More Than He Expected Read Free

Although they’d agreed not to
contact each other, there was a part of him that wished she had texted him every
now and then. He missed the sound of her laughter and her bright smile. A few
days with her could scratch that itch.
    What he hadn’t known until now was whether Gwen was bringing
someone with her. He was hoping she would be up for Fling 2.0, but he couldn’t
be sure. If she’d shown up with another man, this would have been a long, boring
week of clambakes, pool parties and cold beds.
    A small, worn wooden sign marked the circular driveway to the
house. Alex slowed his Corvette and turned in, pulling behind a Range Rover and
a silver Mercedes convertible.
    He popped his fist against the horn to announce his arrival and
climbed out of the car. His khakis and polo shirt had been a touch too warm in
the city, but near the water there was a nice breeze making it cooler and much
less humid. Perfect for being outside.
    “Alex!” Adrienne called out from the front porch. “Will, Alex
is here.”
    She started down the steps to greet him, and Alex noticed that
his best friend’s bride was looking as lovely as ever. She wore a pair of denim
shorts with a light green sleeveless blouse tucked in, and her dark hair was
pulled into a ponytail, her complexion a bit pink from the sun. To see her now,
you’d never know she’d once survived a plane crash and undergone multiple
reconstructive surgeries.
    As Adrienne held out her arms to hug him, only the thin, white
line of a scar up her left forearm remained. Alex pulled her into his embrace
and gave her a tight squeeze. He’d been so busy lately he really hadn’t seen
much of them, either. In his business, it was feast or famine. Either he was
working almost nonstop for months at a time, or he was home, freewheeling while
his manager, Tabitha, handled the rest. The project in New Orleans was a big one
and sucked up more of his time than he had expected.
    “Do you need help with your bags?” she asked. “Will is out back
fighting with the new grill.”
    The thought of Will grilling brought a smile to Alex’s face.
They’d likely starve or call in a caterer before the trip was over. “Nope,” he
said, pulling a duffel bag from the passenger’s seat. “This is all I have.”
    “I’ll show you to your room, then.”
    Alex followed Adrienne and her flip-flops into the house and up
the grand, circular staircase that wrapped around the living room. They traveled
down a long, white hallway with alternating doorways and artwork on each
side.
    “Here it is,” she said, opening the door and waving him
inside.
    Alex went in and tossed his bag down on the queen-size sleigh
bed that dominated the room. The bed was covered in an intricately designed
quilt and large, fluffy pillows. The light oak wood of the bed matched the tall
dresser and bedside stand. There was a flat-screen television, an overstuffed
chair and ottoman, and a ceiling fan turning gently to keep air circulating.
Honestly, it was far nicer than the hotel room he’d been living in the last few
months in New Orleans, and he’d paid quite a bit for the privilege.
    “You have your own bathroom,” Adrienne said, gesturing toward a
door on the far wall.
    “Great. Where is everyone else staying?” Alex wanted to know
exactly how far he might have to go in his underwear to get back from Gwen’s
room before everyone woke up. If he was lucky, it was her door he could see
across the way.
    “Emma, Peter and Helena are staying down the hall. Sabine, Jack
and Wade are in those rooms across from you. Will and I have the suite
downstairs, and Gwen’s room is just off the kitchen.”
    Damn. She was about as far from his room as logistically
possible. Just great. That would make sneaking around quite a bit more
difficult. Alex tried not to frown. He didn’t need Adrienne asking
questions.
    “Looks like I have everything I need, then.”
    “Great. I’ll let you get settled, and we’ll see