He's the One, Jane Beckenham [best new books to read TXT] 📗

Set against an aqua colored sky mirroring the lilting harbor, and fringed by a row of pohutukawa trees whose fallen scarlet flowers imitated a carpet beneath each, the Victorian mansion reconstituted as a wedding venue, bordered one end of the bay was picture-postcard perfect.

* * * *

The bridal party had finished their photos, but he wasn't interested in the bridal couple, just the wedding planner.

Man, she looked good. For the last half hour Taylor Sullivan, minus her sexy high heels, had waded across the golden sand, circling the couple, arranging the bride's dress and flowers to their utmost elegance for the photographer.

Cade scowled. What a waste. Photos that after a few months would lay deserted in the drawer and, if the marriage went belly-up, would most likely be torn in two during some angst-ridden wailing. He eyed the couple with derision. They looked happy—for now. But Cade didn't care if others succumbed to the marriage game. Just don't expect him to imitate their nuptial joy.

So what brought you here, Harper?

Taylor Sullivan—that's what. She'd haunted his days and nights. He'd tried phoning. Tried ignoring the ache, and that was no bloody use either.

"You're desperate,” Zane had informed him, pleased as punch. “Making you a snappy so and so."

"Get a life, brother."

"I have one. Do you?"

Dead right he did. He was on the way up with a thriving small chain of bars, about to open a more upscale one in the heart of yuppie-ville. What else did he need?

Taylor Sullivan.

Cade's sank back into the cushioned leather of the pickup, his hands fisting knuckle-white on the steering wheel as his brother's words replayed for the umpteenth time in his brain.

"Cade,” his brother chuckled while helping himself to a whiskey after closing time. “Katie told me you were one unhappy dude."

Cade lifted his head from the drawing he'd spent the last hour doodling—T.A.Y.L.O.R. He screwed up the scrap of paper and tossed it to the bin—and missed. Cursing aloud, he gave his brother his best scowl.

"You two ganging up on me, again?"

"Someone has to."

On and on his sibling had railed at him. Eventually, Cade tuned out, though one part of him knew that deep down his brother and sister cared. They were his only family. Zane and Katie were all that mattered. But now, as he waited outside watching Taylor, he realized they weren't the only ones that mattered. In fact, they'd slipped down the caring, sharing ladder a couple of notches.

If he could just see her again. He didn't have to talk to her, but then at least he would be able to explain—to himself, hopefully—the raw need that came over him and finally everything would make sense. Seeing Taylor, he prayed, would help him understand what the hell was going on in his head.

And make it go away.

Cade slammed a fist down hard on the steering wheel, hitting the horn by accident, and a sharp, staccato beep rent the air. Several guests twisted to see where the noise had come from.

"Shit."

Cade craned his neck as the crowd slowly hedged towards the reception rooms, laughing, smiling and dusting the sand off their feet. Taylor was the last. With her back to him, she slipped her heels back on. Killer heels that emphasized her long legs. Sexy legs.

Damn. His eyes shuttered momentarily as he fought to control the scorching desire that fuelled every part of him.

He had it bad.

Dressed in a camel colored suit that hinted at no inch of skin, Cade's slow gaze slid down her length, imagining her secret. The one he knew.

His lips lifted into a tight smile. Was Taylor wearing that sexy underwear? The lace and silk that cupped her full breasts, and the stockings. Oh yeah ... The stockings. Cade shifted uncomfortably. Lace edged that skimmed her creamy thighs. His groin swelled, growing harder with every teasing image stored in his memory. He had expected Taylor to follow the guests. Instead, she gave the bride and groom a hug. From his position across the other side of the road, Cade struggled to hear their conversation, but their friendly banter washed away on the breeze. With the bridal couple turning to go inside, Taylor gathered her bag and came curbside. She scanned the street as if looking for someone.

Cade frowned. Who was she waiting for?

A boyfriend?

No. He didn't like that idea. No, siree. Not one little bit.

Scrambling out of the pickup, he dug his hands deep into his pockets. It was now or never. And never wasn't really an option.

As he strode across the road, his blood roared in his head and a trickle of sweat trailed down the side of his head. He'd never felt so like a school kid in his life.

"Taylor?” Cade's breath caught in his throat, his lungs refusing to work, his heart hammering, body alive as it had never, ever been before.

This was life.

Before was—was nothing compared to this. He wished he could freeze the moment in time because for one, infinitesimal second, as Taylor spun round to face him, delight and joy shone in her eyes and spread across every part of her beautiful face. Then it evaporated, disappeared within the flick of an eye. She held her bag in front of her, as if it was a shield against him. He wanted to reach out and hold her, but she was wary, and the haunted color that darkened her eyes held him back.

"What are you doing here, Cade?"

"I...” Yeah why? He couldn't think of the answer, at least not one that wouldn't get him arrested.

"I'm in the middle of a wedding, Cade,” she said, looking back over her shoulder at guests who mingled outside.

"Seems like a success, everyone having a good time."

"You need to go."

Desperation whirred inside him. “I keep thinking about you."

Whorls of scarlet flushed her face, and her lips pursed. He wished he could see her eyes, perhaps then he could really read her soul and understand that was going on.

"You'll get over it. Just