Read Online The Wedding Band by Cara Connelly - Free Book Online Page A

yeah. For a dachshund, my man Tri is hung.”
    She laughed because it was a good one, but the heat flushing her body was no laughing matter. She raised her wineglass and glug-­glugged, trying to put out the flame.
    But throwing alcohol on fire only made it burn hotter.
    She glared at his steak. “Aren’t you done yet?”
    â€œWhat’s your hurry? Got a plane to catch?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact.”
    He forked a dainty sliver of meat into his mouth. “So, where you headed on business-­slash-­pleasure?”
    â€œGood question. I’ll figure it out when I get to the airport.”
    He perked up. “No destination in mind? Just going where the wind takes you?”
    â€œSomething like that.” She set her glass on the table. Wine loosened her lips. It had a similar effect on her legs. Two things best kept pressed together around Kota.
    â€œI’m taking a trip myself.” He checked the clock. “A few hours from now. Want to come along?”
    â€œNo.” As if she’d jet off with him for a week like one of his bimbos.
    â€œWhy not?” He abandoned his steak and leaned in, eyes gleaming. “It’ll be fun. We’re going to my island. Me and Tana and Sasha.”
    â€œYou’re horning in on their honeymoon?”
    He threw up his hands. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
    â€œBecause you are?”
    â€œI’m not. I’m giving them the big house, and I’m staying in the guesthouse across the island .”
    â€œAlone? No starlets and supermodels to keep you company?”
    â€œNot a one.”
    â€œStop the presses.”
    â€œSpeaking of the press.” He grinned. “We’re pulling a fast one. Sending look-­alikes to Italy in my jet while we sneak out the back door to my buddy Adam’s plane. He’s dropping us at my island on his way to some big board meeting somewhere.”
    She covered her ears. “You shouldn’t tell me that.”
    â€œYou’re right. Now I’ll have to kill you. Unless you come along.” He put her glass in her hand. “Imagine,” he said, seduction in every word, “a whole island to ourselves. Nothing but sun, sand, and surf.”
    She poured more wine on the fire.
    â€œPalm trees, white sand. Crystal-­clear water.” He painted a tempting picture. “We’ll sunbathe. We’ll snorkel. We’ll swim.”
    Her mind went to him in a swimsuit.
    Or out of it.
    She stood up abruptly. “Thanks, but I forgot to pack my grass skirt. Besides, I have some writing to do.”
    Kota rose too. So tall. So broad. His shoulders must be three feet across.
    â€œYou’re a writer?” He looked interested. Too interested.
    â€œI’m working on a book.” That much was true. She was writing her mother’s biography, a story that deserved to be told.
    â€œThat’s cool,” he said. “You can have your own wing. All the privacy your heart desires.” He smiled, devastatingly. “And when you desire something else, you can come on over to my wing.”
    Just like a celebrity to assume every woman would throw herself at him.
    â€œNo thanks,” she said, sidestepping toward the door.
    He matched her step for step. “No phone.” He dangled the bait. “No internet. No TV. No Twitter.”
    It sounded like paradise.
    â€œWhy would that appeal to me?” she said to be contrary.
    â€œBecause you’re tired of all that.” He was close enough to touch her, but he didn’t. His voice stroked her instead. “You want peace and quiet. Waves lapping the shore.”
    He was hypnotizing her. Putting her into a sensual trance—­
    A sharp knock on the door broke the spell. Kota yanked it open. “Not a good time, Tony.”
    â€œSorry, but there’s a deputy sheriff at the door. He’s looking for a woman, a Christine Case.”
    Chris went ice