Here Comes the Groom Read Free

twenty-seven-yearfriendship by suggesting a one-night stand. Except…what she might lose suddenly didn’t seem important weighed against what she might lose tomorrow.
    â€œYou sure you’re okay, Jo? You look pale.”
    â€œRelax, I’m not going to throw up on you.”
    â€œThank God for that.
    â€œHere we are.” Dan led the way to her room, taking her key when Jo fumbled it and opened the door.
    â€œCome in,” she invited him. “We’ve hardly talked. Help yourself to a drink from the minibar, I won’t be a minute.”
    Staggering into the bathroom, Jo splashed water on her face, she finger-combed her disheveled hair and left the bathroom, licking her glossy lips. I need a memory hot enough to last me a lifetime.
    She found Dan pouring boiling water into two mugs. “I’ve made coffee,” he said, over his shoulder. “You probably need it.”
    â€œSounds good.” Her heart was beating so fast he must hear it. Jo looped her arms around his waist and laid her face against his back.
    â€œMaybe you’d better lie down,” he said, adding sugar and milk, “if you can’t stand up by yourself.”
    Frustrated, Jo released him. “Dan, turn around.”
    He picked up the mugs and turned, pulling them up over her head in the nick of time.
    â€œWhat the…” Stepping between the outstretched mugs, she yanked his face down to hers. Dan stiffened. “Jo, don’t—”
    She kissed him, stifling his protests with her tongue.
    It was odd kissing someone she loved platonically,odd and way too much like a science experiment. Although… Dan wrenched his mouth away and said in a tight voice, “Step away, before you get burned.”
    â€œWow, you really think you’re that good?” then she realized he was still holding the mugs outstretched, and hot coffee was dripping over his fingers and splattering onto the cream carpet.
    She sobered, real fast. “Dan…”
    â€œJust get out of the goddamn way, Jo.”
    He dumped the mugs on the bedside table and disappeared into the bathroom where she heard him turn on the faucet. For a moment, Jo stood in abject humiliation before wrapping herself in a dressing gown and following him. He had his fingers under a stream of cold water.
    â€œDan,” she choked. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œYou bloody should be!” His eyes met hers in the mirror. “Where’s your brain, Jo?”
    â€œIt was only a one-off,” she protested. “I might be drunk and stupid but I’m not that drunk and stupid.”
    His mouth twitched. “This isn’t even about me, is it?” She shook her head and relief softened his features. “So what…the ticking clock again?”
    It took her a moment to realize he was talking about her desire to have children. She dropped her gaze. “It’s silly, I know.”
    â€œYou’re not even thirty-two.”
    â€œYou’re right,” she said. Only thirty-one. It wasn’t fair. Jo started to cry, she couldn’t help it. With an oath, Dan turned off the tap and pulled her into a hug.
    â€œYou’re an idiot, Swannie,” he said roughly. “You’ve still got plenty of time.”
    Jo cried harder.
    â€œYou’ll be glad I turned you down when you sober up. And we’ll forget about this.”
    â€œOkay,” she sobbed. It was so good to be held by someone who actually cared about her.
    â€œI’ll find you a goddamn husband when I get home.”
    â€œOkay.” It was easier to agree with him.
    He gave her a shake. “Quit crying now.”
    â€œOkay.” Jo made an effort and wiped her eyes with the corner of his shirt. “Um…Dan?” she sniffed. “Yeah, mate.”
    â€œI’m going to be sick now.”
    â€œOh, great.”

CHAPTER TWO
    Twelve months later
    H IS STALKER LEAPED OUT of the moonless dark.
    Only a