Synopsis

This bride takes ‘I do’ to a whole new level — just not with the groom. In one week Chloe will walk down the aisle. Yet she’s a bride who can’t stop spying on the weddings of total strangers. Desperate to catch a glimpse of what true love really looks like, she is having serious second thoughts about tying the knot. Until she meets Wes — the sexy long lost father of her groom. The hunk from Texas confirms her worst fears. She is marrying the wrong man. Battling her intense attraction for Wes, the flame between them burns too hot to resist. Chloe and Wes give into their scorching passion and struggle with the consequences of their love.

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EXCERPT: BRIDE UNDONE

by Kate Deveaux

Chloe spotted the long hallway from last night. Bingo. She was getting close. She hurried down the teak-paneled hall and paused at the closed door at the end. The heavy wood door. The door she’d had trouble opening last night when Wes had placed his hand over hers. An electric current flashed through her when he touched her, something she never felt with Conner.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and opened the door, practically flying backward before she got her balance as she stepped inside. She stopped abruptly once inside.

No sign of Wes. Damn. He was probably already at the board meeting. Ugh, she’d have to wait for him. Chloe just prayed he hadn’t done anything stupid as she slowly glanced around the room, taking in the details she’d missed last night. The large metal-and-glass desk, the collection of sculptures at one end of the room, the comfy clubroom couch and occasional chairs, sailing trophies and the gorgeous Kashan carpet on the floor. Must have cost a mint. She loved those Persian carpets but had never had a client with pockets deep enough to buy one.

The door opened and Chloe jumped.

“Chloe?” Wes said in surprise. He froze in the doorway, his jaw set tight and his eyes dark.

“Wes, I had to come talk to you.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He glanced out behind him into the hall nervously. “I told you I am sorry.” He stepped inside the doorway, leaving the door wide open.

He walked over to his desk and rested his fingers on the glass. “We really shouldn’t be together. I’m leaving today.”

“No, no, Wes.” She moved toward him. “It’s not your fault.”

Wes’s eyes changed from amber to dark espresso. “I have to get to a board meeting. Please go, Chloe.”

Her eyes searched his and she saw pain in his dark gaze. “I can’t.” She moved one step closer to him.

Wes shook his head. “I shouldn’t have come for the wedding. None of this would have happened.”

“Yes…yes, you should have.” A hint of desperation crept through her. “Well actually there isn’t going to be a wedding, but that’s not your fault.” She searched for the right words. “I was having second thoughts before you ever arrived. I was going to churches and watching complete strangers get married. The wedding was doomed before you ever got here.” Her words tumbled out faster than she could think them.

Wes said nothing, but his raised eyebrows and taut neck muscles told her she wasn’t getting through to him.

“I knew what Conner and I had wasn’t right, that there was something missing.” She knew she was babbling but she had to let him know how she felt. “I have feelings for you, Wes….feelings I can’t hide. You probably think I’m crazy, spying on strangers’ weddings, but it just wasn’t right, me and Conner. And when I met you I knew. The minute I met you.” Tears welled in her eyes.

Wes looked stunned, as if someone had punched him in the stomach. She thought he was going to bolt from the room. He stood there staring at her before striding quickly toward the open door.

Instead of leaving, he paused and looked back at her and then shut the door and deliberately pressed the lock button. He said nothing, turning on his heels, walking back to his desk, placing his hand on the phone.

Shit, he was going to phone Conner. He was going to keep her there captive in his office and call Conner and tell him what a nut bar his fiancée was.

Immobile, she watched him as he picked up the phone.

“Marie. Cancel the board meeting.” He looked up at Chloe and they locked eyes. Chloe’s stomach flipped and she started to tremble as Wes spoke into the phone. “Some new information came and in and I need time to review it. Send them all back downstairs, will you?”

He hung up the phone and stood behind the desk, his posture tense. Chloe’s heart pounded in her chest.

“Chloe,” he said gently, coming around the front of the desk, but carefully keeping his distance from her.

“You might have cold feet. Everyone does. It’s natural.” His eyes softened to amber but she could see the tension in his taut neck muscles remained, belying his calming tone. “I didn’t mean to lead you on.”

Dammit. How dare he think he’d led her on? How dare he discount her feelings so casually and sound so condescending? She knew he felt it when they kissed. And he must be scared. She was too. His expression hardened and she braced for his rebuke.

Wes looked at her, but was silent.

“Wes, it’s not your fault.” She struggled to convince him. “But I can’t marry your son, I have feelings for you and I can’t ignore them. I don’t want to,” she said, stepping toward him, praying he didn’t push her away.

He didn’t move, just stood there stone faced.

“Don’t tell me you don’t feel it too.” She gazed at his chiseled face, his strong jaw, the flicker of gold in his eyes making her melt inside as they turned tender.

“Chloe,” he said softly, making her body melt. “What am I going to do with you?”

“You feel it too, don’t you?” She narrowed the space between them until she could feel the heat off his body and the thrum of his pulse.

“Fuck,” he cursed as he looked down at his cowboy boots and then slowly back up at her. He shook his head as if in defeat and grasped her, pulling her to him. He pressed her body hard against his, jarring her with the impact, but loving the strength in his embrace.

Author Bio

KATE DEVEAUX is a contemporary, erotic romance writer and die-hard romantic. It was after reading Jane Eyre in high school, that she became hooked on the idea of writing about romance, excitement and drama. Kate has been penning stories, from the sensual to the sinfully sexy, ever since! A former wedding planner, Kate has always been "in love" with love! She was inspired to transition from writing racy short stories to full length manuscripts after meeting other authors in the romance world at industry workshops, conferences and events. Now a multi published contemporary romance novelist, Kate is a member of Savvy Author, Romance Writers of America (RWA) as well as their erotic romance chapter, Passionate Ink. Born in London, England, Kate has lived in both the U.K. and the U.S. When she’s not busy writing or reading, Kate can be found on the tennis court—yes, there’s even "love" in that game too! What’s Kate up to next? Kate is busy completing several books for release 2014, each filled with sexy romance, heroines who are no shrinking violets, and heroes who make your heart skip a beat… Coming soon in 2014….Platinum Pleasures and A Vixen in Venice

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