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Elegance and class aside, Thomas had to admit that he hated everything about his brother’s upcoming wedding. The location, the timing, and most importantly, the bride. Blond, beautiful, and an absolute fraud. His brother boasted his bride as the type of lady men dreamed of taking home to meet their mothers.
Thomas knew better.
The bride kept secrets. Unfortunately, Thomas personally knew how loose her morals were—and how flexible her body was.
His brother needed to know the truth.
Thomas turned off the highway and followed the GPS on his Lexus as he slowed to watch for his exit. The wedding resort sat nestled within the trees off a small private drive, and the wedding invite had mentioned the road would be challenging to find.
Nearly missing the turnoff, he saw the sign in time and cranked the wheel. Bella Rosa Wedding Resort. Painted red hearts sprinkled the white background of the marker and gave it a sugary-sweet, love-is-in-the-air flair—so he knew this hellhole had to be the place.
It made his skin crawl.
If he had not already needed to be in Nevada on business this week, he would have found an excuse not to come.
His tires skirted across the graveled road, kicking up small pebbles that clunked against the undercarriage of his car. He slowly pulled past the gate of the open white fence that encircled the place and came to another sign at the end of the dirt road. Parking was to the right, but his instructions told him to turn left to the manor house he saw in the distance, so he did.
A large, three-story, bricked chateau—complete with balconies that faced the canyon and enough flowers to cause any hay fever sufferer to run away—loomed in front of him. The invitation had said to drive past the manor, around the smaller carriage house, and to a parking lot that lay beyond.
Thomas glanced at the manicured gardens and the bright summer foliage as he slowly drove along the winding path. The place clearly earned some serious bank from lovestruck brides wanting the perfect dream wedding, all their money going toward one ideal day, even with nearly fifty percent of all marriages ending in divorce. With this place so close to the Vegas Strip, it would make more sense to have a quick wedding and save the money to create a life together.
But it wasn’t his money. And Thomas didn’t want to share his life with anyone. Not anymore.
He parked in a shady spot. Then, leaving his luggage behind until he checked in, he stepped out of the car, the summer heat toasting his skin and causing his eyes to squint. He put on his sunglasses and trekked to the main house.
The stone walkway wound around a large oak tree with flower beds and led to the ho
use’s side porch. Little niceties such as birdhouses, a birdbath, and small signs indicating the way to the lover’s gazebo and the lover’s grotto greeted him on his short journey to what would surely be a terrible week filled with gooey love stories and happy couples cooing at each other.
Just then, he heard the wedding march. An excited bride stood in the distance, ready to walk the aisle. This place probably had a dozen ceremonies a week.
If he didn’t hate weddings so much, he’d consider investing.
A little bell sounded on the door when he walked into the main house. Air-conditioned air greeted him and cooled his face where tiny droplets of sweat had formed from the short walk. His Giacometti shoes creaked against the wooden floorboards as he crossed the foyer of what appeared to be an old, historic house and walked to the reception desk, where he removed his Ray Bans.
A man wearing a white button-down shirt and black slacks sat behind a circular wooden counter nestled under a magnificent staircase. An old-style cubby rested behind him with guestroom numbers, and a closed door with a simple Private sign stood to the left. “Welcome to the Bella Rosa Wedding Resort. My name is Hershel. How may I help you?”
I’m here for the Stallworth wedding. I have a reservation, and there’s supposed to be a wedding package for me.” Thomas placed his credit card on the wooden desk.
He did his best to match his voice to the upbeat smile Hershel beamed at him, but he must have missed the mark because Hershel took the payment and asked, “Did you have any problems finding the place?”
“No.” Thomas glanced at the brochures on the desk showing sites visitors could see while in Las Vegas. “I parked behind the carriage house.” Several cars were already in the lot, but he wanted to confirm that he had left his car in the correct place.
Hershel glanced at his computer screen for a moment and said, “That’s perfect since the wedding party has chosen the Wedding Bliss package.” He handed the card back to Thomas after swiping it. “The wedding party’s arra
ngements give you a nice discount.”
Hershel turned the visitor’s book around. “Would you mind signing in?”
Thomas’s eyebrow rose. “Why?”
“My wife likes the charm of having a guest book.” A more severe expression replaced the smile on his face as his hand rested on the tome. “We don’t spam you or anything. Brenda likes the hominess of it.”
His mother’s words, “I’m sure you can get along with your brother for one week. Just smile and do all the wedding stuff because it’s important to him,” came to Thomas’s mind, and he reluctantly signed the book with the red-feathered pen before placing the quill back down next to an old-style bell.
