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

"You're right.” He winked at her, dimples denting his tanned cheeks and when she looked back up at him, his eyes glittered with humor.

"So ... what?"

But Cade never had the opportunity to answer as a breathless Nita entered from the side vestry waving a giant roll of ribbon. “I've got it. On the desk where you put it before we left,” she said, wagging a finger.

Taylor gave Nita a grateful smile and, taking the reel, turned to Cade. “I don't have time to talk now. I have a wedding to finish and not much time left."

"Can I help?"

"You want to help?"

"Yeah, why not; you know, the knight in shining armor to the rescue thing,” he grinned.

Don't do that, Taylor screamed silently. Don't smile, don't tempt me. Please. She'd only just got herself on an even keel, managed to stem the loneliness.

Who are you trying to kid?

For a moment, which seemed to stretch a lifetime, Taylor looked at Cade. From his tousled hair that tipped the collar of his shirt, to his unshaven jaw. She remembered the heat that stubble had affected as his lips had kissed hers, remembered the brush of his hair as it tickled her electrified skin.

"Taylor, they're nearly here.” Nita reminded her.

Taylor shot into business mode. “Okay, you're on. I need you."

Never had she ever said a truer word.

"Right, what do I do?"

"Take the ribbon,” she said pointing to the huge reel of ribbon Nita carried. “Start it off at the center point on the rafters, winding down in a spiral. You'll need eight spirals in all to hang to all eight points of the dome."

"Got it."

Cade grabbed the roll, and at a run, snatched the ladder that leant against a pew. He positioned it beneath the center of the dome and scooted up, tack hammer in one hand, the reel in the other, tacking the ribbon in place. “Here's the reel, start rolling, sweetheart,” he said, leaning down to Taylor and passing her the roll.

Working quickly, she unwound the reel so it corkscrewed into a long strand. Once at the far corner, she cut it and Cade who'd followed her progress, scooted over and tacked the end of the first spiral in place so that it hung in a gentle sweep from the dome to the walls.

Turning to start the second one, Taylor faltered and came up hard against Cade's chest. She put her hands out to correct her balance, which along with everything else, could be added to her lists of mistakes.

She felt him, all warm and enticing, his breathing uneven. Time slowed, and she lifted her gaze to his.

Nita was right. He was a hunk. Just looking at him, her body fired, desire pooling way down low and igniting sensual memories that curled into overdrive. But she knew it was more than that. She loved him. Blast it.

His head dropped towards her.

"See what a good team we make, Taylor. You and me—we can conquer anything."

Taylor's throat closed. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't do anything. She wanted him to kiss her. Willed him to. Her heart said please, while her brain warned her.

This was stupid.

This wouldn't work.

He doesn't do permanent and only wants your body.

Grab it. Take it. Forget commitment.

His lips touched hers. Soft and sweet, full of loving and promise and desire. A flutter of a sigh escaped her as she leaned into him, wrapped in his arms.

It felt wonderful. Perfect.

"Come on, you two, the other lovers are arriving in a few minutes."

Taylor yanked herself from Cade's arms. “What the hell am I doing?"

"Kissing me.” He grinned down at her.

"Making a mistake,” she muttered.

Cade's expression hardened, eyes narrowing on her, the golden glints turning brittle.

Without another word, Cade took the reel from her and climbed the ladder another seven times, tacking, unraveling the ribbon, finishing it off and storing the ladder in the tool room at the back of the church before the first guests arrived.

It was all done to perfection as the guests arrived minutes later. Taylor stood to one side and watched their expressions as they entered the silver and gold wonderland.

Cade put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. “Looks good."

It took all her effort not to turn and hold him—to kiss him. Keeping her voice steady and warning her insides to behave, she braved the effort of speaking. “I enjoy this part the most. Seeing the surprise and wonder on their faces, it makes it all worth while."

"Mm, I can understand that."

* * * *

Thirty minutes later, the organ crescendoed and the newly married couple turned to the congregation and beamed.

"They look so happy and in love,” Cade whispered in her ear.

Taylor jumped. She'd been so mesmerized by the ceremony, watching it unfold. But it wasn't Greta and Erueti walking down the aisle, all smiles for family and friends, but herself and Cade. She'd envisioned the two of them in place of the happy couple.

Stupid!

Taylor bit back an angry wail. Why do this to herself? She shook her head and turned to Cade as the last of the guests filed out of the church.

"Thanks for your help. How I left that reel of ribbon behind, I don't know."

"I do. You're mind isn't on the job,” Nita butted in as she walked passed with the priest.

"Sounds just like me,” Cade admitted.

"Pardon?"

"Forgetting things. Not concentrating on the job. These last few days has been somewhat, ah ... disturbed."

"It was simply a slip up, that's all."

"Taylor, when was the last time you slipped up?” Cade challenged.

"I..."

"See.” He smiled. “My point exactly."

"Don't!"

"You mean the dimples?” And his smile widened.

She nodded, her embarrassment total. Taylor took a deep breath and held herself rigid, so much that every part of her ached. But most of all, her heart ached non-stop.

"You're shining armor routine worked. Thanks. But I've got to get going. Bye.” She hugged her bag to her. And tried for nonchalant. Tried calm and controlled, while inside she screamed fake. Inside she was all twisted and torn and hurting and