Free Bachelor's Bought Bride by Jennifer Lewis Page A

them. Which wasn’t so odd, really, since he’d undoubtedly introduced her to Gavin in the hope that she’d finally find a mate. Finally she’d managed to accomplish something her father approved of! Or at least she would have soon.
    Very soon.
    “Sausalito’s a fun place to escape to. Even though it’s just across the bridge, you feel like you’re a million miles away.” His warm grin tickled something inside her. Gavin looked even more breathtaking than usualtoday. A casual black shirt rolled up over his powerful forearms, faded jeans, his thick, dark hair slightly tousled. She could hardly believe she was sitting next to him, let alone driving to Sausalito to marry him.
    The diamond ring still glittered on her finger. She hadn’t taken it off since he’d put it on to test the size.
    “We can live in my condo until we find a place. But I think we should get a house, so there will be plenty of room for you to have a big studio. What do you think?”
    “I don’t know what to think.” She smiled. “I’ve never lived anywhere but the house I’m in now. I’m open to anything. I can always rent a separate studio for my business.”
    “No way. We’ll find a house with a great studio for you. And a view of the bay is a must, since you’re used to enjoying one.”
    How rich was he? He talked as if he had all the funds in the world at his disposal. Or did he expect her to pay for their new house? Odd how they were about to walk down the aisle but they hadn’t discussed even the most basic practical matters.
    Except the prenup. And those often weren’t worth the paper they were written on anyway. If he hadn’t insisted, she wouldn’t even have thought of it. If she couldn’t trust her husband, who could she trust? She wouldn’t let money rule her life.
     
    They drove through the low hills of the Gateway National Recreation area, then climbed up into the steep and picturesque streets of Sausalito. He pulled up in the circular driveway of a small Mediterranean stylebuilding with blooms bursting from pots and beds in every direction.
    “The wedding’s booked for six o’clock tonight, so we’ll have plenty of time to get ready.”
    “Tonight?” Panic flashed over Bree. For some reason she assumed they’d have at least a day to…to what? If they were getting married, might as well get on with it.
    Still, she’d barely had a chance to get used to having a “fiancé” yet, and they were going to run down the aisle tonight. Kind of funny how he’d just gone ahead and made all the plans—and she’d let him.
    Gavin climbed out of the car, then came around to open her door. She stepped out onto the gravel on shaky legs. He slid a palm across the base of her spine, which sent waves of heat—as well as anxiety—shivering through her. “Tonight will be our wedding night.” His smoky gray gaze smoldered with possibilities.
    Bree blinked and blew out a shaky breath. “So it will.”
    He squeezed her hand. “I can’t wait to be your husband, Bree.”
    “I can’t wait to be your wife.” She squeezed back, and happiness swelled in her chest, pushing away the anxiety. He was so open and affectionate, on top of all the other things she adored about him. Did anyone have a right to be this lucky?
    Then she froze. “But what am I going to wear?”
    “Anything you like. We have all afternoon to shop.”
     
    Though Bree was nervous about her ability to pick a flattering dress without Elle, she found one quite easily at a stylish shop down near the docks. The silvery-white,tea-length gown in shimmering satin draped elegantly over her curves. Sky-blue heels proved an oddly perfect match. At a local jeweler, they chose engraved wedding bands for the ceremony. Back at the hotel, she was visited by a bubbly hairdresser who piled her curls into a chignon fastened with pearl-tipped pins. Bree put on the sparkly pearl and diamond earrings they’d picked together. Gavin insisted on paying for everything, and her