Page 21 of Bride By Committee

“No. Ithink we both agreed that Sunny can’t—”

“Or are you suggesting that the elevator malfunction was some sort of insidious plot to throw us together?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Her dress gleamed in the subdued lighting, the warm gold at odds with the irritation in her voice. “Of course I don’t think that. Sunny’s good, but not that good.”

“I see. Then it’s what we did on the elevator that has you all worked up.”

“I’m not happy about it, if that’s what you’re asking.” She didn’t back away from a potentially uncomfortable discussion, he’d give her that. “Doesn’t what happened bother you?”

“To be honest, it’s what happened when we got off the elevator that bothers me more.”

Her brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

“The woman I kissed vanished the second the lights came on.” He leaned across the table, fixing her with a determined gaze. “And I want her back.”

ChapterFour

Principle 4: Fear can ruin even the

most promising relationship.

You have to decide what’s more important to you—

Love…or protecting yourself from

life’s bumps and bruises.

Madison didn’t look away, despite the alarm that registered in the inky depths of her eyes. “I wasn’t myself in that elevator,” she claimed.

Harry wouldn’t let her get away with that one. “Sure you were. You were more yourself this afternoon than at any other time. The darkness allowed you to be free of normal, everyday constraints. You just don’t want to admit it.” He tilted his head to one side. “Why is that?”

Pure passion broke through. “Do you blame me? Do you think I’m comfortable admitting that at the least provocation I’d kiss a total stranger in an elevator? That I’d curl up on the floor with him and…and—”

“And be tempted to have a brief sexual encounter.”

He’d pushed too hard. Her spine tautened into a rigid line and she swiveled to inspect a view he doubted she actually saw. “It never would have gone that far.”

“It could have. It still might.”

“Not a chance.”

He appeared interested. “Is that a challenge?”

“No!”

“It sounds like one.”

“Would you please be serious?”

“I’m dead serious. You wanted me in that elevator as much as I wanted you. We both still feel the same way.” He reached across the table and caught her chin in his palm, gently turning her to face him. “If we’d made love, we wouldn’t be sitting here discussing it.”

A hint of desperation vied with the need that burned in her gaze like black fire. “We wouldn’t be together at all.”

“Sure we would. We’d be in your bed or in mine, making love in a more comfortable setting. Because I guarantee, once would not have been enough for either of us.”

“You’re wrong.”

“Am I?” He couldn’t help himself. His thumb smoothed a path along her jaw. She’d felt incredible when he’d explored her features before. But now, watching as he touched her, seeing the desire soften her lips and bring a flush to her cheeks, witnessing it wash into her eyes and excite her body, hit him hard. If they hadn’t been in a public setting he’d have done his level best to drive that passion to uncontrollable heights. “You’re allowed to want me, Madison.”

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