“Thank you.” Hershel turned the book back around and read the newest entry. “Dr. Thomas Stallworth.” He turned to the cubby, his hand moving as he went column by column and then row by row before pulling out a key. “This is the key to the carriage house. We ask that you lock the front door at night. The second key is for your private room. You have room #6.”
Thomas took the keys—actual keys, not the electronic pass cards most other hotels had. A wooden fob dangled from the ring with a delicately whittled #6 inside a heart. He wondered if this wedding place had indoor plumbing.
“My mother will arrive on Tuesday. I reserved a room in the main house for her.” He handed the credit card back to him. “Can you please use this for her?”
“Of course, sir. And the discounted rate will apply to that room, as well.” Hershel pointed down the hallway. “A breakfast buffet is served from seven to ten a.m. in the dining room. We have tables on the porch, and you’re welcome to eat in the gardens, as well, provided you bring the plates back inside. There are also plenty of fantastic restaurants around.”
Thomas glanced toward the dining room. Love seats with heart-shaped pillows, lacy curtains, and the romantic atmosphere dripping everywhere caught his attention—as did other patrons of the place, paired off as if this were
Noah’s Ark.
“And then there’s this.” Hershel reached behind the counter and picked up a teal-colored bag with silver lace ribbons. “The goodie bag is compliments of the bride and groom. The wedding itinerary is inside.”
Thomas did a double-take on the ornate bag. His brother wasn’t a “goodie bag” type of guy. This was from the bride, a woman he could barely remember other than the few hours of fun they had shared. All he really knew of her had been from the description his mother had given him. The bride was detailed oriented and leaned toward the controlling side, so a dedicated schedule was not out of character for her. Neither was color-coding the event or giving it a theme. “I only know that the wedding is Saturday, and tonight is the bachelor party.” It seemed odd to have a week-long wedding celebration, especially at the prices the Bella Rosa charged, but he had promised to play along—mostly since he was one a member of the wedding party.
Glancing inside the bag, Thomas found several coupons. Massage, horseback riding, Grand Canyon tour, hiking trails, etcetera. A slight smile pulled at the corners of his lips. With enough to do, he could avoid the wedding party altogether. If that proved successful, maybe he wouldn’t have to tell his brother the bad news about his loose bride and ruin his life.
A small, typed booklet caught his eye—Wedding Itinerary with a heart above the i. Every day held an event. Pink for women, blue for men, and purple for joint activities. Nothing mentioned whether the events were optional, and every minute seemed accounted for.
He groaned inwardly, hiding his true feelings.
“Well, the meeting with the Stallworth wedding coordinator could have gone better,” a woman said as she came out of the door behind the counter marked Private. “Oh, sorry.” The woman’s eyes widened as a smile quickly spread across her face. “Welcome to the Bella Rosa.”
Hershel placed his arm around the woman’s shoulders. Her outfit matched his. “This is my wife, Brenda.”
Thomas nodded hello as he placed everything back into the goodie bag.
“Are the massages done on-site?”
Brenda gestured to the closed door across from the staircase. “A licensed professional comes in. You can schedule thirty or sixty-minute sessions. We don’t offer couples massages.”
That wouldn’t be a problem. The wedding party, the guests, and even the owners were all happy couples. Thomas took in a deep breath. It was only for a week.
“Brenda…” An energetic younger woman—her bright green eyes holding a sensual depth and her pert little nose giving her a dainty and heavenly appearance—came to the counter. She was a rare fresh-faced, auburn-haired beauty wearing a carefree T-shirt and yoga pants. “Sorry. When you have a second, I need to talk to you about a problem with the flowers.”
“I’ll be right there,” Brenda said.
Thomas studied the young woman and her delicate features, his heartbeats quickening. Her auburn hair gleamed with shadows of deep gold and rich red, and the thick hair curled gracefully over her shoulders.
Brenda pointed at the guest book, her finger tracing his entry. “Is there a Misses Dr. Stallworth who needs a key?” she said, distracting him from the beautiful woman.
It took a second for him to process what she had said, but then he jiggled the keys in his hand, feeling the number six’s smooth texture. “Not anymore. I’m sure I can find my way to the carriage house.”
He turned to leave but gave the mystery woman at the desk a parting glance. Her hips tapered into long legs, and the light from the doorway silhouetted her beautiful curves. She looked like an angel, especially with the light dancing off her loose curls.
She didn’t wear a uniform, so she probably didn’t work at the Bella Rosa. And she seemed calm, so likely not a bride, either.
