Caught Between an Oops and a Hard Body (Caught Between series Book 2) (2 page)

And when he woke the next morning, she was gone.

A part of him had been relieved there would be no awkward goodbyes or exchange of fake phone numbers.

Another part of him—the one that occasionally wondered if there might be one special woman somewhere out in the mass of people he passed on his way into the office everyday—had stared at the indentation left on her pillow and wondered, what if she was the one?

He squashed the wave of desire that hit him square in the gut. Now wasn’t the time to recall how she’d come apart in his arms or to remember her tight warmth as she took all of him inside of her. The woman might have been great in the sack, but she was looking for a ring around her finger and a permanent man in her life, just like every other woman he knew.

He dragged his gaze from the gorgeous blond on the screen and, as Wanda began to cycle through screen shots and images of his sister goofing off, being silly and irresponsible and young as she dated and discarded men like they were a commodity that grew on trees, he turned his back on the TV. “Liz, you’re only twenty-three. What’s the rush? If this Roger fellow loves you, he’ll wait.”

“I’ve seen the way women look at him. I want to be married, Stone. I want a baby. I want to make a life with Roger and have a real family. Don’t you ever think about that?” Liz sighed into the phone. “Never mind, I know how you feel. But despite that, can I count on you to help me out?”

He raked a hand through his hair and knew what he had to do even before he made the conscious decision to return home and somehow make his sister see reason. “Yes, I’ll be there. You know I’d never abandon you.”

The shrillness and panic in her voice softened to gratitude. “Thank you. You are
the
best brother ever.”

She thought that now, but as they said their goodbyes and Stone set the receiver back in its cradle, he knew he had only one avenue of action. Return to Serendipity Island and stop the wedding, even if Liz chose not to talk to him for the rest of his life.

He swiveled back to the TV and watched the images of his baby sister. With an eleven year difference between them, and parents who chased their careers instead of chasing their toddler, he’d spent most of his teen years playing the father figure. And now when she needed him the most, he couldn’t let her down.

An image popped up on the screen.

“Stop right there.” Stone pushed to his feet and wandered closer, ignoring the gorgeous blonde beside his sister. The man in the photo wore a red tuxedo, a pink shirt, and a purple bow tie. His long black hair curled to his waist and he wore more makeup than Stone had ever seen on anyone. “Please don’t tell me that’s the groom.”

“Roger Gordon, aka Jingles, lead singer of the rock band Crazy Heart.” Wanda checked her notes. “It appears your sister met him at a charity auction last month and they were engaged a week later.”

He frowned. “Is she knocked up?”

“Haven’t a clue. Always a possibility, I suppose.” Wanda checked her notes again, then turned her head so she could look up at him. “The other woman. If you have a type, she’s it, but I’m warning you to stay away from her.”

Stone attention returned to the blonde. “Dating advice? When was the last time you went on a date?”

“My personal life is my business.”

“While mine is a wide open book?”

“Works for me.” She clicked through to another photo of his sister and Stephanie. “Stephanie Goodwin. Wedding planner extraordinaire. Liz loves her, maybe even more than she loves Roger. So whatever you do, be nice to the wedding planner and when this is all over, your sister may still be talking to you.”

Everything in Stone screeched to a halt.

The woman he hadn’t been able to forget was gorgeous and sexy and a freaking wedding planner, a lethal combination that he instantly recognized as deadly to his bachelor status.

Gut instinct warned him it was time to disappear, maybe do something safe like climb Mount Everest. Stephanie Goodwin was the woman who for an entire night had kept him a willing prisoner in his hotel room and entertained him with her body, her wit, and her zest for life.

Stone dragged his attention back to his assistant. “Order the helicopter.”

“Already done, sir.” She handed him airline tickets. “Five minutes ago, you sent an e-mail to your mother confirming your arrival at their island estate tomorrow afternoon.”

He returned to his desk, grabbed his briefcase, and started chucking items into it, trying to be cool and nonchalant while he struggled against the image he’d attempted to block from his memory. Stephanie Goodwin, naked and flat on her back beneath him.

Could they continue their sexual relationship without any complications like love and marriage?

