Free Careless Rapture by Dara Girard Page A

when you were apart?”
    “I can’t remember one thing right now.”
    “You’re just having cold feet.”
    He looked doubtful. “After the wedding?”
    “Yes, once you’re on your honeymoon,
you’ll—”
    He shook his head. “No big surprise
there—I’ve already slept with her as a married man and we’re going
to Pennsylvania so she can buy antiques. What am I going to do?” He
held his head then let his hand fall. “I’ve ruined your life, too.
You’re dating a man obviously beneath you trying to get over me. I
realize there’s a raw appeal women have for men like that, but he
won’t take you far. Don’t suffer because of me.” Jackie bristled;
Brian didn’t notice. “I don’t know what I will do.”
    Jackie shifted, growing impatient. “Think of
your career, your aspirations. Your wife can help you achieve
that.”
    He thought for a moment, then nodded. “You’re
right.” He began to smile. “Yes, you’re right. I’ve only been
delayed, not stopped. I’m glad you came.”
    Jackie sighed, annoyed. “You’ve already said
that.”
    “Do you think your date would mind if we
danced?”
    “Probably not, but I don’t think we should.
You should dance with your bride.”
    Brian stuffed the tissues in his pocket.
“I’ve got ten years to dance with her.”
    “Only ten?”
    He looked amazed. “You don’t expect us to be
married longer than that, do you? The percentage of second
marriages lasting is even lower than the first.”
    “That’s a cynical approach to marriage.”
    “Just honest.” He pulled her close and began
to move in rhythm to the music. “You know, when I’m on the market
for a third wife, perhaps you’ll still be around.” His voice
lowered. “Or we don’t have to stop seeing each other at all.”
    She smiled brightly. “Yes, you’re right.”
    “Good.”
    “But I walk dogs, I don’t date them.” She
patted his cheek, pleased by his startled expression, and stepped
back.
    “There you two are,” Clay said. “Can’t leave
you two alone too long.” He nudged Brian in the ribs. It was a
casual gesture, but applied with enough force to make Brian wince.
“Wouldn’t want you chatting up my bird, now, would I?”
    Brian’s eyes darted between them. He lifted
his chin, his pride still hurt from Jackie’s refusal. “I see that
it would never have worked, you can’t fake polish.”
    “Doesn’t take much to pass yourself off as a
poncy twit. Seemed to impress your wife.”
    Brian stormed away.
    Jackie watched him leave, then turned to
Clay, furious. “What the hell was that?”
    Clay quickly dropped the accent. “You wanted
someone rough about the edges.”
    “You needn’t have made a farce out of
it.”
    “A farce was watching him sniveling all over
you.”
    Her anger turned to embarrassment as she
remembered Brian’s behavior. “It was awful. To even think I
considered him husband material doesn’t say much about me. I’m
sorry you saw that.”
    He grinned wickedly, rocking on his heels.
“I’m not. Did you accomplish your goal?”
    “Well, I wanted him to be regretful, but I
didn’t expect that.” She glanced at the reception hall. “How come
revenge never quite works out the way you picture it?” She shot him
a steely glare. “Then you had to act like a reject from a Noel
Coward play and make me look ridiculous. I shouldn’t have come. I’m
an idiot.”
    He nodded. “It’s always helpful to identify
the problem first. Ow!” He cried when she hit him. He rubbed his
arm. “So what are we going to do now?”
    “I don’t know. What does one do after a
hollow victory?”
    He tucked her arm through his. “We could play
a little game.”
    “What?”
    He nodded to a woman in the corner “What do
you suggest I serve her for dinner?”
    Jackie snatched her arm away. “Arsenic, for
all I care.” She headed inside.
    Clay grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Do
I detect a note of jealousy?”
    “No.”
    He released her. “You were