Places like this gave an illusion of love and suggested that everyone should be paired off. He would not fall for the false charm, even if she were the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Ashley’s gaze lingered on the man’s long, lean form as he walked to the door, the chime signaling his exit. “Who was that?” His powerful, well-muscled body had moved with ease and grace. His height nearly required him to duck to clear the door, and his broad frame filled the threshold as he left.
“That gorgeous man is Dr. Thomas Stallworth,” Brenda said.
“Claimed to be a member of Linda’s wedding party,” Hershel added.
Ashley sniffed the air and inhaled the last of his cologne mixed with the heat of sunshine that had clung to him. Musky. Manly. A clean and masculine scent. “That was Thomas Stallworth?” When Hershel nodded, she added, “He’s the groom’s elusive brother. The two haven’t seen each other in nearly ten years.”
Mentally, she compared Thomas to his brother, Paul. Thomas was taller and darker-haired, although probably still considered blond, and had a much broader chest. The brothers had the same eyes, almond-shaped baby blues, and possibly the same jawline. Thomas had a trimmed beard and mustache, though. She wouldn’t have picked Thomas out of the crowd as a Stallworth, but few men were that handsome and had an innately captivating presence.
“You can tell he’s a doctor,” Brenda said, causing Ashley’s eyebrow to rise under her auburn bangs.
Hershel leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “And how is that, sweetheart?” he asked good-naturedly.
“Good posture,” she said sheepishly as she stepped toward Ashley. With Hershel safely behind her, she mouthed, “Muscular and built.”
The two women walked back to the small office. Ashley thought about what Thomas had been wearing—a simple, blue, V-neck T-shirt that showcased his broad chest and Levi’s jeans that were just a bit too tight.
Ashley mostly saw doctors in white lab coats, not out on the town, and Thomas didn’t look like any doctors she knew. Her oncologist was a short, obese man with a ruddy complexion and a hooked nose.
“What type of a doctor is Thomas?” Brenda sat behind the desk in front of the computer in the tiny office. Her eyebrow arched, appearing as if an evil plot brewed, and the look she gave Ashley told her one thing: The woman wanted to play Cupid.
Since they had met in the ABC—After Breast Cancer Class—two years ago provided by the BCRC—Breast Cancer Resource Center—Brenda had tried to set her up with a few eligible bachelors. All were lovely men, all reasonably handsome, and none were her type.
“No clue what his specialty is,” Ashley said. “Paul mentioned he made him an usher at the last minute, but their mother wants him to be a groomsman.” She gazed past the now-closed door to where the man had stood. His profile had been sharp and confident, his hair thick and lush. Would he now be paired up with her to walk down the aisle?
Brenda cleared her throat.
“What?” Ashley asked as her neck swiveled so she faced her boss.
“Your jaw is on the floor.” Brenda grinned as she studied Ashley, making the younger woman feel a blush flash on her face. “He’s single and available. Obviously, good-looking.”
Good-looking? He was sinfully handsome. “He’s only here for the wedding,” Ashley said, protesting and doing her best to belay her friend’s Cupid-like intentions.
“A week. Your cousin paid for the Wedding Bliss package, which includes a week-long event. There’s nothing wrong with some fun while you both stay here. Is there?”
“A man like that wouldn’t be interested in someone like me.” Ashley pointed at her body as though something hideous lay hidden under her clothes.
“Someone like you? What? A strong, independent woman?”
“You know what I mean. Besides, I haven’t dated anyone since…” She touched a strand of curly hair that rested against her neck. “I’m not ready.” She wasn’t sure if she’d ever be ready.
“Love lives at the Bella Rosa Resort. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Ashley stared into the mirror and checked her outfit one more time. The summer dress rested high on the neck and accentuated her messy-bun hairstyle that left tendrils of curls cascading down the sides of her cheeks.
Too bad she couldn’t lose the last ten pounds she’d wanted to shed in time for the wedding.
She turned and lifted her arms high, mimicking dance moves. The fabric lay close against her skin, and the only way anyone could see the silver mark of her scar was from a side angle. She studied her reflection once more, letting out a deep sigh of relief knowing she was completely covered.
“We’ve got to go.” Linda’s voice came from outside the bathroom door. Whether Ashley needed another minute of primping or not, her cousin wouldn’t allow her to have it. Besides, she wouldn’t lose those ten pounds in the next few minutes. She applied bright red lipstick and noted that her thick, dark eyebrows set off her emerald-colored eyes before opening the bathroom door and facing the wedding party’s ladies.
“You look beautiful,” Imani said, adjusting her purse on her shoulder and admiring Ashley’s hair. Her head tilted, and she glanced concernedly at the messy bun. “Your curls look a bit dry. Feel free to use some of my hair mask.”
