Three Brides, No Groom. Debbie Macomber

      He leaned back in surprise. “What was that for?”

      “To thank you for the compliment.”

      “I complimented you?”

      Willing to admit her weariness now, she let her body rest against his, her head on his shoulder. After a time he put his arm around her, and she smiled, utterly content.

      “Tell me about your family,” she said lazily. If she hadn’t been propped against him, she might not have felt the tension shoot through him. His back went rigid, and his arms stiffened slightly. She’d done it again. Just when it seemed they were comfortable with each other she’d said something to upset the delicate balance. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten that his father was in prison and he didn’t want to talk about it. “Josh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that my own family is so much a part of me.”

      He didn’t respond for what seemed like an eternity, and when he did speak, his voice was gruff with emotion. “My mother died when I was sixteen.” His hand stroked her upper arm, as if he needed the reassurance of human contact.

      Gretchen placed a hand over his. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

      “It happens. My dad was never the same. It was as if he couldn’t bear the agony of losing her, so he chose to self-destruct. He’s serving time, as you know.” He didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t ask. Instead, she brought his hand to her face and gently laid her cheek against it.

      “A lot of people wonder how I landed at Queen Anne,” he continued, his voice close to her ear. “My grandfather left me money in the form of a trust, the condition being that, if I wanted a college education, I attend his alma mater.”

      “Do you want a college education?”

      His short laugh was without humor. “I went, didn’t I?”

      All evidence she’d seen to this point said he wanted anything but what Queen Anne had to offer. Josh constantly challenged authority. He appeared to go out of his way to cause trouble. Why, only the day before he had given Roger the incentive and opportunity to end his college career right as he was about to graduate. And it would be just like Roger to make whatever trouble he could for Josh and delight in it.

      “Why’d you do it?” she asked, changing the subject. “Why’d you slug Roger? He’ll go out of his way to use it against you.”

      “Let him,” Josh answered. “I can deal with it.”

      “But—”

      “The bastard deserved it.”

      That much Gretchen agreed with. It had been all she could do not to cheer when she saw Roger’s bloody nose. Especially after he’d attempted to sucker-punch Josh.

      Before she allowed herself to think what she was doing, she broke away from him, shifted position and knelt in front of him. His questioning gaze met hers in the dim light afforded by the fire. Smiling, she placed a hand on either side of his face and leaned forward to kiss him.

      The surge of desire she experienced when their lips met was enough to make her bold. She wrapped her arms around his neck as their mouths worked together in a frenzy of tongues, lips and unmistakable desire. She offered and he took, greedily.

      Abruptly Josh jerked his mouth away from hers. He sat back, panting, his shoulders heaving. “What was that for?” he demanded.

      Gretchen’s eyes remained closed. “Don’t ask. Just kiss me like that again.”

      “No.”

      “No?” Disappointed, she opened her eyes. “Why not?”

      “Because you don’t have a clue what you’re doing.” He stood, and she was pleased to note that he didn’t look very steady. She felt decidedly off balance herself, but somehow it was a good feeling.

      “Wipe that silly grin off your face,” he muttered.

      If she hadn’t been so happy she would have been downright insulted. He’d kissed her and it had been the most wonderful experience of her life. Now he didn’t seem able to hold still. He circumnavigated the blanket three times. She was getting dizzy watching him.

      Suddenly it dawned on her, and it was all she could do to keep from giggling. “Joshua Morrow, I tempt you, don’t I?”

      He started to deny it and then appeared to think better of it. “I’m getting you that hotel room, and I don’t want any arguments, understand?” His voice was hard and unfriendly. “You’ll sleep alone, too.” She wasn’t sure if he was saying that for her benefit or his.

      Gretchen covered her mouth in an effort to contain a brewing fit of laughter.

      “Stop looking at me like that,” he demanded.

      “Like what?”

      “Like…that.” He shrugged as if at a complete loss for words.

      She had never seen Josh unnerved, had never suspected she would be one to shatter his cool. It told her that their kisses had affected him as much as they had her. She felt almost giddy with a sense of wonder and power.

      “Come on,” he ordered brusquely.

      “Where are we going?”

      “I told you. I’m getting you a motel room for the night.”

      “Josh—”

      “Don’t argue with me.” From the tight set of his mouth and his combative stance, she wasn’t inclined to do so.

      “Oh, all right, but you’re being ridiculous.”

      She rolled her eyes, and then, feeling happier than she had all day, she gathered up her personal items and obediently followed him to the bike. They set off and didn’t find a vacancy until their third stop. Although she was the one who registered, the man at the desk handed the room key to Josh. He hesitated before accepting it; he obviously didn’t want the man to think he would be spending the night with her. Finally his hand closed over the key, and he escorted her outside.

      The room was small, the furniture cheap, but overall the place looked clean, despite the faint stale scent hanging in the air. Gretchen set the tote bag holding her belongings on top of the bed.

      Josh stood outside the room, his arms crossed in a defensive way that defied her to even try to talk to him. She’d seen him assume that same stance at college a hundred times. The hard-edged look that said he didn’t give a rip about anything or anyone, so you had better keep your distance.

      “This OK?” he asked.

      “It’s fine,” she assured him.

      “Good. I’ll be going, then.”

      “You won’t leave me, will you?” she blurted without pausing to think he might take her question differently than she intended. “In the morning,” she clarified. “You’ll still be here, won’t you?” The thought of not seeing him again hit her with a pain she hadn’t anticipated.

      His features softened fractionally before he spoke. “I’d never do that. I said I’d deliver you to your family, and I will.”

      “Promise?”

      “Promise.”

      Out of gratitude, or perhaps relief, she walked across the room and hugged him. He returned the gesture with what felt like reluctance. Once she was in his embrace, she closed her eyes, savoring the closeness.

      “Good night,” he whispered, and kissed the top of her head.

      “Good night,” she returned, stopping herself from asking a series of unnecessary questions, which she knew would only have been an excuse to delay him. She didn’t want to think of him out there alone on the beach, but she couldn’t stop him from going, either.

      After what seemed like an inordinate amount