Platinum Grooms: Pregnant at the Wedding

Platinum Grooms: Pregnant at the Wedding
Sara Orwig

Pregnant at the WeddingAfter their one unforgettable night, Ashley Smith knew she must tell Ryan Warner she was carrying his child. And when he insists upon marriage, she agrees for the baby’s sake… His wealth, his power, his position are immaterial. The passion is still intense between them; dare Ashley take a chance on this billion-dollar bachelor? Seduced by the EnemyThe ruthless Texas multi-millionaire Nick Colton was her most bitter business rival, yet Abby Taylor’s dreams of Nick are the most intimate she’s ever experienced. She is powerless to control her desires when he is near. And she fears that Nick’s betrayal, when it comes, will shatter her forever. Wed to the Texan Tycoon Jake Thorne needs to find a wife and to start a family – fast – to claim an inheritance. His shy secretary Emily Carlisle seems the perfect choice. She has the sweetest, most tempting lips he’s ever tasted. But Jake finds he will have to convince his new wife to fall in love with him.

Platinum Grooms

Pregnant at the Wedding

Sara Orwig

Seduced by the Enemy

Sara Orwig

Wed to the Texan

Sara Orwig

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

About the Author

SARA ORWIG lives in Oklahoma. She has a patient husband, who will take her on research trips anywhere, from big cities to old forts. She is an avid collector of Western history books. With a master’s degree in English, Sara has written historical romance, mainstream fiction and contemporary romance. Books are beloved treasures that take Sara to magical worlds, and she loves both reading and writing them.

Pregnant at the Wedding

Sara Orwig

With thanks to MJ for some fabulous moments,

plus so many other reasons, and thanks to Demetria,

who has a multitude of ideas. Special thanks to

my chums, Hannah Ellen, Rachel, Elisabeth,

Colin and Cameron for joy.

One

What was he doing here? The moment Ashley Smith dreaded, dreamed about, worried over for months and then convinced herself wouldn’t occur had finally happened.

As the bride and groom circled the floor for their first dance at an exclusive Dallas country club, Ashley’s satisfaction over the smoothly flowing wedding reception vanished. Beyond the newly married couple, standing in the crowd of guests, was tall, black-haired Ryan Warner. The Ryan Warner, millionaire owner of the Warner hotel chain. The man she’d had a wild, passionate weekend with almost four months ago.

As the past assaulted Ashley, her head swam. Her first instinct was to run, but as the wedding planner, she had to stay to see that all the events flowed smoothly.

Even while dread filled her, she still thought that Ryan was the most handsome man she had ever known. Her heart thudded when she remembered his mouth on hers.

Staring at Ryan, she would never understand what had overcome her that weekend—except his sexy appeal and spellbinding charm. Never before in her life had she cut loose like that. Hot kisses, magical hands, irresistible seduction—memories of Ryan flashed in her mind. She recalled his take-charge manner and his fascinating charisma. After they’d made love, she’d been stunned and embarrassed by her actions.

Now here he was, just yards away across the ballroom, with a drink in his hand. Women smiled at him while he watched the bride and groom dance. Suddenly, Ashley was conscious of herself in her pale yellow linen suit, yellow silk blouse and matching pumps. She smoothed her skirt and tucked a stray strand of her blond hair in place.

She hadn’t seen Ryan’s name on the guest list. If she had known he would be here, she would have given the job to her assistant today. Ryan Warner was the last person on earth she wanted to encounter. So far, he hadn’t seen her and she hoped to keep it that way.

If at all possible, she hoped to avoid him. She did not want to renew her acquaintance with him. At least, not until she was ready to deal with him. Though he didn’t know it, he was involved in the enormous secret she kept from her family.

Her gaze drifted over the crowd again. At four inches over six feet tall, Ryan was easy to find. He was dancing now, with a gorgeous brunette, and to Ashley’s relief, he seemed focused on his partner. Ashley prayed he had arrived with the woman and would soon leave with her.

Ashley melted into the crowd, glancing occasionally at Ryan while she moved around the room. Reassured the reception was progressing smoothly, she checked that the waiters picked up empty glasses, serving dishes were filled and guests seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Ashley had another brief surge of reassurance that the wedding and reception were going off without a hitch as she made her way toward the newly married couple. Emily and Jake Thorne looked radiant, both glowing, with constant smiles. She thought they looked the perfect couple together—a beautiful, brown-haired bride with her tall, black-haired, handsome husband. During the early stages of planning the elaborate wedding and reception, Emily had confided in Ashley that her union with Jake was a marriage of convenience. Ashley had soothed her client’s jitters and doubts, and now gave herself a mental pat on the back for helping to make this day great for them and a time to remember the rest of their lives.

Finally, it was time to cut the cake, and the second the next dance stopped, Ashley approached the bride. “Cake-cutting time,” she stated. “I have the photographer ready and waiting.”

“Thanks, Ashley. This is wonderful!” Emily gushed.

“I’m glad. By the way, I don’t recall Ryan Warner’s name on the guest list,” she added casually.

Emily shrugged. “Ryan and Jake and our best man, Nick Colton, are the closest of friends. They all grew up together. Ryan was in Europe and tied up in business and said he couldn’t make the wedding, but then he surprised us this morning, and here he is. Do you know—”

“There’s the photographer,” Ashley interrupted, having another rush of apprehension. “Go get some great pictures!” She hurried away, relieved that soon all eyes would be on the bride and groom.

Certain nothing would go wrong with the photographer and that cutting the cake would be uneventful, Ashley rushed to the powder room to get herself together. Jake still had to throw Emily’s garter and she had to toss her bouquet, but little by little, they were getting through the reception. It would be over soon, but not soon enough.

When Ashley rejoined the crowd, the band still played and couples danced. She didn’t see Ryan and, praying he had left the reception, she hurried to check on the tables of food. She was looking at the swan ice sculpture on the center table when a hand wrapped lightly around her wrist.

“Well, hello,” said a deep voice, and her heart missed a beat.

She turned to look into curious green eyes, eyes fringed with thick black lashes beneath a head of wavy black hair. Eyes as green as a meadow and sexy enough to make her pulse jump. It was those unforgettable eyes that could wreak havoc with her insides.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. “Do you know Emily and Jake?”

“Yes, I do. It’s nice to see you,” she said, intending to escape, aware he still was holding her wrist lightly. With his hand there, he might be able to feel her racing pulse.

“Let’s dance,” Ryan said, drawing her the few steps toward the dance floor. Dressed in a navy suit and white shirt, he stood out in the crowd of other well-dressed men. She suspected that it was due to an aura of self-assurance and his commanding manner.

“I can’t dance today. I’m the wedding planner and I’m working.”

“I knew you were a wedding planner. It didn’t occur to me that you might be hired to do this wedding.”

“When I’m working, I don’t dance,” she said, pulling back slightly as they walked a few more steps to the dance floor. She didn’t want to make a scene, yet she knew she had to get away from him.

“Nonsense,” he said, smiling at her and taking her into his arms.

Even though she hoped to escape, she couldn’t keep from noticing his firm jaw, prominent cheekbones, straight nose and broad shoulders. She remembered the last with absolute clarity—shoulders that were muscled, and a chest that was rock hard. She recalled everything about him in detail. As her face flushed, a mixture of emotions battled in her.

She had to get him out of her life, and the sooner, the better. Memories of his kisses taunted her as her gaze drifted over his features. When his attention lowered to her mouth, her breath caught.

“You ran out on me,” he said, steadily watching her.