Malone's Vow

“No.” Jessie gave a choked laugh. “That’s the last thing I want to do.”

“Jess.” Carrie’s voice softened. “Honey, I keep telling you, all brides are jittery.”

“I know. And I’m not jittery. I just—I need some fresh air.” Jessie gathered up her skirt so the hem wouldn’t drag. “I’m going for a walk in the garden.”

“What?” Carrie stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “You can’t! It’s only half an hour until the ceremony.”

“That’s plenty of time.”

“What if someone sees you?”

“Nobody will. I’ll go down the back stairs.”

“But—but you’ll get grass stains on the hem of your gown.”

“I won’t. See?” Jessie hoisted the gown higher.

Carrie sighed. “Well, who am I to argue with the bride? You want to go for a walk? Fine. We’ll go for a walk.”

“No!” Jessie swallowed hard. “No,” she said, more calmly, “really, I need a few minutes by myself.”

“It’s cold outside,” Carrie said worriedly. “At least take a jacket.”

“It’s okay,” Jessie said, “I know what I’m doing.”

But she didn’t. And the enormity of the lie scared the life out of her.

THE GARDEN WAS QUIET. All the hullabaloo was taking place inside the house. Liam was glad he’d decided to go for a walk where he could escape the necessity for social niceties.

He felt a lot better, too. For all he knew, Bill was right. Maybe he’d misread everything. The newlyweds would settle into a pleasantly dull marriage. A couple of years down the road he’d look at Jessica and know that he’d been wrong about her.

But if he was, then what was that invitation he’d seen in her eyes last night? What would she have done if he’d taken her up on it, if he’d walked straight across the room, pulled her out of her chair and kissed her?

Slugged him, probably, because whatever else the lady was, she wasn’t a fool. Bill would have slugged him, too, but at least he’d have learned if that soft, pink mouth tasted as sweet as it—

There was a whisper of sound just behind him. Liam drew a breath. Even before he turned around, he knew she’d be there.

“Miss Warren,” he said with deliberate courtesy.

Her chin lifted, her cheeks pinkened. Could she possibly know what he’d been thinking?

“Mr. Malone,” she said, just as courteously. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Is it customary for brides to wander around, alone, moments before they wed?”

“I might ask you the same question about groomsmen. What are you doing in the garden?”

Liam looked at the woman who was about to marry his best friend, into the smoky blue eyes that had haunted him through a long and sleepless night.

“Looking for you,” he said, and before she could respond, he reached for her.

CHAPTER TWO

PEOPLE ALWAYS TALKED about time standing still or going too fast, but in Jessie’s experience, time was more like a treadmill. It moved at a steady, predictable pace.

Now she knew she’d been wrong. Liam reached for her and time hung suspended by a silken thread. She had all the opportunity she needed to anticipate what was about to happen. He was going to take her in his arms, gather her close and kiss her. And she’d let him do it. The dreams that had kept her awake half the night because, yes, she’d dreamed of him, yes, she’d imagined this happening…those dreams would come true.

She sighed, lifted her head, closed her eyes, waited to feel the hardness of Liam Malone’s body, the race of his heart…

Waited to betray William.

She took a quick step back, her hands upraised. “No,” she said, but it didn’t stop him. Liam caught her hands, drew them down. “Liam,” she said sharply, “think of William!”

He lifted his head and stared at her through eyes that were dark and hot. Slowly, like clouds receding after a storm, the wildness in his eyes faded. A shudder racked his body, and his hands fell to his sides.

“My God!” He spoke in a choked whisper. “We must be crazy.”

Jessie opened her mouth, then closed it. The truth was ugly, but she couldn’t deny it. She’d been a part of what had almost happened.

“Nothing happened.” Panic lent her words harsh urgency. “Nothing,” she repeated, as if saying it again would make it so.

“No.” Liam nodded. He turned his back to her and she saw the rise and fall of his shoulders, heard the sound of breath being dragged deep into his lungs. “Nothing happened. And anyway, it didn’t mean a…” He swung toward her, anger etched into his face. “The hell it didn’t! I’m Bill’s best man. You’re his bride. And we almost went at each other like a pair of—of sex-starved teenagers. And you say, nothing happened?”

“Mr. Malone…”

“Oh, that’s great. That’s terrific. Another minute, we’d have been down on the grass and you’re calling me ‘Mr. Malone’?”

Jessie stiffened. “There’s no need to be crude.”

“Crude is you not remembering that you’re marrying my best friend this morning.”

A breeze rustled through dried autumn leaves still trapped in the hedge. Jessie shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.

“I remembered it, and so did you. That’s why nothing happened.”

“I came within a breath of betraying my friend. You came within inches of violating the promises you’ve made him. Seems to me that something happened.”

The wind lifted a strand of Jessie’s hair. Her hand trembled as she smoothed it back. He was right. They’d almost kissed. Pretending they hadn’t wouldn’t change the fact, but there had to be an explanation. She’d never hurt William. Never.

“All right.” Her voice quavered. “But—but it’s been a stressful week.”

“Now, why didn’t I think of that?” Liam said coldly. “You’re stressed. I’m jet-lagged. And that makes it all…” He paused, then blew out a ragged breath. She was right. Nothing they could do would erase that one moment but, the truth was, they hadn’t done anything. The best solution was to shove the memory into a dark corner and forget it was there.

“Okay. We made a mistake. Let’s leave it at that.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying.” Something in his eyes—contempt, perhaps, or a suggestion of it—stirred Jessie’s anger. “And if you want to be specific, Mr. Malone, we didn’t make a mistake. You did. I’m not the one who—who…”

“Do us both a favor, okay? Let’s not waste time lying.” His mouth twisted. “You and I both know what’s going on here. You looked at me last night exactly the way you did a couple of minutes ago.”