Free A Case for Calamity by Mackenzie Crowne Page A

had been altercation, but that hadn’t been the case two months ago. The undeniable attraction between them was a point of agreement, and though there was no guarantee they could build a great love story from such a shaky foundation, it was a start.
    If he could convince her to give them a shot.
    “I know you’d fight me, but you’d lose. I have resources you could never hope to attain. Do you really want to join a battle you can’t win, when there’s another option?”
    “An unacceptable option.”
    “Is it really?” He stepped closer. “I’ll admit, we haven’t exactly been on friendly terms the last twenty-four hours, but these circumstances would rattle anyone. That wasn’t the case in Paris.”
    Though she lifted her chin defiantly, she didn’t meet his gaze. Turning toward the window, she tightened her arms around her waist. “Paris was a fluke and a one-night stand.”
    “Maybe so, but there’s no denying the mutual, physical attraction. My point is, I enjoyed your company that night, and not just the time we spent in bed. Though I have to say, the memory of those hours bodes well for the physical side of a marriage between us.”
    Her head whipped around, and she stabbed him with a narrowed gaze. “One night of incredible sex doesn’t guarantee physical compatibility.”
    The stroke to his ego made him smile. “Incredible, huh?”
    She bristled visibly. “Don’t try to charm me, Gabe. We’re talking about my future here, and the future of my baby.”
    His smile slid away. “Our baby.”
    Guilt flashed in her eyes before she dropped her gaze to her feet. “ My point is, what happened between us was most likely just the romance of Paris, or maybe it was hormones. I don’t know, but staking a marriage on one night of passion isn’t reasonable.”
    He relaxed subtly. No longer raging at him in a flat-out no, she was arguing the case. A master negotiator, he knew how to close the deal.
    He lowered his voice to a seductive croon. “There’s a simple way of finding out if that night was a fluke.”
    Color bloomed on her cheekbones when her gaze jerked up to tangle with his. “I’m serious. What if I agree to this marriage and we go ahead with it only to find out later we just don’t connect?”
    Damn, she was stubborn. Under different circumstances, he might like that about her, but not today. He leaned close, until they were nose to nose, and hid a secret smile when she didn’t back down.
    “We’ll have to cross that bridge when and if we come to it, because unless you’re willing to take me on in court, the baby you’re carrying will be born with a mother and a father.”

Chapter Nine
    Jane rubbed a fingertip over the simple neckline of her wedding dress. Spotting the wispy creation in the window of her favorite second-hand boutique, her mind had filled with images of Audrey Hepburn and old black-and-white romance classics. She’d gone inside, thinking the vintage cocktail dress in cream lace would be perfect for the random holiday party.
    Little did she know she’d be donning it for her Christmas Day wedding less than a month later.
    Surrounded by the treasures of her childhood, she followed Shae’s restless movements. Her friend paced the room where they’d shared girlish joys and dreams and lamented occasional disappointments.
    “Would you please settle somewhere? You’re making me nervous.”
    “I can’t help it.” Shae flopped to the edge of the bed. “My best friend is marrying a man she doesn’t know, and it’s my fault.”
    “Yeah, some best friend you are, forcing me to go up to Gabe’s hotel room and take off my clothes.”
    Shae’s blue eyes narrowed to slits, but guilt broadcasted in her throaty groan. “I don’t know how you can be so calm.”
    “I don’t have a choice, remember?”
    “I remember. I just don’t believe it. Dad says Gabe is a tough businessman, but he’s an honorable man.”
    Residual hurt colored Jane’s sharp sigh. “An honorable