She spoke the words pleasantly, and Ashley took no offense. Imani had arrived with a margarita maker, bottles of wine, and some handmade souvenir buttons and sashes for the wedding party to wear tonight. Ashley considered women like her the givers of society and always enjoyed their company.
“We don’t have time.” Linda ushered the ladies out the cottage’s door and asked that they walk the short distance to the barn, where the start of the joint bachelor/bachelorette party would be.
Ashley felt rushed. Linda was a perfect example of the takers of society. Ashley loved her cousin dearly, but Linda got her way when push came to shove. It wasn’t an endearing quality, but there always had to be one within a group, and Linda had always held a special place in Ashley’s heart.
“I want to talk to Ashley for a minute. We’ll see you there.” Linda gestured at the building.
The scent of Italian food wafted into the tiny house now that the door was open. The smell reminded Ashley just how hungry she was. Having been on a diet for the last three months had helped her fit into her bridesmaid dress, and she was grateful to be a size smaller, but she planned on celebrating with her cousin tonight.
“I didn’t even know he had arrived,” Linda said with a scowl as she halfway closed the cottage door and faced Ashley privately.
Drama already? Ashley had hoped for a fun night out on the town. But judging by the sour expression on Linda’s face, that would not happen. “Who?"
“Paul’s brother. Thomas. I hoped he’d arrive Saturday morning just in time for the wedding, but Paul texted me that he arrived earlier.”
Ashley thought back to the ruggedly handsome man she had almost met at the reception desk: dark blond hair, piercing blue eyes, and massive shoulders. The image quickened her pulse. “I got a glimpse of him when he arrived.”
She watched the other bridal party women walk along the stone pathway and past the lover’s grotto to the barn where her friends Brenda and Hershel were setting up the dinner. A cool summer breeze had settled in, picking up the scent of jasmine from the gardens. It mixed with the smell of garlic bread.
Linda closed the cottage’s door completely, making their conversation private and getting Ashley’s attention. “The two brothers haven’t gotten along since Thomas stole an old girlfriend from Paul years ago.” A pinched expression crossed her face, the one she got whenever someone got in her way. “Tina was all wrong for Paul, but that is another story. Please do me a favor?”
Old girlfriend? That was a lot of info dumped very quickly. Ashley couldn’t wrap her head around the news fast enough, but she knew better than to ask for a bunch of details when she saw Linda’s jaw tense. “What’s the favor?”
“Keep Thomas busy and away from Paul as much as you can.”
As a bridesmaid, Ashley had expected bridal errands like steaming the veil the night before the wedding or getting emergency chocolate or wine for the bride. She hadn’t expected something that sounded in the neighborhood of a cloak-and-dagger operation. “Keep Thomas away from Paul?”
“Just… I don’t know….” Linda pulled cash from her purse. “Here. The men are all going to some show on the Strip tonight. If I know the best man, Brian, he’ll take his duties to heart and have them drinking all night. I don’t want Paul upset, so take Thomas somewhere else. Then, once the show starts, and he doesn’t attend the performance with the rest of the men, he’ll entertain himself. It is Vegas, after all.” She let out a slight chuckle. “If he has a good time, we may not see him f
or days.”
Being asked to entertain a gorgeous man wasn’t without its charm, but Ashley shook her head. “How am I supposed to lure Thomas away from a night of drunken fun with the boys?”
Linda cocked her head and gave her cousin an are-you-kidding-me glare. She then counted off on her fingers. “This man probably doesn’t want to be here anymore than Paul wants him here. He doesn’t know anyone. And he is a total dog who won’t turn away a pretty face.” Her lips thinned regretfully. “I shouldn’t ask you to do this, but…” Her eyes briefly shut, and the frame of her body slumped as though in defeat. “Be careful. The man went after his brother’s girlfriend, breaking some sort of man-code. Only a manwhore would do something that sleazy.” She placed the money in Ashley’s hand. “You’ve lived in Vegas your whole life and know the town. Join us after you’ve lost him somewhere. The show starts at eleven p.m., so take him to a bar after we’re done with dinner and then lose him. You have our itinerary and know where we’ll be.”
She sure did. The ladies were going to the Nuts & Bolts Club, a place known for their male strippers. Ashley didn’t mind places like that, but she wasn’t excited about it, either. She was usually the shy woman sitting at the table the men ignored while they singled out the loudest and most aggressive women.
