Unlawfully Wedded

Unlawfully Wedded
Kelsey Roberts

There Ought to Be a Law Against Men Like J. D. Porter…Hell-bent on discovering how the body of her long-lost father came to be shored up in the walls of The Rose Tattoo, the last thing Tory Conway needed was J. D. Porter running interference. Unfortunately she'd already married the gray-eyed gallant–even if it was in name only.J.D. was used to getting what he wanted from people, and he swore he'd use that skill to hunt down Tory's father's killer. But J.D. wanted much more than gratitude from his sassy blond bride–and hell if he was going to clue her in. She'd find out soon enough…if she survived to hear about it.

Unlawfully Wedded

Kelsey Roberts

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

For my stepdaughter, Bonnie, who has achieved personal and financial independence;

for my stepson, Eric, who is quite adept at selling his plasma when times get tough;

and for my son, Kyle, who will continue to be on the dole for the foreseeable future.

I would gratefully like to acknowledge the assistance of Pat Harding, Kay Manning and Carol Keane of Charleston, South Carolina: my crack research team.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Tory Conway—She’s forced to confront a mysterious past and an uncertain future.

J. D. Porter—He’s a reluctant bridegroom with a few too many secrets.

Rose Porter—She finally gains a daughter-in-law, but for how long.

Wesley Porter—He’s sticking around to see the fireworks.

Shelby Tanner—Co-owner of the Rose Tattoo; about to give birth.

Dylan Tanner—His sleuthing skills are always appreciated.

Chad Tanner—Mischievous, but cute.

Cliff Griffen (“Griff”)—A dear old friend of Tory’s…or so he thought.

Calvin Matthews—He’s made a success of his own restaurant over the years. Is he really just a friendly competitor?

Gloria Burrows—Did she move to Vegas for a fresh start, or was she running from the memories of a stale murder?

Evan Richards—Is he an accountant or an accomplished liar?

Contents

Chapter One (#u321a965b-0ed8-5e1f-999b-6057b9ce1b0a)

Chapter Two (#u8ef07bcc-995a-53c8-a53a-ead9a2c8599c)

Chapter Three (#u3ddb5eca-3f7c-5168-9f7a-23276508b039)

Chapter Four (#ue1217351-3466-57b1-bd53-b6a2246cca52)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

J. D. Porter. She knew the initials stood for “Jackass Deluxe,” and he was sitting at a table in her station!

A frown curved the corners of her mouth as she donned an air of false confidence. Brushing a few strands of hair away from her eyes, Tory Conway pushed through the hinged kitchen doors of the Rose Tattoo, a tray clamped tightly to her chest.

With practiced aloofness, she held her breath as she marched past where he sat hunched over a mound of paperwork. The pleasant smell of his decidedly masculine cologne chased her behind the bar, threatening her resolve.

After placing the tray on the polished wooden surface of the horseshoe-shaped bar, Tory bent down and began collecting the salt and pepper shakers.

Her motion was halted in midstream when she felt long, tapered fingers close around her wrist. She rose slowly, trying not to devote too much thought to the devastating feel of his touch.

Their eyes collided—hers wide from the shock, his a deep, penetrating gray, the same shade as a South Carolina summer sky before a violent storm. She swallowed against the irrational belief that those eyes could see through her clothing. His lopsided, sexy display of even white teeth hovered somewhere very near a leer.

“Good morning, Miss Conway.”

Not from where I’m standing, she thought. She didn’t speak immediately, mostly because she had a sinking feeling that her words might come out in a squeaky, helium-high voice.

“No greeting?” he taunted, one dark eyebrow arched questioningly. “You wound me.”