He huffed out a sigh. Wedding planner? No way.

And yet, as the memory of making love to Stephanie flooded his body, he thought, if the sex could be that hot every single night of his life, it might make up for a miserable marriage—

No, what was he thinking? Marriage was for fools.

“My luggage?”

“It’ll be on board the helicopter when you leave.”

He finally stopped and looked at her. This woman who ran his professional life without so much as a blip in her expression. She was a mystery to him while his life was an open book. “Pack your bags, Wanda. I need you to come with me.”

She backed up a step and crossed her fingers in front of her chest. “Deal with your family yourself.”

With a sour look in his direction, she pulled open the door, exited the room, and left Stone alone to contemplate the hellish existence of his family. At this moment, he was sure of only three things.

That he’d rather book a trip straight to hell than go home.

That marriage was for never.

And that when he encountered the wedding planner, he was going to avoid her like the plague.

If he didn’t screw up and kiss her first.

CHAPTER TWO

Stephanie Goodwin had never met a prince who didn’t turn out to be a frog, but she never let her personal feelings about men and relationships interfere with her job as a wedding planner.

Instead, she focused on giving her clients their dream wedding and never looked back to see how many of those marriages turned to ruins. It wasn’t her job to get personal and give advice. No, it was her job to create a fairytale day the bride could remember forever, a magical moment to get her through the trials and tribulations of the years ahead.

A priceless memory before everything turned to dust.

Which was why, on this sunny Tuesday morning as she drove the rental car along Tranquility Drive, the coastal highway that circled Serendipity Island, she felt more like a fairy godmother than a wedding planner.

Until she’d had to pull over to the side of the road to throw up.

Afterwards, she drove back onto the highway, one hand on the wheel, the other on her churning stomach, determined that the flu wouldn’t stop her from fulfilling her sacred fairy godmother duty. She had three days to tie up the loose ends of Liz Kincaid’s upcoming wedding…a wedding that would no doubt end in divorce like so many other marriages.

Maybe it wasn’t her fault that all those marriages ended in a nasty court case, but it made her feel like a marriage jinx anyway.

Which was why she was never taking the marriage plunge herself.

With her sister’s map beside her on the seat, she made her way to Mandy’s newly purchased beach house where she climbed out of the car, and headed toward the front door.

From the outside, the beach house was gorgeous. With a six foot tall stone fence separating the property from the street, it was like a tiny piece of heaven on earth.

She knocked on the door, the oversize sweater she’d pulled on that morning heavy and sweltering. It wasn’t her usual attire, but had seemed perfect because she was feeling frumpy and bloated and totally un-Stephanie-like.

Through the clear pane of glass, she saw her mom, Dora Goodwin, emerge and bustle toward the front door. Confused, Stephanie pulled open the door and stepped inside. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

Dora gave a fake cheerleader jump. “Surprised?”

“Very.” Stephanie shut the heat outside and toed off her shoes. As the scent of cinnamon drifted along with her mom, she resisted the urge to gag, and leaned in to give the older woman a hug. “What are you doing here?”

Dora pulled back, her attention fixed on the sweater. “Is that Tom’s sweater? I thought I threw that old thing in the trash.” Dora grabbed hold of the bottom edge of the sweater. “You must be roasting. Pull off that ugly thing before he sees it and wants it back.”

“I’m fine.” Stephanie pushed the other woman’s hands away. “In fact, I’m a little bit chilly. And yes, it’s Dad’s sweater.”

A frown of concern settled over her mom’s features and she set the back of her hand against Stephanie’s forehead. “Are you coming down with something? I hate that you’re in the city all alone with no one to care for you.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, Mom. I’m a big girl.”

Dora’s blue-on-blue eyes filled with affection. “Mothers are predestined to worry. You’ll find that out one day when you have children of your own.”

Stephanie decided it was time to change their conversation before her mom zeroed in on her favorite topic. Marriage and babies. Just because she was a wedding planner didn’t mean she ever wanted to get married or have a family. Her sister could take care of those duties. “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here? It’s not like you’re just popping across the street for a quick visit.” She eyed the guilty flush on her mom’s cheeks and leaned forward. “Does Mandy even know you’re here?”

