Page 57 of Heat Advisory

“Wait!” she all but shouted, backing up and shaking her head. “I’m…I umm…I believe you. Just… Can you put a shirt on or something?”

She waved her hand flippantly at my chest, and her face was bright red.

“As my fiancée, this shouldn’t bother you.” I gave her my best sinful grin and continued my forward movement toward her.

She rolled her eyes, but the way she bit her lip betrayed her. “We’re not really getting married.”

“Yet,” I corrected, winking before turning toward the bathroom. “I’ll cover up and spare you the full view for now. But later? I have a feeling you’ll be begging for an encore.”

Her breath hitched, and she stayed planted like her feet had forgotten how to function. “I’m going to get ready,” she managed to say, even though she hadn’t moved an inch.

I decided to move for her and walked around her side, heading to the empty bed at the far side, clearly the one she had deemed mine.

I heard her rustle some clothes together, and just as she started moving to the bathroom, I called out, “Oh, and Cora?”

She paused at the doorway and glanced back at me. “Yeah?”

“A couple kisses here and there aren’t going to cut it. Not for me.” I let my gaze drag deliberately over her. “And I don’t think they’re enough for you either, judging by our fun time in the car today.”

She swallowed, and her cheeks flared again.

“We never went to prom together,” I added, softer but still teasing. “So, tomorrow night? You’re mine. And after the wedding? No curfew and no chaperones. Just you and me together, as we were always meant to be.”

18

“The earlier I wake up, the more emotionally unstable I become.”

—It’s science

Cora

I hadn’t slept well.

I’d tossed and turned all night, mostly because of what Jay had told me yesterday in our room.

Thankfully, I’d slept in Morgan’s room last night with all the other bridesmaids as we did a very low-key bachelorette party. Morgan had just informed us last night that she was eight weeks pregnant. They were keeping it a secret from the general public for a little bit longer, so she hadn’t wanted to have a big night of drinking or going crazy.

We’d all just chatted, played some silly games, and crashed in her room. Was it fun sleeping on the couch in her room? No. But it was safer than going back to my room with Jay there.

After what we’d done in his car yesterday, I knew it was dangerous to be in the same room as him.

I’d clearly proven I had no control left when it came to that man—and part of me didn’t even care—which was so scary.

My nerves hadn’t gotten much better as I went back to collect my clothes and things for the day before going back to get ready with the girls. Thankfully, I’d timed it right and the room was empty.

I’d heard Mr. Rainer tell Jay last night at dinner that the guys were all going for a quick round of golf in the morning and they needed to be downstairs at eight a.m. sharp to make their tee time.

I was still a ball of nerves as I headed back to Morgan’s room after breakfast to get ready with her and the other bridesmaids.

It was a fun distraction, getting our hair and makeup done and just chatting away.

“So, tell me about you and my brother,” Morgan said, her eyebrows wiggling up and down.

The groom’s twin sister, Laura, had practically swooned when we started talking about Jay. “I think it’s so cute that your best friend and brother are getting married.”

“It’s the best,” Morgan told her and then turned to me. “Spill, girl. Any more dates since I interrupted the last one?”

I chuckled. “Our schedules lately haven’t allowed for much, but we talk every day. He’s sweet and soft and fun to be around.”