Even though she wasn’t excited about the Nuts & Bolts Club, keeping Thomas occupied sounded underhanded, though not in a wholly immoral or dirty way. Ashley didn’t like being dishonest at all, but she had promised to help Linda with the wedding in any way she could. “The brothers don’t get along?”
Linda shook her head and gave her a deflated look as if the men’s feud was reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys. “And I don’t need anything else going wrong with this wedding.”
True. The coordinator had called with a problem earlier. Ashley didn’t have the heart to mention that the florist couldn’t guarantee gardenias in the centerpieces.
Linda gave her the sad-puppy-dog eyes, the look she always affected as a kid when she wanted Ashley to do something. Ashley never could refuse that look.
“Fine.” Ashley took the money, and Linda immediately engulfed her in a bear hug. “I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to distract him, but I’ll do my best,” she said against her cousin’s shoulder.
The two left the cottage and trekked the short distance to the barn. They walked through the garden seating area, around the chairs encircling a decorative firepit, and neared the reflection pond. With each step, Ashley wondered how long ago this Tina fiasco had happened. Linda and Paul had been dating for the last three years, so it couldn’t have been too recently.
The barn’s double wooden doors lay open, allowing the delicious scents of the catered meal to waft on the breeze. A decorative sign stating Stallworth Wedding sat in front of the door, its picture already taken and documented by Mindy, the bridesmaid who loved scrapbooking and was the group’s shutterbug.
Ashley entered the barn, this time as a guest and not as hired help or a friend who occasionally helped Brenda and Hershel. The rustic building’s transformation always amazed her. White twinkle lights hung in rows of spiderweb-like designs from the ceiling, casting romantic shadows on the wooden floor beneath. Standing candelabras and long carpet runners paved the way, breaking the room’s flow into separate seating areas, a dance floor, and an entryway. The space exemplified elegance mixed with rustic charm with its rough wooden walls and hay bales. It was a perfect wedding spot.
The wedding party stood within the entry. Hershel oversaw a waiter placing another stack of plates near where the caterer stood by the food, and Brenda busily walked around the tables with name cards in her hand. Linda’s nearly week-long wedding celebration was about to begin, and excitement hung in the air.
What Ashley didn’t see was Thomas.
She made her way in and knew better than to ask Brenda if she needed any help. Her friend had already told her not to offer since she was a guest this week. Instead, Ashley mingled with Matt and Connor—two college friends of Paul’s he had stayed close to over the years. Linda called them
groomsman one and two in all seating charts and wedding plans. It was nice to put faces and real names to the men.
During the small talk, Ashley spied Thomas, and an overall weighted feeling overcame her. He stood near the bar—alone and seemingly lost in his thoughts. Most would have said he looked bored, but his brooding only oozed a cool James Dean-ish flare to Ashley.
Ashley walked over to Linda and whispered, “That’s Thomas.” She had no need to announce it since Linda knew everyone at her joint bachelor/bachelorette party. However, Ashley still felt the need to mention who he was, especially since he now walked toward them.
“Paul.” Thomas nodded at his brother and then smiled at Linda. “This must be your lovely bride.”
The three exchanged pleasantries, and Ashley studied them. She caught a hint of distance from the brothers in how they stood apart and avoided eye contact. Thomas had a beer in his hand and sipped it as he looked away, and Paul seemed positively mesmerized by the white string lights hanging overhead. But there was something else. Linda wasn’t her usual gushing self, possibly too afraid the ex-girlfriend would be mentioned, and a fight would ensue. Instead, she was polite—almost dismissive. The scene would be complete if they discussed the weather.
One thing was clear. Thomas wasn’t welcome, and that was a shame.
How in the world did Linda not recognize him?
Thomas stood dumbly, looking into the eyes of the woman he was sure was the one he fondly called his convention center hookup. The tryst had been on the fourteenth floor of the Marriott in Denver about five years ago. After hours. A drunken night. Linda’s last name barely fit on the name tag she wore. And Higgenbothem was hard to forget, especially since he had read it as Hug-a-bottom in his inebriated state.
Linda stared right past him without any hint of recognition, and a tinge of
anger mixed with hurt stabbed at his gut.
She didn’t remember him.
She played coy and cute, fiddling with her hair and giggling like a schoolgirl. Was it a game? Or had she slept with so many people that she honestly couldn’t remember him?
He still remembered her smoldering gaze as she propositioned him, and the two left the bar together all those years ago. After the conquest, he’d left her hotel room with her red lace panties in his suit pocket.
The only thing he remembered about her, other than her last name and hot body, was that she had been newly divorced and wanted to be wild and free.
Wild. She was that night.
But she didn’t remember him?
“Mindy, Sarah,” Linda said, ...