“Of course she does.” Dora waved one hand in the air, as though the hours of travel had happened in a blink of an eye. “Well, what am I supposed to do? Sit in a rocker on the front porch and wait for you girls to remember I’m alive? You’re both so busy with your lives, I told your father it’s time we started coming to you instead of always expecting you to come for a visit.”

“How long are you staying for?”

Dora tsked, and the frown between her brows deepened. “You look exhausted, honey. What is that woman thinking? How does she expect you pull this wedding together in three days?”

The other woman may have smoothly changed the subject, but Stephanie was on to her. There was something going on. “It won’t be the first time.” Or no doubt the last.

“Well, I’ll help, of course, if you want me there. And I know Mandy wants to talk to you about her wedding. Did she tell you I’ve already started baking cakes for her to try? And there’s my birthday party on Saturday. That’s why we’re here. With both of you girls on the island at the same time, we decided to celebrate it here.” Dora’s frown deepened and she brushed a gentle touch over Stephanie’s cheek. “Maybe we should have spread things out. A little here. A little there…”

Stephanie was getting exhausted just listening to the non-stop chatter, but she couldn’t let on for fear her mother would refuse to let her leave until she’d had a long nap and a belly full of food. “You worry too much. It’ll all work out.”

“Just don’t try to do it all yourself. Call me when you have something for me to do. You know how I love planning.” Dora gave another tug on the sweater. “I hope you’re not planning to wear this ugly thing to the Kincaid estate.”

Stephanie indicated the clothes hanging off her arm and gave another smile. “I came prepared, like you always taught me.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want the bride’s mother to think your mother raised you to be a slob.” Dora tugged at the belly of Stephanie’s sweater. “Now, before you run off, come say hello to your dad.” Her mom raised her voice. “Tom, Stephanie is here, and she’s wearing your favorite sweater.”

Stephanie let her mom drag her into the kitchen where Tom Goodwin stood at the counter, a bowl tucked under one arm, a whisk in his other hand. He wore an apron covered with tiny wedding gowns and groom’s tuxedos and wedding cakes. No doubt Dora had slipped it on him the moment Mandy announced her engagement.

His warm gaze swept over her and settled on the sweater with love in his eyes. “I was wondering where that old thing went. Take it off, kiddo. I want it back.”

Dora let out a big sigh. “No means no.” She crossed the kitchen, and took the bowl and spoon out of his hands. “Go greet your oldest daughter.”

Tom willingly gave up his possessions and crossed the room, arms outstretched, and pulled Stephanie into his arms. “Hello, stranger. We were beginning to wonder if we’d ever see you again.”

She hugged him back and, inhaling the familiar scent of his Old Spice cologne, relished the warmth of his hug. As much as she enjoyed her independence in the city, there were times like these when she realized how much she missed family. “Sorry, Dad. I’ve been really busy at work.”

He pulled away and frowned down at her stomach, and Stephanie followed his gaze. “Have you finally put on some weight? Is that why you’re wearing my sweater?”

“Only a little.” Before she could change the topic, Dora moved in for the kill—ah, the inspection—and the scent of whatever was in the bowl caused Stephanie’s stomach to churn.

“Oh, honey, let’s see how much. You know you have to fit into Mandy’s bridesmaid dress. If you gain or lose weight before the wedding, the gown won’t fit.” Dora grabbed the bottom edge of the sweater. “And we have absolutely no idea how good the local seamstress is. I’d do the job myself, but I’m up to my elbows in baking.”

With a smile and a laugh, Stephanie caught Dora’s wrist, successfully preventing the other woman from lifting the sweater to see what was underneath. She eased back a step. “Don’t worry, Mom. The dress will fit fine and in six months, I promise it’ll fit even better. Does this mean Mandy decided on her colors?”

The front door banged open and footsteps raced toward the kitchen, giving her the opportunity to shift away from the inspection and the bowl that threatened the contents of her stomach.

Her sister popped through the door opening, spied Stephanie, and threw her arms around her. “You’re here, finally. And just in time, because I’m one parent away from crazy mode.”