A Convenient Groom

Riana opened her mouth, and closed it. He was just a boy, and the optimistic glint in his eyes struck her deep in the chest.

She tucked her dark hair behind her ears, stalling, trying to think of some easy let down. ‘I do believe in love at first sight—’ she paused, considering her words ‘—and I’m sure I’ll know him when I see him…’

The boy raised his eyebrows. ‘He’s not me?’

Riana patted the young man on the shoulder lightly and offered him a conciliatory smile. ‘I’m afraid not. Sorry.’

She sighed as the young man weaved his way through the crowd. She wasn’t that much older than he was but she knew what she wanted. Tall, blond and hunky Stuart Brooks, of the Double Bay Brooks—a man that she knew right down to his slicked-back hair and suede jackets was the one for her.

Riana placed her empty glass on the bar.

‘If I told you that you have a beautiful body would you hold it against me?’ a deep, velvet-soft voice asked close to her.

Riana swallowed hard, a ripple of excitement coursing traitorously through her at the sensuality in his tone.

She shook herself. This was such a bad idea. She should put a sign up on herself saying ‘taken’. She glanced at her left hand—it wouldn’t be long now.

She turned, her breath catching in her throat. He was close, he was tall, and oh-so-cute.

His features were strong, almost chiselled. His hair short and chestnut brown, his eyes hazel with golden flecks, his jaw shadowed and his mouth all promises.

Her body warmed.

He leant closer. ‘I’m waiting for your witty comeback.’ And he smiled.

She lifted a finger, willing her brain to work, her senses spinning out of control at the sheer radiance of his smile, of the fire in his eyes, and of the mesmerising effect staring at his lips had on her.

He leant forward again, his spicy cologne invading her senses. ‘You could just tell me to nick off, like the rest of them.’ He threw a thumb in the direction of the crowd behind them.

Riana turned, surveying a bunch of guys gathered at a table in the far corner. Recognition slowly dawned. They were the one-line pick-up men that had propositioned her, one after another after another.

She expelled a breath, her mind clearing and her blood heating. ‘What is it? Some game you guys are playing?’

Mr Golden Eyes shook his head, leaning close again to talk. ‘No, it was Phil’s last day with us at work—he had a better offer—and one of the boys gave him this book about dating.’

She frowned. ‘And those terrible pick-up lines are in the book?’ She had to laugh. ‘And someone paid good money for it?’

He rubbed his neck. ‘I have to be honest with you. The book says not to use them but we figured some of them didn’t sound half bad. Besides, there are some real classics there.’

‘Righty-o.’ Riana frowned. ‘How much have you guys been drinking?’

‘Touché.’ He smiled again, his golden eyes glinting. ‘Okay, they may not be the best of lines but worth a try before we for ever scratch them from our repertoire.’

Riana leant in again to make herself heard over the music, and she couldn’t help but breathe in his rich, spicy cologne. She wasn’t sure whether to damn the music for being so loud, or to thank it. ‘I can’t imagine you using them.’

‘Thanks.’ His breath was warm on her neck. ‘But you’d be surprised at how blank a mind can go when faced with a beautiful woman.’

She leant back. Was he saying she was beautiful?

Mr Golden Eyes leant an elbow on the bar and moved closer. ‘So how am I doing?’ he said close to her cheek.

How could he not think he was doing fine? He appeared to be everything a woman would want. Tall, dark, handsome, funny and intelligent. There had to be a catch somewhere…there always was.

‘Talk fast,’ she said to his neck, managing to keep a straight face. Let him sweat. Let him work to convince her why he was going to be different from all the rest.

‘No more corny pick-up lines, I take it?’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘I’ll give you ten seconds. Nine…eight…seven.’

‘You’re the most beautiful woman here.’

Riana glanced at him, something strange fluttering in the pit of her belly. ‘Flattering, but not good enough. Three…two…one.’

He widened his eyes, his eyebrows tilting to give him the most devastating puppy-eyed look she’d seen in her life. ‘I just need to be loved, like everyone else does.’

Riana sucked in her breath and gave him a second look, past the handsome face, deep into his golden eyes where she saw an honesty that scared her.

He meant it.

That was what it was all about—looking for someone to share your life with, putting up with loud music, clubs and pubs, parties and people of all shapes and sizes to find the one meant for you.

She nodded, her pulse quickening. This guy was a crush waiting to happen on a girl’s heart.

‘That works,’ she offered, trying to sound as calm and cool as she wanted to look. She could barely comprehend what she was doing. What about Stuart?

‘Good, I’ll tell the lads.’ And his mouth curved into a smile.

Her stomach curled. What? Couldn’t she at least have the satisfaction of telling him she was taken? That it was her that didn’t want him? ‘You don’t want my number?’ she blurted.

‘No.’

‘Oh? Not that I’d give it to you—’ She raised her chin. What was wrong with her? What was wrong with him? Stringing girls along until they were all flustered…

He nodded. ‘Sure.’

His disbelief was in his tone, as if no woman could refuse him! Riana crossed her arms over her chest. ‘Do you get some sort of perverse pleasure in torturing women?’ she asked, trying to keep her voice even. ‘Chat them up and then leave them high and dry?’

He shook his head. ‘Not usually, but in this case…I figured I’d even the score for the lads.’

She turned towards the men in the corner. She had been a bit short with some of them, a bit hard on others. She bit her bottom lip. He may have a point.

‘Well done,’ she said finally. ‘But if you look at it from my point of view for a moment you may see that you lot owe me for putting up with being harassed.’

He leant closer, giving her another look, running his eyes down her body to her black leather boots, up her black trousers over her small metallic blue top to her lips and to her eyes.

Riana’s body tingled as though he’d run his large hands over her, turning every nerve on as he went. She shifted on her stool.

‘You’re right,’ he murmured. ‘Let me buy you a drink for being such a good sport.’ He gestured to the barman.