat up and frowned. “What do you mean, stop?”

“Stop using this pregnancy as an excuse to push people away,” Alex said. “It won’t work on me.”

Gwen swallowed hard, her dark eyes widening slightly as she searched for meaning in his face. “I don’t know what you’re—”

“You want me,” he interrupted. “And I want you just as badly as I did all those months ago. There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s no reason to try to defuse the attraction between us just because of some artificial barrier you’ve put in place. If you want me, give in to your feelings.”

She opened her mouth to argue but his words seemed to have struck her temporarily mute.

Alex thought this might be his opportunity to finally kiss her again the way he ached to …

Dear Reader,

When I was writing the end of my first book—What Lies Beneath—something unexpected happened. The best man and the maid of honor at the wedding started making eyes at one another! Up until that moment, I hadn’t even considered that scenario, but once they hit the dance floor at the reception, it became obvious to me that my next book would have to be about Gwen and Alex.

That’s where the fun started. As an author, it is my job to make sure my characters find their “Happily Ever After,” but also to make them earn it. I’ll admit I get a bit of sick pleasure from making their lives difficult. And messing with Alex was even more enjoyable than usual. What better way to make a notorious playboy quake in his Armani loafers than to confront him with his greatest fear—a pregnant ex-lover.

I can’t wait for you to read Gwen and Alex’s story.

If you enjoy it, tell me by visiting my website at www.andrealaurence.com, like my fan page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. I love to hear from my readers!

Enjoy!

Andrea

About the Author

ANDREA LAURENCE has been a lover of reading and writing stories since she learned her ABCs. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to finally be able to share her books with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted to the deep South, she’s working on her own “happily ever after” with her boyfriend and their collection of animals that shed like nobody’s business. You can contact Andrea at her website, www.andrealaurence.com.

More Than He Expected

Andrea Laurence

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To Mavens Linda Howard and Linda Winstead Jones—

You are more than mentors. More than friends.

You believe in me, push me and give invaluable advice

for both career and life. I only hope that one day

I can be as generous of knowledge and spirit as you are.

And to Maven Beverly Barton —

I miss your laugh. I wish I could’ve shared this

experience with you, but I like to think that wherever

you are … you’re proud of what I’ve accomplished.

Prologue

Saturday, October 20

The Wedding Reception of Will and Adrienne Taylor

It was terribly cliché for the best man to seduce the maid of honor, but damn, that was one sexy woman.

Alex had no intention of using his best friend’s wedding as an opportunity to pick up women. Usually, weddings were filled with misty-eyed romantics wanting more than Alex was willing to offer. He’d planned only to wear the tux and wave goodbye as another of his friends crossed over to the dark side.

But Gwen Wright had thrown a petite, slinky wrench into his plans the minute she had strolled into the welcome breakfast. She’d been wearing a tight brown skirt and beige blouse that made her dark brown eyes pop against peaches-and-cream skin. She’d cast a quick glance at him that morning, appraising him with a small smile curving her peach lips. When their eyes met, the light of mischievousness there had intrigued him.

Will had introduced them a few minutes later, and Alex was pleased to discover she was the maid of honor and his partner in crime for the big day. He’d politely taken her hand, marveling at how soft her skin felt against his. He’d wanted to spend more time talking to her, but he didn’t get the chance. She was swept into the wedding chaos and the moment passed.

He hadn’t had another chance to really talk to her, much less touch her, but the anticipation was building with each hour that ticked by. He tried to focus on Will and what his job as best man entailed, since that evening had been dedicated to bachelor activities with the guys.

But tonight was a different matter. When he’d stood at the rose-covered archway beside Will and watched Gwen come toward him in that clingy pink gown, he thought he might not be able to wait much longer. As he’d escorted her down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, he’d pulled her aside and whispered, “Later,” into her ear. The blush of her cheeks let him know the brief message had come across loud and clear.

And later it would be. Later than he’d planned, actually. Gwen was running the show like a seasoned professional. The first opportunity he had to talk to her was during their obligatory dance, but despite holding her in his arms, he could tell she was a million miles away—making lists, planning the cake cutting … She was a woman on a mission, and he hadn’t made an inch of real progress in his pursuit of her.

Now the bride and groom had departed and the crowd had started to thin. They were quickly closing in on a “now or never” moment. From the other side of the room, he watched her direct the few men charged with taking the wedding gifts back to the apartment. Every gesture, every smile intrigued him. Alex wished he could figure out what it was about Gwen that drew him to her. The impact of her presence had been direct and immediate. If she had some kind of sexual kryptonite that weakened him, he wanted to know it.

And there must be. She’d had his undivided attention for a good part of the last thirty-six hours, and she didn’t even know it. There was no argument that she was beautiful. He loved the way her curly ash-blond hair framed her heart-shaped face and the dark eyes that watched him beneath full lashes. Her petite frame was highlighted by her bridesmaid gown, showing off those shapely calves.

But there was something else about her. Something that drew him in and wouldn’t let him look away. And he was determined to find out what it was.

“It’s later.” Gwen had been sitting for less than forty-five seconds when she heard a man’s voice over her shoulder. Forty-five seconds were not nearly enough to make up for the hours she’d spent on her feet.

She was the maid of honor. It was her job to scurry about and ensure everything was on track. But she was tired. Dog tired. Regardless of what the man wanted from her, he could forget it. Even dancing with Prince Harry had less appeal than kicking off her shoes and face-planting in her bed right now.

Then she looked up and found herself smack-dab in the laser sights of none other than the best man, Alex Stanton. He was looking extraordinarily handsome tonight in his Armani tuxedo, his golden hair tamed for the special occasion. The hazel-eyed bachelor had been charming and friendly toward her for the last few days, but like Gwen, he’d been busy with wedding responsibilities of his own.

She’d tried to ignore the tingle of electricity she’d felt dance across her skin when he’d taken her arm to walk down the aisle. But then, in a brief moment alone, he’d leaned close to her ear and whispered the word “later.” The single utterance was laced with such heavy meaning that it was hard to breathe for a moment. How he’d managed to roll “I want you,” “I’m going to rock your world tonight,” and “I hope you’re prepared” into a single word, she’d never know. He’d followed the promise with a sly smile and wink before he’d pulled away and embraced the newlyweds.

“Miss Wright, may I have this dance?”

Gwen wasn’t sure if she had the strength to make it through another dance with Alex. During their first turn on the dance floor, the electric feeling had intensified; this pull that urged her to press inappropriately close to him while they swayed. She’d spent the song thinking of cheesy knock-knock jokes to distract herself. She didn’t want Alex to think she was throwing herself at him. Regardless of what she’d read into his words earlier, he was dancing with her because he had to. You dance with your cousin if that’s who you’re paired up with in the wedding party.