Page 5 of The Bride's Secret

He looked down at his shirt, not a smudge.

“You think so?”

“Sure, anyone strong enough to leave their wedding on the day of, is strong enough to handle all the rest of it.”

Her smile started wobbly but then grew across her face. “Thank you for being here. It’s so unfair to hope for such a thing, for you to be with me, but I don’t think I could have done any of this alone.” She turned to show him her back. “Not even undress myself.” She winked. “See the buttons? If you can just unfasten that row down there, I can shimmy out of the rest I think.”

He swallowed. All along her lower back were tiny white buttons, holding her dress together. He kneeled down and his fingers brushed her soft skin, the lovely indent down the center of her back puckering with goosebumps at his touch. “Are you cold?” He murmured, trying to keep his mind brotherly and platonic.

“No.” She breathed out. That’s all she said, but as he trailed a finger up her spine a few inches, the soft white hairs stood on end. That small waist, her ready response, he wanted to slip his hand on her bare skinned waste, spreading his fingers across her belly. And suddenly he felt guilty. So he hurried through the buttons, trying very hard not to see the top line of her white lace underclothing as he stepped away, opened the door and closed it behind him. He leaned his back against it. She hadn’t locked it so he stayed put to make sure no one else tried to interrupt her. But his breath was coming hard, and he closed his eyes to steady himself before she exited. What was the matter with him, running off with the Groom’s bride? A groom he’d known as a child. One he did not respect, he reminded himself. But how different was he than Heath if he was taking off on the honeymoon trip? Perhaps it would have been fine, but those goosebumps, the way she felt in his arms. The way his hands wanted to wrap around the smallness of her waist and press her body against his. She was not immune to him or he to her. He swallowed and then grimaced, the door hard at the back of his head, reminding him of reality. This was a nightmare waiting to happen. For sure he would need a separate accommodation in Hawaii, a separate hotel if he could help it and plan to never speak to this woman again. With any luck, no one would know he was even there.

Chapter 4

Carisa hurried as fast as she could, slipped out of the white dress and into yoga pants and a long t shirt. Then she rolled the dress up and shoved it in her overnight roller bag. She felt her mother cringe as if she’d seen the mistreatment of such an exquisite piece of clothing. Such a shame it would never be worn again. And it was stunning. Each button, each layer of fabric, everything fitted precisely to her shape. Carisa zipped up the bag, splashed water on her face, grateful for smudge free, waterproof makeup, and then opened her bathroom door.

Wyatt tipped back toward her before he caught himself.

She smiled. Now here was the kind of attentive gentleman every girl was looking for. She’d be totally in to him if the circumstances were different, if it were like next year or something. As if he’d ever be interested. He probably thought her the headcase she appeared to be. Perhaps she was a bit unstable. Something was not right, she knew that. How many people behaved as she did today with a full working emotional deck? None. She sighed.

“All set?” Wyatt reached for her bag, all business, and marched toward their gate without waiting for a response.

For a moment, she’d thought they had something, a connection, which she would never have acted upon, but she thought it might have been there. Until he left so quickly without a word. She shrugged. It was for the best. He could be a rebound relationship only at best at this point.

They called for first class boarding.

“That’s us.” Wyatt waved her forward.

“Wait, I’m not—”

“I upgraded.”

Stunned, she followed until they were in the loading ramp, without so many people around. “You upgraded? So, like, I’m in first class?”

He nodded. “I thought it might be more comfortable.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “I thought we could get you over there with as little hassle as possible, and I wasn’t about to try and squeeze all of this” He indicated his tall form. “Into commercial seating.” He stood taller and eyed her small frame.

“Well, thank you. I’ve never flown first class.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

They entered and sure enough, sat in row 2 A and B. She had a good four inches of seat room on each side of her. She could kick her legs out to the front a good amount before even brushing the seat to her front.

Wyatt filled out his space more fully, but he had some room in front of his knees. She saw how it would have been torture for him at the back of the plane. “This is nice.”

The flight attendant brought her a drink and offered her some reading material. She could get used to this. Only she better not. She’d never been able to afford first class before so no sense hoping she might now. Wyatt was just too good to her. She wanted to do something nice for him so she dug around in her bag. “Check out our vacation. We’ve got all kinds of excursions planned. You might as well make use of them. Have you ever toured the volcanos? Or helicopter ride. And we have a private scuba diving tour on Thursday.” She showed him their printed itinerary with all the information.

For a moment, his face looked pained.

“It’s the least I can do. I can’t believe all you’ve done for me today. I could never pay you back except maybe to offer these extras?” She searched his face, hoping to put him at ease.

He hesitated and then reached for the materials. “Thank you.” He glanced at it and then handed it back. “I can’t be going on your honeymoon with you. It wouldn’t be right.”

“I don’t see why not. I don’t even have to go with you if you don’t want. But someone should be enjoying all these extras.” She tipped her head back and closed her eyes. “Maybe I’ll just spend all my time in the spa anyway, or on the beach.”

“Well, thank you. I’ll be working, but I’d enjoy a tour of those volcanoes. I’ve always wondered if it’s really hot to the touch up there.”

She nodded, smiling. “Somehow I knew that would be the one to get you.”

He chuckled low, and his deep base made her stomach jump. “Did you, now?”

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