Free Secrets of the Tycoon's Bride by Emilie Rose Page B

Lauryn as a parent. But other than not revealing the secret of Lauryn’s birthmother sooner, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
    Lauryn studied the beach below her bedroom and tried to calm her agitated nerves. The flowered archway Cassie had ordered for the ceremony stood in the sand between the cottage and the lapping waves. The photographer hustled around checking shot angles or light or whatever it was photographers did.
    The doorbell followed by muffled voices penetrated the closed bedroom door. Was that Cassie? The need to see a friendly face overwhelmed her. Lauryn yanked open the door.
    Adam, Brandon and Cassie turned in unison.
    â€œI take it you’re not superstitious,” Cassie said.
    â€œI’m not.” Lauryn’s gaze slid to Adam as if dragged by a strong riptide. A black tuxedo complimented his ink-dark hair, made his shoulders look broader and his legs longer. His white shirt accentuated his tan and made his blue eyes and the flash of teeth in his slow smile seem brighter. He looked like every girl’s fantasy groom. Handsome. Wealthy.
    Sexy.
    She tamped down that thought and dampened her dry lips.
    No one will respect or value you if you don’t respect and value yourself, her father’s words came back to her.
    So no sex and no more Mr. Right Nows. Not even the one she’d marry in a few minutes.
    â€œIf it’s bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony then we’re already cursed. Adam and I spent most of the day driving from one official’s office to another’s dealing with the legalities of this…marriage.”
    Adam crossed the room, looped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Lauryn stiffened automatically. She couldn’t let him keep getting to her like he’d done at the restaurant and airport. The heat of his body singed her at every contact point—breasts, waist, hips, thighs. He feathered his lips across hers and then lifted his head a fraction of an inch. Warning flashed in his eyes.
    â€œYou look beautiful, Lauryn.”
    Even knowing his compliment was part of the act didn’t stifle the pleasure his words sent eddying through her.
    â€œThank you. So do you.” Her cheeks warmed. She briefly ducked her head before daring to look into his eyes again. “I mean, you look good in a tux.”
    He dipped his head again. She forced herself to remain passive as he sipped from her lips once, twice more. Her heart raced and desire tugged like an undercurrent in her belly. She’d have to get used to being handled by him, kissed by him. But she had to shut down her response.
    She heard Cassie’s sigh. The woman believed this to be a true love match. Lauryn liked her new friend too much to lie to her, but Adam had ordered her to keep their secret.
    Ordered. The back of Lauryn’s neck prickled.
    Only Brandon knew the truth behind this hasty marriage and Adam wanted to keep it that way.
    On the pretext of examining the small wedding cake sitting in the center of the dining room table Lauryn wiggled free. Adam let her go, but she could feel his gaze on her back. She fought the urge to lick her lips and lost. His taste lingered on her mouth and left her hungry for more.
    Two bottles of champagne waited in sterling silver ice buckets on a sideboard and through the open kitchen door she spotted a pair of workers hustling around preparing food, presumably for the feast after the ceremony. Brandon, Cassie and the minister were staying for a wedding dinner. As much as Lauryn dreaded the lovey-dovey pretense, having company meant delaying the time alone with her groom, and that was good.
    Last night…She exhaled slowly, trying to ease her overstretched nerves. Last night had been a nightmare. She couldn’t remember ever being so aware of another person. Every shift of Adam’s body on the sofa, each rustle of his clothing or chink of his glass on the coffee table had