Despite the annoyance building inside him, he had to admit this time he was disappointed in the lack of creativity. Until now, the predicaments had been fresh innovative ways to get Officer Rick Chandler’s attention. Running out of gas, if that’s what had happened, ranked way down on the originality scale.
He drove to the outskirts of town and walked to where the driver of the fire-engine-red car awaited help. As he neared, he caught sight of frilly white lace that couldn’t be anything other than a wedding veil dangling over the door. He rolled his eyes heavenward. First a dominatrix and now a bride. The dress backed up his suspicion that he was probably in for a setup. Brides didn’t just happen through Yorkshire Falls and there was no wedding scheduled in town today. The nearest costume shop was located in Harrington, the next town over, and Rick wouldn’t be surprised if this woman had stopped there first.
Apparently she had more creativity than he’d given her credit for, but she hadn’t done her research. Rick Chandler loved rescuing women but a bride of any kind rated last on his list. Last time he’d responded to a similar S.O.S., he’d been home from college and on the force about two years. One of his best friends and a girl he’d had deep feelings for, Jillian Frank, had dropped out of college because she’d gotten pregnant and her parents had thrown her out of the house. Rick had stepped in without thinking twice. He had those damn Chandler genes. Loyalty ran strong, the need to protect even stronger.
He’d started by giving Jillian a place to live but ended up marrying her too. He’d planned to give the baby a name and he’d provided Jillian with a home. He thought they’d be a family. Considering he’d always been attracted to her before she went away to school, doing a good deed for a friend hadn’t been too much of a hardship.
Falling in love had been a natural progression—for him. As they’d lived together during her pregnancy, he’d let down his guard and given his heart—only to have it trampled when the baby’s father returned a few weeks prior to her due date. His once-grateful wife walked out, leaving Rick with divorce papers and wiser for the experience.
He’d decided then, he’d never again lose his heart, but he’d definitely have fun and enjoy his life. After all, he was a man who liked women. His brief marriage hadn’t changed that. Short of taking out a billboard to announce his intent to never wed again, he’d always made his feelings to the women he got involved with perfectly clear. This so-called bride might as well proposition a brick wall for all the response she’d get from Rick Chandler.
One hand on his gun, the other on the open window, he leaned down. “Can I help you, miss?”
The woman turned to face him. She had a unique shade of red hair and the hugest green eyes he’d ever seen. Maybe at one time her makeup had been bridal perfect but tears had smudged the mascara and streaked her blush.
Something about her rang familiar, but Rick couldn’t say what. In a small town, he recognized most people, but every once in a while someone surprised him. “I take it you’re having car problems?”
She nodded and sucked in a deep breath of air. “I don’t suppose you can tow me?” Her husky voice sounded like she’d just taken a sip of warm brandy.
The desire to drink from her lips and see for himself took him off guard. Not only had he thought he’d steeled himself against this woman’s charms, but he hadn’t responded to any woman or seduction attempt since his mother’s marriage push had begun. Yet faced with this so-called blushing bride, he started to sweat, the heat internal and not caused by the blazing summer sun.
He glanced at her warily. “I can’t tow you myself but I can call Ralph’s and he can send his truck over.” He focused on her car problem and not her delicious-looking mouth.
“Do you think you can help me out of here first?” She extended her ringless hand. “I’d get out myself but I think I’m stuck.” Material rustled as she tried to maneuver out of the car.
He still wasn’t sure whether he had a real woman in distress and he weighed the odds. A bride minus an engagement or wedding ring didn’t tip things in favor of a routine stop.
None of which mattered. She had to get out of the damn car. He opened the door, then extended his hand. As she placed her smaller fingers into his grip, a jolt shook him hard. He couldn’t name the sensation, but when those shocked, vivid green eyes bore into his, he knew she felt it too.
Shaking off the unnerving feeling, he pulled her toward him. She clasped his hand tighter but when she pushed up, she teetered forward, falling into his waiting arms. Her full breasts smashed against his chest, her sweet fragrance enveloped him in sizzling awareness, and his heart picked up a fast and furious rhythm.
“Darn high heels,” she muttered in his ear.
He couldn’t help but grin. “I’m a leg man myself.” She grabbed hold of his shoulders and stood up straight. Though she now stood far enough away for him to think more clearly, her scent was emblazoned on his memory—a fragrance made more pure by the fluffy white dress and tiara perched on the side of her head.
“Thank you for your help, Officer.” She smiled and he realized she had dimples on either side of that mouth.
“You’re welcome,” he said, but he lied. He wished he’d never answered her S.O.S.
Rick had been exposed to many females in his lifetime and none had ever shaken him this badly. What he didn’t understand was why this woman?
He let his gaze slide over her body in an attempt to figure out her allure. Okay, so her breasts pushed up enticingly beneath the fitted material of her dress. Big deal. He’d seen breasts before. Heck, all the women who’d tried to seduce him lately had made sure theirs were prominently on display, but none made him want to chuck all rational thought and drag the woman in question into the neighboring woods and make love until the sun went down—con-artist status be damned.
Rick’s body shook in reaction to the mere thought and he forced himself to continue his perusal of her many assets. He took in her luscious mouth next. Her lips were coated with clear gloss and set in a naturally full pout that shouted kiss me. And he’d already confessed his weakness in wanting to.
Chemistry was obviously working overtime and he had to admit she was damned attractive bait for a woman his mother had sent. If his mother had sent her. Had Raina run out of women in town and decided to import one instead? Maybe that was his explanation. Perhaps it was the fact that she was new to town, new to him, that intrigued him, setup or not.
“What’s wrong?” She crinkled her nose. “You’re looking at me like you’ve never seen a woman in a wedding dress before.”
“It’s something I’ve tried to avoid.”
She grinned. “Confirmed bachelor, huh?”
Unwilling to touch that statement, he decided it was time to find out the truth. “Need me to get you to the church on time?” he asked, acting like the cop he was and not the man she’d aroused.
She swallowed. “No church, no wedding.”
So if she had been a bride, she wasn’t now. In fact she’d probably left some poor schmuck sitting at the church waiting for her to show. “No wedding, huh? Now there’s a shock. Is the groom still at the altar?”
* * *