The garter sailed straight at Levi and slammed him in the chest. In reaction—a complete reflex—he snatched the garter before it landed on the ground and he stood there, gaping at it.
Austin laughed. “Look at you.”
He glared. “This is ridiculous.”
* * *
Rita Snow snapped photos of the billionaire Cole Tanner and his new bride, Tulip. Her fingers trembled as she held the camera and she hoped no one noticed she hadn’t been invited to this wedding but instead was a wedding crasher, here for the photos.
This was the wedding of the summer. The first of the Tanner brothers was getting married. They were overnight billionaire cowboys and the most eligible bachelors in the Hill Country area right now. This was a big, sought-after event. And she had crashed the wedding in order to get these photos.
Her stomach rolled back and forth just thinking about what she was doing. Looking over her shoulder, she hoped no one realized her camera was a powerful professional grade camera or that she was taking far more photos than any regular wedding guest would take. A light sheen of perspiration pebbled across her forehead as she snapped another shot of the groom preparing to throw the garter. Levi Tanner had noticed her earlier; she’d gotten away from him but she didn’t want him to spot her again. She could still feel the electricity that had arced between them only moments earlier when their gazes had locked. She felt a little faint thinking about the intensity of Levi’s gorgeous eyes as they caught hers. And then they’d narrowed, and she realized he knew…or was suspicious. He was the brother, it was said, who had no patience whatsoever for paparazzi. Not that she was calling herself that. She was just here to take some photos to sell. Then why do I feel so sleazy?
She had quickly hurried into the crowd, who at that time was gathered around, watching the bride and groom dancing together. She had panicked as she had rushed through the crowd and been thankful that she wasn’t all that tall and could blend in. She had found a large palm plant to sink into the shadows behind and had waited for Levi to pass by as he searched for her.
She managed to get near the door and was about to make her escape when she had heard Cole call Levi’s name and tell him to get in the garter lineup. He’d responded, teasing his brother about not getting in the line. But when she saw him get in line to catch the garter, she could not turn away.
She had hurried back to the edge of the crowd, slipped in front of the line, again glad she was smaller, and was now waiting in the front row to get her shot. If there was anything other than the picture of the happy couple that could bring money, it would be of the other brothers, who were now the most eligible bachelors in Texas. If one of them caught the garter, that could bring a great price tag.
Watching Levi, reluctant but at least standing there, she was thrilled at the amazing shots she got of the pileup on the floor in front of him and his brother, and the perfect shot she got of the garter hitting him in the chest and his reflex catch. Surprise had been written all over his handsome face when he looked down and realized he was holding the garter. She thought his expression was priceless, and hopefully a tabloid would think so, too, and pay her a nice sum.
She was smiling, mesmerized by the man. Only when his shocked gaze found hers did she realize she had let her guard down. His gaze locked onto hers and she saw instant recognition. She froze in place until she saw him slap the garter into his brother Austin’s hands and start her way.
She spun and dove between the couple behind her. Moving fast, she wove her way through the crowd toward the exit. No time to hide. It was time to leave. This cowboy knew exactly what she was doing, and he was coming for her.
She made it out the door and hurried down the path of the wedding venue, with its lighted lanterns and miles and miles of white tulle and lace that was tied along the walkway. Hanging on to her camera, she fumbled with the cover on the side, protecting the memory card. She stumbled as she got it open and managed not to fall, which was a miracle in the heels she was wearing. She glanced over her shoulder in time to see the door opening and Levi emerge.
She rushed forward into the parking lot and ejected the memory card. She had to hide it in case he caught her and took her camera. The only place that might be was in her bra. She yanked her neckline out and rammed it into her bra and breathed a sigh of relief that it was safe, secure against her thundering heart.
Breathing hard, she dove behind a car then hunched down and began weaving through the cars. When she was far enough away, she slammed her back against the fender of a truck and peered over the hood just as he was passing by. He was about fifteen feet away, with his back to her. Her breath whooshed out of her. If he turned, she was toast. Practically crab-crawling, she hurried to the next row and then made a mad dash for her car.
This was not going to end well if he caught her. She had to get these photos to her computer. Relief swept through her as she reached her compact rental car. She was thankful she’d had the vision to not lock it, just in case she needed to make a fast getaway. She had the key on a rubber wrist band and fumbled as she took the band off and rammed the key into the ignition. Seconds later, she had the car started and backed out. She didn’t know where Levi was but she hoped he was still far enough away that she could drive across the grass to the road leading out onto the country road in front of the wedding venue. Hill Country was riddled with wedding venues across the hundreds of winding roads.
She had just started toward the grassy section she was going to use as a shortcut to freedom when he raced from between the cars, arms waving. And stood right in her path!
“Get out of the way,” she shouted inside the car, but he stood his ground.
Fearful she would hit him, she yanked the steering wheel, lost control, and screamed as the car smashed straight into a small pond in the middle of the grassy section.
Screaming and furious, she tried to push the door open, but it wouldn’t open. Steam poured from under the hood, as if the car were on fire. Panic seized her and she pushed on the door again, while water began to pool at her feet.
* * *
Levi ran toward the steaming car, madder than he could remember being in a very long time. Fool woman hadn’t stopped! He wasn’t panicking over the smoke, knowing that was from the engine hitting the water and would die off soon. But she’d almost ran over him.
Just went to show you that these types would do anything for a picture. Even risk his life or their life or anybody’s life who came in the way of them getting their money shot.
Growling, he raced into the thigh-high water and yanked on the door handle. It didn’t come open, so he yanked harder. She looked panicked inside, probably terrified of the smoke.
“Hang on,” he yelled and yanked on the door again. This time, it came open and water poured into the interior of the car, chest high in the low-riding car. He reached for her as she reached for him, and he pulled her from the car. “Come with me. What were you thinkin’?” he growled as he half dragged her toward the shore. The camera was still dangling from around her neck.
“You jumped in front of me,” she sputtered.
“And you could’ve died, or you could’ve killed me.”
“Why did you do that?” she gasped, stumbling as they reached the muddy bank.
Not being very delicate, he let her fall to the ground. He was normally not a bad guy, but this was just ridiculous. “There, you’re safe. Now hand me that camera.”